Nissan Qashqai is a quality cross-over
By: Henrie Geyser
Qashqai. Strange word, isn't it? But easy to pronounce (“Kash-Kai”), so I suggest you get used to it quickly because it's a word you are going to be using and hearing a lot of as it is the name of Nissan's eagerly-awaited new cross-over vehicle that has just arrived in South Africa.
Shown for the first time at Auto Africa last year, the Qashqai has been an overnight hit in Europe, selling more than 60,000 units since its launch in March, and in Japan, where more than 10,000 have been sold since its very recent unveiling there.
South Africa originally planned on selling about 300 units per month but initial interest in this vehicle seems to indicate that this figure might well have to be adjusted upwards by quite a jump.
In essence, the Qashqai is a cross-over C segment hatch with quite a few SUV personality traits - and it's a real cool looker.
This is car-station wagon-hatch-SUV is going to appeal to a wide audience, with buyers ranging from the cool and young sporty outdoor types and upwardly mobile young professionals to yummy-mummy school taxi operators, the daily home to office commuter brigade, and the ladies at leisure who while away their time exercising their credit cards at shopping malls, coffee shops, the gym, and the pony, golf and tennis clubs.
Nissan SA is confident that the Qashqai is going to attract new customers to the brand, as has happened in Europe and Japan.
And I'm sure they are right. Not only is it a darn attractive car, but it offers the comfort and convenience of a station wagon, with lots of safety features and a surprisingly dynamic ride, as we found out on our winding route in the George and Oudtshoorn surrounds during the media launch.
Initially two engine variants and two specification levels will be available in this country – a 1.6-litre petrol version in two specification levels (Visia and Acenta) equipped with a five-speed manual gearbox and a top of the range 2.0-litre in fancier Acenta finish and with a six-speed transmission.
Visually the only real difference between the models is the rims which are steel or alloys, although both are 16-inchers shod with 215/65R16 tyres.
The 1.6 four cylinder produces 81kW and 154Nm, while the 2.0-litre churns out 102kW and 198Nm.
Nissan plans to add a diesel version and a 4x4 model to the range some time next year.
Of the two current engine variants, I much preferred the 2.0-litre option. Obviously it has a lot more oomph (not that the smaller engine is a slouch), but the six-speed shift is better spaced.
With the 1.6-litre, one has to work quite hard with the soup spoon, stirring between 3rd, 4th and 5th gear to keep the revs up.
The launch prices are R183,000 and R196,900 for the two 1.6's and R219,950 for the flagship. As always when buying a new car, key factors are affordability, for what purpose it's going to be used and what it's worth in “look at me, I'm different” pose value.
Forking out about R37,000 extra for the star of the show adds a substantial amount to the monthly pay-back bill, so the two models have to be carefully weighed up. Besides a few small cosmetic things, the main differences between the two models are engine size and gearbox choices, both of which obviously impact on performance, not to forget the brag value.
Common features across the range include speed-adaptable electric power steering, a fully adjustable steering column, disc brakes all round with anti-lock (ABS), brake assist (BA) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD), and the tried and tested vehicle dynamic control (VDC) which uses sensors linked to the brakes, steering, wheels and the body itself to monitor the way the car is being driven.
From the steering angle and wheel speeds, VDC calculates what manoeuvres the driver intends to perform and from signals from the yaw-rate and lateral acceleration sensors VDC recognises whether the vehicle might skid off course.
In an emergency, VDC reacts swiftly by selectively applying the brakes at each wheel to ‘steer' the vehicle in the desired direction.
The Qashqai also has cornering brake control (CBC) and enhanced understeer control (EUC) which applies the brakes to all four wheels to reduce excessive understeer.
Other nice to haves include an integrated hands-free Bluetooth phone system with controls on the steering wheel, six airbags, a 5 star Euro NCAP safety rating, a good sound system, aircon on the 1.6 models and dual climate control on the two-litre, an onboard computer, electric windows and mirrors, plus central locking.
To me one of the vehicle's most appealing features is its interior, because unlike many modern cars who go for a “wrap-around, all happy together” feeling, Nissan has created a clear division between driver and passengers.
Facing the driver below a hooded cowl is the instrument panel and trip computer. White LED lighting illuminates the dials night and day, while a new orange light is used on all other illuminated parts, including the trip computer in the centre of the instrument panel, the power window switches and the audio controls.
The other minor controls are ergonomically situated in the centre of the dashboard above the gear lever and beneath twin chrome-ringed air vents.
Accentuating the different cockpit/lounge ‘zones', the soft-feel vacuum moulded dashboard ahead of the front seat passenger is finished in a contrasting grain effect to the area in front of the driver.
“In any car, the driver has totally different needs to the passenger, but this is not always recognised or appreciated. In Qashqai we have created a distinct cockpit environment for the driver which contrasts dramatically with the lounge feeling enjoyed by the passengers,” says Karl Kielblock, senior product manager at Nissan South Africa.
Although the new Nissan goes up against some seriously tough opposition in the C-segment, in its favour are important buying persuaders such as its distinctive styling, its “newness”, its quiet, comfortable and agile ride, high riding position with 200mm ground clearance, and its rather unique cockpit cabin lay-out.
As Kielblock says: “The car has become an extension of one's personality and fewer people are prepared to be seen as conventional any more,” says Kielblock. “And it's for this market that Qashqai caters for.”
Designed in Europe and built at the renowned Sunderland plant in the UK, the new Nissan is available in 11 colours, including Urban Silver, Faded Denim, Hazy Gold and an intense bronze red called Fired Iron.
‘Peace of mind' features included in the purchase prices of the Qashqai are a three-year/90,000km warranty and a service plan covering the same period and distance.
Footnote: Named after a desert-dwelling nomadic tribe living near the Zagros mountains in South Western Iran, Qashqai should be seen as an ‘Urban Nomad', says Nissan's Europe design director, Stephane Schwarz.
And undoubtedly the Qashqai is much more appealing than camels, horses, donkeys, armoured cars, tanks, troop carriers or whatever other transport those weird and wild guys in Iran might be using....
Also read Lots to like about the QashqaiMore by Henrie Geyser
More...ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Henrie Geyser has worked as a journalist in Cape Town, London and Windhoek for the Argus Company (now Independent Newspapers) and spent 12 years at The Cape Argus in Cape Town. He then owned and ran a public relations consultancy for 13 years. He joined the online publishing industry through iafrica.com, where he worked for five years as News Editor and Editor. He now freelances for a variety of print and online publications, on the subjects of cars, food and travel, among others; and is a member of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists.
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