The Masters Who Gave Life to Nissan ARIYA #05.2

Engineering Monster will deliver the essence of Nissan’s technology by interviewing the engineers who participated in the development of “Nissan ARIYA,” which symbolizes “Nissan Intelligent Mobility.” We will also deliver the behind-the-scenes of the development that created innovative technology and the DNA of Nissan that breathes in “Nissan ARIYA” as original content.

This time, Ryozo Hiraku, the expert leader who created the innovative advanced technology e-4ORCE, which is installed in Nissan Ariya will talk about e-4ORCE technology as a two-part article. In this part, Ryozo Hiraku will talk about the driving feel from e-4ORCE technology.

With e-4ORCE, it is possible to drive like FR at the entrance of a corner and like FF at the exit.

In a typical 4WD system, the driving force is distributed appropriately between the front and rear wheels, but it can only provide control suitable for acceleration during acceleration and control suitable for braking during braking.

Nissan ARIYA's e-4ORCE, on the other hand, is equipped with independent motors in the front and rear, allowing for precise control of the driving force in a different way than simply distributing it between the front and rear.

For example, if you want to improve the responsiveness of the steering in a corner, you can apply the brakes just before the corner to transfer weight to the front (nose dive). While braking, the car naturally decelerates, but e-4ORCE can regenerate power from the front motor to apply weight to the front while driving the rear motor. This means that weight can be transferred quickly without decelerating, allowing you to clear the corner quickly. This type of control, where you are simultaneously applying the accelerator and brakes, is something that cannot be achieved with conventional cars.

Additionally, e-4ORCE can adjust the load on each wheel while cornering by monitoring the weight distribution. For example, entering a corner may be more stable with front-wheel drive (FR), while stability may be better with front-wheel drive (FF) at the exit of the corner. e-4ORCE can control the drive distribution and weight distribution while monitoring the vehicle's situation, allowing it to drive like FR at the entrance of the corner and like FF at the exit.

Furthermore, by reducing nose dive during deceleration and suppressing roll during cornering, we have made it possible for all occupants to travel comfortably. Moreover, the fast-responding motors can change the control in real-time, so the driver may not even notice the control of the car and think that their driving skills have improved.

What should I do to bring out "Nissan-ness" with a motor that has little difference in ride quality?

Nissan engineers seem to be the type who get fired up with the soul of "If there are constraints, let's find a way to overcome them!" When the policy of "Next-generation transmission will be CVT only" was presented, they thought, "Although it is said that CVT is not feasible for large-displacement vehicles, then let's make it by ourselves" and installed CVT in the first-generation Murano.

ATTESA and Intelligent 4x4, which symbolize Nissan's technology, are technologies that engineers created by brainstorming how to create something that can surpass other companies without giving up in adversity. The bigger the challenge we face, the more excitement Nissan engineers feel to overcome and breakthrough to excite our customer.

There are various types of engines such as inline and V-type, and there are various displacements and cylinder numbers. Furthermore, there are many characteristics such as good fuel efficiency and powerful output, and each automaker has a different taste.

However, there is only a small difference in ride quality of the motor that ordinary people cannot perceive. Therefore, in order to bring out "Nissan-ness", it is necessary to thoroughly devise how to use it. This is what Nissan is most skilled at.
Since the release of the first-generation LEAF, Nissan has been considering new possibilities for motor control. e-POWER Drive installed in NOTE e-POWER was the beginning of that.

“Something that feels good” on every road. That is the control technology of e-4ORCE.

Since 2001, I have primarily been responsible for developing technology strategies. Within the company, I have organized strategy training courses to teach the importance of strategy to young employees. Because of this, I also want to proceed with my work by properly setting a strategy for myself. When considering the product strategy for "Nissan ARIYA". I didn't just want to simply attach two motors in the front and rear and say, "It's amazing". I wanted to think about what we needed to do to win and create a Nissan icon. That's why we have the e-4ORCE.

Some people may imagine that "Nissan ARIYA" is an SUV that can confidently navigate rough roads with powerful 4WD performance. However, e-4ORCE is not just a conventional concept of 2WD/4WD. It is a technology that pursues how much we can enhance driving stability by using two motors. In that sense, I can confidently say that "Nissan ARIYA" is the world's best car.

Without worrying about such complicated details, I hope customers can simply enjoy the comfortable driving experience of "Nissan ARIYA". As an engineer involved in the development of e-4ORCE, I dare to say that I would like them to try driving on ordinary streets in addition to enjoying highways and winding roads. I believe they will feel, "Hmm, this feels good". While e-4ORCE has significantly improved its performance compared to conventional control technologies, I consider it not only as technology for future use but also for everyday driving.

And if you drive "Nissan ARIYA" for a long time, you may feel a sense of discomfort when driving another car. "Nissan ARIYA" should become a car that becomes like a long-time companion, where you'll think, "This is the one I need".

The article is from its original version released on 20 November 2020.