Nissan has released the first information about the all-new Qashqai. The new SUV will be available with Nissan’s e-Power powertrain, but will also come with the usual petrol engines.
Highlights
- Completely new platform
- With e-Power drivetrain
- Mild hybrid petrol engines
- Extensive safety systems
- 2021 on the market
- Teaser shows light unit
Since the launch of the first-generation Qashqai in 2007, Nissan has been bulleting almost continuously with its crossover in terms of sales. In total, Nissan has sold well over three million Qashqais in Europe, while the SUV’s global sales counter well exceeds five million. Last year, the Qashqai was the brand’s best-selling model in the Netherlands, and although the current generation has been running since 2013, it is also this year’s most popular car. An important model for Nissan, it is not surprising that expectations for the next generation are high. The new Qashqai will be in showrooms in 2021, with Nissan now releasing the first technical details.
Lighter
The Nissan Qashqai that will appear in showrooms next year is already the third generation of the model. The new Qashqai will have the honor of being the first European model on the brand-new CMF-C platform of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, a base that Nissan already uses under the Rogue in the United States. This new base, which will also be used in future cars such as the new Megane and the Kadjar successor, makes more use of weight-saving material than before. The tailgate and fuel filler flap of the new Qashqai, for example, are made of a composite, resulting in a weight saving of about 2.6 kilos. The doors, the front fenders and the bonnet are made of aluminum, resulting in a weight saving of 21 kilos. Nissan also says it uses 50 percent more Ultra High Strength Steel (UHHS) in the body. This material provides a stiffer construction, but this is not accompanied by weight gain. At the bottom of the line, the body should be 60 kilos lighter and 41 percent stiffer than that of the current Qashqai.
Nissan Qashqai
The higher stiffness of the carriage should make the Qashqai a lot more dynamic, according to its creators, together with a new suspension. For example, the front-wheel drive versions get a torsion beam at the rear, but the four-wheel drive versions get a multi-link system.
Not entirely electric
Nissan does not come with a fully electric Qashqai. For an electric SUV in this segment you have to turn to the Nissan Ariya. However, the Qashqai does not miss the electrification boat. For example, the SUV will get a 1.3-liter petrol engine with 12-volt mild hybrid technology, which will soon be available in two power variants. The lithium battery of these mild hybrids is housed in the floor. More interesting, however, is the e-Power powertrain coming to the Nissan. The Qashqai is not fully electric, but with that e-Power powertrain it is electrically powered. The Nissan Qashqai e-Power simply has a petrol engine on board, although that machine does not directly drive the wheels. The petrol engine serves as a generator for the relatively small battery pack. That package supplies power directly to the electric motor that is quite powerful for a hybrid. The advantage of the powertrain is that the 180 hp electric motor, similar to that of a typical electric car, according to Nissan, responds to the accelerator just as directly as a regular EV. In addition, the petrol engine runs in its optimal speed range during normal use and that reduces consumption.
Nissan Ariya, the electric alternative to the Qashqai
Appearance
The new Qashqai should again appeal to a large buyer group and it seems that Nissan is not taking a shocking new design path. The Qashqai mainly looks like a tightly drawn version of the already known model. Some family traits with the new Rogue launched in the United States, possibly also ‘our’ X-Trail, can not be denied him. The Qashqai in the photos that Nissan presents us, is unfortunately still thick in the stickers. It appears to have a Juke-like front with lighting distributed over two floors. In the shape of the rear lights, among other things, we observe influences from the IMQ Concept presented last year. Nissan is also releasing a teaser (photo 3). It shows a daytime running light unit that floats like a separate element above the actual headlight. We also see such a layered front with the Juke, although the headlights of the Qashqai will not be round.
Nissan IMQ Concept (2019)
Well known: the dimensions. With a length of 4.43 meters, the new Qashqai is only 3.5 centimeters longer than the current model. The wheelbase grows by 2 centimeters to 2.67 meters. In addition, the car has become 3.2 centimeters wider. Nissan says it has used the available centimeters much more efficiently. For example, the knee space in the rear increases and the luggage space grows by 50 liters to 480 liters.
Safety
No generation change without tightened safety systems. ProPilot was already there, but the driver assistance system has been expanded with Predictive Forward Collision Warning and Intelligent Blind Spot Intervention. Rear Cross Traffic Alert is enhanced with Rear Automatic Emergency Brake. In tight bends, for example in a parking garage, Flank Protection protects you from driving your doors or sills on debris. Thanks to Parking Assist Pro Pilot, the new Qashqai can park independently. New software and sensors also ensure that the operations performed by the semi-autonomous ProPilot system are a lot smoother than before. In addition, the Qashqai can take corners at a higher speed in ProPilot mode and the car brakes, because the system is linked to the navigation system, also for roundabouts. The Qashqai can also accelerate or brake on the highway itself if the maximum speed changes. Lane Keep Assist now also works below 50 km / h. Just as interesting: every Qashqai gets LED headlights as standard. Adaptive LED viewers are reserved for the higher positioned versions.
Soon we will see more of the new Qashqai as it will be at Dutch dealers next year.