Test drive Nissan Qashqai 2007 - 2010 SUV

The origin of the species

The formula for the birth of Nissan Qashqai is straightforward, but original. This is a crossover with the dimensions that determine his position near the passenger segment S. The test drive of the model was held in Barcelona, \u200b\u200bwhich has already become a traditional place of dates with automobile innovations.
 

Qashqai designed the design and technical filling at Nissan Design Europe and Nissan Technical Center Europe. A car was tested in Spain and Scandinavia. And it will be produced at the largest Nissan plant in British Sanderland. Thus, this is a model oriented to the European market, although it will also be sold in South Africa, Russia and Japan.

 
As already mentioned, the overall sizes of Qashqai are close to the C segment. However, the car is longer than the golf class representatives by an average of 100 mm and higher by 130150 mm. The layout is typical for SUV: large clearance (20 cm), high landing, universal body. At the same time, as the creators claim, being a crossover according to external signs, the machine has purely passenger running qualities. I will check with pleasure
 

It turns out that Qashqai can not only intercept buyers from C, D and SUV segments like Toyota Rav4, Honda CR-V or Hyundai Tucson, but also attract the attention of those who look towards the recent MPV. Indeed, today the most popular crossovers, SUV, and not medium -sized and compact Van are most popular.
 

Speaking of the exterior, I note that the hybrid approach is found here. We look at the contours of the side glazing. Neither give nor take the medium -size hatchback. We also have a strong slope of the windshield, the window sill line takes up to the stern and only at the very end it bends a little and captures the lanterns. All these are signs of a car. (However, the design of the body in the area of \u200b\u200bthe rear racks is related by Qashqai with Murano.) But the lower perimeter is emphasized massive. Plastic edging characteristic of the SUVs, large wheel arches.
 

High sides create the illusion of security. However, why the illusion? Passive car safety by all signs at altitude. Six pillows are offered in the database. In addition, there are active head restraints for front passengers, seat belts with pretensors. Well, the advantages of the modern power structure of the body, which is made of super-strength steel, will very soon be checked on independent crash tests. I think they will not give bad results. The new platform C, on which a car is built, is common with Renault, and this is one of the most passively safe manufacturers.
 

The technical part of Qashqai is definitely a passenger car. After all, not to consider a full -wheel drive with a coupling that distributes the torque between the axes, a sign of an SUV. Front suspension is a traditional McPherson mounted on a subframe. A multi -link design is installed on the subframe. Car controllability paid close attention. For example, the anterior reptile stabilizer is attached directly to the racks, due to which the rolls of the body are more efficient. The upper rear suspension levers in order to reduce the unsubstantiated masses are made of aluminum.
 

In the steering mechanism, an electric power is used, familiar by Renault models. Such as Megane and Scenic. By the way, the new six -speed Qashqai automation of the Japanese Japco company is also installed, for example, on Grand Scenic. In general, unification in action.
 

Access to the driver's place is easy. The chair is located much higher than in golf class machines, and lower than on senior SUVs. Golden mean. The Qashqai salon is truly European, but the style of modern Nissan models has not gone away. The front panel is made of pleasantly elastic material. The plastic of the door panels is not so malleable, but the surface is still not stiff. The build quality is great. Both inside and outside. I specifically walked around the car, checking the gaps between the body panels and the location of the seals without complaints.
 

The interior, in addition to unconditional quality, is endowed with the idea that consists in separating the front of the cabin into driver and passenger zones. On top versions, it is made by means of color. The driver's side of the front panel is black, and passenger brown. According to the creators, such a solution should create a concentrated driver’s mood sitting behind the wheel, and immerse the passenger into relaxation. Conceptually, but does not catch. I liked the completely black version of the panel more.
 

Ergonomics is well thought out, you can find a common language with the machine for several minutes. True, the multifunctional steering wheel seemed slightly overloaded. In addition, the volume control of the audio system is in an unusual place. The trunk of a three -spoke, made in the Nissan style. I liked the navigation system. We dream about her chairs have developed side support and are good in both leather and synthetic robes. Planting a passenger with a reservation that you sit higher than in a regular passenger car. Review is modern. That is, everything is good forward, but not very back: thanks to the wide rear racks. Save large rear -view mirrors and, of course, a parking camera.
 

The gaze up the transparent ceiling pierces up, however, only over the first row of seats. To look at the architectural beauties of Barcelona with such a roof was easier. But we will not see Russia through Sun Roof. Nissan's leadership considered that the sights of our cities are not good enough for such an option. Seriously, the path to her in our country ordered bad climatic conditions and the unimportant condition of the roads by John Fettis, a leading project engineer, told me that the company cannot vouch for the preservation of this element for many years of the car’s life. By the way, for the same reasons, South Africa was left without a transparent roof.
 

The first revelation in Qashqai is a magnificent electric power. But on Megane and Scenic, he did not prove himself so positively. The same Fettis explained this with the settings of the control electronics, according to him, Qashqai was created primarily as a car for the driver. Perhaps the electrical power is no worse than on Honda Civic, Audi A3 and VW Golf V. Some colleagues confused, let’s say, the selectivity of the system. The difference in the efficiency of the amplifier in the parking lot and in speed movement is felt like no other machine. To someone, but I like this approach. With a heavy steering wheel, Qashqai holds a straight line like large expensive cars, the simple hatchs of golf class did not dream of such confidence. True, under the wheels there was a predominantly perfect coating. It is curious how the car will behave on a deep rut and on a broken asphalt?
 

It is clear that I entered the mountains with a special mood, anticipating that the serpentines will reveal weaknesses in the chassis of an unusual crossover but not. The cunning bends of the mountain roads made him be imbued with respect for the asphalt capabilities of Qashqai. As for handling, I think this car will leave behind more than one hatchback and sedan of classes C and D. Not to mention SUV and minivans. By the way, despite the higher car, the center of gravity slows down Qashqai perfectly. Without squats on the nose and trajectory deviations with intensive slowdown.
 

I note that I was driving on the front drive with a two -liter gasoline engine. This option was of greatest interest diesel versions to Russia will not be taken due to small demand, which is still characteristic for it. Well, the quality of Russian diesel fuel is less important.
 

In the mountains of Qashqai, he was happy to write intricate trajectories, a motor, tracted in a low and medium -speed zone, showed miracles of elasticity, allowing him to leave slow spaces even in third gear. True, closer to the limiter, the ardor of the engine fades away. Excellent suspension and steering wheel settings, fast reactions John Fettis were right, Qashqai is really a driver. But the stabilization system (option) is strict, even with a slight slip in the front wheels, ESP quickly strangles the motor, aligning the trajectory. Want to step by step, disconnect the electronic collar. Which I did. And he did not regret at all. The right car, it is nice to drive it.
 

During the coffee stop, I studied the features of the back row of seats. There are enough places, but the advantages over the golf class could not be found. Two adults will arrange quite decent. True, if the driver has a height of 190, the same passenger will have to sit behind him, resting his knees in the back of the chair. The volume of the trunk in the traditions of the segment with 410 liters, which can be turned into 1513.
 

On the second day, I happened to travel on a diesel version with all -wheel drive. On Qashqai put an all-wheel drive transmission All-Mode 4 x 4. Rotating the wheel on the central console, you can select 2WD, Lock modes (distribution of the moment along the axes 57/43 in favor of the front), Auto.
 

A 1.6-liter car in the front-wheel drive will also be delivered to Russia. In addition to the machine and mechanics, you can order a variator. This unit has only one drawback, it weights the car by about 100 kg. But it allows you to save fuel and more efficiently realize the traction of the motor. John Fettis said that the version of the variator for Qashqai received an improved control algorithm. When accelerating, the engine speed is growing gradually, they do not reach the maximum mark as quickly, as, say, on Primera. Therefore, the engine rumble at maximum revolutions will not annoy those inside.
 

According to John Fettis, there will be no changes in the suspension under the Russian car market. Therefore, we will get a full version of the car, with original running characteristics. This is good.
 

In general, the implementation of the idea of \u200b\u200bthe Nissan crossover almost golf class with the properties of a passenger car should be recognized as successful. Qashqai is a strong alternative to current sentences. Moreover, this European model of the Japanese company may create a new position in the classification and the new auto market segment.
 

Cars will be sold as in the front and all -wheel drive. Versions with a drive for 4 wheels are equipped with a 2-liter engine (140 hp) and will cost from $ 26800 to $ 34350. Front -wheel drive versions with a 1.6l engine (115 hp) will be sold at a price of $ 21900 to $ 23,320. The price of the same car, but with a two -liter engine will be from $ 24400 to $ 31950.
 
Leonty Tyutelev
 

Source: Motor magazine [March 2007]