Refinement and quality: New Nissan QASHQAI offers even more

December 1, 2017

Melbourne, Australia – One of Australia's favourite small SUVs, the new 2018 Nissan QASHQAI is now on sale with significant enhancements that further develop its premium character.

The upgrades focus on four areas – a contemporary new exterior design, higher levels of interior quality, improved driving performance, and the addition of new Nissan Intelligent Mobility safety technologies that will maintain the QASHQAI's place as one of the best vehicles in its class.

Featuring a more contemporary shape and premium finish, the front of the new Nissan QASHQAI has been completely revised, including a redesigned and more integrated bumper bar. Incorporating Nissan's signature 'V-motion' front grille, the front bumper has been further enhanced with two new horizontal finishers that are coloured black on the base model and satin on all other grades. Front fog lamps are standard from the mid-spec ST-L model.

The Nissan QASHQAI range comes with enhanced LED daytime running lights fitted to the halogen headlamps on the ST and ST-L, and full 'boomerang-styled' LED daytime running lights on all higher grades – including the new N-TEC special edition which heads the range at launch. The N-TEC will be replaced by the range-topping Ti model when it arrives in mid-2018.

The rear of the QASHQAI has also been updated to offer two rear bumper designs, depending on grade. The rear 'boomerang' LED taillights are more aerodynamic, and with the shark fin antenna, reduces drag. There are also new alloy wheels across the range with 17 and 18 inch wheels on ST and ST-L respectively, as well as 19 inch wheels on the N-TEC and Ti.

Inside, the new Nissan QASHQAI offers new standards in quality and refinement with the introduction of a new D-shaped steering wheel that includes redesigned cruise, phone and instrument controls. The centre console armrest includes stylish new stitching providing a greater level of sophistication, and air vents and door handles feature finishes that are considered as standard on higher-end vehicles. The now leather-booted automatic gear shift knob has also been upgraded.

The Nissan QASHQAI also features one-touch power windows on all four doors that can be opened and closed remotely - a timely inclusion as we head into summer. Comfort levels have also been addressed with improved seating. The ST grade seat benefits from a new and more durable upholstered finish, while seats in all other grades are now monoform in design, providing a more premium seating experience. The ST-L and N-TEC seat have partial leather trim, while nappa leather is also offered on the range-topping Ti. DAB+ digital radio is now standard equipment from the ST-L model, while the 7.0-inch touch screen sat nav unit has a smarter interface that is more app-like in appearance.

Under the metal, firmer spring rates, stiffer stabiliser bars, new front and rear bumper bound characteristics, plus damper re-tuning, provide a premium ride and handling experience by absorbing the bumps and reducing body motion when cornering. Also, the introduction of Active Return Control means the steering wheel returns to centre more naturally, and a new dynamic damper on the assembly behind the steering wheel results in less vibration though the steering column.

Making driving even more enjoyable, and adding to the premium feel, Nissan engineers have improved NVH (Noise, Vibration & Harshness) by increasing the level of door and fender sealing, there is more (front and rear) door and fender protection absorption, additional door and floor panel dampening, and the thicker rear glass (increasing 3.15mm to 3.85mm) combines to reduce road and wind noise.

With a focus on safety, Nissan now has Intelligent Emergency Braking with Forward Collision Warning as standard across the entire range, as well as front and rear parking sensors, a reverse camera, Lane Departure Warning, Hill Start Assist, Brake Assist and an electric park brake with auto hold.

Grade dependant, QASHQAI also offers Intelligent Park Assist - Nissan' s self-parking technology, a 360 degree Intelligent Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Driver Alert and Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning and High Beam Assist.

New to the QASHQAI – and part of the suite of safety technologies that form Nissan Intelligent Mobility – is Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Cruise Control, Intelligent Lane Intervention and the Adaptive Front-lighting System, which will be available on select grades.

"The enhancements to the Nissan QASHQAI will ensure it remains one of the most popular small SUVs available on the market," said Nissan Australia managing director, Stephen Lester.

"The QASHQAI's improved styling will surely make it stand out, as too will the comprehensive raft of active safety technology – including Intelligent Emergency Braking, which is now standard across the range - and the improved driving performance.

"There is a long list of compelling reasons why the QASHQAI should be at, or near, the top of the list for buyers."

The new Nissan QASHQAI comes in three grades, the base model ST, mid-grade ST-L and range topping N-TEC special edition.

It features a 2.0 litre petrol engine with 106kW of power and 200Nm of torque mated to either a 6-speed manual or CVT transmission. Sipping from as little as 6.9 litres^# of standard unleaded fuel per 100 kilometres, it is one of the most fuel efficient vehicles in its sales segment.

Also, the new Nissan QASHQAI has 430 litres of cargo capacity – one of the best in its class – increasing to 1,598 litres with the rear seats down.

Available in seven contemporary colours, New Nissan QASHQAI prices start at $26,490* plus on roads.

Nissan was a pioneer in the development of small SUVs and helped created the small SUV class. In Australia, between 2007 and today, Nissan's small SUV nameplates have accounted for 16.5 per cent of total sales, outselling every other manufacturer.

* Manufacturer Suggested Retail Prices (MSRP) are provided for media purposes only and do not include statutory charges or other on-road costs.

#Figures tested in accordance with ADR81/02 (combined test). Figures stated for the purposes of comparison amongst vehicles only. It is unlikely that this fuel consumption figure will be achieved in real world driving conditions. Actual fuel consumption depends on factors such as traffic conditions, vehicle condition, how you drive and any accessories fitted.

About Nissan Motor Co.

Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2015, the company sold more than 5.4 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of ¥12.19 trillion. Nissan engineers, manufactures and markets the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan's global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: ASEAN & Oceania; Africa, Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America and North America. Nissan has a global workforce of 247,500 and has been partnered with French manufacturer Renault under the Renault-Nissan Alliance since March 1999. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN

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