- Production of Qashqai with next generation e‑POWER starts at Nissan Sunderland plant
- Latest iteration of Nissan’s unique electrified powertrain brings big improvements in fuel consumption, emissions and drive
- 4.5 million of the pioneering crossover manufactured with skill and pride in the UK since 2006
SUNDERLAND, UK – The team at Nissan Sunderland Plant have started production of the most technologically advanced Nissan Qashqai yet.
Built on Production Line One at the plant, the latest Qashqai is powered by a new generation of Nissan’s unique electrified powertrain, called e‑POWER. The comprehensive updates to the system have created best in C-Crossover segment fuel efficiency, with 62mpg and a potential range of 745 miles (WLTP). It also boasts lower emissions and elevated refinement, bringing the drive experience even closer to that of a pure electric vehicle.
The launch comes as the plant celebrates manufacturing 4.5m Qashqai since 2006 – an average of a car every two and a half minutes for 19 years.
Adam Pennick, Vice President for Manufacturing in the UK, said: “Our world-class manufacturing and engineering team has been building Qashqai with pride since 2006. That’s why we have the perfect blend of experience, skill and technical expertise to manufacture Qashqai with this fantastic new e‑POWER drivetrain.
“It was an exciting moment to watch the first new e‑POWER battery being fitted on the production line at the plant. We’re confident that our customers worldwide will love this new, no-compromise electrified powertrain.”
First launched in the region four years ago, e‑POWER was developed to deliver an electric-drive experience without the need to plug in. e‑POWER delivers an EV-like driving experience thanks to its wheels being driven solely by an electric motor, with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine simply being used to generate electricity. This gives the system instant response and smooth, linear acceleration. Taken together, the updates to e‑POWER now bring customers an even more electrified feel behind the wheel, with major improvements across every key area:
- Fuel consumption: reduced to 62mpg (WLTP) – best-in-segment figures, equating to a potential range of 745 miles
- CO₂ emissions lowered from 116g/km to 102g/km a 12% reduction compared with the current iteration
- Cabin noise: reduced by up to 5.6dB compared to previous generation – offering EV-like refinement
- +11kW boost in Sport Mode - delivering a more responsive and engaging drive
It’s a busy time for the team at the plant as they also prepare facilities for the next generation of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF, the first model to be launched as part of the company’s EV36Zero project. This will be followed in 2026 by a 100% electric version of Juke.
EV36Zero is Nissan’s vision for the future of sustainable manufacturing – a blueprint that will transform Sunderland Plant into a flagship EV hub, bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production.
Adam Pennick added: “Building fantastic cars that our customers love is what we do best. To see these cutting-edge vehicles driving silently off our lines shows we are pushing forward with our EV36Zero vision for EV manufacturing.”
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About Nissan AMIEO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania)
Nissan AMIEO comprises Africa, Middle East, India, Europe and Oceania markets. This vast and diverse region employs more than 19,000 people and covers 140 markets with a population of around 3.8 billion. The AMIEO region also boasts an extensive vehicle offering, including the iconic Nissan Patrol SUV, pioneering Nissan Qashqai and the fully electric crossover, Nissan Ariya.
Sustainability is at the core of Nissan's long-term vision, Ambition 2030, which sets out to deliver electrified models and technological innovation in key markets globally and support Nissan’s goal to be carbon neutral across the life cycle of its products and operations by 2050.
For more information about Nissan's products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit nissan-global.com. You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn and see all our latest videos on YouTube.
About Nissan in the UK:
Nissan employs around 7,000 people across the UK including at its design centre in Paddington, London, and its R&D engineering centre in Cranfield. Sunderland is home to the UK’s biggest single car plant, which builds two of the nation’s best-selling cars – the Juke and Qashqai.
These models will soon be joined by the European version of the new LEAF, which will be manufactured in Sunderland as part of Nissan’s EV36Zero project.
EV36Zero is Nissan’s vision for the future of sustainable manufacturing – a blueprint that will transform Sunderland Plant into a flagship EV hub, bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production. This is part of Nissan’s goal to become a truly sustainable company and usher in a cleaner, safer and more inclusive world.
Ben Guy
Nissan Sunderland Plant Communications
M: +44 (0) 7779 783 652
ben.guy@nissan-nmuk.co.uk
Lucy Farrington
Nissan Sunderland Plant Communications
M: +44 (0) 7969 182 856
lucy.farrington@nissan-nmuk.co.uk