Nissan Motor has set a new fuel efficiency record with its N6 plug-in hybrid sedan, developed in partnership with China’s Dongfeng Motor, underscoring the Japanese automaker’s push to regain ground in electrified and software-driven vehicles.
The Nissan N6 completed a 14,000-kilometre journey with average fuel consumption of 2.9 litres per 100 kilometres, equivalent to about 81 miles per gallon, a result certified by Guinness World Records. Nissan said the drive covered varying terrain and weather conditions, making the figure an overall average for the trip.
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The N6 is Nissan’s first plug-in hybrid sedan designed specifically for the Chinese market and is built on the jointly developed Tianyan Architecture of the Dongfeng Nissan Passenger Vehicle Company. The hybrid system combines a highly efficient gasoline engine with a 21 kilowatt-hour lithium iron phosphate battery capable of fast charging, enabling the model to achieve fuel consumption below 2 litres per 100 kilometres in charge-sustaining mode, according to the company.
Extended-range electric vehicles, which pair battery driving with a combustion engine for longer trips, have gained popularity in China as consumers seek flexibility between electric commuting and long-distance travel. Nissan said the N6’s low fuel use translates into annual running costs of about $280, positioning it competitively in the premium family sedan segment.
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Beyond efficiency, Nissan is also expanding its focus on automated driving. The company is an early investor in UK-based startup Wayve and plans to introduce vehicles equipped with ProPilot self-driving technology based on Wayve’s systems from 2027. Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang has described Wayve as “the next trillion-dollar company,” while Nissan has said it aims to price its advanced driver-assistance option at about $4,000, roughly half the cost of Tesla’s Full Self-Driving package.
As competition intensifies among automakers and technology firms pursuing autonomous driving, Nissan said wider adoption and lower prices could help improve road safety, even as leaders such as Tesla and Waymo maintain a significant early lead.
Source: Nissan, Automotive News