The Nissan Qashqai ‘urban 4x4’ has been received well by both the motoring public and the motoring press, so Nissan is now capitalising on this with a new version, with today’s must-have family feature: seven seats.
Although it is designed to look like a mini ‘SUV’, the Qashqai is available in both two and four wheel drive versions. The new seven seater will be one of the smaller and more efficient seven seaters available, however the fuel consumption figures of the existing five seater model are good but not class-leading; the 1.5 dCi 2WD delivers 52.3mpg combined and 145g/km CO2; the 4WD 2.0 dCi can only manage 40.9mpg and emissions of 183g/km.
However, there is bound to be a market demand for the new version, called Qashqai+2, which Nissan describes as the first Family Crossover. It will also be available in both two and four wheel drive versions, and will be revealed at the London Motor Show in July, with European sales starting in October.
Nissan says that the results of early Qashqai+2 customer clinics showed that potential customers perceived it as being more family orientated, offering more independence, being ideal for going on family holidays and offering more fun than traditional choices.
The new model is essentially identical to Qashqai from the A-Pillar forward except for the new grille, but everything else behind has been changed, which makes the Qashqai+2 subtly different from the original from virtually every angle. The Qashqai’s wheelbase has been extended by 135mm, and the overall length by 211mm to accommodate a fold flat third row of seats; there is also a 38mm increase in height.
The third row of seats, designed for children, can be folded completely flat to increase luggage space, and Qashqai+2 comes as standard with a huge panoramic glass roof.
If you don’t go for front-wheel drive, the ALL-MODE four-wheel drive system – available on 2.0-litre diesel and petrol models – uses electronics rather than hydraulic pumps to ensure drive is transferred between wheels and axles the instant the need arises.
Under normal conditions, Qashqai+2 operates in front-wheel drive which reduces energy losses and saves on fuel. When wheel slippage is detected, a centre clutch in the rear final drive is electronically activated and drive is apportioned between front and rear axles.
The system has three modes, selected by a switch on the centre console. In two-wheel drive mode, the system is permanently set in front-wheel drive. With the Lock setting, the system switches to permanent four-wheel drive mode with drive split 57:43 front to rear.
In Auto mode sensors linking the engine’s ECU with the four-wheel drive and ABS controller constantly monitor wheel slippage and automatically send signals to the electromagnetic centre clutch mounted just ahead of the rear axle to apportion torque correctly.
ALL-MODE is linked to the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP). Using sensors linked to the brakes, steering, wheels and the body, ESP constantly monitors the way the car is being driven and recognises whether the vehicle might skid off course. In an emergency ESP selectively applies the brakes at each wheel and ‘steers’ the vehicle in the desired direction.
Qashqai+2 offers a choice of two petrol and two diesel versions; the petrol choices are a 1598cc 115PS unit or a 16-valve 1997cc engine with 140PS. The diesels are the 106PS 1.5 dCi or the 2.0 dCi with 150PS. Both have a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) fitted as standard.
Transmission options include a five-speed manual (1.6-litre petrol), six-speed manual (2.0 petrol and both diesels), six-speed automatic (4WD 2.0 dCi) or a CVT transmission option on the 4WD 2.0-litre petrol offering a choice between ‘stepless’ changes or a manual over-ride with six fixed ratios. |
