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New Nissan Qashqai: The original crossover reinvented

London, UK (November 7, 2013): Today marks the most significant milestone in the crossover segment for seven years. In 2007, Nissan launched a model that became the crossover pioneer, found more than 2.0 million customers and was soon followed by scores of imitators. Today, that model is reinvented.

With Nissan's trademark innovation and excitement at its core, the new Qashqai has been unveiled during a thrilling 3D social media digital mapping show in London, UK, signalling the start of the second generation of crossovers. Representing a small yet significant sample of Qashqai drivers from across the world, more than 2,500 people submitted images representing the best of technology innovation. These images then came together to form the shape of the all-new Qashqai, revealing its design to the world for the first time today.

NEW QASHQAI IN BRIEF
Nissan's Qashqai is long established as the leader in the crossover market, with more than 2.0 million produced since 2007. It appeals to both C-segment drivers looking for additional style, technology and excitement as well as downsizing buyers seeking greater efficiency. The all-new Qashqai is set to enhance Nissan's crossover leadership position when it goes on sale in selected global markets from January 2014.

Premium technology, second generation crossover design and enhanced dynamics all combine to form the backbone of the new Nissan Qashqai.

The striking new Qashqai is 49mm longer than the current model and fractionally lower and wider, giving it a sleek, poised stance while maintaining the crossover style, compact dimensions and raised driving position. Distinctive features - including a clamshell-style bonnet - lend a premium appearance while retaining the Qashqai's strong visual DNA.

As with any new Nissan, the Qashqai is packed full of innovative technology. It offers drivers a comprehensive suite of advanced technology features enhancing every aspect of driving. Nissan's Safety Shield technologies now incorporate Front Collision Avoidance, Driver Attention Support and Traffic Sign Recognition along with several other vital driver aids, while Intelligent Park Assist takes the stress out of urban manoeuvres. The new Qashqai is designed to make premium technology more accessible than ever.

The innovation continues with the new Qashqai's powertrain range, which is wider and more efficient than ever. Every engine uses a turbocharger to reduce capacity, emissions and fuel consumption while maintaining excellent performance with class-leading CO2 emissions - from only 99g/km. Efficiency is further enhanced by an extensive mass reduction programme, resulting in 40kg weight loss on some models despite the extensive addition of new equipment.

While front-wheel-drive variants will account for the majority of sales in most markets, four-wheeldrive ALL-MODE 4x4-i versions will also be available to match a choice of six-speed manual or all-new Xtronic transmissions.

Inside, a dramatic rise in material and design quality adds significant interior appeal to the Qashqai package. Versatility also remains a core crossover attribute; Nissan's engineers have devised innovative ways to make the new Qashqai fit into drivers' lives. Delivering greater occupant space and a larger luggage capacity enhanced by a variable floor system, the new Qashqai even offers space to store the parcel shelf when not in use.

The new Qashqai is based on the new CMF (Common Module Family) Renault-Nissan Alliance platform, bringing outstanding engineering efficiencies to the consumer.

Designed and engineered in Europe, for Europe, the new Qashqai has been created by Nissan's experts at Nissan Design Europe (London, UK) and Nissan Technical Centre Europe (Cranfield, UK and Barcelona, Spain), and it will be built in Sunderland, UK. Extensive input has also come from Nissan's designers and engineers in Atsugi, Japan.

TECHNOLOGY
New Qashqai technology highlights:

Nissan Safety Shield packages comprising:
- Front Collision Avoidance
- Driver Attention Support
- Traffic Sign Recognition
- Lane Departure Warning
- Blind Spot Warning
- Moving Object Detection
- High Beam Assist
Chassis Control
- Full LED headlamps which consume 50 per cent of the power of previous Xenon lamps
- Intelligent Parking Assist
- New NissanConnect with smartphone app integration
- Around View Monitor

At the heart of the new Qashqai lies accessible technology. A suite of innovations which, when combined, form a unique package of driver aids which not only significantly enhance safety and convenience, but deliver exceptional value to Nissan drivers.

Nissan Safety Shield is a collection of features designed to enhance the safety of occupants in line with Nissan's ongoing vision towards zero accidents, a sentiment underlined by the company's commitment to produce commercially viable autonomous vehicles by 2020.

DESIGN
The second-generation Qashqai sets a new benchmark for crossover design. Having defined the original crossover template in 2007, Nissan is taking the sector to a new level thanks to bold design, highly advanced engineering, intelligent technology and remarkable attention to detail.

New from the ground up, the new Qashqai is much more than just a rework of its ground-breaking predecessor. The second-generation model is 20mm wider, 49mm longer and 15mm lower than the current car. Yet despite this reduction in height, front and rear headroom levels have actually increased by 10mm and the raised driving position remains.

The new Qashqai features a striking new look with powerful curves, clean lines and intricate details including the option of 19-inch alloy wheels. Through bold new elements such as the raised bonnet line and muscular wheelarches, the new Qashqai conveys a feeling of dynamic strength.

Interior - reinventing the way families travel
Comfort, connectivity and control: three of the core elements that underpin the design and layout of the new Qashqai's cabin. Like the rest of the car, the Qashqai's interior combines innovative technologies with common sense solutions to everyday challenges. With more experience in the crossover sector than any other marque, Nissan is in a unique position to set new practicality benchmarks for the next generation of crossover.

In creating new Qashqai's cabin, Nissan's design and engineering teams wanted to put the driver at the heart of the action. The car's numerous comfort, convenience and safety systems have been analysed and redesigned to give the driver easy access to all key controls. Thanks to an intuitive single interface, drivers are able to perfectly tailor the Qashqai's functions to their needs - from switching on three-flash indicators to adjusting how early the auto headlights switch on. Each menu and display is accurately and logically shown to the driver on the new meter display located between the analogue speedometer and tachometer and controlled by steering wheel mounted switches.

ENGINES AND TRANSMISSIONS
Combining conventional passenger car efficiency with the sense of adventure of an SUV has always been a key part of the appeal of crossovers. A range of supremely efficient and refined petrol and diesel engines allows the new Qashqai to exceed the expectations of drivers no matter which powertrain is chosen.

The line-up consists of four engines: two petrol and two diesel, with the option of two- or four-wheel-drive. Customers can also choose between manual and all-new Xtronic automatic transmissions.

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