3 min read - 10 Jul, 2025
Nissan Sunderland celebrates launch of new e-powered Qashqai
Production of the new Qashqai, featuring next-generation e-POWER technology, has begun at Nissan’s Sunderland plant. Built on production line one at the plant, the latest Qashqai is powered by a new generation of Nissan’s unique electrified powertrain (e-POWER), bringing significant improvements in fuel consumption, emissions and drive.
The comprehensive updates to the system have created best-in-segment fuel efficiency figures, with 62mpg and a potential range of 745 miles (WLTP). It also boasts lower emissions and elevated refinement, bringing the driving experience even closer to that of a pure electric vehicle.
The launch comes as the plant celebrates manufacturing 4.5 million Qashqai since 2006 – an average of a car every two and a half minutes for 19 years.
Production of the new Qashqai, featuring next-generation e-POWER technology, has begun at Nissan’s Sunderland plant / Picture: Nissan GB
First launched four years ago, e-POWER was developed to deliver an electric-drive experience without the need to plug in. It offers an EV-like driving experience, thanks to its wheels being driven solely by an electric motor, with a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine used only 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 the previous generation
• +11kW boost in sport mode, delivering a more responsive and engaging drive
Alongside Qashqai developments, the team at the plant is also preparing 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.
The launch comes as the plant celebrates manufacturing 4.5 million Qashqai since 2006 / Picture: Nissan GB
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.”
EV36Zero is Nissan’s vision for the future of sustainable manufacturing – a blueprint that will transform the Sunderland plant into a flagship EV hub, bringing together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production.
