Only a few days to go till the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, and one of many manufacturers set to be current, Nissan, has teased its lineup for its show. Distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) seems to be rolling out just a few of its present fashions, together with the C27 Serena J Impul (no, not the brand new C28), Almera Kuro Version (no, not the facelift) and a particularly rugged model of the Navara.
However there’s one different automobile that will probably be proven on the occasion, and the not-very-well-disguised teaser signifies that will probably be the Kicks e-Energy. The B-segment crossover – which competes in opposition to the Honda HR-V in different markets – will probably be displaying off its hybrid powertrain, which features in a similar way to Honda’s Clever Multi-mode Drive (i-MMD) system present in its e:HEV fashions.
Within the Kicks, the hybrid system is centred round a 129 PS/260 Nm, which derives its electrical energy from a 1.57 kWh battery. The latter is juiced by a 79 PS/103 Nm 1.2 litre HR12DE three-cylinder petrol engine that features solely as a generator. Not like Honda’s model, there’s no lock-up clutch to allow the ICE to drive the wheels straight.
It’s tempting to deal with this as an indication the Kicks will lastly be bought in Malaysia very quickly – in spite of everything, its arrival was telegraphed as early as 2022. However the ship has very a lot sailed on that one, not least as a result of there’s an all-new mannequin now being bought within the US.
As an alternative, the Kicks will possible function a teaser for an additional mannequin with e-Energy know-how – just like how the Word e-Energy was proven on the Kuala Lumpur Worldwide Motor Present (KLIMS) again in 2018 to gauge public curiosity.
This yet-to-be-confirmed mannequin is anticipated to be the C28 Serena. The MPV, which made its debut again in 2022, is not accessible in gentle S-Hybrid type, hitherto the one powertrain choice for the C26 and C27 Serena in Malaysia.
The only real electrified model as a substitute makes use of a extra highly effective 163 PS/315 Nm electrical motor and a bigger 98 PS/123 Nm 1.4 litre HR14DDe direct-injected three-pot generator. The automobile has already been seen present process testing domestically and therefore is lengthy overdue for its Malaysian launch.
GALLERY: Nissan Kicks e-Energy
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