Nissan will introduce a modified Qashqai at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The new model gets three new engine choices and a new parking assist system. The new standard engine is a 1.6 dCi (instead of the outgoing 2.0 dCi), that offers the same torque of 320Nm and 20 horsepower less (130 horsepower in total), but has a fuel economy enhanced by 24%, and 119 g/km of CO2 in comparison with the old model’s 155 g/km.
The new Qashqai’s engine has gotten plenty of upgrades: the new square architecture (that is usually used in race cars), downsizing (the reduction of the engine’s mass results in a better balance between fuel consumption and performance), the new Start & Stop function, that reduces fuel consumption by turning the engine off when not needed, Exhaust Gas Recirculation (that recuperates some of the exhaust gases to decrease fuel consumption and emissions) variable swirl technology, ESM (Energy Smart Management), the same technology which recharges a battery through brake energy and is being used in hybrid vehicles.
Fuel economy has been increased to 40 mpg combined (32 mpg city and 47 mpg highway), all thanks to the new, more efficient engine.
There are 4 video cameras on the outside that provide the driver a 360 degrees view of the car. The new Qashqai will be the first vehicle in the C segment that will be fitted with this technology.
We’ll get more info in Switzerland in a few days.
