You’d be forgiven to mistake this plastic-wrapped Nissan prototype for the next Rogue in North America, and from what we hear, the new X-Trail for the rest of the world, that our spies nabbed testing in the States a couple of weeks ago, given that the styling looks almost identical at a first glance.
However, once you pay more attention to the crossover and especially the short rear overhang and the lack of an extended third profile window, as well as how it compares size-wise to other vehicles on the road such as the Renault Kangoo, it quickly becomes evident that it’s a smaller model.
To be specific, it’s the replacement for the very successful European market Qashqai as well as its Dualis twin in Japan and Australia.
As with the next Rogue and X-Trail, the styling of the Qashqai draws heavily on the Hi-Cross Concept. The compact-sized crossover was penned at the brand’s European Design Centre in Paddington, London, with the engineering taking place at the Nissan Technical Centre Europe in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, and production at the company’s Sunderland facility.
It will measure about the same as the current model with Nissan to up the ante inside in terms of material quality and design to offer a more premium feel. It is believed that Nissan will not replace the 7-seater Qashqai+2, offering that role to the next X-Trail.
On the engine front, it is expected that the new Qasqhai will adopt the Renault-Nissan’s 1.2-liter turbocharged gasoline unit in at least two states of tune replacing the current entry level, naturally aspirated 1.6-liter engine, while a 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol will power the higher-end models, including a sportier Nismo version with over 200-horses. Other engine options will include a new 1.6-liter DCi diesel engine with 130 PS (128HP), and possibly, a hybrid powerplant.
It has been said that the new Qashqai will be presented by the end of the year, meaning that a world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September is very likely.
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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