Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai
Overview
Manufacturer Nissan
Also called Nissan Dualis (Japan and Australia, 1st gen.)
Production 5 December 2006–present
Body and chassis
Class Compact crossover
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive
Related Nissan Rogue
Chronology
Predecessor Nissan Mistral

The Nissan Qashqai is a compact crossover produced by the Japanese car manufacturer Nissan since 2006. For the first generation, the Qashqai sold under the name Nissan Dualis in Japan and Australia. Now in its second generation that was released in 2014, the new model is only badged as Qashqai. The original Qashqai replaced the off-road capable body-on-frame Mistral/Terrano II as its Nissan's SUV offering and its P32L automobile platform will be also used by other forthcoming Nissan crossover SUVs.

Qashqai J10 (2007–2013)

First generation
Overview
Also called Nissan Dualis (Japan and Australia)
Production 2007–2013
Assembly Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England (NMMUK)
Kanda, Fukuoka, Japan
Guangzhou, China (DMCL)
Body and chassis
Body style 5-door Crossover
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive
Platform Nissan C platform
Powertrain
Engine 1.6 L HR16DE I4 (petrol)
2.0 L MR20DE I4 (petrol)
1.5 L K9K I4 (diesel)
1.6 L R9M I4 (diesel)
2.0 L M9R I4 (diesel)
Transmission 5-speed manual
6-speed manual
6-speed automatic
CVT automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,630 mm (103.5 in)
2,760 mm (108.7 in) (+2 version)
Length 4,315 mm (169.9 in)
4,535 mm (178.5 in) (+2 version)
Width 1,785 mm (70.3 in)
Height 1,605 mm (63.2 in)

Name

Nissan named the Qashqai after the Qashqai (pronounced [qaʃqaːʔiː]) turkic people living in mountainous Southwestern Iran.[1]

Nissan considered releasing the Chinese version as the CCUV (Compact Crossover Utility Vehicle). In Australia the Qashqai carries the name Dualis from the Japanese domestic market version because Nissan worried Qashqai could be pronounced "cash cow".[2] The press has often used that pun to describe the sales success of the model.[3][4]

Production and sales

The Qashqai has been built at Nissan's Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK (NMUK) Sunderland, Tyne and Wear plant since December 2006.[5]

It is the first model to be styled by Nissan Design Europe in London, with engineering development led by Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. It was globally presented at the 2006 Paris Motor Show.

By the end of 2007, Nissan had sold approximately 100,000 Nissan Qashqais in Europe, including 17,554 in UK, 15,376 in Russia, and 10,746 in Italy.[6] Since its facelift in 2010, the Qashqai has sold over 200,000 annual units in Europe (excluding Russia) every year, and the first generation Qashqai has sold more than 1.24 million units in Europe during its 7.5 year production run.[7]

The Qashqai is exported to the Middle East and additional overseas markets.

In order to increase production capacity in Nissan's UK plant in Sunderland, some models of the 2014 Qashqai will be produced in Nissan's Russian plant in Saint Petersburg.[8]

Features

Nissan Qashqai Concept Car

Built on an all-new platform, the Qashqai went on sale in February 2007, and Nissan targeted more than 100,000 sales per year. Nissan said the car would cater to those buyers who want a more dynamic design, but are not attracted to the large, aggressive nature of a sport utility vehicle. The car slots below the X-Trail in the Nissan range and partially replaces the conventional Primera, even though it took the production place of the smaller Almera. In terms of size, its 4,310 millimetres (169.7 in) length and 1,610 millimetres (63.4 in) height make it fall between compact MPVs, such as the SEAT Altea and Peugeot 5008; and compact SUVs like the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage and Mitsubishi Outlander.

The top half of Qashqai has a sleek, dynamic form with a distinctive shoulder line which rises at the rear — a design cue similar to that of the Nissan Murano. The lower portion resembles an SUV due to large, pronounced wheel arches and a slightly elevated ground clearance. The Qashqai uses the same platform as the X-Trail (the vehicle upon which the Qashqai is based). Nissan regards the Qashqai as a rival to such cars as the Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V and in 2007 it received a five star Euro NCAP safety rating — the best ever adult occupant score.[9]

Five engine choices are available: a 114 PS (84 kW; 112 bhp) 1.6 L or a 141 PS (104 kW; 139 bhp) 2.0 L petrol, while the 106 PS (78 kW; 105 bhp) 1.5 L, 130 PS (96 kW; 128 bhp) 1.6 L and 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) 2.0 L provide the diesel offerings.

Qashqai J10E (+2)

Nissan Qashqai+2

Production of a seven-passenger version of the Qashqai, named "Qashqai+2", began at NMUK in July 2008. Launched in October 2008, it is a larger variant of the standard model with the wheelbase extended by 135 mm. The overall length of the car is extended by 211 mm to allow for a third row of seats, and roof height is increased by 38 mm at the rear.

From the A-pillar back the car's chassis is unique, but trim and engine models remain the same as on the standard Qashqai.

The Qashqai+2 has been discontinued to be replaced by the new version of the X-Trail with a seven-seat configuration.

2010 facelift

Nissan Dualis facelift
Nissan Qashqai before (right) and after (left) the facelift

On 4 December 2009, Nissan announced the Qashqai's next version, which went on sale in March 2010. The model's front end has been completely restyled while the rear now includes LED tail-lights. Modifications to the interior include a new instrument panel layout for the vehicle's drive computer, better soundproofing and minor storage additions. ESP is now standard across the range and two new exterior colours have been added. The launch of an eco-friendly Pure Drive variant has also been announced.[10][11]

2011 engine update

A new 1.6 dCi engine replaces the previous 2.0 dCi. Peak power is down from 110 kW (148 bhp; 150 PS) to 95 kW (127 bhp; 129 PS), but there’s the same 320 N·m (240 lb·ft) of torque, available at 1750 rpm, rather than 2000 rpm. Nissan hasn’t released full performance figures, but says the 1.6 dCi has a quicker 50–80 km/h (31–50 mph) acceleration figure than the 2.0 dCi.

Nissan has also added its Around View Monitor as standard equipment for 360 (Replaces N-tec) versions of the Qashqai and Qashqai +2. The system uses a set of external cameras to create a 360-degree view of the car to help with parking manoeuvres. The driver can focus on any camera to look out for a particular obstacle.

Marketing

Japan

The Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) Dualis is offered in 2.0 G, 2.0 S, 2.0 G Four, and 2.0 S Four trim levels. All models are powered by 2.0-litre MR20DE engine matched to 6-speed Xtronic CVT.

Middle East

In most Middle East markets, the Nissan Qashqai is offered in S, SE and LE, Standard on all trims is the 2.0L 106 kW (142 bhp) MR20DE engine with CVT. [12]

North America

The Qashqai is not offered in North American markets. Instead, Nissan offers the Nissan Rogue. Although larger and appearing to be a completely different model it is based on the same basic platform as the Qashqai / Xtrail with some visual similarities. In Mexico, the X-Trail and Rogue are both sold and the Qashqai is about to be offered in the Mexican Market.

New Zealand

Nissan New Zealand also uses the Qashqai name to distinguish the model from Dualis grey imports that were shipped from Japan before the official release. The New Zealand spec Qashqai is sourced from Sunderland having initially been sourced from Japan. The range consists of two specification levels: St and Ti both with 2WD 2.0L MR20DE CVT. The Qashqai+2 was added to the range in July 2010.

Singapore

In Singapore, the local distributor offered the Qashqai in the standard variant and also in Qashqai+2 seven-seater variant. Parallel importers also offered the model but bears the Dualis name which is directly sourced from Japan.

United Kingdom

The Qashqai has been made at the Sunderland, Tyne and Wear plant since December 2006, occupying the production line previously occupied by the Almera. Its launch also coincided with the withdrawal of the Primera from the UK market due to low sales.

This left the company with no direct successor to the Almera or Primera on the UK market, with the "supermini MPV" Note being sold as an indirect successor to the Almera, and the Qashqai as a successor to the Primera.

This move was seen as controversial, but in time appears to have paid off as the Qashqai has proved a major sales success in the United Kingdom, with more than 39,000 sales in 2010 making it the tenth best selling new car in Britain - the first Nissan to make the top 10 in Britain since the Sunny in 1983.[13] However, the sales success was dampened by stories of unreliability.[14] The lack of a conventional alternative on the United Kingdom market could soon be solved, according to an Autocar article in September 2012, by the launch of the Nissan Tiida (which had already directly replaced the Almera in other markets) in the near future, although it has yet to be confirmed whether this will happen.[15] In 2012, its sixth year on sale in the United Kingdom, sales exceeded 45,000 to make it the sixth best selling car there that year.[16]

Russia

The Qashqai and Qashqai+2 (7-seat version) are available in Russia with the following gasoline-powered 4-cylinder engines:

For Qashqai

For Qashqai+2

Recall

On 13 September 2012, Nissan Motor Co. recalled 51,000 cars worldwide to investigate a reported steering wheel problem. It affects Nissan's Qashqai, Qashqai+2 and Nissan NV200 models.[17]

Qashqai J11 (12/2013–present)

Second generation
Overview
Production November 2013–present
Assembly Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England (NMMUK)
Body and chassis
Body style 5-door Crossover
Layout Front-engine, front-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive
Platform Nissan CMF platform
Related Nissan Rogue (2nd gen.)
Nissan X-Trail (3rd gen.)
Renault Kadjar
Powertrain
Engine 1.2 L turbo I4 (petrol)
1.6 L I4 turbo I4 (petrol)
2.0 L MR20DE I4 (petrol)
1.5 L I4 (diesel)
1.6 L I4 (diesel)
Transmission 6-speed manual
CVT automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,646 mm (104.2 in)
Length 4,370 mm (172.0 in)
Width 1,800 mm (70.9 in)
Height 1,595 mm (62.8 in)

The Qashqai J11 was introduced in London on November 7, 2013, at a worldwide streamed launch known at the #nextgen. It was subsequently presented as a premiere at the Brussels International Motor Show in January 2014.[18] It went on sale in the UK in February 2014. The new Qashqai J11 was awarded WhatCar? Car of the Year 2014.

The Dualis nameplate has been discontinued in Japan and the second generation Qashqai is not sold there. Nissan Japan instead offers the smaller Juke and the new larger X-Trail which is now based on the Rogue.

Nissan Qashqai rear

The first generation model with the Dualis nameplate is currently sold alongside the newer model which now bears the Qashqai name in Australia since July 2014. It is available in both 1.6L (turbodiesel) and 2.0 (petrol/turbodiesel) variants.[19]

References

  1. ↑ "Qashqai is named after the Turkic speaking nomads Qashqai". 21 March 2009. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  2. ↑ "Qashqai nicknamed the "cash-cow"". 4 October 2006. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  3. ↑ Nissan Qashqai „plus 2“: Cashcow in der Verlängerung - Die Presse, 10 October 2008
  4. ↑ Nissan Qashqai: car review - The Guardian, 26 October 2014
  5. ↑ "Qashqai Goes On Production". Euro Auto Trends. 5 December 2006. Retrieved 2007-10-18.
  6. ↑ "Russia has become the second largest Nissan Qashqai market in Europe". Motor.ru. 13 December 2007. Retrieved 2007-12-23.
  7. ↑ "Nissan Qashqai European sales". Left-Lane.com. Retrieved 2014-05-23.
  8. ↑ "Nissan will transfer some Qashqai production to Russia from UK". 6 April 2012. Retrieved 2012-04-11.
  9. ↑ "Nissan Dualis". Wheels magazine: July 2007. 2007. p. 121.
  10. ↑ "Fresh Qashqai shows face". Auto Express. 2009-12-09. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  11. ↑ "Nissan Press Office: Nissan Qashqai Crossover Updated for 2010". Nissanpress.co.uk. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  12. ↑ "Nissan Qashqai | Nissan". Nissan-ME.com.
  13. ↑ "UK 2010 car sales analysis: winners and losers | Automotive & Motoring News | Car Magazine Online". Carmagazine.co.uk. 2011-01-07. Retrieved 2011-09-13.
  14. ↑
  15. ↑
  16. ↑
  17. ↑ "Nissan recalls cars for steering wheel problem - YLE". Reuters. Retrieved 13 September 2012.
  18. ↑ http://autosalon.be/en/salon/visiteur/news-infos/premiere/
  19. ↑ "Q for a familiar Nissan". carsguide.com.au. Retrieved 2014-07-08.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nissan Qashqai.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nissan Dualis.
Nissan road car timeline, European market, 1980s–present
Type 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
0123456789 0123456789 0123456789 01234
City car Pixo
Supermini Micra K10 Micra K11 Micra K12 Micra K13
Small family car Sunny B310 Sunny B11
Cherry N10 Cherry N12 Sunny N13 Sunny N14 Almera N15 Almera N16 Tiida C11 Pulsar
Leaf
Large family car Stanza T11
Bluebird 910 Bluebird U11 Bluebird T12/T72 Primera P10 Primera P11 Primera P12
Executive car Laurel C31 Laurel C32 Maxima J30 Maxima QX A32 Maxima QX A33 Teana J31 Teana J32
Coupé Silvia S110 Silvia S12 200SX S13 200SX S14
Sports car 280ZX 300ZX Z31 300ZX Z32 350Z Z33 370Z
GT-R R35
Mini MPV Note Note
Compact MPV Prairie M10 Prairie M11 Almera Tino
Large MPV Serena C23 Serena C24 Serena C25 Serena C26
Crossover Juke
Qashqai Qashqai
Qashqai+2 X-Trail T32
Murano Z50 Murano Z51
Compact SUV Terrano II R20
X-Trail T30 X-Trail T31
Mid-size SUV Terrano WD21 Pathfinder R50 Pathfinder R51
Full-size SUV Patrol 160 Patrol Y60 Patrol Y61 Patrol Y62