By: IOL Motoring Staff
Rosslyn - Nissan has announced that its all-new Qashqai will hit South African streets in July and it's looking to build on its predecessor's success (20 000 of them have been sold since launch) with a fresh new look, up-to-date turbocharged engines and new features.
Pricing is still under wraps, but Nissan has promised a five-model range with a mix of petrol and diesel engines, manual and CVT gearboxes as well as front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
The all-turbo range will kick off with the 85kW/190Nm 1.2-litre turbopetrol engine, which replaces the previous normally aspirated 1.6-litre unit.
On the diesel front, Nissan is offering an upgraded version of its 1.5-litre dCi, which pushes 81kW and 260Nm (up 20Nm) and sips a claimed 4.2 litres per 100km on the combined cycle. The range flagship, for now at least, will be a 96kW/320Nm 1.6 dCi turbodiesel all-wheel drive model. A 110kW 1.6-litre turbopetrol model might also be on the cards for introduction at a later stage.
NEW GADGETS
Depending on the model, the new Qashqai will offer modern gadgets like Nissan's Around View Monitor and a new NissanConnect infotainment system that features smartphone integration and downloadable app support.
The new Qashqai was engineered in Europe and is built at Nissan's Sunderland plant in England. Though clearly setting its sights on the European market, Nissan SA's crossover product manager Nancy Reddy believes that the new model is particularly suitable to the needs of South African motorists seeking a high quality compact vehicle that offers the practicality and versatility of an SUV.
The new model will continue to “tick all boxes” Reddy promises.