Nissan revamps its popular Qashqai crossover car

THE car which arguably became a pioneer, the Nissan Qashqai, has undergone a revamp.

More than two million customers bought the crossover car since its launch in 2007 and helped create a new sector as rival manufacturers followed suit.

The Qashqai appeals to both C-segment drivers looking for additional style, technology and excitement as well as downsizing buyers seeking greater efficiency.

The all-new Qashqai is set to enhance Nissan’s crossover leadership position when it goes on sale in selected global markets from January 2014.

The latest Qashqai is 49mm longer than the current model and fractionally lower and wider, giving it a sleek, poised stance while maintaining the crossover style, compact dimensions and raised driving position.

As with any new Nissan, the Qashqai is packed full of innovative technology. It offers drivers a comprehensive suite of advanced technology features enhancing every aspect of driving. Nissan’s Safety Shield technologies now incorporate Front Collision Avoidance, Driver Attention Support and Traffic Sign Recognition along with several other vital driver aids, while Intelligent Park Assist takes the stress out of urban manoeuvres.

The innovation continues with the new Qashqai’s powertrain range, which is wider and more efficient than ever. Every engine uses a turbocharger to reduce capacity, emissions and fuel consumption while maintaining excellent performance with class-leading CO2 emissions – from only 99g/km.

Efficiency is further enhanced by an extensive mass reduction programme, resulting in 40kg weight loss on some models despite the extensive addition of new equipment.

While front-wheel-drive variants will account for the majority of sales in most markets, four-whee-drive ALL-MODE 4×4-i versions will also be available to match a choice of six-speed manual or all-new Xtronic transmissions.

Inside, a dramatic rise in material and design quality adds significant interior appeal to the Qashqai package. Versatility also remains a core crossover attribute; Nissan’s engineers have devised innovative ways to make the new Qashqai fit into drivers’ lives. Delivering greater occupant space and a larger luggage capacity enhanced by a variable floor system, the new Qashqai even offers space to store the parcel shelf when not in use.

The new Qashqai is based on the new CMF (Common Module Family) Renault-Nissan Alliance platform, bringing outstanding engineering efficiencies to the consumer.

Designed and engineered in Europe, for Europe, the new Qashqai has been created by Nissan’s experts at Nissan Design Europe (London, UK) and Nissan Technical Centre Europe (Cranfield, UK and Barcelona, Spain), and it will be built in Sunderland, UK. Extensive input has also come from Nissan’s designers and engineers in Atsugi, Japan.

New Qashqai technology highlights:

• Nissan Safety Shield packages comprising: ?Front Collision Avoidance

• Driver Attention Support

• Traffic Sign Recognition

• Lane Departure Warning

• Blind Spot Warning

• Moving Object Detection

• High Beam Assist

• Full LED headlamps which consume 50 per cent of the power of previous Xenon lamps

• Intelligent Parking Assist

• New NissanConnect with smartphone app integration

• Around View Monitor

In-keeping with new Qashqai’s appetite for innovation, the new crossover will be the first model to go on sale with the new NissanConnect system. Now with a seven-inch touchscreen, NissanConnect has evolved to offer Smartphone connectivity to keep owners in touch with the outside world wherever their journey takes them. In the future it will have access to a range of apps covering music, social networking, entertainment and travel through a large, seven-inch colour touch screen. The new NissanConnect builds upon the recently introduced Google® search and Send To Car functions, which allow drivers to plan a trip at home.

The system includes Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone integration as well as Aux-in and USB slots along with DAB radio.

http://www.nissan.co.uk/GB/en/vehicle/crossovers/new-qashqai.html