The Nissan QASHQAI will further enhance Nissan South Africa's presence in the local passenger market. QASHQAI (pronounced "Kash-Kai") is a stylish hatch with outstanding appeal, a cross-over that combines elegance and dynamic performance of a five door hatch with a dynamic compact SUV design.
QASHQAI went on sale in Europe and Japan in February this year and subsequently
60 000 units have been sold in Europe and 10 000 in Japan. The success has led to the capacity expansion at both the Sunderland plant in the UK and Kyushu plant in Japan. This expansion will speed up supply to other markets including South Africa.
QASHQAI has a very important role to play in the Nissan South Africa passenger line-up and will play a significant role in Nissan's offering of passenger vehicles. By offering a fresh alternative in the C-segment with both aesthetic and performance appeal. It reflects the no compromise attitude of consumers who are achievers who know what they want and don't need anyone's approval.
At a glance
- Agile yet sturdy, elegant yet practical
- Airy interior with high quality materials
- Fresh crossover concept
- Two petrol engines with diesel being introduced in 2nd half of 2008
- Sophisticated features
Distinctive styling
Its distinctive styling is a marriage of the sleek shape of a passenger car with the look of a SUV to create something fresh and different in the new car market.
Named after a desert-dwelling nomadic tribe living near the Zagros mountains in South Western Iran, QASHQAI should be seen as an 'Urban Nomad', says Design Director at Nissan Design Europe, Stephane Schwarz.
"Qashqai is a vehicle of contrasts, it is tough and compact for urban life, but comfortable and spacious for longer leisure trips away from the city." – adds Schwarz.
Although initial design concepts started in Japan, most of QASHQAI's design and development work has been undertaken in Europe, notably at Nissan Design Europe in London and at Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in Cranfield also in the UK. It is built at Sunderland in Nissan's award-winning plant in the North East of England and current sales are approaching 70 000. "We have solid expectations from QASHQAI in South Africa and believe it will attract existing Nissan owners but also new customers to the brand" – says Senior Product Manager Karl Kielblock.
QASHQAI's dynamic exterior is matched by a asymetric interior, providing a focused cockpit environment for the driver and a relaxing space for the occupants. High seating positions provide the sense of security normally found in an SUV, yet QASHQAI is a more dynamic performer with the accelerative and handling capabilities of a hatchback.
Two engines
Qashqai will be launched in South Africa with three petrol models: the 1.6 Visia, 1.6 Acenta and 2.0 Acenta. (Diesel and a 4WD option will follow towards the second half of 2008) The 1.6 engine delivers 81kW and 154Nm torque, while the 2.0 delivers a lively 102kW with 198Nm torque.
The 1.6 Visia and Acenta come with 5 speed manual transmission and the 2.0 with 6 speed manual transmission.
The carefully conceived interior is crammed with intelligent storage solutions for maximum functionality and flexibility which compare very well with the competition. Qashqai is also specified with numerous safety and luxury items, for instance an integrated hands-free Bluetooth phone system with controls on the steering wheel is standard across the range.
Safe and secure
Safety is a key strength of the vehicle, too. A rigid bodyshell providing maximum passive safety is matched by a plethora of active safety features including the latest generation VDC (on the 2.0 Acenta); which includes brake torque control and engine torque control. The braking system is similarly advanced and features hydraulic fade compensation (HFC) to provide the ultimate stopping power at all times.
"In the same way the car doesn't conform to the norm, so its customers will tend to be individuals with their own agendas. They will be open-minded and progressive with a passionate appetite for life. They are not among life's spectators"- concludes Kielblock
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