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Nissan’s Secret New Sedan Drives Like An EV But Runs On Gas

The N6 might look familiar but it is a brand new model from Nissan’s joint venture with Dongfeng

 Nissan’s Secret New Sedan Drives Like An EV But Runs On Gas

  • The Nissan N6 is a new plug-in hybrid sedan set to launch in the Chinese market.
  • It shares styling cues with the electric N7 but features a shorter overall wheelbase.
  • Local production will be handled by Dongfeng with potential plans for export markets.

Nissan is steadily expanding its lineup of electrified models in China, and the latest addition is a new plug-in hybrid sedan set to be produced locally by Dongfeng. At a glance, you might mistake it for the all-electric N7 we’ve covered extensively. But look closer, and you’ll find this is a different model.

More: The Budget EV That Quietly Outsold Every Foreign Rival In China

Not only is the secretive N6 slightly smaller, but more importantly, it features a plug-in hybrid powertrain instead of a fully electric setup like the N7, which itself has gained enough momentum in China to warrant an international rollout next year.

Familiar But Different Design

While Nissan hasn’t officially unveiled the model, we’ve obtained a set of exterior images and specifications through China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The N6 shares much of its design language with the N7, but there are key differences. The lower portion of its split LED headlights, for instance, has been reshaped to more closely align with Nissan’s V-Motion grille design.

From the side, the N6 adopts a sharper greenhouse and slightly revised body surfacing. It keeps the flush-fitting door handles, which have become a common feature in modern EV and hybrid design.

Around back, the differences are more noticeable. The full-width LED taillights have a simpler design, and the rear bumper takes on a more conventional form, with the exhaust pipe neatly tucked out of sight. Like the N7, the N6 is expected to feature illuminated Nissan badging on both ends.

In terms of size, the N6 measures 4,831 mm (190.1 inches) in length, 1,885 mm (74.2 inches) in width, and 1,491 mm (58.7 inches) in height, riding on a 2,815 mm (110.8-inch) wheelbase. That’s a slightly smaller footprint than the N7, which benefits from an extra 100 mm (3.9 inches) between the axles, giving it a bit more interior space. Still, to get an idea, those dimensions put the N6 in the same general size class as the now-discontinued Nissan Maxima.

 Nissan’s Secret New Sedan Drives Like An EV But Runs On Gas
The plug-in hybrid Nissan N6 (above) compared to the fully electric N7 (below).

 Nissan’s Secret New Sedan Drives Like An EV But Runs On Gas

Interior photos haven’t surfaced yet, but it’s reasonable to assume the N6 shares much of its cabin layout with the N7. That means a minimalist dashboard anchored by a 15.6-inch free-standing infotainment screen, a large digital instrument cluster, dual wireless charging pads, and a modern two-spoke steering wheel.

Hybrid Powertrain Details

Power comes from a 1.5-liter gasoline engine built by Dongfeng, delivering 95 hp (76 kW / 97 PS). It’s paired with a single electric motor that produces 87 hp (65 kW / 88 PS), resulting in a combined peak output of 208 hp (155 kW / 211 PS). As with Nissan’s latest e-Power systems, in all likelihood, the electric motor handles all the driving duties, drawing its energy from a lithium iron phosphate battery pack, though its exact capacity hasn’t been disclosed.

More: Is Nissan Bringing Back The Primera As An Electric Sedan?

The N6 is expected to launch in China later this year. Given the international ambitions for the N7 (North America excluded), a global release for the plug-in hybrid isn’t out of the question. Potential markets could include Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and select European regions.

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