Nissan has updated its popular Qashqai crossover for 2010 with the usual mid-life facelift including restyled nose and tail, LED rear lights, some new paint colours and the launch of a low-CO2 Pure Drive version. The model is built in the UK, Japan and China and sold worldwide – in some markets as the Dualis – apart from North America which gets a larger Japanese-built model with bigger engine on the same platform called the Rogue.
Go deeper with GlobalData
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The Qashqai, initially built only in Britain, was a smash hit after its European launch in March 2007 and there were, at times, long waiting lists for some models. To ease pressure on the UK plant, Nissan subsequently moved some production to Japan and China.
“The Qashqai has exceeded all sales ambitions, with the 500,000th customer delivery scheduled to take place later this month,” the automaker said as it anounced the 2010 model year update.
The bonnet (hood), front bumper, wings, grille and headlamps and new rear light clusters use 12 LEDs for tail and brake signals.
Two new exterior colours – a red and grey – have been added and wheels have been restyled.
Body moodifications improve aerodynamic efficiency, with Cd dropping down to 0.33 from 0.34.
Inside, the instrument cluster and trip computer have been redesigned and front footwell lighting – fast becoming a popular feature on European cars – added plus extra oddment storage in redesigned spaces.
A new multi-layer insulation material around the front bulkhead, an ‘acoustic’ windscreen and new window seals improve NVH.
Nissan said “significant” changes have been made to the suspension tuning to further improve ride comfort and handling response.
The new 1.5-litre dCi diesel (from alliance partner Renault) Pure Drive variant produces only 129g/km of CO2 (versus 137g for the standard model) after going on a weight reduction programme and thanks to aerodynamic wheel covers, blanked off fog lamp slots and low rolling resistance tyres. It also has a longer final drive ratio.
ESP is now fitted as standard and the various trim grades have been enhanced. The Qashqai will continue to be sold in standard fove-seat and stretched seven-seat ‘+2’ variants. Sales begin early next year.
Nissan Europe sales and marketing head Simon Thomas said: “When Qashqai was launched in Europe in 2007, we were optimistic customers would recognise that it offered an alternative to the traditional hatchback or compact SUV. However, we had to increase production to meet demand and two-and-a-half years later, demand hasn’t relented.”
