Nissan is to debut the Qashqai (I have no idea what that means!) at the upcoming Paris show. I think this is another very handsome vehicle to come out of the Nissan design studios. Think of it as a smaller Murano-type vehicle. It will come in 1.6 or 2.0 gas engines, as well as 1.5 and 2.0 diesel engines...
No word yet as to whether it will be sold Stateside, although I think it should, as I'm sure it would another big hit for them.
Snippet: Four engine options will be available, two diesel and two petrol offerings. The 1.6-litre petrol offers 115PS of power and 160Nm or torque, while the 2.0-litre produces 140PS and 200Nm. The diesel engine options – 1.5- and 2.0-litre - provide 106 and 150PS, respectively and 240 and 320Nm of torque.
Several gearbox options are available, according to engine choice. These include a five- and six-speed manual, a new six-speed automatic and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) option with manual mode.
Both 2.0-litre engine options can be specified with Nissan’s advanced ALL-MODE 4x4 system which gives added security and stability in marginal conditions.
Snippet: Four engine options will be available, two diesel and two petrol offerings. The 1.6-litre petrol offers 115PS of power and 160Nm or torque, while the 2.0-litre produces 140PS and 200Nm. The diesel engine options – 1.5- and 2.0-litre - provide 106 and 150PS, respectively and 240 and 320Nm of torque.
Several gearbox options are available, according to engine choice. These include a five- and six-speed manual, a new six-speed automatic and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) option with manual mode.
Both 2.0-litre engine options can be specified with Nissan’s advanced ALL-MODE 4x4 system which gives added security and stability in marginal conditions.
chrisducati says:
06:28 AM, 09/ 7/06
Other sites say it is not coming to the usa because the top engine is 147hp. We should get this model. 147hp is fine if the fuel mileage is good.
ateixeira says:
07:04 AM, 09/ 7/06
That's a beautiful little crossover. They really nailed the styling, and it totally has the corporate Nissan look. The headlights resemble the Altima's, and the whole profile screams mini-Murano.
In fact, that's it. The Murano now has a mini-Me. :-)
ateixeira says:
07:05 AM, 09/ 7/06
Oh, and by the way, it's named after some tribe in Iran. What an awful name. They got VW-disease and copied the idea for the TOUR-egg, TWAH-reg, whatever.
steve_ says:
11:28 AM, 09/ 7/06
The side view looks like the new CR-V, which to me resembles at first glance the Tribeca, CX-7, Outlander and other newer crossover/wagons.
The style is fine, even with the view blocking D pillar, but there's something about the boxy wagons that still appeals to me - older Outbacks, Jeep Cherokees and the Canadian/Mexican Nissan X-Trail as examples - squarish without being overly SUV-ish.
I suspect most of the boxy wagons have a bit more usable utility room than the new breed of crossovers.
rsholland says:
11:50 AM, 09/ 7/06
I agree Steve. I also can't wait for this "tiny, useless, upswept rear-quarter window" fad to be over.
mercedesman1 says:
03:19 PM, 09/ 7/06
I like it not the nicest car i've ever seen but still nice
raychuang00 says:
12:19 PM, 09/ 8/06
chrisducati,
That's true if you're assuming using the European-market engines. However, since the Qashqai is built on the same platform used by the US-market 2007 Nissan Sentra, that means we could fit the 2.5-liter 175 bhp I-4 engine from the Nissan Altima in the Qashqai; that, combined with the JATCO CVT automatic and the ALL-MODE 4WD system means the Qashqai will have enough power for American driving styles.
Indeed, don't be surprised if Nissan unveils the US-market Qashqai as early as January 2007 at NAIAS in Detroit for sale in the USA by late summer/early fall 2007 as a 2008 model. The US-market Qashqai could be built at Nissan's Smyrna, TN or Canton, MS assembly lines or built at Nissan's Mexican assembly line (the same line used to assemble the 2007 Sentra).
fordlepka says:
02:49 PM, 09/ 8/06
Since this vehicle is a crossover, I hope if sold in America it will replace the ugly face Nissan Murano.
nismokid16 says:
01:46 PM, 09/19/06
I want one, when can i put down my deposit? I think its perfect, way better than the other cars that have been mentioned (Ahem RAV4).. can't really call that a competitor because the RAV4 is bigger, a different class i think. Who cares, i still want it.
b10609 says:
05:27 PM, 10/ 3/06
The local Nissan dealer says the Canada only X-trail is a runaway for them, boxier shape and all. Adding the Quashqai to the line-up with the Altima 4 cyl platform could be another slam dunk for Nissan. on both sides of the border this time -if they want to really move cars in North America.