Nissan’s future plans: Townstar Combi, Interstar, Formula E and electric Qashqai, Juke and Leaf
Nissan invests
Nissan is investing heavily in electric models in the near future and particularly in its Sunderland plant. At the so-called EV36Zero hub in Sunderland, three new electric models should roll off the assembly line in the future. There will be three giga factories for this purpose. The brand is pulling out the purse strings heavily, investing as much as £3 billion to make the Sunderland plant ready for the new models. This is good news for Nissan’s 7,000 British employees and the 30,000 jobs that make up its supply chain. The transformation project includes not only future all-electric versions of the Juke and Nissan’s flagship, the Qashqai. Nissan also confirmed that the third model scheduled for production in the UK will be the latest generation Leaf.
Three new electric models
These three new electric models represent the future for the models currently produced at the Nissan plant in Sunderland, the Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Juke and Nissan Leaf. The three future models are inspired by three all-electric concept models, two of which were recently unveiled at the Japan Mobility Show. They are the Nissan Hyper Urban Concept (all-electric crossover), the Nissan Hyper Punk Concept (an all-electric compact crossover) and the 2021 Nissan Chill-Out Concept. By the way, don’t expect the three models to be in showrooms as early as this year. More information about the three models, including model names, specifications and launch dates, will be announced by Nissan at a later date.
Townstar Combi
In the summer of 2023, we drove the Nissan Townstar for the first time: an all-electric commercial vehicle from Nissan. We were impressed with the driving characteristics of this newcomer. Compact company cars tend to be sparsely equipped, noisy and spartan. On the contrary, the Townstar reminded us mostly of a normal family car. It is nice and comfortable and equipped with all conveniences. But as a family, of course, you have little use for the Townstar. It offers only two seats. But that will change. In the first half of 2023 – we are guessing sometime in the summer – the Japanese will introduce the Townstar Combi: a passenger version of the Townstar. This version gets a second row of seats – and thus seats five. The brand is not releasing much info at this time: but that it is coming is certain.
Interstar
Companies looking for something larger than the Townstar may choose the Interstar. This giant bus has been on the market for years, but in a few weeks the Japanese will unveil the new Interstar. We’re guessing you’ll see it on the road for the first time sometime in the summer or fall. The brand is not releasing much information yet. But since the model shares technology under the skin with the new Renault Master – which we recently got to meet for the first time – we are guessing that the electric variant will get around 400 kilometers far thanks to an 87 kWh battery pack and around 180 kilometers with a 40 kWh battery. Diesel can be had at Renault with 130, 150 and 170 hp, but whether Nissan will supply a diesel version we dare not say yet. We do have a teaser video for you in advance:
Formula E
Again this year, the Japanese brand’s racing team is at the start of a new Formula E season. Preparations for the tenth Formula E season are already in full swing for Nissan. At the same time, the team is in the midst of a move. The Nissan Formula E team has left its headquarters in Le Mans – home of the racing team since the start of season 5 – and is moving into a revolutionary facility in the heart of ViryChâtillon, located south of Paris. This year Formula E will visit Japan for the first time, with the Tokyo E-Prix on March 30, 2024. Nissan is the only Japanese manufacturer active in Formula E and naturally wants to take victory here. For the 2023/24 season, Oliver Rowland returns to the Nissan Formula E Team. The experienced driver will have a seat next to promising newcomer Sacha Fenestraz, who has had a strong debut season.
