Peter Lyon
December 10, 2024
The much-awaited Nissan Kicks e-Power made a spectacular debut in Malaysia during KLIMS 2024, capping off a good year for the brand. In contrast to its peers, this new B-segment SUV is introducing a novel approach to electrification.
The highlight of the Kicks e-Power setup is undoubtedly its innovative powertrain. A 129 hp front-wheel-driving electric motor is powered by a 2.06 kWh battery that is in turn charged by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder petrol engine making 82 hp and 103 Nm. For the record, the petrol engine does not drive the wheels in any way—it is purely employed as a generator to charge the batteries.
Expanding on that idea, you could say that the Kicks e-Power is essentially an electric car with a range extender, providing a more EV-like driving experience because the petrol engine never drives the wheels directly.
With slim headlamps matched with the Japanese automaker’s iconic V-motion grille design philosophy and similarly curved rear taillights, the Kicks e-Power has a design comparable to that of the brand’s popular X-trail SUV but smaller.
The inside of the Kicks e-Power is comparable to that of the Nissan Almera, with the main distinction being the replacement of the conventional gear lever with a futuristic e-Power electronic gear shifter on the centre console.
The Kicks e-Power, which comes in three different models, costs RM113,800 without insurance. In addition to an eight-year/160,000-kilometer warranty for EV components (high voltage battery, motor, inverter, and e-Power control unit), the prices include a five-year/100,000-kilometer vehicle warranty.
CARLIST THOUGHTS
It’s great to see Nissan’s e-Power tech finally making it into Malaysia, even though it’s over 4 years late, given that the brand’s new hybrid tech first launched in 2016 in the Nissan Note e-Power, a car that became hugely popular after it debuted. This is Nissan’s unique signature hybrid technology and should be applauded for what it has achieved over such a short time—translated that means great economy, low emissions and superb performance.
