Nissan's Qashqai due in 2014

A complete revamp of Nissan's local SUV range will be concluded within a two-year period now that the company has announced the introduction of the Qashqai from the third quarter of next year.

Qashqai, which is the name by which the Dualis will be henceforth known, is the last piece of Nissan's SUV puzzle, now that Y62 Patrol and monocoque Pathfinder are on sale, with new X-TRAIL due in the second quarter of next year.

Overnight, Nissan revealed the new Qashqai and some basic specs for the British-built crossover SUV. The new model has lost none of the styling appeal of the current car (which is known as Qashqai in its home market), and adopts a clamshell bonnet for what Nissan describes as a "premium appearance while retaining the Qashqai's strong visual DNA." An active grille shutter and careful design have led to a drag coefficient of 0.32Cd for the new car, reducing in-car noise and lowering fuel consumption at higher speeds.

Just 49mm longer than the current Dualis, the Qashqai is also 15mm lower and 20mm wider. Despite an enhanced equipment list, overall weight reduction (up to 40kg lower for some variants) contributes to reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions – from as low as 99g/km, according to Nissan's press information.

Four engines – two petrol, two diesel – will be available to global markets, although we may not see them all in Australia. Every engine relies on forced induction (turbocharging) for efficiency gains and the Qashqai will be offered in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants with six-speed manual or 'Xtronic' continuously variable transmissions. All engines switch off automatically at traffic lights, to conserve fuel.

The range kicks off with a 1.2-litre petrol engine developing 85kW and 190Nm. Nissan claims combined-cycle fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures of 7.5L/100km and 129g/km, respectively. Displacing 1.6 litres, the other petrol engine produces 110kW and 240Nm. Fuel consumption is the same as the 1.2-litre engine, but CO2 emissions are rated at 132g/km.

The cleanest running engine is a 1.5-litre diesel that produces 81kW. It's this engine that sneaks in under 100g/km for its CO2 emissions. According to Nissan, the smaller of the two diesel powerplants consumes fuel at the rate of 5.1L/100km. Carried over from the current model, the larger 1.6-litre diesel produces 96kW for respective fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures of 5.9L/100km and 115g/km, in manual front-wheel drive form. With the Xtronic transmission option, the same engine's consumption and emissions figures are 6.2L/100km and 119g/km. The manual all-wheel drive variant returns 6.6L/100km and 129g/km.

Drawing on GTR technology, the Qashqai introduces Chassis Control in the affordable end of the SUV market sector. This technology employs independent braking to keep the vehicle tracking straight, but also applies braking to assist with its Active Ride Control, flattening the Qashqai's ride over undulations.

Suspension comprises MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion beam at the rear for front-wheel drive models. All-wheel drive variants of the Qashqai ride on a multi-link IRS system instead. Steering is an electrically-assisted system that offers variable levels of weight through the wheel, according to driver preference. It's a system much like Hyundai's Flex-Steer offering.

Developing the Qashqai on the CMF (Common Module Family) architecture, Nissan engineers have packaged the Qashqai to provide roomier accommodation – 10mm more headroom front and rear –and improved luggage capacity, with a variable floor system. The Qashqai will now hold 430 litres in the boot – an improvement of 20 litres from the current car's figure.

Following a recent trend from other manufacturers, Nissan will bundle together smartphone apps in its infotainment system for the Qashqai. Named NissanConnect, the system runs app to a seven-inch colour interface and embraces common web apps that can be downloaded through the owner's smartphone, as well as streaming music via the conventional Bluetooth method.

A secondary (five-inch) display provides the driver with trip computer data and turn-by-turn satellite navigation 'tulips'. Additionally, this display offers read-outs for tyre pressures, audio content and (4x4) torque distribution settings. Drivers can adjust vehicle settings for steering assistance, wipers and locking, with the five-inch display acknowledging each change.

Qashqai promises to deliver advanced safety features aimed at combating driver inattention (Driver Attention Support, Lane Departure, Blind Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection and Front Collision Avoidance). Other driving aids, including Hill Start Assist, Traffic Sign Recognition, High Beam Assist, Around View Monitor and Intelligent Park Assist are also available in the new model. High Beam Assist automatically dips the Qashqai's full LED headlights, which use 50 per cent less power than xenon lights. Intelligent Park Assist can automatically guide the Qashqai into parking spots or 90 degree bays, with just throttle and brake control by the driver.

Nissan's Sunderland plant in the UK will build the new Qashqai, as it does for the current model. Global launch for the new series is January next year, but we won't see new car before mid-year at the earliest. Local prices and specification will be revealed closer to the Australian launch.

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