| Nissan unveils Qashqai+2 for more space |
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| Written by Staff Reporter | |
| Wednesday, 16 April 2008 | |
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Nissan has expanded its Qashqai offer with a new 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. ![]() Nissan's new Qashqai+2 has seven seat capacity in a compact crossover 4x4 vehicle that has been a huge success on the market. Called Qashqai+2, the new model is seen by Nissan as the first Crossover for busy, active families and with the imminent arrival of the second generation Murano, helps to extend Nissan's Crossover offering to three distinctive models. Sales in Europe will begin in October. 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. Qashqai+2 shares clear family design DNA with the original, but it is subtly different from virtually every angle. 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 re-profiled 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. At the same time, both front and rear doors have been restyled: the window frames of the front door are squarer in line with the re-profiled 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 huge panoramic glass roof to give the same light, airy feeling that is so popular with customers on the existing Qashqai. The fixed roof is 140 mm longer than the equivalent sunroof offered on Qashqai and has a one-touch electric operated sunshade. |
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