Nissan unveiled the Qashqai->ke1889 crossover back in 2006 at the Paris Motor Show and a little later on showed up performing a few stunts. It turned out to be the best move the Japanese automaker made in 2007 selling the very successful small SUV like hot cakes everywhere outside of the U.S. market. So in an attempt to keep things fresh, Nissan's design team put pen to paper and redesigned the Qashqai's front end for a fun and attractive resyling.
The Qashqai will receive its first facelift next spring right in time for the 2010 model year and Nissan has just released the first images of the Qashqai after getting off the operating table earlier today. As you can see from the images, the 2011 Qashqai facelift will feature a whole new front fascia consisting of a new bonnet, new front bumper and new lighting. While the tail of the vehicle remains basically unchanged. Aside from the exterior changes, the new Qashqai will also get two new exterior colors added to its pallet, including Red Magnetic and Titanium Gray, but the big news is the all new pearl gray interior.
Press release after the jump.
2011 Nissan Qashqai Facelift
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- Model: 2011 Nissan Qashqai Facelift
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Press release
Nissan’s mid-size Crossover, the Qashqai, will undergo an extensive update in the spring of 2010 to cement its position as the class-leading, pioneering alternative to the traditional hatchback in Europe. Customer deliveries will begin in March.
Since its European launch in March 2007, the Qashqai has exceeded all sales ambitions, with the 500,000th customer delivery scheduled to take place later this month.
Building on its huge popularity among European Qashqai customers - over 80% of whom are first-time Nissan buyers - the updates to Qashqai reinforce its position as a stylish Crossover which combines the dynamic driving characteristics of a sporty hatchback with the robust, solid virtues of a compact SUV.
REFRESHED FRONTAL ASPECT
The most notable visual change to the Qashqai is at the front, where a complete makeover has taken place. All new bonnet, front bumper, wings, grille and headlamps combine to give the Qashqai an air of premium sophistication, presence and quality. The new frontal aspect is shared with Qashqai+2.
At the rear, the overall shape of the lights remain unchanged, but they now include an aerodynamic feature to reduce drag. A more transparent lens design has been adopted, with the upper portion, housing the reversing lights and turn indicators, being clear, while the lower section with the brake and nighttime running lights, is red. Additionally, the stop lamp and tail lights operate using 12 LEDs for maximum clarity.
TWO NEW EXTERIOR COLOURS
Two new exterior colours have been added: Magnetic Red and Titanium Grey. Both colours complement the philosophy of added sophistication that runs through the overall restyling.
Additionally, two new designs of alloy wheels will be introduced. Both are five-spoke designs - one 16- one 17-inch in diameter - which both add to the Qashqai’s understated presence.
As well as the changes to the front of the Qashqai, a series of other modifications around the car have had the effect of improving its aerodynamic efficiency, with the coefficient of drag dropping from 0.34 to 0.33.
The Qashqai will feature a new, design to the main dials which give added clarity and legibility. A redesigned drive computer is positioned between the two dials. Its white LCD screen shows instantaneous and average fuel consumption, mileage, time, cruise control and speed limiter settings among others, providing the driver with an easy to understand interface with their car.
NEW LEATHER TRIM
A new stone colour leather trim has been added, which will combine with an upper door trim and dashboard in black and lower portion of the interior which is also pale grey to give a light, but warm interior ambience.
Another improvement to the interior comes with the fitment of low-level lighting around the front footwells, giving a warmer ambience on getting into the car.
Additional oddment storage has been created for added convenience, with a new cubby at the base of the central cluster which is ideal for a mobile phone or portable audio player. Additionally on the two-wheel drive versions (where the ALL MODE selector isn’t fitted), there is a new space for parking tickets, keys and swipe cars conveniently located between the seats just behind the gear selector.
IMPROVED REFINEMENT
Overall life on board has been made more comfortable for occupants thanks to improved protection against noise, vibration and harshness. This has been achieved by adding an all-new multi-layer insulation material around the front bulkhead, as well as the fitment of an ‘acoustic’ windscreen which reduces the transmission of noise.A reduction in wind noise around the A-pillar has been achieved by changing the window sealing.
Qashqai customer research has shown that they love the blend of solidity and agility, but some small but significant changes have been made to the suspension tuning to further improve ride comfort and responsiveness.
NEW PURE DRIVE 129g VERSION
Finally, building on the improvements to the aerodynamics of the Qashqai, a new Pure Drive 129g version will be introduced with a reduced CO2 output.
A weight reduction programme, the adoption of aerodynamic wheel covers, combined with the blanking of the fog lamp sockets, the fitment of low rolling resistance tyres and the lengthening of the final drive ration have all combined to reduce the Qashqai’s CO2 from 137 to 129g/km.
“When Qashqai was launched in Europe in 2007, we were optimistic customers would recognise that it offered an alternative to the traditional hatchback or compact SUV. However, we had to increase production to meet demand and two-and-a-half years later, demand hasn’t relented. Qashqai has been key at reinforcing Nissan’s position as an innovator in the European market. The updates to Qashqai make it even more attractive and will continue to bring new customers to Nissan for the first time,” said Simon Thomas, Nissan’s European Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing.