Nissan Qashqai e-Power Sets Guinness World Record With A 1,230-Mile Drive

Nissan has already earned one Guinness World Record with the Qashqai, although the previous attempt involved suspending the SUV 213 feet in the air. It was memorable, if nothing else.

This latest achievement feels a lot closer to home. The Qashqai e-Power has now set the record for the longest journey completed by a non-plug-in extended-range electric SUV, covering 1,230 miles without stopping to refuel or recharge.

The drive took place in Colombia between July 14 and 17, beginning in Bogotá at an elevation of 8,660 feet before reaching the Caribbean coast. Nissan hasn't shared much about the exact route or the efficiency figures recorded during the attempt. One thing that almost certainly helped was the significant descent, allowing the regenerative braking system to recover energy throughout much of the journey.

Power comes from Nissan's e-Power setup, which combines a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine with a 2.1-kWh battery and a 188-hp electric motor producing 243 lb-ft of torque. The gasoline engine serves purely as a generator, while the electric motor drives the wheels, giving the Qashqai a driving experience that's closer to an EV than a conventional hybrid. During our own test of the SUV last year, it averaged 5.3 l/100 km (44.3 US mpg), a respectable result for everyday driving.

Maybe that's the kind of record more car brands should be chasing. It won't go viral quite like a giant bungee jump, although it tells you a lot more about the car you'd actually be driving every day.