The Kicks ePower is the first of many ePower vehicles to come to Malaysia
Nissan in Malaysia is on a revival momentum after being rather in-active for 4 years. Yes, Nissan Japan and its 70-year partnership with Malaysian auto group Tan Chong Motor are now geared to move forward with a new range of vehicles with electrified powertrains.
Some 10 years ago, Nissan and Tan Chong Motor were the very first to introduce emission free motoring to Malaysia. The Nissan Leaf was the first electric car to be sold in Malaysia and it is still on sale today.
Tan Chong Motor was also the first to introduce public electric vehicle charging with ‘First Energy Networks’. They started with KLCC and Lot10 shopping malls in the city.
Now, fast forward to 2024 and Tan Chong Motor is back with a brand new electrified vehicle and it does not NEED any external charging or to be plugged in to get battery juiced up.
This is e-POWER technology from Nissan Japan and it takes away driving range anxiety, the need to use an app to book a battery charger and the worry that a long wait is needed while the battery gets charged. e-POWER vehicles are essentially electric cars (EV) with an onboard petrol fed generator for battery self-charging.
So, take note. e-POWER is Nissan’s unique electric-drive powertrain that integrates a 1.2L petrol fed engine and an electric motor that is used to power the wheels. So, since the 1.2L petrol sipping engine only generates electricity and the system is 100 percent driven by a high-output motor, it is possible to enjoy the driving experience of an EV.
Did you know that In November 2020, the Kicks e-Power won the 2021 “Technology of the Year” award, given by the Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan (RJC), for its e-POWER electrified powertrain.
Also, the second-generation e-POWER’s motor has 5 percent greater power and 7 percent higher maximum torque, resulting in a more exhilarating driving experience. Yet fuel efficiency of the battery generator has improved by approximately 6.4 percent when compared to the 1st generation e-Power unit.
Meanwhile, the Nissan Kicks is a crossover with overall length of 4,290mm, an overall width without mirrors at 1,760mm and a wheelbase of 2,620mm. Its fuel tank capacity is 41 liters and it runs on 17-inch tires.
How Does It Feel On The Road
The well executed Kicks passenger cabin has good fit and finish. Contoured sports seats, a soft touch instrument panel with Nissan’s easy to use entertainment system (Android Auto and Apple Carplay ready) and perfectly detailed switches, instruments and control surfaces are all a result of superior Japanese craftsmanship.
Rear passengers benefit from good comfort and features (for 2 adults). The rear seat folds easily in one movement. The comfortable rear seating provides space to accommodate 3-adult passengers. The second row seating has a 60/40 split and has been designed to fold flat to maximise the usefulness of the available load compartment in two-seat mode.
A push start button gets the battery system ready for you (and the 1.2-liter petrol fed engine does not ignite) to begin your journey with your battery powering the wheels. Its an emission free start. Quiet and without any petrol being used.
On all the potholed, rough and badly maintained roads around Petaling Jaya, this compact SUV handled itself well on all the surfaces with no jarring and bounce. The light steering provides enough excitement and response to keep everyone happy. When the roads get rough, the Kicks hits humps and bumps with minimal fuss.
It is an ideal vehicle for mums to drop their kids off and pickup at school, as it comes with enough look-at-me factor to give any mum attention. It also works well for the single adult, both male and female as a lifestyle vehicle.
The sleek gear-shifter transitions seamlessly, yet as you would expect gets you to your destination in comfort and without any worrying about battery charging.
The positioning of the driver’s seat provides great views to the road ahead, to the left and right, and the volume of audible road and wind noise is low, delivering one of the quietest cabins in the segment.
The 1.2-liter petrol engine ‘wakes’ up to generate power to charge the battery system when needed and the driver never needs to communicate with it. Yes, the computer will decide when to charge the battery and how high the engine revolution needs to be for battery charging. The driver just handles the controls and enjoys the commuting.
This is quite an impressive technology sitting underneath the Kicks. Take a test drive to better understand e-POWER and why it is better choice for long distance and also city commuting over an EV that’s needs a charging station that provides ‘juice’ to its battery from a coal or diesel powered source.
Nissan Kicks e-POWER Specifications
Battery Generator: 3-Cylinder DOHC Petrol
Battery Generator CC: 1,198
Battery Generator Fuel Consumption: 4.6L
Battery Voltage: 349V
Battery Capacity:2.13kWh
Power: 129PS
Torque: 260Nm
Acceleration 0 – 100km/h: 5.3 seconds
Top Speed: 160km/h
Selling Price: Guesstimate at RM130k
