Going two better
As market rivals start to catch up with the segment-defining Qashqai, Nissan has already shifted the goalposts: the top-selling compact crossover has expanded its offer with a seven-seat version. Called Qashqai +2, the newest Nissan builds on the...
As market rivals start to catch up with the segment-defining Qashqai, Nissan has already shifted the goalposts: the top-selling compact crossover has expanded its offer with a seven-seat version. Called Qashqai +2, the newest Nissan builds on the success of the original Qashqai by adding space and versatility to create the first family crossover.
The new model is aimed at busy, active families and with the imminent arrival of the second-generation Murano, helps to extend Nissan's crossover offering to three distinctive models.
Qashqai+2 customers will be looking for a car which has the space, convenience and utility of a traditional MPV, but who want a more attractive, sophisticated design. Nissan's research shows that customers of the existing Qashqai are clearly attracted to it by its design - three-quarters are new to Nissan - and this is a pattern that will continue with Qashqai+2.
Those customers are not attracted to the existing people carriers with three rows. And at the same time, Nissan's research shows that an increasing number of customers in this area of the market are not interested in 'family' SUVs, with a third row of seats. They are perceived as too big and too boxy for their needs.
The results of early Qashqai+2 'customer clinics' showed that potential customers perceived it as being more family-orientated, offering more independence, ideal for going on family holidays and offering more fun than traditional choices.
Like the multi award-winning original, Qashqai+2 has been designed and engineered in Europe and will be built at Nissan's highly productive plant in Sunderland.
Created by designers at Nissan Design Europe in London's Paddington, the new model is essentially identical to Qashqai from the A-Pillar forward, but everything else behind has been changed.
With a wheelbase extended by 135 mm - taking it to 2,765 mm - the overall length of Qashqai +2 has risen to 4,526 mm, an increase of 211 mm over the five-seat version.
To ensure there's ample headroom in the third set of seats, the roofline has been lengthened and reprofiled at the rear of the vehicle, adding 38 mm to the overall height and taking it to 1,643 mm. Headroom in the front and middle row of seats has increased by 16 mm and 10 mm respectively, while knee room in the middle row has improved by 23 mm.
Both front and rear doors have been restyled: the window frames of the front door are squarer in line with the reprofiled roofline, while the rear pair is completely new - longer and also with squarer window frames.
Other styling changes include larger side windows at the rear of the vehicle to provide a light and airy environment for occupants of the third row of seats. Further differentiation between five and seven-seat versions is provided by a new tailgate with a deeper rear window and revised bumper profile at the rear and a sleek new grille, exclusive to Qashqai+2, at the front.
Another exterior feature found as standard on Qashqai +2 is a panoramic glass roof. The fixed roof is now 140 mm longer and has a one-touch electric operated sunshade.
Styling aside, the nature of the new model means much of the engineering and development work has been concentrated on the rear of the car where the aim has been to make it as flexible, practical and convenient as possible for passengers.
As well as moving through a total of 100 mm, the middle bench seat now has a three-way folding operation on a 40/20/40 split for added modularity.
The centre '20' portion doubles as a seat or a generously wide multi-function armrest. When used as an armrest, as well as providing a greater feeling of spaciousness for those in the third row, the seat back incorporates two cup holders and a lidded storage box large enough to hold personal music players, games consoles and CDs.
Two versions of the chassis are available, offering the choice of front-wheel drive or sophisticated 'All-Mode' four-wheel drive.
Developed by Nissan, the 'All-Mode' system - which is available on 2-litre diesel and petrol models - allows secure and relaxed driving with advanced electronics taking care of all traction needs.
The Qashqai +2 should be available from Nissan Motor Sales of Msida (2133 4196) towards the end of October.
The new model is aimed at busy, active families and with the imminent arrival of the second-generation Murano, helps to extend Nissan's crossover offering to three distinctive models.
Qashqai+2 customers will be looking for a car which has the space, convenience and utility of a traditional MPV, but who want a more attractive, sophisticated design. Nissan's research shows that customers of the existing Qashqai are clearly attracted to it by its design - three-quarters are new to Nissan - and this is a pattern that will continue with Qashqai+2.
Those customers are not attracted to the existing people carriers with three rows. And at the same time, Nissan's research shows that an increasing number of customers in this area of the market are not interested in 'family' SUVs, with a third row of seats. They are perceived as too big and too boxy for their needs.
The results of early Qashqai+2 'customer clinics' showed that potential customers perceived it as being more family-orientated, offering more independence, ideal for going on family holidays and offering more fun than traditional choices.
Like the multi award-winning original, Qashqai+2 has been designed and engineered in Europe and will be built at Nissan's highly productive plant in Sunderland.
Created by designers at Nissan Design Europe in London's Paddington, the new model is essentially identical to Qashqai from the A-Pillar forward, but everything else behind has been changed.
With a wheelbase extended by 135 mm - taking it to 2,765 mm - the overall length of Qashqai +2 has risen to 4,526 mm, an increase of 211 mm over the five-seat version.
To ensure there's ample headroom in the third set of seats, the roofline has been lengthened and reprofiled at the rear of the vehicle, adding 38 mm to the overall height and taking it to 1,643 mm. Headroom in the front and middle row of seats has increased by 16 mm and 10 mm respectively, while knee room in the middle row has improved by 23 mm.
Both front and rear doors have been restyled: the window frames of the front door are squarer in line with the reprofiled roofline, while the rear pair is completely new - longer and also with squarer window frames.
Other styling changes include larger side windows at the rear of the vehicle to provide a light and airy environment for occupants of the third row of seats. Further differentiation between five and seven-seat versions is provided by a new tailgate with a deeper rear window and revised bumper profile at the rear and a sleek new grille, exclusive to Qashqai+2, at the front.
Another exterior feature found as standard on Qashqai +2 is a panoramic glass roof. The fixed roof is now 140 mm longer and has a one-touch electric operated sunshade.
Styling aside, the nature of the new model means much of the engineering and development work has been concentrated on the rear of the car where the aim has been to make it as flexible, practical and convenient as possible for passengers.
As well as moving through a total of 100 mm, the middle bench seat now has a three-way folding operation on a 40/20/40 split for added modularity.
The centre '20' portion doubles as a seat or a generously wide multi-function armrest. When used as an armrest, as well as providing a greater feeling of spaciousness for those in the third row, the seat back incorporates two cup holders and a lidded storage box large enough to hold personal music players, games consoles and CDs.
Two versions of the chassis are available, offering the choice of front-wheel drive or sophisticated 'All-Mode' four-wheel drive.
Developed by Nissan, the 'All-Mode' system - which is available on 2-litre diesel and petrol models - allows secure and relaxed driving with advanced electronics taking care of all traction needs.
The Qashqai +2 should be available from Nissan Motor Sales of Msida (2133 4196) towards the end of October.