Nissan Replaces 150HP 2.0L Diesel with New 130HP 1.6L Diesel in Qashqai

A new and more fuel-efficient but also less powerful 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine is taking the place of the 2.0-liter diesel in the European lineup of the Qashqai and its longer, seven-seat sibling, the Qashqai+2.

The new 1.6-liter diesel delivers 130-horsepower and 320Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque from 2,000rpm to only 1,750rpm, compared to 150HP and 320Nm at 2,000 rpm of the outgoing 2.0 dCi engine.

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Nissan Celebrates Production of 1 Million Qashqai Crossovers, will Give Away the Landmark Vehicle

Four years, six months and 23 days after the first Qashqai small crossover rolled off the Sunderland Plant’s production line in the UK on December 5, 2006, Nissan has passed the 1 million milestone.

The Japanese automaker said the Qashqai is “easily the highest-volume car produced in the UK” adding that no other car in Britain has reached the one million mark in such a short period.

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Nissan to Design, Engineer and Build Next Qashqai in Britain

The second generation of Nissan’s big-selling in Europe Qashqai crossover will be designed, engineered and built in Britain, the Japanese automaker’s CEO Carols Ghosn announced today during a meeting with UK Prime Minister David Cameron. Nissan said it will spend £192 million (US$315 million or €215 million) for the new Qashqai, safeguarding 6,000 jobs, both direct and indirect through the UK supply chain. Read more »

Nissan Qashqai Surpasses 1 Million Sales Milestone

Nissan's well-received Qashqai model has just passed the 1,000,000 sales mark after four years in production. The compact crossover model, which is also known as the Dualis in Japan and Australia and other markets, was designed and engineered in Britain. Introduced in 2007, Nissan expanded the crossover's range with the presentation of the seven-seater, long-wheelbase version called the Qashqai+2 in 2008, while the entire series received an update in March 2010 with a refreshed design and powertrain refinements.

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Nissan GT-R Official Safety Car for British Superbike Championship

The almighty Nissan GT-R will be the official safety car for the 2010 and 2011 seasons of the British Superbike Championship (BSB).

The two-year-long agreement between BSB series commercial rights holder MSVR and Nissan Motor GB will see a total of fleet of twelve Nissan vehicles comprising seven different models deployed in various roles in the championship.

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Nissan Adds Two New Engines to Qashqai+2 Crossover Range

In an effort to make the Qashqai+2 more affordable and desirable in an era of sluggish sales, Nissan is introducing two new smaller displacement engines to the vehicle's European range. The seven-seater crossover can now be specified with a 115HP 1.6-litre petrol and a 103HP 1.5-litre diesel engine, in addition to the 2.0-litre petrol and diesel units that are already available. The 1.5-litre dCi models that come complete with diesel particulate filter and six-speed manual transmission, are capable of 49.6 mpg UK (5.7 lt /100km) combined while clocking a 0 to 62mph (100 km/h) time of 13.3 seconds.

The Qashqai+2 1.6L petrol model that's equipped with a five-speed manual sees 62 mph (100 km/h) coming up in 12.9 seconds while it achieves 40.4 mpg UK (7.0 lt /100km) combined.

In the U.K. prices start at £15,495 for the 1.6 Visia, and £16,995 for the 1.5 dCi Visia. In Visia spec buyers get a huge fixed panoramic glass roof complete with powered sunshade, privacy glass and roof bars plus power windows, air conditioning, drive computer, Bluetooth hands-free, four-speaker CD audio system, six airbags and front seat active headrests. 16 inch alloys are fitted in place of the 17 inch items of 2.0-litre Qashqai+2s.

Acenta models gain 17 inch alloys, a leather trimmed steering wheel and manual gear knob, a centre rear armrest and a choice of interior trim colours. Furthermore, the audio system is upgraded to an in-dash six-disc autochanger, six speakers and steering wheel controls and the air con becomes dual zone and climate controlled. Automatic wipers and headlamps, cruise control and rear parking sensors complete the package.

Finally, the top of the range Tekna adds heated, leather seats with contrasting stitching, an Intelligent Key, xenon headlamps and an auto-dimming interior mirror. ESP is an option on all 1.5 and 1.6 models.

NISSAN QASHQAI+2 PRICES
	1.6 petrol	1.5dCi
Visia	£15,495.00	£16,995.00
Acenta	£16,995.00	£18,495.00
Tekna	£18,120.00	£19,620.0

ESSEN Show: Nissan Qashqai by COBRA N+

Over at Europe’s SEMA equivalent, the Essen Motor Show in Germany, COBRA N+ premiered a series of accessories for the Nissan Qashqai, even though the latter hasn’t gone on sale yet.

The exterior bodykit includes chromed bumper add-ons, side chrome styling and what a “chromy” coincidence, a …chromed COBRA N+ stainless steel bumper grille and two -what did you expect... chromed tailpipes. The COBRA N+ program also includes custom-tailored tire/wheel combinations in 17- and 18-inch diameter. The largest possible version is the COBRA N+ CN12 wheel in size 8Jx18. In the interior the COBRA N+ product lineup adds individual highlights with aluminum foot pedals, various versions of shift knobs and stainless-steel sill plates with illuminated COBRA N+ logo. Via: Jalopnik

Related Links: Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Note MPV COBRA N+

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Nissan Qashqai Cargames Videos put Tony Hawk to shame

Nissan found a kick ass way to promote its 2007 Qashqai crossover through an extreme sports concept in a series of radical videos. Cars are portrayed flying up full and half pipe skate ramps showing us some neat tricks and a better look at what a passenger had for lunch... although we could have done with out that part!

Nissan attempts to convey the message that like skateboarding and other extreme sports, driving a Qashqai is a lifestyle, not a luxury activity.

Technorati: Nissan+Qashqai, Youtube, Cargames, 2007, Crossover, extreme+sports, skating, commercial, Add, video, clip, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, 2007,

2007 Nissan Qashqai - US may see it in the near future

Yesterday, Nissan presented its all new compact crossover the Qashqai which will attempt to capture the imagination of 100.000 European buyers annually. According to Nissan, the Qashqai's clientele will spring from a variety of segments, including premium C-Segment cars like the VW Golf & Audi, lower D-Segment models such as the Toyota Avensis & the Ford Mondeo and of course, compact SUV's like the Hyundai Tuscon and the Suzuki SX4.

Although Nissan's attempt to lure buyers from a variety of standardized categories is somewhat new in Europe, this is a common practice for car makers in the US. See an example: the B-Segment supermini Honda Fit (Jazz in Europe) is considered to be an alternative to the C-Segment Nissan Versa (Tiida).

Having thus in mind, it makes absolute sense for Nissan to bring the Qashqai in the USA. Nissan know's this but there is a one very big obstacle: the Qashqai is manufactured solely in Britain, where 1 pound equals to $1.88 (September 7 exchange rate).

So does that mean that the Qashqai won't see the US shores? Well according to a top Nissan official I spoke to, if you're asking whether the Qashqai will be imported to the US from Britain, the answer is no. But, if the question is, will Nissan's USA line-up see a Qashqai based model, then the answer is "watch the space, you might see something very interesting in the near future".

Given the fact that the Qashqai is based on the Renault Megane II derived, Versa platform, then the Dodge Caliber may very well find a worthy emulator sooner than it thinks.

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Exclusive Paris Sneak Peak: 2007 Nissan Qashqai Production model Teaser Video

Get a first sneak peak at Nissan's 2007 Qashqai production model that will be officially unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. According to the teaser video, Nissan will release the preliminary photos and specs on September 6th.

Based on the homonymous concept which was revealed at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Qashqai is a compact crossover that combines characteristics from various categories (C-segment hatchback models like the VW Golf /Rabbit, SUV's and MPV's). If that doesn't sound like a perfect match for the Dodge Caliber I wonder what does.

Technorati: Nissan+Qashqai, Paris+International+Motor+Show, 2006, crossover, video, clips, teaser, 2007, autos, auto+news, automobile, cars, automotive

Nissan Qashqai Picture Leak

The first totally uncovered image of Nissan's upcoming Qashqai submerged into to the net, a month before its official unveiling at the Paris Motor Show.

Based on the homonymous concept which was revealed in the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Qashqai will try to grab the attention of European buyers who find C-segment models like the VW Golf and Opel Astra a tad compromising and boring. According to Nissan, the Qashqai will combine characteristics from C-segment hatchback, SUV and MPV models (sounds very familiar to the Dodge Caliber concept, doesn't it ?).

Although the production version seems to stay very close to the concept iin terms of design, it is not sure yet if 4wheel drive will be standard on all versions of the Qashqai.

Practically, the Qashqai, which is named after a southern Iranian nomadic tribe, will take on the role of the Almera & Primera in Nissan's European line-up. This is the second model in Nissan range that tries to lure buyers from different categories. The first one was the mini-MPV, Note which aims at buyers who want a B-segment sized car (Fiat Punto, Renault Clio etc) with C-segment interior space (Peugeot 307, Opel Astra etc).

In other words, Nissan has accepted its defeat in mainstream segments in Europe, focusing now on more niche -and less competitive, categories. After seeing what happened to companies like Fiat, who can blame them ?

Technorati: Nissan+Qashqai, Paris+Motor+Show, 2006spy, scoops, auto+news, automobile, autos, vehicles, automotive, cars