Euro NCAP: Nissan Qasqhai Receives Record Points For Adult Occupant Protection

Not only did Nissan’s new compact crossover get a maximum 5-star rating for adult occupant protection, but thanks to a near to perfect 36.83 points out of a maximum 37 points, the Qashqai achieved the highest ever recorded score in this test for any vehicle in Euro NCAP’s 10-year long history. In the other tests, the Qashqai received 4-stars (out of 5) for child protection and a mediocre 2 out of 4-star for pedestrian protection. Commenting on the Qashqai’s results Euro NCAP’s Secretary General Adrian Hobbs said "Congratulations Nissan! This is a particularly impressive result for this manufacturer since the Qashqai is a new vehicle in this category. Nissan’s last entry into the small family class was in 2001." -Continued below

Euro NCAP Comments:

Front impact: Apart from the driver's chest, maximum points were scored for the protection offered to both the driver and passenger dummies. Double seatbelt pretensioners ensured that the driver's forward movement was very limited, keeping the knees and femurs well away from the dashboard.

Side impact: The Qashqai scored maximum points in the side impact and pole tests

Child-protection: The car scored maximum points based on the measurements recorded by the two child dummies in the front and side tests. The passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a rearward-facing child restraint to be used in that seating position. However, information provided to the driver regarding the status of the airbag is not sufficiently clear. The presence of ISOFIX anchorages is not clearly marked.

Pedestrian protection: The bumper scored maximum points for the protection it offered to pedestrians' legs. In contrast, the front edge of the bonnet scored no points. The bonnet was rated predominantly fair for the protection offered to the head of a struck child.

Nissan Qashqai LWB 7Seater Scoop

If it weren’t for Car Magazine’s scoop pictures, we’d seriously doubt Nissan’s intentions to build a long-wheelbase Qashqai (+200 mm) with an extra two “baby” seats in the rear. You could say of course, since Nissan’s French counterpart, Renault did it with the Scenic – Grande Scenic MPV models, why not. Car says that the LWB Qashqai will be primed to take on the Mitsubishi Outlander and its Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007 spin-offs. We say, if that’s Nissan prime objective, why not do it with the 2008 X-Trail? Doesn’t that sound more logic? Our opinion is, either Nissan’s using the LWB Qashqai as a test mule for an all-new model (maybe an MPV?) either this version will be sold solely to specific Asian markets. -Continued below

Source: Car Magazine , Via: Autoblog.it

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Nissan Qashqai "Urban Skateboarding" TV-Ad

While not as radical as the Qashqai online skateboard commercials, but definitely more politically correct, Nissan takes upon urban-skateboarding once again to show off its compact crossover. By the way, is it me or is Nissan’s new TV Add suspiciously reminiscent of Jeep’s Compass Urban Playground ad? Yay for creativity!

Via: Motorpasion

Technorati: Nissan+Qashqai, Ad, Commercial, TV, Youtube, Video, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, Carscoop, blogs, 2007,

ESSEN Show: Nissan Qashqai by COBRA N+

Over at Europe’s SEMA equivalent, the Essen Motor Show in Germany, COBRA N+ premiered a series of accessories for the Nissan Qashqai, even though the latter hasn’t gone on sale yet.

The exterior bodykit includes chromed bumper add-ons, side chrome styling and what a “chromy” coincidence, a …chromed COBRA N+ stainless steel bumper grille and two -what did you expect... chromed tailpipes. The COBRA N+ program also includes custom-tailored tire/wheel combinations in 17- and 18-inch diameter. The largest possible version is the COBRA N+ CN12 wheel in size 8Jx18. In the interior the COBRA N+ product lineup adds individual highlights with aluminum foot pedals, various versions of shift knobs and stainless-steel sill plates with illuminated COBRA N+ logo. Via: Jalopnik

Related Links: Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Note MPV COBRA N+

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Nissan Qashqai Cargames Videos put Tony Hawk to shame

Nissan found a kick ass way to promote its 2007 Qashqai crossover through an extreme sports concept in a series of radical videos. Cars are portrayed flying up full and half pipe skate ramps showing us some neat tricks and a better look at what a passenger had for lunch... although we could have done with out that part!

Nissan attempts to convey the message that like skateboarding and other extreme sports, driving a Qashqai is a lifestyle, not a luxury activity.

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2007 Nissan Qashqai - US may see it in the near future

Yesterday, Nissan presented its all new compact crossover the Qashqai which will attempt to capture the imagination of 100.000 European buyers annually. According to Nissan, the Qashqai's clientele will spring from a variety of segments, including premium C-Segment cars like the VW Golf & Audi, lower D-Segment models such as the Toyota Avensis & the Ford Mondeo and of course, compact SUV's like the Hyundai Tuscon and the Suzuki SX4.

Although Nissan's attempt to lure buyers from a variety of standardized categories is somewhat new in Europe, this is a common practice for car makers in the US. See an example: the B-Segment supermini Honda Fit (Jazz in Europe) is considered to be an alternative to the C-Segment Nissan Versa (Tiida).

Having thus in mind, it makes absolute sense for Nissan to bring the Qashqai in the USA. Nissan know's this but there is a one very big obstacle: the Qashqai is manufactured solely in Britain, where 1 pound equals to $1.88 (September 7 exchange rate).

So does that mean that the Qashqai won't see the US shores? Well according to a top Nissan official I spoke to, if you're asking whether the Qashqai will be imported to the US from Britain, the answer is no. But, if the question is, will Nissan's USA line-up see a Qashqai based model, then the answer is "watch the space, you might see something very interesting in the near future".

Given the fact that the Qashqai is based on the Renault Megane II derived, Versa platform, then the Dodge Caliber may very well find a worthy emulator sooner than it thinks.

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Exclusive Paris Sneak Peak: 2007 Nissan Qashqai Production model Teaser Video

Get a first sneak peak at Nissan's 2007 Qashqai production model that will be officially unveiled at the 2006 Paris Motor Show. According to the teaser video, Nissan will release the preliminary photos and specs on September 6th.

Based on the homonymous concept which was revealed at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Qashqai is a compact crossover that combines characteristics from various categories (C-segment hatchback models like the VW Golf /Rabbit, SUV's and MPV's). If that doesn't sound like a perfect match for the Dodge Caliber I wonder what does.

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Nissan Qashqai Picture Leak

The first totally uncovered image of Nissan's upcoming Qashqai submerged into to the net, a month before its official unveiling at the Paris Motor Show.

Based on the homonymous concept which was revealed in the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Qashqai will try to grab the attention of European buyers who find C-segment models like the VW Golf and Opel Astra a tad compromising and boring. According to Nissan, the Qashqai will combine characteristics from C-segment hatchback, SUV and MPV models (sounds very familiar to the Dodge Caliber concept, doesn't it ?).

Although the production version seems to stay very close to the concept iin terms of design, it is not sure yet if 4wheel drive will be standard on all versions of the Qashqai.

Practically, the Qashqai, which is named after a southern Iranian nomadic tribe, will take on the role of the Almera & Primera in Nissan's European line-up. This is the second model in Nissan range that tries to lure buyers from different categories. The first one was the mini-MPV, Note which aims at buyers who want a B-segment sized car (Fiat Punto, Renault Clio etc) with C-segment interior space (Peugeot 307, Opel Astra etc).

In other words, Nissan has accepted its defeat in mainstream segments in Europe, focusing now on more niche -and less competitive, categories. After seeing what happened to companies like Fiat, who can blame them ?

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