Nissan launches new Note compact EV in Japan

Japanese carmaker Nissan Motor Co has launched the all-new Note compact car in its domestic market, with sales planned to begin December 23. The new Note will come exclusively with Nissan’s e-Power electrified powertrain. As the company’s best-selling model in its home market, the car will continue to play a key role in the Nissan NEXT global business transformation plan.

Ashwani Gupta, COO, Nissan Motor Co said: “In 2016, the Note e-Power became a hot seller as soon as it started sales in Japan. With this all-new Note, we want to bring the joy of e-Power to even more customers. Once you experience e-Power, you will instantly discover why it has been well received by customers. It offers linear and exhilarating acceleration that is unique to 100% electric motor drive, but without the restraint of battery charge. This is the power of e-Power.”

Earlier this year, Nissan launched the Kicks e-Power in Japan, Thailand and Indonesia. The company is also planning to launch e-Power in Europe and China. Till date, the company says customers have purchased about 430,000 vehicles equipped its innovative powertrain.

By end of fiscal year 2023, the Japanese carmaker expects to deliver more than 1 million electrified vehicles, including EVs and e-Power models, to customers around the world each year.

“By electrifying the powertrains of our vehicles, we want to promote vehicle evolution and continue to deliver driving excitement and pleasure to customers,” said Gupta.

The all-new Note carries Nissan’s latest design concept, Timeless Japanese Futurism. The company says the simple, yet powerfully modern and distinctive Japanese approach sets the Note apart from other compact cars.

The model comes with 13 available body colour variations, including two two-tone options and Vivid Blue. Also available is the new colour Opera Mauve, which the OEM says is specially created for the Note.

The company says the new Note defies preconceptions about compact car interiors by minimising the footprint of components while increasing comfort and technology. The centre console is positioned for easy access to the downsized electronic shift lever and opens space below it.

Zero gravity seats and large armrests offer enhanced comfort on long-distance trips. In the rear, customers get plenty of headroom and legroom as well as reclining seatbacks. The rear hatch has a wide opening to a spacious trunk, making loading and unloading an easier experience.

In terms of tech, the state-of-the-art technology ensures information is readily available at a glance. Upon entry, the driver is greeted by the large integrated display interface that links vehicle information and navigation details in a seamless landscape orientation. Digital gauge displays keep information clear and easy to read. The centre console also offers wireless charging.

Powering the third-generation Note is a completely new platform and design give it a fresh, advanced impression. The new Note also features the second generation of Nissan’s acclaimed e-Power electric powertrain. Extensively redesigned and redeveloped, the system produces more power, a higher-quality driving experience and improved efficiency. It represents a step-change in performance, with responsive acceleration, smooth deceleration and quietness, which Nissan says only an electrified powertrain can deliver.

All-new electric motor and inverter
The new Note lineup will also feature a truly electric all-wheel drive model, with powerful dual electric motors in the front and rear supplying power to all four wheels. The AWD model is scheduled for launch in December.

The second-generation e-Power system has an all-new electric motor and inverter. Electric motor torque has been increased by 10 percent and output by 6 percent, delivering powerful acceleration from a standing start or when passing other vehicles. The e-Power control technology has been tuned to achieve smoother acceleration and significantly improve cabin quietness.

The new inverter is now 40 percent smaller and 30 percent lighter. The onboard gasoline engine used to generate electrical energy is also more efficient, resulting in both increased power and better fuel economy. The engine now operates at a lower RPM and is engaged less often during a typical drive. Coupled with enhanced insulation in the vehicle body. As a world first, the company says the electrical energy generation is controlled according to road conditions. When road noise increases due to surface conditions and vehicle speed, the engine switches on to charge the e-Power battery pack. This reduces the need for the engine to operate under otherwise quieter conditions.

In terms of safety tech, the new Note’s advanced technology offers 360 degrees of coverage to give drivers added assistance and peace of mind on the road. Drivers can enjoy Nissan’s ProPilot with Navi-link, which syncs with the navigation system on highways and detects speed limit signs to automatically adjust the set speed. The system also uses navigation data to assess the angle of upcoming bends and decelerate the vehicle accordingly. As a first for Nissan, 1,470 MPa ultra-high tensile steel has been adopted in the vehicle chassis, contributing to both weight reduction and improved passive safety performance.