February 2017 marks exactly 10 years since the Nissan Qashqai crossover first went on sale, and the brand is celebrating in style. Customer events and media activities are taking place across Europe to mark the occasion.
Nissan is the first brand to reach the 10-year milestone for one simple reason – the Qashqai is the model which pioneered the crossover segment as the automotive industry and car-buying consumers know it today.
A decade ago, there was no vehicle which successfully mixed the practicality and desirability of an SUV with the size, efficiency and dynamic performance of a compact hatchback.
The Qashqai’s innovative design and versatile packaging started life in 2002, during the development process for what was originally intended to be the new Nissan Almera. The creative team decided to go back to the drawing board and conceived a car which truly reflected what buyers were looking for, and delivered on Nissan’s brand promise – Innovation & Excitement for Everyone.
The first generation of the Nissan Qashqai went on sale in February 2007 and was an instant success. Close to 100,000 examples were sold across Europe before the end of the year, and Nissan has never looked back.
In 10 years of the Qashqai, more than 2.3 million examples have been sold in Europe, which makes it the region’s best-selling crossover. The car has won more than 80 awards, including 19 recognising it as the ‘Car of the Year’.
Paul Willcox, Chairman of Nissan Europe, commented: “When the Qashqai launched in 2007 it was unique in the market place. It has remained as the number one crossover because it has stayed true to its original ideals, and because we have innovated and consistently added technology through the life of the car.”
That process of ongoing improvement to the Qashqai is perfectly illustrated by the addition of Around View Monitor, Nissan’s acclaimed 360° parking camera technology. It was added to the Qashqai in 2010, when the car received many mid-lifecycle enhancements. Similarly, in 2014 with the launch of the second-generation Qashqai, Intelligent Park Assist was integrated.
Nissan’s pioneering spirit has unquestionably changed the European car market. In the decade since the Qashqai was launched, C-segment crossover sales in Europe have gone from zero to 2.6 units in 2016 alone. Almost all mainstream automotive brands now have a Qashqai rival, with 21 direct competitors in the market place. However, the inventor of the segment remains the number one model.
In 2016 Nissan sold 261,429 Qashqai in Europe (including Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan). This is a 10% market share, and represents 5.2% growth over the previous 12 months.
Success has spread beyond Europe, with global sales of the Nissan Qashqai standing at 3.3 million units across 137 countries worldwide over the 10 years. Today the Qashqai is on sale in 99 markets.
New And Improved To Stay Ahead Of The Pack
The new Nissan Qashqai launched with a five-model range powered by three engine variants and two trim lines. The redesign of the new model is lighter, lower, wider and longer with invigorating new technology and increased efficiency.
The Nissan Qashqai was the vehicle that started the crossover revolution when it was launched globally back in 2007, and has been such a success, that in South Africa alone over 20 000 units have been sold. Now, the all-new, all-improved QASHQAI is set to continue this success in a market segment
Purposeful in its execution as much as it is striking to look at, design elements have also been employed to enhance aerodynamics, the new QASHQAI featuring a drag coefficient of just 0.33 – thanks to clever features like a flat underbelly and a roof spoiler with winglets.
The all-new interior, which is bolstered by the three core elements of comfort, connectivity and control, is where the biggest leap in quality and feel has been achieved, with the use of premium quality materials culminating in a chic interior which creates a wonderful driving environment. The ergonomic and fuss-free layout ensures ease of use, with key touch points and surfaces designed to enhance the sensory experience and provide long-term durability.
This latest version of NissanConnect, which makes its debut in the new Nissan QASHQAI, is a fully-fledged infotainment system operated via a stylish 7-inch touch screen interface and incorporates satellite navigation, Google® search, full smartphone integration for iOS and Android devices, and a Facebook social media app.
The 1.5dCi engine is a smooth, quiet power plant that’s the most fuel efficient engine ever offered in the Nissan Qashqai. Or opt for the powerful 1.6dCi that strikes the perfect balance between performance and economy.
For petrol lovers, there is the option of either a 1.2 or 1.6 Turbo both packed with exceptional performance and power that will get you streets ahead of the opposition. Now that’s the ultimate urban experience.
Despite their modest size, the 1.2 and 1.6 Turbo engines pack a real punch thanks to turbocharger technology that assists with sharper acceleration and greater flexibility. The Qashqai 1.2 Turbo offers an impressive 85kW of power and a sturdy 190Nm of torque while the 1.6 Turbo delivers 120kW of power and 240Nm of torque; these small but mighty engines churn out performance that is equivalent to or better than most naturally aspirated 1.6 and 2.0 engines respectively.
