Fuel Good Factor | Nissan's New Engines Explained
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NISSAN'S NEW ENGINES EXPLAINED

Looking for a new Nissan but don't know what would be best suited to you?
With the road to 2030 quickly approaching, more and more vehicles are being produced with engine systems that differ from your average internal combustion engine(ICE) system. Nissan's long-term strategy, Ambition 2030, will drive us towards a more sustainable world by creating a range of electrified vehicles that will be suitable for a wider range of people. 

Over the next year, Nissan will be releasing several new vehicles with different engine systems, including the ARIYA, MY22 LEAF, Juke HYBRID and the E-Power Qashqai. You need to start thinking about these engine types and how each one can have different benefits. New Nissans can now have one of several different types of engines, including petrol(internal combustion engines), E-Power, Mild Hybrid, Hybrid or 100% electric.
So, how do these engines work? What are the benefits? and which Nissan engine is best suited to you? Should you get an electric, hybrid or petrol car? 
engine
Electric Engine

Find out more about how this engine works

engine
E-Power Engine

Find out more about how this engine works

engine
Hybrid Engine

Find out more about how this engine works

engine
Mild Hybrid Engine

Find out more about how this engine works

engine
Petrol Engines

Find out more about how this engine works

NISSAN ELECTRIC ENGINES
 HOW DO ELECTRIC CARS WORK?

As the road to 2030 is quickly approaching, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular. This is because EVs produce zero emissions due to the fact they run off an electric motor.
Nissan's fully electric range includes the LEAF, the ARIYA and the renewed Nissan Townstar.

All EVs run on just electricity alone, with no assistance from any other fuel, like a hybrid car. 

Electric cars need to be plugged in and charged regularly to ensure that you will receive the maximum range that each vehicle can provide. This can be done via a wall socket or an installed charging point. Charging points can be installed at home and can even be included within finance agreements. 

Once plugged in, the vehicle will store the electricity within a battery. It will then be extracted by the motor to drive the wheels.


electric

So, let's get more technical...

EVs are much simpler than their fossil fuel using counterparts. Vehicles with an internal combustion engine(ICE) have many components under their bonnets to ensure that the car is driven forward. However, EVs only need two core components: A motor and a battery. At least one motor is needed within an EV to run, however, some on the market have multiple motors. Most performance-orientated cars will have two or more motors, whereas EVs that are built for day-to-day use will have one. The motor uses electricity to power the car. The batteries within an EV are made up of a stack of cells. Electricity will be stored here to transfer it to the motor to turn it into energy. The battery will need to be re-charged regularly.

The battery then starts the electrical motor by providing it with energy. When your foot presses down on the accelerator, the coils, which are on opposite sides of the motor, act as magnets and create a rotating magnetic field. This then pulls the conducting rods along with it. This system creates more torque and eliminates the need for an ICE. The spinning rotor then creates enough mechanical energy to turn the gears within the car, which then drives the wheels of the car.

When your foot is lifted off of the accelerator, the rotor will continue to spin and will get faster and faster, however, the rotating magnetic field will stop. This happens because it allows to battery to recharge and the EV will regain some energy. This is known as regenerative braking. 


Fully electric vehicles from Nissan also include an E-Pedal. The Nissan LEAF has the unique pedal included, and the Nissan ARIYA also has this feature. The purpose of the E-Pedal is to be able to drive the vehicle with just one pedal, making your driving experience much easier. 

The driver will be able to pull off, accelerate, decelerate and come to a stop, with just one pedal. By pressing down on the E-Pedal, you will begin to accelerate, but lifting off will act as if you have begun pressing down on a brake pedal, allowing you to slow down and even come to a full stop. 

In a busy city environment, any vehicle with E-Pedal technology will feel easier and more relaxing to drive.

PROS AND CONS OF ELECTRIC ENGINES

  • PROS
  • CONS
    • Better for the environment - zero emissions
    • Fuel savings - petrol and diesel cost more than electric
    • Maintenance savings - motors won't need to be serviced like an ICE
    • Low company car tax
    • Almost silent journeys
    • Faster acceleration
    • Range anxiety - worries about if your EV will make the full journey
    • Charging points - they are much more limited, compared to the number of petrol station
    • Charging times - You will have to wait a lot longer to refuel this type of engine
    • Price - Usually more expensive than a car with a petrol engine

PROS

CONS

NISSAN E-POWER
HOW DOES NISSAN E-POWER WORK?

Nissan has developed the e-Power system to deliver a responsive drive with quiet, smooth acceleration – just like any normal electric car.

The bold and innovative power system was be introduced to the automotive market within the Nissan Qashqai with e-POWER and the fourth generation X-Trail
This electrified system provides all the added benefits of an electric vehicle, without the charging time. Within the e-Power system the wheels are not connected to a petrol engine. The only job of the petrol engine is to charge the battery. The battery then powers the electric motor to move the wheels.

“The introduction of the innovative e-POWER system to the new Qashqai brings more of Nissan’s pioneering spirit to the crossover segment. Customers will love the feeling of driving an EV but without consideration for charging. And e-POWER represents a significant milestone in Nissan’s electrification strategy,” said Guillaume Cartier, Chairperson for Nissan’s AMIEO region.

The e-POWER system was first introduced in Japan in 2017 on the Note compact family car and it went on to become Japan’s number one best-selling car in 2018.
e-power

The e-Power drivetrain, which will feature in the newest Qashqai and X-Trail, will be made up of three key components:
  • a highly efficient petrol engine (1.5-litre, 157PS)
  • a lithium-ion high-performance battery
  • a 140 kW electric motor

The petrol engine provides the energy to charge the battery. The lithium-ion battery then drives the electric motor. This means the e-Power Qashqai and the X-Trail will have the benefits of an electric vehicle, such as instant acceleration, but the convenience of a conventional petrol engine which can be fuelled in a couple of minutes. The engine then keeps the battery topped up, so there’s no long waits at service stations to re-charge the battery – even on long journeys.

The e-Power system developed by Nissan has allowed for a smaller petrol engine to be used, allowing to minimize weight. Nissan has optimized energy management as e-Power uses a smaller battery than the Nissan LEAF, meaning the driver gets the same experience as they would get when driving an electric vehicle. What Nissan has achieved with the e-Power has been one of the motor industry's biggest achievements for compact cars. 

NISSAN E-POWER

  • PROS
  • CONS
    • Massive torque almost instantly on acceleration,  just like an electric vehicle
    • Quiet operation when driving,  just like an electric vehicle
    • Fuel efficiency that’s compared to leading hybrid vehicles
    • Only takes a couple of minutes to refuel
    • Produces fewer emissions than a petrol engine
    • You will still be affected by rising fuel costs
    • Even though it's a small amount, it still produces some emissions

PROS

CONS

NISSAN HYBRID ENGINES
HOW DO HYBRID CARS WORK?

Hybrids are vehicles that use more than one type of power system. 

This type of system is becoming increasingly popular because drivers can access some of the benefits of fully electric vehicles and petrol engines simultaneously. This is because a hybrid car is powered by both an internal combustion engine(ICE) AND an electric motor.
The most popular hybrid models don't need to be plugged in. Instead, the battery is charged via a regenerative braking system and the ICE.

The added power from the electric motor could also mean that the vehicle can have a smaller engine. 

Hybrids will have lower fuel emissions than your average petrol-engined car. You would also benefit from a better fuel economy as your engine burns less fuel.

Hybrids can often be mor expensive compared to other vehicles as they have the technology of both an internal-combustion engined car and an electric car.
hybrid

  • View our latest Juke Hybrid offer with quick delivery available


What are the different types of hybrid cars?

There are multiple types of hybrids to choose from, so you need to conduct enough research to ensure you are picking the best system for your needs.

Parallel Hybrid

This is the most common type of hybrid car that you will find on the market. The wheels of the vehicle can be powered in three different ways, by the engine, by the motor or through the combined power of both. 

When pulling away, the system will only use the electric motor to conserve fuel, making the stop-start system very economical. As you increase your speed the engine will activate itself and create most of the energy needed for acceleration. 

When you use the breaks, the regenerative braking system will be activated, and further powers the battery of the car, to store for later use. The battery within this hybrid type is big enough to ensure that the car can go a short distance with just the electric motor alone. 

This type of hybrid can be an automatic, manual or CVT.

Series/Range extender Hybrid

Within this hybrid system, the ICE never makes a connection with the wheels and never drives the car, it is simply just there to recharge the battery. The driving experience is much more comparable to an electric car due to the smoother and more powerful acceleration. 

Plug-In Hybrid

Plug-In hybrids, as implied, need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to recharge the battery component. The batteries can also be charged on the move like the more common parallel hybrid. 

These vehicles are a halfway point between a hybrid car and a 100% electric car, so could be an ideal transition car if you are wanting to make the switch to fully electric. 

This type of hybrid still has an ICE, but has larger batteries than any other hybrid types, meaning your vehicle will be more eco-friendly and have a longer battery-only range. 

HYBRID ENGINES

  • PROS
  • CONS
    • Less CO2 emissions than mild hybrids or petrol cars.
    • Better fuel economy
    • Lower first-year road tax and company car tax
    • Avoid ULEZ charges
    • Convenient and numerous refuelling stations
    • Choice of power modes
    • No range anxiety
    • Pricey fuel costs
    • More technical mechanics means parts/repairs could be more expensive 
    • Additional weight from ICE and electric motor can effect performance 

PROS

CONS

NISSAN MILD HYBRID ENGINES
HOW DO MILD HYBRID CARS WORK?

Mild hybrid vehicles are becoming increasingly popular for many reasons. Not only are they better for our environment, but they are also often on the more affordable side of the hybrid range. 

Are you wondering what the difference is between a hybrid and a mild hybrid? The electrical motor within a mild hybrid is unable to drive the vehicle - whereas, within a hybrid, it can.

So, to put it into simple terms, the engine will still be driving a mild hybrid car, but the battery is there to help improve general performance such as accelerating and fuel economy.

  • Looking for a mild hybrid vehicle? The Nissan Qashqai with Mild Hybrid technology is here


But let's get more technical...

The system is affordable because it has simple components which allow it to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. 
 
There can be many different types of mild hybrids, but they most often come with a small battery pack that will work alongside a regular 12V battery that can be found in internal combustion-engined vehicles.

Mild hybrids often run on a 48V system which is integrated with a starter-generator, this acts as a starter motor and also a power bank to assist the engine. The power is only released to the engine under certain conditions, such as pulling away, which allows you to save fuel. You may also find a small benefit to the vehicle's acceleration.
qashqai
Mild hybrids are, on average, up to 15% more efficient than their more conventional counterparts. Not only this - but also less complex internally, meaning they will be more affordable to maintain.

You may also find - depending on your lifestyle - that living with a mild hybrid is much easier and simpler than having to live with a plug-in hybrid system, as you won't have to worry about charging it. 

If you don't have access to charging points, or a plug-in hybrid is a little out of your price range, then a mild hybrid should be your next point of call. They're cleaner than petrol-engined cars, and can also operate with manual gearboxes if you would rather opt for a vehicle that provides a traditional driving experience. 


MILD HYBRID ENGINE

  • PROS
  • CONS
    • More affordable than other hybrid cars
    • Lighter than conventional hybrid vehicles
    • Much more affordable to manufacture
    • Lower emissions than petrol vehicles
    • Some fuel economy benefits
    • Performance improvements
    • Reduced running costs 
    • Relaxing and easier drive 
    • Emits more emissions than hybrid vehicles
    • More expensive than non-hybrid cars

PROS

CONS

NISSAN PETROL ENGINES
HOW DO PETROL CARS WORK?

Petrol engines, also known as Internal Combustion Engines(ICE), are one of the most common and popular engines that can be found on british roads right now. This is because they can provide outstanding drivability and durability.

To quickly summarise how ICE's work, oxygen will mix with the fuel in your engine, the spark plugs will ignite and, like magic, you will have internal combustion. But let's be more technical.

Combustion, which can also be known as 'burning', is a simple chemical process of releasing engery from a mixture of air and fuel, which happens within the engine. The engine is then able to partially convert this energy in order to work the car. 

Engines are built around a set of cylinders and a moving piston. The amount of cylinders differs from car to car, but there can be anywhere from two to twelve sets. It is within these cylinders that the chemical reaction takes place.

Each cylinder has two valves, the 'inlet valve' and the 'outlet valve'. The inlet allows fuel and air to flow through and the outlet allows the exhaust gases to escape. 

The building gases from combustion will push through the piston, which then rotates the crankshaft, a system of gears that are found within the powertrain. This, ultimately, is what puts your car in motion.

You will also find spark plugs within any petrol engine, these are electrically controlled devices which spark within the ICE and lights the fuel on fire. 

ICE

  • Looking for a petrol car? Learn more about Qashqai; the UK's favourite crossover.


All of these components will work in a 4-step cycle in order to fire an engine and run your vehicle efficiently.  
ice

INTAKE - The piston will be pulled down within the cylinder due to the momentum of the crankshaft, whilst the inlet valve opens up. A mixture of fuel and air will then enter the cylinder. 

COMPRESSION - The inlet valve will now close and the piston will be pushed to the top of the cylinder to compress the fuel and air mixture. This makes the mixture much more flammable. Once the piston reaches the top, the spark plug will fire. 

POWER - The spark plug will ignite the mixture, causing a small explosion. The fuel will be burnt immediately, which gives off hot gases to push the piston back down. The energy that is released here fuels the car and powers the crankshaft.

OUTLET - The crankshaft will now force the piston to the top of the cylinder again, this will force all of the exhaust gases out through the outlet valve, and they will then exit through the exhaust.

This 4-step process repeats itself over and over again, from the exact moment that you turn your key in the ignition of the car to the moment that you switch the car off completely. 

PROS AND CONS OF PETROL ENGINES

  • PROS
  • CONS
    • Petrol engines can pack a powerful punch, even in small sizes. You can tune a petrol engine to create more power without using a turbocharger.
    • Aftersales services can be more affordable as petrol engines tend to have cheaper parts. Due to popularity of petrol engines, these parts are often more widely and easily available.
    • Petrol engines are quieter than diesel alternatives, and they also produce less pollution.
    • It can be more convenient to refuel this type of engine as there are hundreds of thousands of petrol stations across the country. 
    • Petrol is currently quite expensive compared to other fuel sources and adds to the running costs of the car alongside tax and insurance.
    • These engines can clog up more easily and quickly, therefore requiring more maintenance work. If a petrol engine isn't serviced regularly it can deteriorate rather quickly.
    • Petrol can have impurities, meaning that if you purchase your fuel from a lesser-known brand, you could be at risk of damaging your engine because of the fuel quality.

PROS

CONS

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