AS the second best-selling car in headline act, but the X-Trail is also hugely important for the brand. Sales here almost match all of western Europe's put together.
Indeed, while the last X-Trail was Nissan's best seller globally, its popularity here has led the firm to tailor the new model to UK roads.
Sitting on the same platform as the Qashqai, the X-Trail is being launched with the e-Power drivetrain, which has a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol unit to charge its 2.1kWh battery. This then sends power to an electric motor on the front axle and, for this e-4ORCE model, a second e-motor on the rear axle. The petrol engine never drives the wheels.
ON THE ROAD e-Power drivetrain is set up to mimic an EV. The car pulls away using battery power, and when its engine kicks in, the revs rise to match road speed - in theory
Nissan claims the main benefit behind the e-Power set-up is its similarity to pureelectric drivetrains. And on the move, you certainly can see where it's coming from.
If you're gentle with the throttle, the X-Trail will set off in electric-only mode. However, the throttle only needs a light prod for the petrol engine to burst into life, and if you push hard, the revs climb to reflect the road speed - although it's never a perfect match. The acceleration also doesn't feel as quick as the 7.2second 0-62mph time suggests, either.
There's not much to distinguish between Normal, Off-road, Eco and Sport driving modes, save for the steering gaining a little more weight in the latter. Eco stiffens up the throttle to ward off aggressive pedal prods.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 26, 2022 من Auto Express.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 26, 2022 من Auto Express.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
PEUGEOT E-2008 GT
Our Peugeot EV and classic BMW may be the perfect two-car garage
SHOW 'N' TELL
Our 2024 Performance Car of the Year, Hyundai's Ioniq 5 N EV, takes on the revamped Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
F1 EXHIBITION IS GO GO GO
Former F1 World Champion Damon Hill shows us around a celebration of the greatest sport on Earth
BYD Dolphin Active
Lower power means a more affordable price, but the new entry-level Dolphin is left wanting in other areas
Mercedes-AMG CLE Coupé
FIRST DRIVE We get behind the wheel of new CLE that aims to offer both comfort and a scincillating driving experience
Volkswagen Golf GTI
Ergonomic improvements are a welcome enhancement to VW's iconic hot hatch, but there's still no manual version
Toyota Prius
FIRST UK DRIVE Toyota's hybrid pioneer finally returns to these shores in fifth-generation guise and exclusively as a plug-in hybrid
INSURANCE SCAMS AND HOW TO AVOID THEM
INSURANCE FRAUD BUREAU EXPERT GIVES US THE LOWDOWN ON THE LATEST SWINDLES
Honda's updated HR-V sports sharp new look
Brand's best-selling model in Europe has also received some interior revisions and extra safety kit
Audi sets £70k start price for new A6 EV
ORDER books for the new Audi A6 e-tron are open now, with prices from just under £70,000 and deliveries starting next February.