Nissan showcases e-4ORCE electric all-wheel drive at CES

Nissan is showcasing a new four-wheel drive technology for electric vehicles at the 2020 Consumer Electronic Show (CES). Called e-4ORCE, the technology provides instant torque to all four wheels to deliver “balanced, predictable power and handling on par with many premium sports cars”.

The “e” represents full electric motor drive system, while “4ORCE,” pronounced “force,” evokes physical power and energy with “4” standing for the all-wheel control driving capability.

“The e-4ORCE twin-motor all-wheel control technology offers precise handling and stability, which gives drivers greater confidence and even more excitement than ever before,” said Takao Asami, Nissan’s senior vice president of research and advanced engineering. “This technology enables excellent cornering performance and traction on slippery surfaces and comfortable ride for all passengers.”

The technology was fitted to the Nissan Ariya concept that debuted at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show but for CES the Japanese car maker is offering media test drive of a fully functioning prototype in the form of a modified LEAF EV. Born from lessons learned in the development of the Nissan GT-R’s ATTESA E-TS torque split system and the Nissan Patrol’s intelligent 4X4 system, Nissan’s Engineers developed the e-4ORCE technology to specifically manage electric vehicle power output and braking performance for smoother driving.

According to Nissan, the e-4ORCE technology is designed to minimise vehicle pitch and dive. This is done by employing regenerative braking from both front and rear motors, making city stop-and-go traffic less jostling. Similarly, on rough, bumpy roads and when accelerating, motor control is optimised to maintain ride comfort by minimising irregular movement.

The car maker claims e-4ORCE increases driver confidence around corners, too, by faithfully tracing the driver’s intended line thanks to “ultra-high-precision” motor and brake control. The result is anyone can enjoy driving on a variety of road surfaces, including wet surface.