Nissan’s all-new Qashqai (Dualis in Australia) crossover/SUV has been revealed in London and will debut locally in the third quarter of next year.
Nissan Australia will ditch the Dualis nameplate and the newcomer will wear the Qashqai badge as per the rest of the world.
The second generation Nissan Qashqai is bigger than its predecessor – 49mm longer and 20mm wider, but its sits 15mm lower.
Looks are decidedly sportier with a raised bonnet line, abundant curves, prominent wheelarches and optional 19-inch alloy wheels. Lights are impressive with all models featuring LED DRLs and some models gaining full LED headlights.
Aerodynamics take a big step forward with an active grille shutter, roof spoiler with winglets and underbody panels contributing to a Cd of just 0.32.
Inside is very contemporary look with state-of-the-art connectivity, extra space an 20-litres more cargo space (now 430-litres). Seats are all-new and use NASA-derived technology to provide enhanced support.
While Nissan Australia hasn’t finalized its powertrain lineup, European models offer turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol and 1.6-litre turbo-diesel or 1.5-litre and 1.6-litre naturally-aspirated diesels.
The 1.2-litre petrol is an ‘alliance’ (Renault/Nissan) engine and is good for 85kW/190Nm. Nissan says the new engine is zippier than the outgoing 1.6-litre engine and combining a lighter weight and auto start/stop, fuel consumption has dipped to 5.6l/100kms (combined cycle).
For the 1.6-litre turbo-diesel you can chalk-up 110kW/240Nm and fuel consumption of 5.6l/100kms.
Drive is via a six-speed manual transmission or the latest generation Nissan Xtronic CVT.
Underneath the all-new Nissan Qashqai sits on an all-new chassis - again a co-production of Renault/Nissan – with MacPherson strut front/multi-link rear suspension and models offering both two-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive.
Nissan says the Qashqai was designed in Europe and will be made at the Sunderland plant in the north of England for European markets. Nissan Australia also sources the current Dualis from Sunderland so we expect that will continue with the Qashqai – which accounts for much of the 500,000 annual production of the British plant.
