Nissan is bringing the latest iteration of its e-Power hybrid system to the United States with the upcoming launch of the 2027 Nissan Rogue Hybrid. Unlike traditional parallel hybrids where both a gasoline engine and an electric motor drive the wheels, the Rogue Hybrid utilizes a series hybrid approach.
How the Series Hybrid Works
In this system, the internal combustion engine acts strictly as a generator to charge the traction battery, which then powers the electric motors, meaning the engine never connects to the wheels via a transmission. Similar mechanical layouts have been utilized by vehicles like the Chevrolet Volt and Honda’s hybrid CR-V, though those models allow the gas engine to directly drive the wheels at highway speeds.
The 2027 Rogue Hybrid features a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder turbocharged direct-injection engine under the hood that produces 148 horsepower and 110 kW. The engine revs only up to 5,200 rpm because it is specifically optimized for charging the battery rather than managing the changing loads of a traditional gearbox-connected setup. This optimization enables the engine to achieve a thermal efficiency of 42 percent.
Battery and Electric Motors
The engine charges a 1.67 kWh lithium-ion traction battery that supplies power to dual electric motors. The front axle features a permanent synchronous magnet motor generating 202 hp, 150 kW, and 243 lb-ft or 330 Nm of torque, while the rear axle houses another motor delivering 134 hp, 100 kW, and 144 lb-ft or 195 Nm of torque. Due to battery limitations, the combined power output reaches 225 hp or 168 kW, and the vehicle includes regenerative braking during deceleration to recapture energy for the battery.
