New Nissan e-Power Model Hinted for Q4 2024 Launch

Nissan Leaf EV hatch was the first mass-produced EV model by the Japanese automaker.

When it comes to EVs, oftentimes people will think of Tesla as the biggest pioneer in this technology. But contrary to popular belief, it was actually Nissan who were the first one to mass-produce EVs, which was the Nissan Leaf EV hatch.

Since then, however, the Japanese automaker has shied away from EV production, as it uses the wealth of experience from developing and assembling the Leaf EVs to develop its proprietary hybrid powertrain system instead. Known as the Nissan e-Power, this innovation works slightly differently compared to other conventional series-parallel hybrids (HEVs) out there, as it promises lower tailpipe emissions and an EV driving experience without needing to plug in.

The Nissan e-Power hybrid system solely uses the electric motor to drive the vehicle, which by itself is juiced by a small lithium-ion battery pack. The engine, on the other hand, acts as a generator that provides energy to said battery pack, which eliminates the need for plug-in charging while at the same time delivering the same EV driving experience.

With Nissan now poised to push more e-Power models globally, the automaker, via its local vanguard, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), has also hinted that a new Nissan e-Power model is slated to make its local debut later in Q4 this year.

A new Nissan e-Power hybrid model is hinted for Q4 2024 debut. Could it be the new Serena or the Kicks SUV?

Although the automaker did not give any clue on the specific model, all evidence points towards either the sixth-gen (C28) Nissan Serena MPV or the Nissan Kicks SUV crossover, both of which are offered with the e-Power hybrid powertrain option.

Starting with the former, the new Serena has been introduced in the Japanese market since 2022. Unlike its predecessor, the new Serena features a proper e-Power hybrid powertrain setup comprising a 1.4-litre 4-cty petrol mill rated at 98 HP and 123 NM, which works as a generator to its small 1.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. In return, the battery juiced up its front-mounted (FWD) electric motor setup to deliver a total system output of 163 HP and 315 NM, making it more powerful and capable than the C27 model.

Ahead of its entry into our market, the new Serena already made its ASEAN regional debut in Singapore earlier this year, where the MPV is offered exclusively with the e-Power powertrain option. With that being said, there’s a strong likelihood that the new Serena could be the mysterious e-Power model that ETCM plans to launch later this year.

The same can also be said for the Nissan Kicks e-Power. While ETCM has never officially brought in this subcompact SUV crossover model, the sudden rise for small SUVs locally may have given the automaker a wake-up call to finally bring this model into our market.

Nissan Kicks e-Power previewed at the Malaysia Autoshow 2024.

Unlike the new Serena, ETCM actually has previewed the Kicks e-Power model here in Malaysia, as the hybrid SUV was used as the centrepiece for the brand’s showcase at the previous Malaysia Autoshow, with an intent to showcase its hybrid powertrain system.

Not to be confused with the new Nissan Kicks launched in the US, the first-gen Nissan Kicks e-Power uses the similar powertrain setup as the new Serena, albeit with a smaller 1.2-litre 3-cyl petrol mill and a less peppy single-motor setup rated at 127 HP and 260 NM.

So folks, which of these Nissan e-Power models are you keen to see making its debut into our market? Or would you rather see ETCM bring both of these new models into our market? As always, don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments down below…