A Guide to the Nissan Note e-Power

The Nissan Note has been around since 2004 and since the beginning it has cleverly walked the line between the compactness of a super-mini, and the functionality of a much larger car. 

However, it’s undoubtedly the new generation e-Power range that will get car enthusiasts excited. 

Available on six model variants, the 4WD, Autech, C-Gear, Medalist, X and Nismo, e-Power is Nissan’s unique take on a hybrid system, and a great compromise for Australian’s wishing to own an electric vehicle.

The e-Power system marries together an internal combustion system and similar electric technology to that found in the Nissan Leaf. The dual function engine only engages on startup and when the car speeds up or requires more power to climb, at the same time it regenerates the batteries. When the car begins to slow down it switches to full battery power. 

This clever car is a great choice for those who suffer range anxiety, as it has a theoretical range of around 1300km’s, making it incredibly fuel efficient, achieving as little as 2.9L/100 km’s on its 41 litre fuel tank. 

The Nissan Note

An incredibly affordable and accessible vehicle, the Nissan Note e-Power impresses most with its economical specs and fuel efficiency, but there’s also plenty to like when it comes to its compact design and inclusions.

Here’s the sporty 2017 Nismo model at a glance (currently in stock):

40 kwh 1300 km   2.9/100 KM

Lithium-Ion Battery Theoretical driving range* Fuel Consumption

The Nissan Note e-Power is surprisingly zippy, especially if you get the Nismo version.

It feels and drives like any electric car because of the way the e-Power system operates. They make for a smooth and comfortable ride, especially around the cities where Nissan’s e-pedal technology gets its chance to shine. 

The e-Power models come with three modes, ‘normal’, ‘S’ and ‘Eco’. In the ‘normal’ mode the car’s regenerative brakes operate with almost the same feel as a traditional car, but in the ‘S’ and ‘Eco’ mode they engage at three times the braking G’s force. 

There’s no charging port on the car to worry about as the battery is replenished by the engine.

It’s worth noting that there’s no direct connection between the engine and the wheels like on most parallel hybrid models, instead the Nissan Note e-Power’s are classified as Series Hybrids. 

You’ll certainly hear the car rev when you push down on the throttle though as it engages to supply more power to the battery.

Most of the time however you can expect to hear absolutely nothing from the battery, which is located under the seats to preserve cargo space.

Inside the car feels spacious, despite being a mini. The boot is cleverly designed for maximum space and there’s plenty of legroom in the front and the back of this 5-seater vehicle. 

The car’s impressive potential for long range driving makes it a great choice for Australian’s, it’s both fuel efficient and capable of covering even the longest drives around the country. 

The Nissan Note e-Power Nismo is a Japan-only model, so if you’re looking to drive your own in Australia, then browse our stock list for currently available imported models, or talk to us about importing a Nissan Note to fit your needs.