Nissan Qashqai 2014 News

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has announced its latest round of safety recall notices, with models from Nissan, Jeep, Ford, Mazda, Infiniti and Citroen affected.

The Nissan Qashqai SUV lands in Australia with more interior space and technology than the Dualis it replaces.

In Europe, the Nissan Qashqai can slam on the brakes to avoid a crash -- but Australians will miss out on the technology.

Nissan Qashqai and Mercedes-Benz C-Class get top safety rating, but four star Ssangyong Stavic people mover disappoints.

Say adieu to the Dualis and all-wheel drive and hello to the original name.Just when you might have been getting used to the Dualis badge, Nissan has the updated model coming to Australia and reverting to the original nameplate — Qashqai.On sale from next month, the Qashqai (pronounced “Cash-kigh”) replaces the Dualis — essentially the same car that was given a different name for a handful of markets including Australia.Gone is the all-wheel drive option, dropped due to marginal sales. Nissan reckons it covers the AWD options in the new X-Trail range.Qashqai is one of Nissan’s most successful models, with more than two million sold globally since the previous generation debuted in 2007.It shares the underpinnings of its larger sibling, the new Common Module Family Renault-Nissan platform.The Qashqai ST and Ti get a 2.0-litre petrol engine (106kW/200Nm) teamed with six-speed manual or constantly variable transmission.The turbo diesel TS and TL models carry over the 1.6-litre (96kW/320Nm) from the Dualis but the sole transmission will be the CVT. The outgoing diesel was manual only.Braked towing capacity is unchanged, 1200kg for petrol CVT models up to 1400kg for petrol manuals and diesel.Across the range, standard gear includes LED daytime running lights, hill start assist, adjustable steering modes, an electric park brake and the NissanConnect smartphone link to run integrated apps including Facebook, Pandora and Google. The entry-level ST manual, priced from $25,850 ($28,490 for the CVT), has 17-inch alloy wheels, five-inch display, rear roof spoiler, leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear shifter, electric park brake, front, side and curtain airbags and a space-saver spare.The TS starts from $33,200 and adds stop-start fuel saver, power folding mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, fog lights, tinted rear windows, keyless start, dual-zone climate control and an upgrade to the cloth trim and the cargo area.Stepping up to the Ti takes the asking price from $32,490 ($34,990 for CVT) but it gets 19-inch alloy wheels, seven-inch display with satnav, automatic LED headlights, panoramic sunroof, leather trim and heated front seats.The Qashqai was primarily styled by the brand’s European designers in London and engineered in Britain and Spain. It is built in Britain (as is the Australia-bound Juke SUV), and has been a sales success despite the tongue-twister name.

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

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSAlfa-Romeo MiTo: The Mini Cooper-rivalling MiTo hatch is due for a refresh in January. Tweaked styling is expected, along with updated features and sharpened pricing in line with other recent Fiat Chrysler Australia pricetag shuffles. (Approximately 25,000-30,000)Honda City and Jazz: Honda’s slow-selling City compact sedan is due to be replaced by an all-new model in the second quarter of 2014, leading the also-new third-generation Jazz compact hatch which is expected in around June. The new Jazz will benefit from a new dual-clutch auto transmission, and a new hybrid variant is expected to dip well below the current petrol-electric model’s 4.5L/100km combined figure. (Approximately $16,000-23,000)Kia Rio: Also due for a refresh in the third quarter is the Kia Rio light hatch and sedan range, with the stylish model likely to score visual tweaks and value gains to keep up with more recent competition. (Approximately $15,000-22,000)Mini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)Volkswagen Polo: Volkswagen’s Polo light hatch range is also due for a mid-cycle refresh in the second half of the year, with revised styling, plus efficiency and technology trickle-down from the Mk7 Golf likely. Approximately $17,000-29,000)SMALL CARSAlfa Romeo Giulietta: Following on from its pricing shuffle in 2013, the small Giulietta hatch range also due for a mid-cycle refresh later in 2014. Approximately 24,000-40,000)Hyundai Elantra: Hyundai will revise its Elantra sedan in January, with freshened styling and a new local suspension tune expected to be the main changes. (Approximately $20,990-$30,190)Kia Pro_cee'd GT: Kia will bring the Pro_cee’d GT down under in March, with the new hot hatch set to go head to head with its mechanical sibling the Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo. (Approximately $30,000)Kia Soul: Also expected in March is a heavily revised version of the trendy Soul small hatch, with rejigged styling, upgraded underpinnings and petrol and diesel drivetrains. (Approximately $21,000-$30,000)Mazda3: Mazda will renew its assault on the Australian sales charts in January, with the arrival of the new third-generation 3 sedan and hatch models. The new 3 will be available with 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre versions of Mazda’s SkyActiv petrol engine from launch, with diesel versions set to follow later. (Approximately $20,000-35,000)Nissan Pulsar SSS sedan: In the third quarter, Nissan will break with Pulsar SSS tradition by adding a sedan version of the hot turbocharged model, with Mazda’s SP25 sedan its only logical rival. (Approximately $31,000)Peugeot 308: Peugeot’s headline act for 2014 will be the new 308 small hatch, with the lighter and more efficient model arriving before the end of the year to target Volkswagen’s Golf head-on. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Proton Suprima S: Proton will launch the Preve sedan-based Suprima S small hatch in January, in $21,790 (drive away) GX and $26,590 (drive away) GXR spec levels. Available with a CVT auto initially, both versions will use a 103kW/250Nm 1.6 litre petrol turbo. Cheaper $19,790 (GX) and $24,590 (GXR) six –speed manual versions will arrive later in the year. (Approximately $19,790-$24,590)Proton Preve: In the second quarter, ther Malaysian brand will add a five-speed manual version of the Preve GXR sedan, which is expected to undercut the existing CVT auto version by $2000 with a $20,990 drive away pricetag. A more upmarket Preve LE is expected at around the same time, and likely to be priced around the $25,000 mark.Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Skoda Rapid Spaceback: Skoda will introduce the much anticipated Rapid Spaceback in the second quarter, with the new hatch to sit beneath the recently launched Octavia Liftback and wagon. (Approximately from $20,000)Toyota Corolla sedan: Toyota’s grasp on the Australian market is set to be strengthened by the arrival of a sedan version of the new Corolla in February. Both European and US versions of the new sedan have been unveiled, and the Australian model will most closely resemble the European model. (Approximately $20,000-$32,000)Volkswagen Golf wagon: Volkswagen will add a wagon bodystyle to its Mk7 Golf lineup early in 2014, mirroring the hatch with its range of petrol and diesel engines. (Approximately $27,000-37,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. (Approximately 37,000-56,000)Kia Optima: Kia’s Optima will score a mid-cycle update in January, with revised styling inside and out, along with added features. (Approximately $30,990-$40,490)PEOPLE MOVERSCitroen C4 Grand Picasso: Citroen will replace the long-serving C4 Grand Picasso with an all-new version in the second quarter of 2014. The new model promises to continue as a stylish alternative to other seven-seat people movers with a choice of petrol or diesel drivetrains and will hopefully retain the current model’s sub-$40,000 pricing. (Approximately $37,000-$40,000)Honda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDFord EcoSport: The Blue Oval’s new EcoSport baby will complete its lineup in February, with the cheaper Trend and Ambiente spec levels joining the top-line Titanium that launched the model in December. (Approximately $20,790-27,790)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Jeep Cherokee: Jeep’s new more-civilised Cherokee SUV will arrive in the first half of 2014, with a choice of 2.4-litre petrol, 3.2-litre petrol V6, or 2.0-litre turbodiesel engines. (Approximately $28,000-$37,000)Kia Sportage: During the second quarter, Kia will grace its Sportage medium SUV with a more significant update than the minor revisions made in mid-2013 with the shift to European production. Like Optima, expect fresh interior and exterior styling and new features. (Approximately $25,000-$40,000)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Nissan Qashqai: Nissan’s other significant SUV arrival for 2014 will be the Dualis-replacing Qashqai compact SUV, which will arrive in five-seat only guise in the third quarter. (Approximately $26,000-$36,000)Renault Captur: The Renault Captur will arrive mid-year, representing the French brand in the rapidly expanding compact SUV segement. The Clio-based crossover should start in the low $20,000s, and challenge the Trax, Juke, 2008, and EcoSport. (Approximately from $20,000)Skoda Yeti: Skoda’s best-selling Yeti compact SUV is also in line for a mid-cycle refresh in around June, with revised styling and features to bring it in line with the brand’s newer models. (Approximately $26,000-$38,000)Suzuki S-Cross: Suzuki’s SX4-replacing S-Cross will arrive in January, with reduced fuel consumption an increased interior space over the model it supercedes. Like the SX4, the S-Cross will continue with 2WD and AWD options, and will be priced between $22,990 and $34,990.COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000)Renault Kangoo Maxi crew van: A passenger-carrying Kangoo Maxi crew van is also expected in the second quarter. (Approximately $27,000)

Nissan made a splash at Tokyo and Los Angeles motor shows with vehicles from their Nismo performance division.Particularly: the GT-R Nismo, the Juke Nismo RS, the Pulsar (Sentra) Nismo and our pick of the show: the Nismo IDx that reprises the iconic Datsun 1600.But it seems they're not stopping there. Nismo has been allowed to get their hands on the recently unveiled Qashqai small crossover -- curently called the Dualis here, but with a name change due with the new model next year.The Qashqai Nismo will be launched late in 2014, and while the decision on an engine has yet to be made, it will offer more than 150kW of power (about 50kW more than the 2.0-litre in the current Dualis), according to a report in the UK's CAR magazine.Nissan says the Qashqai Nismo will have to be more powerful than the Juke Nismo sold overseas. “I wouldn't just give it the engine from Juke. It’d have more power than that,” Nissan global product boss Andy Palmer told the magazine, suggesting that the Qashqai could end up with the uprated 1.6-litre four-cylinder from the Juke Nismo RS unveiled at the LA show.With some tweaking, including a reprogrammed CPU and larger-breathing exhaust, that unit now squeezes out 160kW of power and 285Nm of torque. However Palmer said Nismo versions are not just about delivering more power. "I want us to focus on ride and handling, making cars that aren’t just faster, but also feel obviously more fun to drive,” he said.The Nismo sub-brand is still being considered as a business case for local roll-out by Nissan Australia, so it's early days for thinking about the Qashqai Nismo coming here. But the Dualis is a popular vehicle in the Australian market -- leading its class last year and only overtaken this year by run-out sales of the exiting Hyundai ix35 (its nearest rival) -- so a performance version of the Nissan crossover should only add more shine to the sales figures. 

It's just a few weeks since Nissan revealed images and drivetrain details of its new Qashqai crossover -- which will bring a name change to Australia in the third quarter of next year when it replaces the current model called the Dualis here. They now added a claim that the Qashqai is the 'world's most parkable car', pointing to the improved parking assistance systems on board.The crossover will have the latest version of Nissan's Park Assist, helping it get into even tighter spots with an around view camera and monitor system giving a 360-degree bird's eye view -- allowing it to parallel park in spaces just 80cm longer than the vehicle with the driver only having to engage forward and reverse.The Qashqai cameras also get moving object detection to alert you if something moves into the car's critical footprint.That’s because Nissan has updated its Park Assist system to make the Qashqai better than ever at getting itself into tight spots (the driver just controls forward and reverse).It's handy technology, but not anything we haven't seen before. However there is one detail in the tech announcement we thought was a clever way to solve a common problem. A 'wash and blow dry' system comprising a tiny high-pressure water jet and compressed air nozzle clears the lens of the reversing camera whenever it gets dirty, fogged or obscured with raindrops.Yes, it's a small thing. However for those of us who've often tried to use the camera without a clear screen -- and then had to get out and clean it -- it's a good one. But we're still a bit doubtful about that 'world's most parkable car' claim.This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott 

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