Nissan Dualis News

Here are two facts. For over 60 years Nissan has been on a rollercoaster. And for the remaining six years of this decade, Nissan is set to be on a roll. Not that you’d know it with the Japanese brand’s long-term shrinking market share and – until late last year – a worthy but dull and dated core model range.

All-new Nissan Qashqai small SUV to replace Dualis in July.

New Honda Jazz sets new benchmark for rear view cameras: $14,990.

Nissan has revealed the first images and details for the new Qashqai (currently called the Dualis here), with a sportier design, more efficient engines, and fittings and features that move the softroader SUV upmarket.Australian spec has not been confirmed yet for the local launch in the third quarter of next year. However the Qashqai will roll out overseas with a choice of two and four-wheel drive and four turbocharged engine choices with manual and CVT transmissions. However it's only being produced as a five-seater -- there'll be no replacement for the Dualis+2 in the current line-up, leaving the next X-Trail to take over seven-seat duties.The economy hero is the 81kW 1.5-litre diesel promising a fuel figure as low as 3.8L/100km, followed by the 86kW 1.6-litre (4.4L/100km), while the 85kW/190Nm 1.2-litre and 110kW/240NM 1.6-litre petrol engines both claim 5.6L/100km on the European combined cycle. Nissan's race arm, Nismo, is also tinkering with its own version of the Qashqai, due to be launched mid next year overseas.Nissan Australia is likely to want the frugal diesel on its line-up, but have not yet confirmed which engines they'll bring here.  "There’s a few options over there and it's too early to say what we’ll have -- but we're looking at all of them closely," Nissan Australia spokesman Chris Jordan says. "More specification information will be confirmed next year closer to the local launch."For those wanting to drive all four wheels rather than just the front ones, there's Nissan's ALL-MODE 4x4 system, which also gets a multi-link rear suspension (the 2WDs get a twist-beam rear set-up). Both get chassis control and trace control adapted from the sports hero GT-R to mimic a limited slip differential, active ride control to smooth out ride quality, active trace control that mimics a limited slip diff, and the automatic versions score active engine braking to give better cornering.The Qashqai design echoes that of the X-Trail unveiled at this year's Frankfurt show, both inside and out, with a handsome slanted grille, full LED headights on high spec and daytime running lights for all, plus Nissan says it has a higher-quality interior with softer plastics.The technology fit-out features a 7-inch touchscreen, smartphone connectivity with a range of apps on the way and the ability for you to plan a trip on your device and send it to the Qashqai's satnav. There's an arsenal of safety kit, including low-speed automatic braking, lane departure and fatigue warnings, traffic sign recognition and on high-spec models a 360-degree camera and automatic parking.It's longer, wider and lower than the Dualis, with Nissan promising more leg and shoulder room, and no loss of headroom with the redesigned seating being sited lower to compensate for the dropped roofline. The boot offers an extra 20 litres for a 430-litre capacity, with a moveable (and hosable) floor that can be slotted higher to give a flat floor when the rear row is folded down.Jordan says it's also too early to see if Australia will follow the UK's lead in trying to keep the new vehicle's prices close to the outgoing model. However you can expect Nissan will look to price the Qasqai stragically here in what Jordan admits is a fierce market. "It's a very competitive segment and Dualis has done well for us here ... we're keen to grow that success with the Qashqai," he says.He also doesn't envisage Nissan Australia having any fallout from the change to the global name -- a situation they faced when rechristening the previously popular Pulsar with the global Tiida name, and then watching it slump in sales, wit the Pulsar name revived only this year. "We believe strongly in this product, and this time around we have been able to speak to our colleague in Europe, the UK and New Zealand who report the Qashqai name has resonated with customers there," he says.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

It has an all-new crossover body hidden under all the black plastic wrapping on this test car.The new Dualis is predicted to share its mechanical platform with the next X-Trail, although that's all secret until a likely unveiling at the LA Motor Show in November.

Nissan is planning to take the 2014 more upmarket with a punchier look that's closer to the funky Juke.

More than 8000 Nissan X-Trails and 2700 Nissan Dualis and Dualis 2+ models are being reeled in to fix, respectively, potential fire risk from a loose engine-bay insulation and possible steering breakage.Nissan Australia says no incidents have been reported by Australian owners. "In the case of the Dualis, it's only an inspection of the steering wheel boss,'' says Nissan Australia spokesman Peter Fadeyev. "Of the 48,000 Dualis (also called Qashqai) recalls around the world, only 600 had to be repaired, so in terms of the numbers, it's relatively minor. But it's still important,'' he says.The Australian Competition and Consumer Commissions (ACCC) published an official recall notice stating that the 2712 J10 Nissan Dualis models built between February 27, 2012 and May 16, 2012, "are at risk of losing their steering as a result of having the steering wheel boss - which connects to the steering column - separate from the steering column because of not having the appropriate strength.''Mr Fadeyev says owners are being contacted to arrange inspection of the steering wheel boss. "The batch number on the casting will be inspected to confirm if replacement is required,'' he says.The X-Trail recall, also spelled out by the ACCC, involves potential warping of the engine bay's firewall insulator in 8136 T31 X-Trails built between December 21, 2006 and April 27, 2012. The insulator could warp and come into contact with the engine's turbocharger and potentially lead to a fire. It affects only the diesel version of the X-Trail."This recall means all the affected vehicles will need a modification,'' Mr Fadeyev says. "It will mean having a bracket fixed to the firewall to hold the insulation in place and prevent it from warping and touching the turbocharger.''Nissan Australia says X-Trail owners are being contacted and Dualis owners are recommended to contact their nearest Nissan dealer to arrange an inspection of the steering wheel boss, where a batch number located on the casting will confirm if replacement is required. 

It also has the compact Almera, a Diesel Dualis, and the battery-powered Leaf, as well as another sharpening tweak to the GT-R supercar to fold into a richer product mix. Then there are four upscale Infiniti models in a big brand stretch at the top end of the Nissan family. The flood of new models is intended to get Nissan onto many more Australian shopping lists, as the company looks to overtake Hyundai and Mazda to become the country's favourite pure import brand."We will be putting eight new products into the market in the next 12 months. We have four on the Nissan side and four from Infiniti," says Dan Thompson, managing director of Nissan Australia. "There are also the regular updates across the other models like the 370Z. It's all coming together within two years. It's great." Thompson is nearing the end of his time in Australia before taking up a promotion in Europe in April, but is clearly still committed to a product update that's easily the biggest since Nissan closed its local manufacturing operation in Australia. "We've got a lot happening. Leaf is in June, that's the next one to come," Thompson says. "Then Almera, then Patrol, then Pulsar. It's all in the next 12 months. Probably the biggest challenge is probably prioritising things. It's going to be a busy, busy period."Thompson says the return of the Pulsar nameplate - which was dumped byJapanese management in favour of the Tiida - is a big event. "We've got big plans for the Pulsar and there is a lot of good stuff we're going to do, especially with the hatch," he says. Right now, he says Nissan is working towards the end of the Japanese financial year and its target of overtaking Mitsubishi in Australia. "We're also up there again in the top three fastest-growing brands. We're starting to get there. We've had seven percent-plus market share for a while now."But Thompson says it's the new cars that are going to make the biggest difference. "We've got the new GT-R landing this month. And that's a pretty big update for just a running change. "We've got the update to the Z, which is the US cycle. We've got Dualis diesel coming towards the end of the year. And we have some other big stuff. "We've got lots of good little running changes for all the core product. We've got a new Navara product coming this month out of spain. With the capacity constraints in Thailand we moved the ST, our best selling variant, to Spain. We're scrambling to find capacity."

... that’s Kia’s third generation Sportage soft roader, which goes on sale this week. Priced from $25,990 for the entry-level Si front-wheel-drive manual with a 2.0-litre petrol engine up to $38,990 for the range-topping Platinum AWD diesel, the Sportage is longer, wider, lower and an altogether slicker package than the model it replaces, one that was so mundane as to be considered a weapon of those who advocate public transport. The new one is up against a formidable and growing array of “C-segment” SUVs including Volkswagen’s Tiguan, Nissan’s Dualis, Hyundai’s ix35, Holden’s Korean-made Captiva, Mitsubishi’s new ASX and the stalwart Toyota Rav4 and Honda CR-V. Derived from the Kue concept, the visually striking Sportage is designed Massimo Frascella, it features the corporate grille and accents that have become increasingly familiar under the direction charted by chief designer Peter Schreyer. But as Kia Australia marketing boss Steve Watt said of the locally-released range, the “focus is on ride quality to match the design”. Unprecedentedly, the Australian version of the Sportage receives a unique suspension and steering set-up adapted from the British version and refined over 1700km of testing by a team including former Toyota dynamics guru Graeme Gambold. The mid and top spec versions also receive a new AWD system from Magna Dynamax that uses electro-hydraulic sensors to activate a coupling, multi-clutch drive to feed power to the wheels with the most traction at any given time. Watt said this dynamic package was the primary difference between the Sportage and Hyundai’s closely-related ix35. And Kia Motors Australia CEO MK Kim said forthcoming Kia’s would receive the same treatement: “Sportage is the first of our new generation cars to benefit from the determination to deliver Australian flavour. It will not be the last.” The value equation is compelling. The front-wheel-drive Si manual with its 122kW/197Nm 2.0-litre starts at $25,990 for the five speed manual ($1000 under the Ix35). The six speed auto adds $2,000. It’s no stripper, with equipment including 17-inch alloys, front fog lamps, and the full safety package including six airbags. The mid–spec SLi runs a 130kW/227Nm 2.4-litre petrol engine ($31,990) or a 2.0-litre turbo diesel ($34,990) through a six speed auto. Its gains on the Si include chrome accents, leather trim, rear view camera and roof rails. The Platinum uses the same drivetrains (petrol $35,990; diesel $38,990) and adds full leather, daytime running lights, smart key and ventilated driver’s seat.

Although almost 500,000 Dualises — called Qashqai in the UK — have been sold in Europe the crossover has been overshadowed locally by the X-Trail, Navara and Murano. However, the refresh, which should arrive locally early next year, gives the baby off-roader some much-needed visual clout.  Among the changes are a new, more aggressive front-end, revised tail-lights and upgraded interior.Nissan has also focused attention on the suspension to improve the car's ride, as well as lowering cabin noise.  The biggest change is ahead of the A-pillar, where a new grille, headlights, bonnet and mudguards give the car a dramatic lift. At the back, the overall shape of the lights carries over but they now include an aerodynamic feature to reduce drag.  The brake and tail lights also use LED lights and there is a more transparent lens design.Visually, two new five-spoke alloy wheel designs have been introduced for Europe.  Inside, the Dualis gets new up-market dials and more storage space. A redesigned trip computer is now positioned between the speedo and tachometer.  Its white LCD screen shows instantaneous and average fuel consumption, mileage, time, cruise control and speed limiter settings.Low-level lighting has been added around the front footwells.  More insulation around the front bulkhead has reduced the transmission of engine noise to the cabin.The Dualis also gets an acoustic windscreen, which helps reduce wind noise. There is also better window sealing on the front doors.  In Europe a new model has been added called the 1.5-litre dCi Pure Drive, a model than emits just 129g/km of CO2. Pure Drive gets aerodynamic wheel covers, blank out foglights, low rolling resistance tyres and the higher final drive ratio for better economy.  The Dualis is built in the UK at Nissan's Sunderland plant.Nissan Australia spokesman, Jeff Fisher, says the new wagon will arrive around June. “We’re also looking at a seven-seater version,” he says.  However, Fisher says the company is still working through pricing and whether it will be available in ST or Ti form.