Nissan Unveils Third-Generation e-POWER With Purpose-Built Engines and 5-in-1 Electric Unit

Nissan has introduced the third generation of e-POWER, its electric-drive hybrid powertrain, bringing a redesigned electric unit and new purpose-built engines aimed at improving fuel efficiency and cabin quietness compared with earlier versions of the system.

e-POWER is Nissan's proprietary hybrid technology, distinct from conventional hybrids in that the wheels are always driven by an electric motor rather than the gasoline engine. The onboard engine's sole job is to generate electricity for the battery, giving drivers what Nissan describes as an EV-like driving feel without the range anxiety associated with fully electric vehicles.

At the center of the third-generation system is a new modular design Nissan calls "5-in-1," which integrates the motor, reducer, inverter, increaser and generator into a single unit. According to Nissan, this consolidation improves current flow for greater power output while reducing energy loss, and the company says it delivers measurable gains in both fuel efficiency and quietness compared with the second-generation system used in the Qashqai.

The electric unit's motor uses flat wire coils arranged with minimal gaps, which Nissan says allows for higher current flow. The inverter, meanwhile, incorporates a newer generation power module with double-sided cooling to dissipate heat more effectively, particularly at higher speeds. Some models will also use silicon carbide power semiconductors in the inverter, which Nissan says reduce power loss relative to conventional silicon components, allowing more generated electricity to reach the wheels and reducing how much power the engine needs to generate.

Nissan also says the tighter integration of the 5-in-1 unit improved structural rigidity, helping to avoid interference between the vehicle body's resonance points and further reduce noise. More precise assembly reportedly cut runout tolerances in rotating components such as motors and gears, suppressing vibration. Nissan notes the unit shares components with its 3-in-1 EV powertrain, a move the company says lowers part counts and production investment while allowing shared development work across its EV and e-POWER lines.

On the engine side, the third generation introduces two purpose-built units designed exclusively for power generation: the HR14DDe and the turbocharged ZR15DDTe. Unlike conventional engines that must operate across a wide RPM range to match driving conditions, these engines run at a more constant speed, which Nissan says allows for a higher compression ratio and greater exhaust gas recirculation without sacrificing combustion stability. The engines achieve this through a long-stroke design intended to generate a strong internal tumble flow.

The turbocharged ZR15DDTe additionally uses Nissan's STARC combustion concept, first announced in 2021, which focuses on controlling airflow around the spark plug to stabilize the ignition discharge channel and improve combustion even under high exhaust gas recirculation. Nissan says it achieves the ideal intake port shape using cold spray technology to integrate the valve seat directly into the engine, while a precisely shaped piston crown helps maintain tumble flow through compression. A larger turbocharger forces more compressed air and exhaust gas into the cylinder, boosting output and thermal efficiency simultaneously.

Nissan's release, first surfaced via Hacker News, frames the third-generation e-POWER system as part of a broader push spanning electrification, autonomous driving, connected car services, mobility services and energy management. The company's own materials do not specify which vehicles will carry the new system first, and some technical claims — including precise efficiency figures — are presented by Nissan without independent verification. Readers should treat performance claims as manufacturer-supplied until confirmed through independent testing or official model announcements.