Western News: June 29, 2023
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12<br />
Thursday <strong>June</strong> <strong>29</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
Incorporating<br />
best motorbuys<br />
www.drivesouth.co.nz<br />
Nissan’s Qashqai a strong performer<br />
THE QASHQAI compact<br />
urban SUV, with its inventive<br />
fuel-saving low emission hybrid<br />
technology, is a breakthrough<br />
model for Nissan in this part of<br />
the world.<br />
In Europe and the UK, they<br />
love the Qashqai. On this side of<br />
the world it is, at best, a steady<br />
seller. The company is expecting<br />
big things from this latest model,<br />
offering a big step up in refinement,<br />
safety and technology<br />
– and unfortunately prices, compared<br />
to the vehicle it replaces.<br />
Affordability could be an<br />
issue with the entry level ST<br />
kicking off at $45,990 – $8000<br />
more than the outgoing model.<br />
There’s no hiding the fact this is<br />
a big increase over the previous<br />
version, even allowing for major<br />
advances on every front.<br />
The new Qashqai offers plenty<br />
of technology, leading edge<br />
Motoring with Bob Nettleton<br />
safety features, and a more<br />
sophisticated multi-link rear<br />
suspension set-up across every<br />
model. There’s more variety in<br />
the powertrain department, with<br />
a new and feisty 1.3-litre turbo<br />
petrol, and the option of Nissan’s<br />
innovative e-POWER hybrid system.<br />
This carries a $7000 price<br />
premium over the turbo petrol<br />
motor.<br />
Petrol, not e-power, dominates<br />
the six-strong model range,<br />
comprising four petrol variants<br />
starting with the $45,995 ST and<br />
stretching all the way to $56,990<br />
for the flagship Ti-L. E power<br />
is limited to the upmarket Ti<br />
and Ti-L priced at $59,990 and<br />
$65,680 respectively. The latter<br />
was supplied for this road test.<br />
Second-generation e-POWER<br />
technology pairs the effortless<br />
acceleration and the refined<br />
performance of an electric motor.<br />
It’s a strong high-energy<br />
performer with 140kw of power<br />
and 330nm of torque to take<br />
command of most driving scenarios.<br />
Thanks to a pure electric<br />
motor, there’s none of the powerdelivery<br />
hesitancy associated<br />
with an internal combustion<br />
engine or traditional hybrid setups.<br />
Instant response provides a<br />
high-torque feel and exhilarating<br />
acceleration, on lower fuel use<br />
and emissions.<br />
The e-POWER system delivers<br />
its torque almost instantly,<br />
enhancing the vehicle’s responsiveness.<br />
A new-generation CVT<br />
(Constant Variable Transmission)<br />
has three drive modes – Eco, Normal<br />
and Sport – and is a huge improvement<br />
on the lethargic CVT<br />
that blunted the performance of<br />
the previous model.<br />
For a compact SUV, this one is<br />
roomier than most with plenty of<br />
passenger and load space.<br />
There’s a panoramic glass roof<br />
and electric sunshade. Cabin<br />
technology features a 10.8-inch<br />
colour head-up display, and a<br />
premium 10-speaker BOSE audio<br />
system. A motion activated<br />
tailgate is great if you’re juggling<br />
an armful of groceries in the<br />
supermarket car park.<br />
Nissan Intelligent Mobility<br />
safety features are impressive. It<br />
includes intelligent cruise control<br />
and forward emergency braking,<br />
plus pedestrian, cyclist and junction<br />
detection capabilities. High<br />
beam assist makes DIY dipping<br />
of your headlights at night for oncoming<br />
traffic a thing of the past.<br />
A lot of hype surrounds<br />
the new Qashqai’s advanced<br />
multi-link rear suspension. The<br />
upside with this suspension<br />
set-up is a stronger connection<br />
between driver, vehicle and road,<br />
and that’s a good thing. Wellcontrolled<br />
body-roll, comfort<br />
and the effective isolation of<br />
road noise and vibrations from<br />
the passenger compartment are<br />
among the best in the compact<br />
urban SUV class.<br />
Rating out of 10:<br />
Performance 8; Handling<br />
7; Build Quality 7; Comfort<br />
7; Space 7; Styling 8; Fuel<br />
Economy; On road test<br />
average consumption<br />
5.8L/100km; Value for<br />
money 6; Safety, 5-star<br />
ANCAP crash rating; Clean<br />
car rebate, none. Overall<br />
points out of 10: 7<br />
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www.vpbaeries.co.nz<br />
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