Nissan is a leader in electric cars, but the Japanese automaker has been slow to adopt competitive hybrid technology.

In a move that could potentially rectify that situation, Nissan unveiled its new e-Power series-hybrid system in Japan late last year.

The system was first demonstrated in a Nissan Note, the subcompact hatchback sold as the Versa Note in the U.S.

DON'T MISS: Nissan e-Power series hybrid builds on electric-car expertise (Nov 2016)

But Nissan may soon add an e-Power hybrid powertrain to another model.

It will unveil a Juke e-Power concept at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show this fall, previewing a possible production version, according to Car and Driver.

The concept may also preview updated styling that could be used in an anticipated redesign of the funky-looking but aging small crossover, likely based on the Gripz concept shown two years ago.

Nissan Note e-Power hybrid

Nissan Note e-Power hybrid

The Juke is now seven years old, making it dated by industry standards and due for such a redesign.

A new-generation Juke could also accommodate the addition of the e-Power hybrid system to the lineup.

The e-Power system is a series-hybrid system, rather than the parallel-hybrid arrangements used by most other automakers.

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That means that rather than using both power sources combined for propulsion, the wheels are propelled solely by the electric motor, with the gasoline engine acting only as a generator to recharge the battery.

The benefit is a fully-electric driving experience, with instantaneous torque delivery.

The e-Power system builds on Nissan's experience with electric cars, even making use of components from the Leaf, including the traction motor.

Nissan Note e-Power hybrid

Nissan Note e-Power hybrid

The battery pack in the Note e-Power, however, is about one-twentieth the size of the Leaf's current 30-kilowatt-hour capacity.

Importantly, it cannot be recharged by plugging in because the Note e-Power has no external charging capability.

If the Juke e-Power were to reach the market, it would be priced at $20,000 or more, Car and Driver suggests.

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For perspective, in November Nissan said the Note e-Power would start at a price below 2,000,000 yen ($29,600) in the automaker's home market of Japan.

Thus far, the e-Power system has been sold only in Nissan's home market, where its sales have exceeded initial expectations, according to Nissan officials interviewed early this year.

It's unclear whether the Juke e-Power will be sold in the U.S., although its chances may be greater than those of the Note e-Power, a more expensive derivative of an economy model that has never been popular here.

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