29 Sep 06 16:42
Nissan has already previewed its Qashqai compact SUV-crossover extensively, and we've had a good look round it already, but it's an important model for the company and thus it's getting the full motor show launch.
The Sunderland-built Qashqai, which goes on sale early next year, will come in two- and four-wheel drive options, the latter using Nissan's All-Mode 4x4 system. There will be a choice four engines, two diesel and two petrol: the petrol options will be Nissan's own 1.6-litre (113bhp and 118lb-ft of torque) and 2.0-litre (138bhp, 147lb-ft) units; diesels, sourced from Renault, will be 1.5 and 2.0-litre dCi engines developing 104bhp (177lb-ft) and 148bhp (236lb-ft) respectively. Five and six-speed manual transmissions will be available, with six-speed automatic and a CVT gearbox also options.
The Qashqai will have three trim levels: the entry-level Visia, sporty Tekna and more luxurious Acenta. Visia has dark grey cloth-covered seats and a predominantly black interior; Tekna has black cloth seats with a black and grey fabric insert for the centre section, the mostly black interior also featuring metallic highlights on the steering wheel, gear lever surround and door handles; Acenta takes its inspiration from sportswear, using colour in the seat and on the dashboard and doors, with a brick-coloured 'breathing' mesh-style fabric for the centre section of the seats. The Acenta and Tekna grades also have embossed leather upholstery as an option: chocolate in Acenta and black in Tekna.
Equipment options include sat-nav and reversing camera, Bluetooth connectivity, DVD player, ambient mood lighting, Intelligent Key and automatic lights and wiper. Depending on the version, the five-seat Qashqai is equipped with 16" steel or alloy wheels, or 17" broad-spoke alloys with ball-shaped bolt surrounds. There's also the usual now-standard ABS, EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), ESP (electronic stability program), CBC (cornering brake control), EUC (enhanced understeer control) and HFC (hydraulic fade compensation).
Preview: Nissan Qashqai
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