Nissan Qashqai n-tec special edition returns!

2011/07/27

The Nissan Qashqai gets an extra shot of desirability with the introduction of new n-tec special edition models to the range, offering choice specification upgrades for superb value.

At a glance

•  The return of the special edition n-tec
•  Three n-tec models in 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre guises
•  Standard leather upholstery across n-tec range
•  Smouldering black 18" alloys
•  New Glass Roof option on 2.0 Acenta n-tec
•  The crossover segment pioneer gains new appeal
•  Exceptional value proposition

Overview

Get ready for a new offering set to shake up the crossover market as aggressively as the multiple award-winning original Qashqai did in 2007 when it pioneered the crossover segment. The new Qashqai n-tec, now available from Nissan SA, adds even more style to this popular range at exceptional value for money.

Defying foundational marketing principles

This new special-edition has been built in celebration of the success of the Qashqai, which captured the passion of the market with its unique combination of hatchback dimensions and practicality with SUV-like ride height.

Five years along the line this original crossover continues to sell strongly in every market it has entered, defying prevailing economic conditions during the recession as well as all marketing theory and product lifecycle trends by continuing to grow in popularity long after conventional models would dictate it should be declining as it ages. The evergreen Qashqai however continues to grow in popularity and appeal based on the original formula of a stylish package coupled to a versatile platform.

Explains Nancy Reddy, Qashqai product manager at Nissan SA; "The Qashqai is a vehicle which has established its own product lifecycle rules. It achieved global acclaim for pioneering the segment, but since then has continued to grow in popularity and become a cornerstone of the Nissan product line. Even supply constraints haven't cooled our customers demand for this vehicle, and the n-tec is our way of showing our appreciation."

On the local front, Qashqai has mirrored this interesting trend, continuing to contribute substantially to Nissan owning a healthy 8.3% of the overall market share in May 2011. The vehicle also won the best SUV/MPV category at a gala prize giving hosted by the Women on Wheels (WOW) initiative recently, where it triumphed over competitors in five key categories – Savvy, Sale, Safety, Surety, and Soul.

Leading South African mainstream motoring media agreed with this finding, with CAR Magazine judging it the best MPV/Crossover in its annual Top 12 Best Buys publication for 2011. Similarly in TopCar's May 2011 issue, the Qashqai was named Best Buy in the Compact SUV/MPV category, in which the respected journalists hailed the 2010 model facelift for bringing its exterior aesthetic in line with excellence demonstrated in all other areas of adjudication, such as occupant comfort, an authoritative ride, superb build quality and "uncanny refinement". Concludes the publication; "In the end, the Qashqai's all-round brilliance, strong build quality, better ground clearance and seven-seat option tipped the scale."

By the end of January 2011, over a million units of Qashqai had found owners across the globe, while the model scooped a third in Germany and Europe's ADAC rating in the Yellow Angel category for product quality, the only imported model to receive this recognition as one of the safest cars on German roads.

The n-tec is back

The new Qashqai n-tec launches in three flavours – adding substantial value to the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol range is the new 1.6 Acenta n-tec, while 2.0-litre Acenta n-tecs are available with or without the new glass roof option.

The entry-level 1.6 Acenta n-tec gains new roof rails to differentiate it from its more vanilla stablemates, while all three special-edition n-tec models ride more aggressively on new, instantly-recognisable black 18" alloys. The interior of the n-tec special editions is trimmed in high-quality leather upholstery, with the optional Glass Roof adding warm ambient lighting in to the mix.

Already a handsome vehicle popular in the market for its styling as well as practical considerations, the additions to the n-tec special edition further highlight the sculpted, flowing lines. The elegant roof rails bring an extra dimension of practicality as well as a smoother profile, with the new black 18" rims suggesting a sportier nature. The new 2011 Qashqai n-tec range introduces a street-smart swagger to the usually svelte crossover.

Adds Reddy; "For me the new n-tec aesthetic enhancements take the look into a whole new realm. Those black alloys are lovely but also far more purposeful, and I've always appreciated the smoother profile with the roof rails. The ante is upped inside as well, with the premium leather as standard and new materials applied in key areas to lift the ambience to luxury-car levels."

The 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivers a healthy 81kW to the front wheels at 6000rpm and 154Nm of torque at 4400rpm. Mated to a five-speed manual gearbox as standard the result is an energetic feeling vehicle combined with excellent fuel economy. The combined-cycle average consumption of 7.1l/100km allows customers to travel in style without paying excessive fuel bills at the pumps.

The larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine of the 2.0 Acenta develops 102kW at 5200rpm and 198Nm at 4400rpm providing brisk performance while still delivering a combined-cycle average fuel consumption of just 8.1l/100km through the 6-speed manual gearbox which the new n-tec special edition is fitted with. The latest ECU has tweaked the delivery of torque in particular which combine with improved aerodynamic efficiency deliver very low levels of consumption as well as CO2 emissions.

5-Star Safety

All Qashqai models come equipped with a full complement of six airbags to keep occupants from harm in the event of a collision, while the front active head restraint system moves the headrests forward in a crash to avoid neck injuries and whiplash.

Vehicles featuring the more powerful 2.0-litre engine also incorporate the latest-generation Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), allowing the driver to maintain full control of the vehicle in treacherous conditions or unexpected events. Traction control prevents the driven wheels from spinning under power, and VDC takes over when slip is detected through a bend braking individual wheels based on a variety of sensors to restore control.

These active and passive safety features earned the Qashqai a full 5-Star Euro NCAP rating, positioning it as one of the safest cars available on the market.

A model of refinement

The leather upholstery of the n-tec special edition adds an upmarket tactility to a cabin already generously equipped. The new models inherit an upgraded design to the main display for added clarity and legibility. A redesigned drive computer is positioned between the two dials, on a thin film transistor (TFT) showing instantaneous and average fuel consumption, mileage, time, cruise control and speed limiter settings. The addition of low-level interior illumination adds to the feeling of being welcomed into the cabin.

Interior noise levels are kept low thanks to a multi-layer insulation material used in the construction of the Qashqai, while revised window seals allow for less wind noise from the windscreen area in particular, further kept hushed by employing "acoustic glass" for the screen itself.

The higher windscreen pillar design allows for more natural light to fill the cockpit during the day, although sun-worshippers should try the optional Glass Roof available on the range-topping Qashqai n-tec 2.0 Acenta, which floods the interior with the warm glow of the South African sun at the press of a button.

Amidst all this convenience, practicality remains a key concern for Nissan, and the Qashqai is liberally equipped with ergonomically-positioned oddments stowage areas to accommodate all the accoutrements of modern living.

Finally, higher-quality materials have been employed to further enhance the interior of the Qashqai n-tec, lifting the tactile sensations of quality beneath the fingertips while eliminating the possibility of squeaks and rattles developing.

Value leader

Perhaps best of all is the value proposition of the new Qashqai n-tec. Limited to a total of just 648 units spread between the three variants, the new pricing of this n-tec special edition reflects an increase significantly lower than the cost of specifying the new equipment on a standard Qashqai Acenta. The 1.6 Acenta n-tec is only R7000 (new list price, R259 900) more costly than the vanilla model, but adds R12 000 worth of extra equipment if specified as options.

Similarly, the 2.0 Acenta n-tec withoutGlass Roof costs R4700 more (new list price, R293 900) for R8000 worth of new equipment, while the 2.0 Acenta n-tec with Glass Roof adds enhancements to the value of R15 000 for a R10 700 premium (new list price, R299 900).

Explains Johan Kleynhans, Nissan SA Director of Sales, Marketing and Aftersales; "Although special edition models like the new n-tec are not normally associated with value, we've positioned the new vehicles carefully to make sure that customers actually get a lot more than what they're paying for. The n-tec is actually more competitive than ever, incorporating a great selection of the most popular options as well as some completely unique, stand-out elements for an aggressively shaved price premium – in fact it works out to a discount over the standard model!"

A new level

Reddy concludes; "The new Qashqai n-tec models represent a unique proposition in the crossover segment, elevating an iconic vehicle to new levels of aesthetic appeal and for even better value for money for our customers. We're certain that the only problems we'll have with the new Qashqai n-tec will follow the remarkable trend already set by the Qashqai range – which customer demand is quickly going to outstrip supply when it becomes available!"

Pricing

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