Nissan is charging head-first into the electric future, utilising technologies like e-Power for its X-Trail and Qashqai, and battery electric systems as seen in the Leaf and Ariya.
But where does this leave the Navara ute and Patrol off-road SUV that have unique off-roading requirements?
We already know a new-generation Navara is being worked on, meaning development budget and planning are committed for a model that is expected to surface around 2024.
And while we know electrification is in the works, we can now rule out a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) set-up for the Navara – and Patrol, for that matter – thanks to recent comments from Nissan senior engineer Dan Connelly.
“I can’t comment on the future, but as it stands, we have no plans [for PHEV] at the moment,” he told CarsGuide at the international launch of the X-Trail e-Power.
This leaves a hybrid option for the Navara that could be Nissan’s e-Power e4ORCE system, which uses a small engine to generate electricity for the battery to power the wheels.
Nissan says its unique system provides an EV-like driving experience – meaning instantaneous response and linear power deliver – without the drawback of needing to be charged.
However, with its e-Power e-4ORCE all-wheel-drive system, the technology can also provide benefits for off-roading such as torque vectoring.
Obviously, this could benefit something like the Navara or Patrol, and Mr Connelly told CarsGuide the technology could be expanded beyond X-Trail.
“We can scale [up], and we are using the same technology over several vehicles,” he said.
When asked how big it could go, Mr Connelly said: “I mean it’s modular … so I mean anything’s theoretically possible, but it’s there to get the fuel economy benefits – that’s the main purpose of it.”
Reduced fuel consumption would obviously benefit the Patrol, which currently uses a 5.6-litre petrol V8 that averages 14.4 litres per 100km.
Mr Connelly stopped short of confirming any concrete details on next-generation Navara and Patrol – of course – but said Nissan’s e-Power tech would only be applicable to ground-up new models.
“I can’t comment at the moment for the future line-up of the cars … [but] in theory, yes, anything’s possible,” he said.
“At the moment, we look at the CFC platform [that underpins current Qashqai and X-Trail, as well as Mitsubishi’s Outlander] that was designed with e-Power in mind, so then decisions get made when the car goes onto a new platform.
“We wouldn’t want to go to an old platform and then just out e-Power onto it because they’ll be a compromise somewhere, whether its fuel tank, the trunk, the interior roominess.”
The next-gen Navara will also share development and its underpinnings with the new Mitsubishi Triton, but as seen with their respective X-Trail and Outlander mid-size SUVs, hybrid approaches can differ.
Nissan’s X-Trail feature e-Power as its flagship powertrain, while the Mitsubishi Outlander has a plug-in hybrid.
Recently, a Mitsubishi executive revealed the Japanese brand is still weighing up its electrification options for the new Triton with a PHEV in the mix, but that doesn’t mean Nissan’s Navara will follow suite.
However, Mr Connelly said being part of the same global Alliance, which also includes Renault, means the brand can study all its options before committing to one particular strategy.
“We’re in the Alliance, everyone has access to everyone’s technology,” he said.
“We’ve sort of been deciding [on the technology to adopt for future models]. If we look at just the ones that have been launched recently, we’ve got e-Power, which is a Nissan system on X-Trail and Qashqai.
“Actually, with Juke Hybrid, we’ve gone for Renault’s [technology] because actually that suited the platform and vehicle better.
“For the next platform, all I can say is all the technologies are available to everyone and we just have to pick the best fit for the car.”
Keyword: Next-gen Nissan Navara and Y63 Patrol to score e-Power hybrid?