Nissan Qashqai covers 1,230 miles on a single tank in world record run
By William Fletcher MBE, Chief Executive Officer, New Reg Limited
A Nissan Qashqai e-Power has set a world record by travelling 1,230 miles on a single tank of fuel during a long-distance drive through Colombia.
A Nissan Qashqai fitted with the brand's e-Power hybrid system has travelled 1,230 miles on a single tank of fuel, setting a world record according to multiple reports covering the achievement. The run took place in Colombia, South America, and used just 14.5 gallons of fuel across the entire distance, a figure that underlines how far hybrid efficiency has progressed in mainstream family SUVs.
The e-Power system at the heart of this record is a third-generation hybrid setup that works differently from a conventional petrol-electric hybrid. Rather than driving the wheels directly from the combustion engine, the petrol unit acts as a generator to charge a battery, which then powers an electric motor that drives the car. This arrangement allows the engine to run at its most efficient point regardless of road speed, which is understood to be central to the exceptional fuel economy the Qashqai demonstrated.
For ordinary UK drivers, a figure of 1,230 miles on a single tank is well beyond everyday experience, but the record does point to real-world gains that owners could see on motorway journeys or long runs. The Qashqai is one of the UK's most popular family SUVs, so any confirmed improvement in running costs is likely to interest a broad audience of existing and prospective owners.