Nissan Will Be The Last Of The Japanese Carmakers In India To Offer A Strong Hybrid Powertrain

Toyota and Honda already offer mass-market models with strong hybrid technology

The Indian market is finally home to an assortment of mass-market strong hybrid models. It started with the Honda City, followed by the Toyota Hyryder which shares its tech with the Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara. Following the showcase of three global models, Nissan is lining up to be the last of the mass-market Japanese carmakers in India to offer a strong hybrid option.

Related: How Japanese Brands Are Democratising Hybrid Powertrains In India

Why is Nissan late to the hybrid party?

The brand has not enjoyed the best results in the Indian automotive space compared to Honda, Toyota and Suzuki. After a streak of poor sales in recent years and discontinuing most of its lineup, Nissan has finally regained some footing in the country with the Magnite subcompact SUV. With its future feeling more certain, and with proven demand for hybrid models from its rivals, the carmaker now appears to be more confident about bringing back premium models with strong hybrid powertrains in the near future.

Which will be the first Nissan hybrid in India?

All three SUVs showcased by Nissan get the choice of a strong hybrid powertrain in global markets. Of the lot, the first one confirmed to launch in India will be the fourth-gen X-Trail. It is larger than a mid-size SUV but smaller than most full-size SUVs, and comes with the choice of both five- and seven-seater configuration. The hybrid powertrain also comes with a 4WD option.

Unlike Honda and Maruti, Nissan’s hybrid powertrain will be introduced in a premium model that will be imported. It is expected to be brought via the CBU (Completely Built-up) route, for a steep price that could touch the Rs 40 lakh mark. The X-Trail is due to be launched in 2023.

Also read: Top 7 Things To Know About The Upcoming Nissan X-Trail

How is Nissan hybrid technology different from others?

The Japanese carmaker’s hybrid tech is called e-power. It has the same usual components as others - a combustion engine, a small battery pack, an electric motor, an inverter and a generator. However, unlike other Japanese hybrid systems, in the Nissan e-power setup the wheels are driven exclusively by the electric motor and never by the engine. Instead, the petrol-powered unit is used only to generate electricity that feeds the battery and the motor.

What could be the first mass-market Nissan hybrid in India?

For a hybrid powertrain mass-market model to be successful in India, it’d have to be heavily localised with support from its alliance partner Renault. The most likely candidate could be something similar to what is offered in the Qashqai. This front-wheel drive e-power powertrain comprises a 1.5-litre petrol engine to juice the battery pack that powers the electric drive motor.

Related: A Brief Introduction To The Nissan Qashqai

It would likely debut in a made-for-India compact SUV as a Hyundai Creta rival, shared with Renault, with the launch sometime in 2025.