Nissan has staged the world debut of the Kicks e-POWER crossover in Thailand last night, with the event being aired online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since the outbreak, several automakers have been launching new models in online events, such as Mazda with its CX-30 and MG with the ZS minor change.
There are 4 trim levels in the Kicks lineup with retail prices ranging from Bt889,000 (US$27,725) to Bt1.049 million (US$32,715).
The Kicks is assembled in Thailand at Nissan’s Samut Prakarn plant, and fits into the market segment where the Indonesian-made Juke left off. Thailand is the second country after Japan to produce a Nissan e-POWER model.
According to Nissan, the Kicks e-POWER will also be exported from Thailand to other markets, including Indonesia and the Philippines.
The e-POWER Series Hybrid system, which Nissan says is a bridge for Nissan customers towards EVs, was previously offered in the Serena and Note.
A 3-cylinder 1.2-liter engine from the old Nissan eco car arsenal acts purely as a power generator and is not connected to the wheels. The electricity produced is stored in a small 1.57-kWh lithium-ion battery, which powers the EM57 electric motor developing 129hp and 260Nm of torque.
This means that the Kicks accelerates and drives like an EV, although there is a gasoline engine running. With this setup, there is no need for charging like EVs, and Nissan claims a range of over 600 kilometers on a tank of fuel.
But since there’s a gasoline engine generating the electricity onboard, there is fuel consumption as well as emissions. Nissan claims an average fuel economy of 23.8km/l and 100g/km of carbon dioxide emission, which is generally the hybrid level.
There are several drive modes including full EV and e-POWER Drive mode, which features the “One-Pedal driving” function (similar to electric golf carts). Nissan claims that lifting off the throttle in this mode provides stopping power on par with normal braking.
Intelligent cruise control and intelligent safety package are available along with LCD rearview mirror and around view monitor with moving object detection (4 cameras).
Exterior highlights include Nissan’s V-Motion grille, boomerang headlights and taillights, plus floating roof design with a ‘wrap-around visor’ from the windscreen to side glass.
Inside there’s a 7-inch display on the dash plus an 8-inch touchscreen center display, Nissan Connect and 6 airbags and a striking black-orange interior color in the top model.
Nissan is also offering a 10-year warranty for the lithium-ion batteries and 5 years for the electric system in the Kicks, on top of the 3-years/100,000km standard warranty.
Nissan Kicks e-POWER specs
Electric Motor (for driving)
Model EM57
Type AC3 Synchronous Motor
Max Power 129 Ps (95 Kw) / 4,000~8,992 rpm
Max Torque 260 Nm (26.5 kg-m) / 500~3,008 rpm
Transmission System
Type Automatic Single Speed Gear Reduction
Engine (for generating electricity)
Model HR12DE
Engine system 3-Cylinder DOHC (Double Overhead Camshaft) 12V CVT (Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control)
Ignition System Electronic Injection Multi-point (ECCS) 32 bit
Bore and Stroke (mm) 78.0 x 83.6
Displacement (cc) 1,198
Max Power 79 Ps (60 Kw) / 6,000 rpm
Max Torque 103 Nm (11 kg-m) / 3,600-5,200 rpm
Compression Ratio 12.0:1
Fuel Tank 41 liters
Suspension
Front Independent MacPherson Struts with Stabilizer
Rear Torsion Beam with Stabilizer
Steering System
Type Electric Power Steering (EPS)
Braking System
Front Ventilated Discs
Rear Discs
Dimensions
Overall length (mm) 4,290
Overall width (mm) 1,760
Overall height (mm) 1,615
Wheelbase (mm) 2,615
Track width front/rear (mm) 1,520/1,535
Wheels 17 x 6.5 J
Tires 205/55 R17
Gross vehicle weight 1,350 kgs (VL grade)
