Following last month’s enhancements, the Nissan Qashqai has now gained a new 1.3-liter petrol engine as well.
Co-developed by Daimler and Renault-Nissan, the unit replaces the old 1.2- and 1.6-liter mills, which were available with 115 PS (113 hp / 84 kW) and 163 PS (161 hp / 120 kW), respectively. It’s offered in two different outputs, with 140 PS (138 hp / 103 kW) and 240 Nm (177 lb-ft) of torque, and 160 PS (158 hp / 118 kW) and 260 Nm (192 lb-ft) of torque.
Both versions are offered with a six-speed manual gearbox, but from next month, Nissan will launch a dual-clutch seven-speed automatic, for the more powerful variant, which also adds another 10 Nm (7 lb-ft) of torque.
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“The launch of this all-new 1.3-litre unit is the right response to changing market conditions, meeting customer demand for a highly effective petrol engine that delivers outstanding driving performance and fuel efficiency”, commented Nissan UK’s Managing Director, Alex Smith.
Compared to the old 1.2- and 1.6-liter engines, the new petrol burner is a bit torquier and emits less CO2. The average fuel consumption is 53.3 mpg UK (5.3 l/100 km / 44.4 mpg US) when running on 17-inch wheels, and 49.6 mpg UK (5.7 l/100 km / 41.3 mpg US) when fitted with the optional 18- or 19-inch wheels.
Regardless of their selection, customers opting for the new 1.3-liter engine will have to make do with front-wheel drive only. Pricing starts at £19,595 ($25,523/€21,993), tax included, for the Visia 1.3 DIG-T 140, while the range-topping Tekna 1.3 DIG-T 160 is available from £28,595 ($37,245/€32,094). Nissan has yet to announce pricing for the DCT model.
