Two new Nissan Qashqai e-POWER models have completed the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats journey on a single tank of fuel, covering 837 miles (1,347km) and still finishing with 100 miles (160km) left in the tank.
The test was conducted by engineers from Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in Cranfield. Over 18 hours and two days of real-world driving, the Qashqai averaged 75 MPG (3.76L/100km) – the best in its class.
Back in 2007, the original diesel-powered Qashqai 1.5dCi managed the same route at an average of 67.35 MPG. Eighteen years on, the latest hybrid system has outperformed it, despite using a 10-litre smaller tank.
Unlike conventional hybrids, Nissan’s e-POWER setup uses a petrol engine to generate electricity, which then powers an electric motor that drives the wheels. That means the car offers the quietness, smoothness, and instant torque of an EV – without the need to plug in.
Dean Driver, Vehicle Evaluation Engineer, and one of the drivers in the challenge
“Driving the Qashqai e-POWER from Land’s End to John O’Groats really showcased the strength of the new powertrain. Not only did it deliver a smooth and quiet drive throughout the journey, but we completed over 800 miles with fuel still in the tank, proving just how far this technology has come in combining range with refinement.”
The new e-POWER has a redesigned 1.5-litre turbo engine integrated into a 5-in-1 powertrain that includes an inverter, generator, electric motor, increaser, and reducer. It also features Nissan’s STARC combustion concept, improving thermal efficiency to 42% – a high figure by any standard – while reducing noise at low speeds.
Power output is 140kW (190PS) with 310Nm of torque. Official WLTP figures list fuel economy at 4.5L/100km and emissions at just 102g/km.
David Moss, Senior Vice President, Region Research & Development in Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe, and Oceania)
“The third generation e-POWER reflects everything we’ve learned from years of development. We’ve taken the best elements from previous systems, listened to what customers value most, and re-engineered the platform to maximise efficiency, reduce emissions, and enhance driving comfort—all while maintaining diesel-like range. We’re proud that the new e-POWER now delivers best-in-class driving performance, fuel economy and emissions.”
Other tech updates include built-in Google services, which now offer voice commands via Google Assistant, real-time weather forecasts, and easy access to apps through Google Play. There’s even a “Trip Stories” feature that lets drivers record and share their journeys through the NissanConnect Services app.
Driver assistance has also been upgraded, with enhanced ProPILOT features designed to better track traffic and improve situational awareness. Service intervals have also been extended from 15,000km to 20,000km, helping reduce ownership costs.
Production of the updated Qashqai e-POWER began in July at Nissan’s Sunderland plant, with models set to arrive in European markets in the coming months.
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