What's the news?

Nissan has released prices and specifications for the new Qashqai, which is available from £17,595. Four trim grades - Visia, Acenta, Acenta Premium and Tekna - are offered and the new model will go on sale in January 2014.

Standard equipment on the Visia includes automatic air conditioning, a five-inch infotainment screen and cruise control with speed limiter. Acenta models start at £19,145, which adds 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate control and a leather steering wheel and gear lever. The Acenta Premium costs an extra £1,850 and comes with DAB radio as part of the NissanConnect system, plus Front Collision Avoidance and Lane Departure Warning. At the top of the range is the Qashqai Tekna - from £23,145 - and it comes with 19-inch alloys, roof rails and part leather seats. The Nissan Safety Shield system is also standard on this model, or as a £450 option with other grades.

Mechanicals

Two petrol and two diesel engines are available; the entry-level option is a turbocharged 1.2-litre unit with 115hp. Fuel economy is 50.4mpg with CO₂ emissions of 129g/km and performance is said to be superior to the 1.6-litre petrol engine in the old model. Later in 2014 a 150hp, 1.6-litre turbo will join the range; this matches the fuel economy of the smaller unit with emissions up by just 3g/km. Diesel power is a choice between 1.5-litre 110hp and 1.6-litre 130hp motors. Fuel economy is 74.3- or 64.2mpg respectively; the larger diesel is also available with four-wheel drive.

Anything else?

Three short films covering the development of the new Qashqai have been made. The first, 'The New Nissan Qashqai by the people who created it - part one' will be released later this week.