2007 Nissan Qashqai OFFICIALLY revealed **look page 2**

[Wizegui]

It looks korean

[SL65]

Nissan thing OFFICIALLY revealed

Nissan’s new QASHQAI is a catalyst for change. A totally new vehicle in a totally new sector of the car market, QASHQAI mixes elegance, agility and sheer ability in one very different package.

The QASHQAI is same size as a Ford Focus yet smaller than a typical compact SUV, and promises the driving comfort and fun of the former with the ability and practicality of the latter.

Distinctive styling

Its distinctive styling is a marriage of the sleek shape of a passenger car with the strength of a 4x4 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 (say it Kash-Kai) should be seen as an ‘Urban Nomad’, says Design Director at Nissan Design Europe, Stephane Schwarz.

“It is a car of contrasts for a world of contrasts,” he says. “It is tough and compact for the city but sleek and agile for journeys away from the town. It reflects our personalities, our imagination.”

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 will be built at Sunderland in Nissan’s award-winning plant in the North East of England. Full production is due to start towards the end of 2006, with sales starting early in 2007.

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.

Four engines

QASHQAI offers a choice of two and four-wheel drive and no fewer than four engines, two diesel and two petrol. The engine range starts with a 1.6-litre 115PS (84kW) petrol and 1.5 dCi diesel developing 106PS (78kW). A pair of petrol and diesel 2.0-litre engines develop 140PS (103kW) and 150PS (110kW) respectively.

Five and six-speed manual transmissions, six-speed automatic and an advanced CVT gearbox are available.

The carefully conceived interior is crammed with intelligent storage solutions for maximum functionality and flexibility, while – as is to be expected from a Nissan – only features that make a difference, rather than technology for technology’s sake, can be found either as standard or on the options list. These include a large panoramic glass roof, automatic headlights and wipers, satellite navigation, reversing camera and Bluetooth connectivity for mobile phones.

Nissan’s highly praised electronically controlled ALL-MODE 4x4 system – as pioneered in X-TRAIL – is available on 2.0-litre versions. Despite having greater ground clearance than an ordinary hatchback, however, QASHQAI’s four-wheel drive is there to provide greater traction for safer driving and extra control in all weathers: QASHQAI has not been designed as a go-anywhere 4x4.

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 ESP 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.

Who will buy QASHQAI? 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.

“QASHQAI is bold, imaginative and exciting. And it is very different to every other car currently on sale. With QASHQAI, Nissan is determined to SHIFT_ convention,” said Carlos Tavares, Executive Vice President, Product Planning and Corporate Strategy, Nissan Motor Co Ltd.

www.worldcarfans.com

Ok there are the official pics. Doesn't look that bad on second inspection. Interior looks good.

[Peter3hg]

Why does that first pic look like a little toy car.

[flyingfridge]

looks noice. I like it a lot

[Momentum57]

Dee Dee Det - This just in: Short men and mean women are drawn to new SUV with dumb name. Experts believe that automakers will continue to make the false testicles till and I quote “the population grows a pair and buys something good”.

[WheatKing]

a japanese company owned by the french.. and by the looks of it they've hired koreans to do the design..

bleh.

[3Colin]

So this is "Nissan_2.0" then. By version 4 they'll be building Ponies and old Lada station wagons.

[BlaRo]

Originally Posted by WheatKing

a japanese company owned by the french.. and by the looks of it they've hired koreans to do the design..

What does being owned by the French have to do with anything?

Though it does look like a sleeker Hyundai Tuscon. Not that bad.

[Blythy]

y;know I think I'll see this on the streets beginning of december, I saw a note that was owned (saw it every weekday picking up kids from school) the friday before they officially started production... odd

anyways, it looks cool and will possibly sell in the millions.

who knows.

[-Cpt. J.-]

Yay... more plastic bullshit for people with no self esteem and no clue what a car is.

[watto]

Not a fan, reminds me of a Hyundai. But it will be popular...

[un-dee]

I looked at it for 4 seconds now and I already cant be bothered anymore.

[bartboy9891]

another SUV, its good-looking but its still just another SUV

[hanasand]

Good looking? What the fuck, it makes my balls look like a piece of wonderful art.
My balls aren't anything special, but hey, balls are balls and they are supposed to be butt-ugly.

Don't like it at all

[Blind_Io]

Originally Posted by bartboy9891

another SUV, its good-looking but its still just another SUV

That post is an insult to real SUVs everywhere.

Acceptable labels include, but are not limited to:
Softroader
Pavement Queen
Grocery Getter
CUV
Turdmobile

The terms SUV and Truck are expressly prohibited in reference to this vehicle.

End of line.

[Vette Boss]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

That post is an insult to real SUVs everywhere.

Acceptable labels include, but are not limited to:
Softroader
Pavement Queen
Grocery Getter
CUV
Turdmobile

The terms SUV and Truck are expressly prohibited in reference to this vehicle.

End of line.

Not to forget the best label for this sort of car; Graham Norton, which is cockney rhyming slang for something homosexuals prefer (gay).

[andyhui01]

ewwwwwwww.... the only SUV I'll buy from nissan would still be the Murano and the Pathfinder, those two are very nice looking cars. That thing just looks like a jacked up Kia Picanto from the front

[bartboy9891]

Originally Posted by Blind_Io

That post is an insult to real SUVs everywhere.

Acceptable labels include, but are not limited to:
Softroader
Pavement Queen
Grocery Getter
CUV
Turdmobile

The terms SUV and Truck are expressly prohibited in reference to this vehicle.

End of line.

lol sorry, its labelled as an SUV and thats what i called it.

Its just another crossover.

[BritCG20]

I had been a loyal fan of Nissan until a couple years ago when the real results of Ghosen cost cutting came into effect. This is just another example of my dissapointment. All I have to say is, why? I don't really get the point of this...this... thing. If it's not ment to go off road and it's the size of a Ford Focus why not just make a proper hatchback. They already have enough SUV's in their line up; 4 if I count correctly. Bring back the GTi-R, I say. A hot hatch would be much prefered, and sell better compared to this thing. Produce an actual street version of the azeal concept with the same engine/transmission options and a turbo charged GTi-R version and you've got a great car on your hands. SHIFT_convention... bah, more like SHIFT_away customers.

[Homer_Bart]

at least current Nissans don't look like those hideous Korean offerings.... Are all these changes in Nissans in the recent years due to Renault takeover? I remember reading Renault buying loads of Nissan shares in Autocar a few years back