New Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai will arrive in South Africa later this year

By: Nelson Kalula

During a recent interview, Nissan Africa’s marketing director Stefan Haasbroek told IOL that the new Nissan Qashqai would arrive in the third quarter of 2022, with the new X-Trail following in the fourth quarter.

Nissan was once a major player in the mid-size SUV market, and the new models, which have made significant technological advances, could see that status restored.

When asked about the Nissan Kicks, a compact SUV that would likely sit between the Magnite and Qashqai, Haasbroek stated that the company was studying the space because there was potential for growth, but he stopped short of confirming any future product introductions.

An intriguing hybrid powertrain

The new Qashqai will be available with Nissan’s innovative e-Power hybrid drivetrain, which is expected to join the lineup in early 2023.

This is not your typical hybrid system in that the vehicle is powered solely by a 140kW electric motor, with the 1.5-litre petrol engine acting as a generator. According to Nissan, the main advantage here is that the internal combustion engine has been optimized for efficiency given its unique role.

The new Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai models are based on Nissan’s new CMF-C platform, which makes them lighter and more rigid than the vehicles they replace. The new Qashqai, for example, is said to be 41% stiffer and weighs up to 60kg less than its predecessor. Many of its body components are now made of aluminum, including the doors, front fenders, and bonnet.

Aside from confirming the introduction of e-Power, Nissan declined to comment on the other engine options available to buyers of the new SUV models.

However, we believe that the Qashqai will be offered with the new 1.3-litre mild hybrid turbopetrol engine, which is available in Europe in 103kW and 116kW variants. Six-speed manual and Xtronic CVT transmissions are available, and all models are front-wheel drive only.

New Nissan X-Trail

The new Nissan X-Trail was recently introduced in Japan, but a similar vehicle known as the Rogue has been available in the United States for quite some time. The new model is available in Japan with an e-4ORCE all-wheel drive system that includes electric motors on the front and rear axles.

Both models also have significantly improved cabin technology. This includes configurable digital instrument clusters, a new-generation Head-Up Display, wireless Apple CarPlay, and an upgraded ProPilot semi-autonomous driver assistance system, depending on the model.

 

Article source: IOL

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