Currently reading: Nissan details new 'high-performance' four-wheel-drive EV powertrain

e-4orce system is said to give sports car performance and predictable handling; will power Ariya SUV

Nissan has detailed a new twin-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain for electric vehicles (EVs) that it claims delivers “balanced, predictable power and handling on par with many premium sports cars”. 

Called e-4orce, the system was demonstrated with a modified version of the Nissan Leaf hatchback at CES in the US and will provide power for the production version of last year’s Ariya SUV concept, which is set to be launched in the next two years. 

Update: the Nissan Ariya has now been revealed. Click here to see it 

Nissan says the e-4orce powertrain incorporates elements of the torque-split technology in the Nissan GT-R supercar and of the four-wheel-drive system from the Patrol SUV. It has been developed “to specifically manage electric vehicle power output and braking performance to be smooth and stable”. 

An electric motor is fitted to both axles, with each using regenerative braking to reduce jolting in stop-start driving. The system is also said to improve comfort over bumpy surfaces by minimising irregular movement. 

Takao Asami, Nissan’s senior vice president of research and advanced engineering, said e4orce “gives drivers greater confidence and even more excitement than ever before”. 

“This technology enables excellent cornering performance and traction on slippery surfaces and comfortable ride for all passengers,” he added. 

Precise technical details and performance data remain unconfirmed, but e4orce is expected to offer more power and faster acceleration than the 214bhp Leaf e+, the most powerful EV Nissan currently produces. 

Nissan hasn't confirmed that the powertrain will be available in any model besides the Ariya, but product planning boss Ivan Espinosa recently confirmed to Autocar that electrification options are being discussed for the successors to the 370Z and GT-R.

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Felix Page

Felix Page
Title: Deputy editor

Felix is Autocar's deputy editor, responsible for leading the brand's agenda-shaping coverage across all facets of the global automotive industry - both in print and online.

He has interviewed the most powerful and widely respected people in motoring, covered the reveals and launches of today's most important cars, and broken some of the biggest automotive stories of the last few years. 

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Comments
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jason_recliner 9 January 2020

Next GT-R is going to be electric?

Hopefully they can keep the mass down.

Peter Cavellini 8 January 2020

Wow!

 Sorry to say this, but, it isn't pleasing on the Eye, it just isn't, maybe it the paint job?

Luap 8 January 2020

Peter Cavellini wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 Sorry to say this, but, it isn't pleasing on the Eye, it just isn't, maybe it the paint job?

 

Don't say it then.

Or is the embarassment of posting such cretinistic comments worth the attention you get?

Peter Cavellini 9 January 2020

Ho hum...

Luap wrote:

Peter Cavellini wrote:

 Sorry to say this, but, it isn't pleasing on the Eye, it just isn't, maybe it the paint job?

 

Don't say it then.

Or is the embarassment of posting such cretinistic comments worth the attention you get?

Or, how about the grammar Nazis and posters who actually don’t comment on the topic but instead only critique others who post on topic?

Halcyon 9 January 2020

Read first, then comment

This article is about a new EV powertrain. Are you saying that the paint job on this powertrain doesn't please your eye? How can you even see it? The car in pictures is just a test mule for the new EV powertrain..
typos1 8 January 2020

Thanks for putting EV in

Thanks for putting EV in brackets, Felix, no one on here had any idea that EV was short for electric vehicle til you did that.