Nissan Qashgai Guns For Sportage, Audi Q3

After the runaway success of the current car, it’s time for the Nissan Qashqai’s ‘difficult’ second album. In 2007, the British designed and built the compact crossover class. Since then, over 160,000 have been sold (including the Qashqai+2) in the UK – but an all-new version is now on the way.

Nissan’s focus this time will be on more style and better quality in a bid to outgun rivals such as the Kia Sportage, Skoda Yeti and Peugeot 3008, and also more premium competition such as the Audi Q3 and BMW X1. Inspiration for the styling will come from the Hi-Cross concept car – seen at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year – but distilled into a smaller package. You can see elements of the Hi-Cross in the angular shoulder line that runs along the side of the new Qashqai over the front wheelarch and into the bonnet.

Narrow headlights that blend into the full-width grille create a more contemporary look at the front, while a more prominent roof spoiler and chrome surrounds for the exhaust give the car a sportier rear. A new 1.2-litre turbo petrol engine will replace the 1.6-litre, offering 113bhp and 190Nm of torque. It will return over 50mpg and emit less than 120g/km of CO2. A 128bhp 1.6 dCi diesel promises 60mpg-plus and less than 105g/km of CO2. The new Qashqai goes on sale in 2014, although a concept will preview the production car at next year’s Geneva show.