Nissan e-4ORCE touches down in the Pyrenees for an electrifying test drive spanning three countries.
The dual motor all-wheel-drive system, e-4ORCE has been specifically engineered and developed to work on Nissan’s electric and electrified vehicles to offer confident and reassuring performance in all conditions and seasons.
From slippery and icy Bavarian winters to drier and brighter floral awakening of spring in the Alps. The height of sweltering summers to the unpredictably wet, windy, and leaf-laden autumns in England, Nissan e-4ORCE technology is engineered for all seasons.
Conquering the snowy mountainous terrain of the Pyrenees and navigating the icy Circuit Andorra – the world’s highest permanent racetrack situated at 2,400m – with winter conditions pushed to the extreme, this drive highlights the ability of e-4ORCE to deliver superior control and handling on all surface conditions.
The “e” in e-4ORCE stands for Nissan’s 100% electric motor drive system. “4ORCE” refers to the vehicle’s physical power and energy, with “4” representing all-wheel control. Nissan’s teams of powertrain engineers combined their comprehensive expertise on three core elements: electric motor management, all-wheel drive systems and chassis control technologies to develop an innovative technology which provides reassurance and dynamic poise in everyday scenarios.
Being a twin-motor system, it offers significant packaging advantages by removing the need to accommodate a prop shaft, which a traditional mechanical system requires. By placing a motor on each axle, there is more interior space and no need to accommodate a differential.
e-4ORCE: a powerful and smooth drive
The innovative e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system was conceived for use on either Nissan’s pure electric powertrains or with its pioneering e-POWER system. In both cases, the driven wheels are powered purely by electric motors fed by the battery.
In the case of the X-Trail, the dual e-motor system has a total output of 157kW (213PS) with a 150kW front motor and a rear 100kW motor. This generates lively acceleration from 0- 100km/h in 7 seconds. It has a 10,000 times faster rear torque response than a mechanical 4WD system.
The Ariya e-4ORCE has a total system output of 225kW (306PS). This generates lively acceleration from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds. Both vehicles enjoy confident and agile handling in all conditions, enabling a powerful yet smooth driving experience.
e-4ORCE: Superior control and intuitive handling
The e-4ORCE system uses the battery to power a twin motor system evenly distributed on each axle for independent wheel control. With the e-4ORCE system on, drivers easily follow the intended cornering line with minimal steering correction, allowing them to feel the EV power and enjoy the electrified handling experience. The e-4ORCE technology provides continuous balanced chassis control, line tracing, and steering precision, to anticipate the driver’s behaviour and compensate for common responses such as understeering, keeping the cabin level for a more pleasant in-car experience.
e-4ORCE: confidence in all surface conditions
With e-4ORCE, the torque is distributed to the front and rear to maximize tire grip according to road surface conditions and the vehicle’s situation, while the braking is individually controlled for each of the four wheels. Thanks to this precise control of the twin-motor system and the brake torque-vectoring capabilities, the vehicle maintains the right course whether the road is wet, oily, slippery with wet leaves or covered in snow or ice.
The key to the vehicle’s on-road poise is the balanced distribution of power from the twin motor system, which can be adjusted in 1/10000th of a second, considerably faster than traditional mechanical all-wheel drive systems.
e-4ORCE: Pitch control for a comfortable ride for all passengers
An additional benefit of e-4ORCE for all passengers is the comfortable drive with minimal body longitudinal “dive” under deceleration thanks to strong regenerative braking. Pitch is suppressed by controlling regenerative balance between the front and rear axles. And the twin motor system means a greater level of regenerative energy capture than a single motor system, optimizing the vehicle’s efficiency at every opportunity.
“e-4ORCE is the latest of many forward-thinking technologies developed by Nissan over the years. Electrification has given us a chance to make a huge leap in the effectiveness and responsiveness of all-wheel-drive technology. We are convinced that our customers will appreciate e-4ORCE on the Ariya and the new X-Trail, even if they may not even be aware of it working behind the scenes,” said Cliodhna Lyons, Vice President, Product Planning, Nissan AMIEO.
The introduction of e-4ORCE is a significant step in Nissan’s electrification journey towards a cleaner, safer, and more inclusive world.
SOURCE: Nissan
