| New derivative | Nissan Qashqai | Nissan Qashqai+2 |
Nissan is to extend its popular Qashqai crossover range - quite literally - with a new seven-seater version available across Europe from October.
Called the Qashqai+2, the new car adds another level of practicality whilst using the same mechanical underpinnings - albeit an extended version - of Nissan's C-platform, now 135mm longer with overall vehicle length increased by 211mm to 4,526mm. The extra size has improved interior leg room, provided new cargo space under the seats, and enabled larger door storage pockets. Because of the need to cater for an extra pair of heads in the back, the Qashqai+2 is 38mm taller than the five-door variant and now comes with a cabin-illuminating, full-length panoramic sun roof.
Thanks to a larger passenger door design, the rear is more easily accessed whilst simultaneously offering access for seats six and seven with a sliding second-row bench, whose new 40/20/40 splitting mechanism gives another element of versatility. The third-row seats are apparently suitable for passengers up to 1.6m tall and can be folded fully-flat providing nearly 500 litres of boot space - some 90 litres up on the five-seater model.
The Qashqai+2 will use the same three trim levels as its shorter sibling (Visia, Acenta and Tekna), as well as the same choices of engines and transmissions linked to both front and four-wheel drive options. Two choices of petrol engine include a 1.6-litre, 113bhp motor developing 118lb.ft of torque, and a larger 16-valve 2.0-litre variant with 138bhp and 142lb.ft of torque.
Nissan will also fit two diesel units including its Renault-sourced 1.5dCi unit, complete with Diesel Particulate Filter and 145g/km of CO
2. Despite its decent return on miles per pound though, the 105bhp oil burner will come second to Nissan's 2.0-litre dCi option, which is better suited to fully-loaded family life thanks to 148bhp and 236lb.ft of twist.
All 1.6-litre +2s will get a five-speed manual, with 2.0-litre models fitted with a six-speed 'box or the optional CVT transmission on the 2.0-litre petrol version. Additionally, the ALL-MODE four-wheel drive 2.0-litre dCi will come with a six-speed automatic.
Prices for the Qashqai+2 will be announced at its official unveiling at the
London Motor Show in July.
Kyle Molyneux - 7 Apr 2008