Within the new world of mass-market electric vehicles, a frontier that
It's called e-4ORCE, a revolutionary new all-wheel control technology, assisting - and empowering - drivers of all skill levels by providing instant torque to all four wheels and delivering balanced, predictable power in any situation.
The 'e' in e-4ORCE stands for
Currently in final development stages,
During the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show and at CES in
1. All-electric system: Simply put, e-4ORCE is an advanced system built around dual electric motors. Until now, Nissan EVs have all used a single electric motor, typically for front-wheel drive. AsNissan moves to diversify its EV lineup, an all-wheel-drive system is a logical next step, especially with the Ariya Concept strongly hinting at a future EV crossover.
'This technology offers a new level of control,' said
2. Superb handling: e-4ORCE control technology provides balanced chassis control, line tracing, and steering precision at all times, keeping the vehicle's behavior predictable, even during sudden maneuvers. The system constantly modulates the output of each onboard twin electric motor as well as each wheel brake control to create dependable control for the driver.
'e-4ORCE's control technology stands out from other EV all-wheel systems available today,' said Hiraku. 'We performed extensive fine-tuning to deliver precise performance that supports the driver's intentions for an enjoyable drive under a wide variety of conditions.'
Typically when turning, a vehicle tends to veer outside of the corner during acceleration, causing the driver to either apply more steering input or reduce speed (understeer). e-4ORCE distributes torque to the vehicle's front and rear wheels to maximize tire friction (grip) according to road surface conditions and the vehicle's situation. e-4ORCE's all-wheel-drive balance defaults to a 50/50 distribution, but it can also transfer up to 100% of power to either the front or rear wheels, and a mix in between, for various road and driving conditions. Deceleration force is optimally controlled at each of the four wheels, though a combination of regenerative braking and hydraulic braking, thereby improving turning performance in addition to deceleration.
The result is a heightened level of control, especially during cornering, that provides drivers a pleasant, smooth, predictable experience with minimal steering adjustment.
3. Reliable comfort for all: From the beginning, the advanced engineering team tasked with e-4ORCE development set comfort as a top priority. The challenge was to ensure impressive EV performance while also providing a smooth ride quality for all occupants under multiple driving scenarios.
Regenerative braking is one of the hallmarks of an EV. The technology allows for energy to be recaptured when the car slows, then sending that electricity back to the battery. Because the e-4ORCE system manages braking and power to each wheel, when regenerative braking is called on the front and rear electric motors work to reduce vehicle pitch and dive. This helps keep the cabin - and the passengers in it - more level, which in turn helps prevent motion sickness, such as in stop-and-go traffic.
'Electric motor response can provide excellent acceleration, but that in itself was not our goal,' said Hiraku. 'By taking advantage of e-4ORCE's precise motor control response, we're able to control vehicle motion as soon as the brakes are applied, giving all occupants - especially passengers - a stable, smooth ride.'
4. Enhanced on-road confidence: Driving on challenging surfaces, such as wet, icy or snowy roads, can be stressful for even the most seasoned driver. e-4ORCE's precision e-powertrain and braking system control ensures power is delivered to the wheels with the most grip while stabilizing vehicle motion to maintain handling control and line traceability. If the driver applies too much power, the system will manage output to ensure control and traceability is maintained, even on slippery roads.
'We developed this technology to work in the background and not disrupt the driver,' concludes Hiraku. 'We want even first-time drivers to feel comfortable with vehicle reactions as intended in an extremely natural way. Once people get used to a car with e-4ORCE, they may find it surprising to drive a car without it.'
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