Nissan introduces its new Sunderland-built Qashqai, which costs from £ 22,000

The new third generation of the Qashqai family’s crossover, built by Nissan in Sunderland, is unveiled today as its arrival is celebrated as a major post-Brexit vote of confidence in the UK.

Bosses said Nissan’s 35 year old car manufacturing in the UK meant it had become part of the British way of life and was proud to celebrate its “Britishness”.

The new Qashqai was designed at Nissan’s European Design Center in Paddington, west London, and developed at its European engineering center in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, before being manufactured in North East England.

Prices are expected to range between £ 22,000 and £ 32,000 for first deliveries starting this summer. Here’s everything you need to know about the latest iteration of the UK’s best-selling SUV in more than a decade …

Andrew Humberstone, Managing Director of Nissan Motor (UK), said after Brexit: “The Qashqai is a great vote of confidence for the UK and the UK workforce.

“People want to buy British people. And in terms of British, the new Qashqai resonates. It was designed in London, developed in Cranfield and built in Sunderland. It has credibility. ‘

Mr Humberstone said he was always “calmly confident” that a Brexit deal would come off and was pleased that “clarity” means Nissan can now move forward in the UK: “I am very optimistic about what lies ahead” , he said . “We are here for the future”.

The new Qashqai has gotten bigger, looks bolder, comes with softer fabrics, and has the option of a new green gasoline-electric hybrid performance.

Third-generation Nissan Qashqai are expected to be priced between £ 22,000 and £ 32,000 for first deliveries this summer

Bosses said Nissan’s 35 year old car manufacturing in the UK meant it had become part of the British way of life and was proud to celebrate its “Britishness”.

How British is the new Qashqai? It was conceived at Nissan’s European Design Center in Paddington, West London, and developed at the European Engineering Center in Cranfield, Bedfordshire before being manufactured in the North East

According to Nissan, the company is aiming to “downsize” by offering comfort and technology in business class at economy class prices. Up to a quarter of sales are expected to come from drivers who switch from larger cars to the more compact Qashqai.

This is how successful the best-selling Qashqai was both for Nissan and for the 7,000 British employees who build it in Britain’s largest car factory, which has even called it Nissan’s “cash cow”.

The Japanese automaker, with a long-term commitment to the UK and investing £ 400m in production of the new Qashqai in Sunderland, unveiled the new crossover just a few weeks after the UK finally left the European Union.

The new third generation of the Qashqai family crossover built by Nissan in Sunderland is unveiled today as its arrival is celebrated as a major vote of confidence in the UK after Brexit

Ray Massey, editor for the Daily Mail, took an early look at the new car, which is bigger and more advanced than ever

Behind the wheel of the new Qashqai: for every year the Nissan family SUV is available in the UK, it is the bestseller in its segment

Around seven out of ten new cars built at the Sunderland plant continue to be exported via the canal to mainland Europe.

Almost four million Qashqais have been built at the northeastern plant since the first generation of the popular model, which Nissan claims created the flexible family crossover segment, was launched 14 years ago with the second generation in early 2007 Version follows in 2014.

For every year the Qashqai is available in the UK, it is the country’s best-selling SUV.

The outgoing second-generation Qashqai is Europe’s most popular crossover with three million copies sold across the continent and five million copies sold worldwide.

Nissan’s Sunderland plant, which also builds the quirky Juke crossover and the all-electric Leaf, is also the largest car factory in UK history. Every third car manufactured in the UK rolls off the assembly line.

The new Qashqai has gotten bigger, looks bolder, comes with softer fabrics, and has the option of a new green gasoline-electric hybrid performance

Entry-level mid-hybrid petrol is expected to start at around £ 22,000 while the self-charging hybrid will cost up to £ 32,000

The third generation Qashqai is the first Nissan family-sized SUV to be sold with a hybrid powertrain. There is also a petrol version with mild hybrid technology, but diesel is no longer an option

The third generation Nissan Qashqai is the first to receive a hybrid option

The new Qashqai presented today is available as both a gasoline-electric hybrid and a mild hybrid – but without diesel.

Entry-level mid-hybrid petrol is expected to start at around £ 22,000 while the self-charging hybrid will cost up to £ 32,000.

The hybrid’s ‘e-POWER’ system generates electricity with a 1.5-liter petrol engine with 154 hp – like a mini power plant on board.

The electricity generated is then used to charge on-board batteries, which in turn drive a 140 kW (187 hp) electric motor to turn the front wheels of the two-wheel drive vehicles.

The designers managed to get familiar with the Qashqai, but also continued evolving the design with a bulkier presence, drawing lines across the profile of the car and rounding off sections from the rear arches

The front of the car follows the same design language as the smaller Juke crossover and has the same U-shaped grille

For the first time, the new Nissan Qashqai will be available with a larger alloy wheel size of 20 inches

Nissan said: ‘The gasoline engine is used solely to generate electricity, while the wheels are entirely powered by the electric motor. “This means that the engine can always run in its optimal range, resulting in superior fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions compared to a conventional internal combustion engine.”

It added: “Thanks to the pure electric motor drive, there is no delay like with an internal combustion engine or a conventional hybrid.”

The hybrid e-POWER Qashqai can only travel a little more than a mile on electricity.

The real benefit, however, is the way in which the electricity generated, as well as the electricity generated by regenerative braking, lower gasoline consumption and lower CO2 emissions.

At speeds of over 10 km / h, drivers can drive in e-pedal mode. Press the accelerator pedal to continue and take your foot off the same pedal to slow down and brake.

Nissan said, “Drivers can only start, accelerate and brake with the accelerator pedal.”

Customers can also choose a 1.3 liter mild hybrid petrol version with two power outputs – 138 hp and 156 hp. These are either equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox or (only with the 156 hp version) with a new continuously variable Xtronic automatic gearbox.

Only Xtronic models offer the option of intelligent all-wheel drive with five driving modes: Standard, Eco, Sport, Snow and Offroad.

To support the passenger when getting in and out of the second row of seats, the rear doors now open 85 degrees wider. It offers tunnel access to the rear of the vehicle

To ensure driver safety, there is a large 10.8-inch head-up display that allows the driver to keep an eye on the road while projecting key information such as speed limits and navigation instructions through the windshield

The tablet-style touchscreen is Nissan’s most advanced and has a high-resolution display with bright and bold colors

New for 2021 Nissan Qashqai is the largest yet

The Qashqai has also grown in stature – it’s longer, wider, and taller – with a bolder look and more space, especially for rear passengers.

The shoulder space has also been increased by 28 mm, creating more distance between the driver and front passenger. The knee room for the rear passengers has also been increased by 28 mm to 608 mm.

The maximum wheel size, which now extends to a full 20-inch alloy wheel, is also larger.

To make it easier for passengers to get in and out, the rear doors now open by 85 degrees.

The interior of the new sport utility vehicle is inspired by the interior of an Airbus aircraft cockpit and offers “premium feeling, distinctive design and improved usability”.

The redesigned cabin is said to be inspired by an Airbus aircraft cockpit. Nissan Says It Offers “Premium Feel, Distinctive Design And Improved Usability”

The Qashqai has also grown in stature – it’s longer, wider, and taller – to accommodate more space, especially for rear passengers. The shoulder space has also been increased by 28 mm, creating more distance between the driver and front passenger

The trunk door offers the possibility of a power opening and a flexible floor. The maximum load capacity with the rear seats firmly attached is 504 liters – however, this will expand considerably with the backrests laid flat

To ensure driver safety, there is a large 10.8-inch head-up display that allows the driver to keep an eye on the road while projecting key information such as speed limits and navigation instructions through the windshield.

The other premium kit includes massage seats, high-resolution displays and wireless smartphone charging.

Buyers can choose between 11 body colors with five two-tone combinations, creating a total of 16 variations.

Other features include a powered hands-free tailgate that leads to a larger flexible 504 liter trunk.

The Qashqai takes its name from a semi-nomadic Iranian tribe known for their brave warriors and beautiful textiles.

New 3rd Generation Nissan Qashqai: Will It Fit In My Garage?

Built-in: Sunderland and on sale from summer 2021

Price: from approximately £ 22,000 to £ 32,000

Length: 4,425 mm (+ 35 mm larger than 2nd generation Qashqai)

Width: 1,838 mm (+ 32 mm)

Height: 1.635 mm (+ 10 mm)

Wheelbase: 2,666 mm (+ 20 mm)

Bikes: 17 inches to 20 inches

Journey: 2 wheel (four wheel drive some specs)

Top speed: 120mph (estimate)

0-62mph: 10.4 seconds (estimate)

CO2 emissions: from 139 g / km (estimate)

Fuel efficiency: 44mpg (estimate)

Powertrains:

Hybrid e-POWER

1.5 liter gasoline engine with 154 hp (for power generation)

140 kW (187 PS) electric motor

Range with only electrical energy: a little more than a mile

Mild hybrid gasoline

Engine: 1.3 liter 138 hp and 156 hp petrol

Transmission: 6-speed manual transmission or new Xtronic (CVT) automatic (only with the 156 hp version)

(Only Xtronic models offer the option of intelligent all-wheel drive with five driving modes: Standard, ECO, Sport, Snow and Offroad.)

Nissan’s commitment to the Northeast

Nissan has committed to long-term support for Sunderland after Brexit.

Sunderland exports 70 percent of its cars mainly to EU member states. In January, it announced a new battery factory at the Sunderland site to support the production of electric cars.

Work on the Sunderland factory began in July 1984 – breaking the stranglehold of the militant Midlands auto workers on vehicle production and revolutionizing automobile manufacturing in the UK – and two years later, in 1986, the first Bluebird rolled off the assembly line.

Nissan said the Qashqai was a vote of confidence for the UK and its Northeast workforce after decades of success in Sunderland

Qashqai is the UK’s most successful car built, the fastest reaching 3 million units – a feat that has taken 10 years

Sunderland has been building crossovers for Nissan since December 2006 when the first generation Qashqai rolled off the assembly line. The second generation followed in 2014.

Commenting on Nissan, ‘Both generations of Qashqai and Juke were designed, designed and manufactured in the UK. The Qashqai is the largest car manufactured in the UK, with more than three million cars made in Sunderland. ‘

In total, the Sunderland plant had built more than 10 million cars (10,478,120) by the end of 2020, with the Qashqai and its quirky siblings making up 45% of the total.

The total production of all versions of Qashqai is 3,728,930, the juke production is 1,053,178.

The total production of all versions of Qashqai is 3,728,930. The Sunderland plant had produced more than 10 million cars (10,478,120) by the end of 2020

Sunderland has been building crossovers for Nissan since December 2006 when the first generation Qashqai rolled off the assembly line. The second generation (pictured) followed in 2014

Qashqai is also the UK’s most successful car built, the fastest reaching 3 million units, an achievement that has taken 10 years.

Nissan Chief Operating Officer Ashwani Gupta said in January: ‘The Brexit deal is positive for Nissan. As the largest automaker in the UK, we are taking this opportunity to redefine car manufacturing in the UK.

“It has created a competitive environment for Sunderland, not just within the UK but outside as well.”

And he emphasized: “We feel committed to Sunderland in the long term under the agreed terms and conditions.”

Last week, Nissan celebrated the sale of its millionth sport utility crossover vehicle to UK customers – the first car brand to reach the most important milestone the trio of Qashqai, Juke and X-Trail had reached.