Nissan today reinforces its position as the leader in the European crossover segment with the unveiling of its all-new, third generation Qashqai. More than three million units of Qashqai have been sold since Nissan invented the segment in 2007.

For this new iteration, Nissan has retained the guiding principles that have driven the concept, design and development of the two previous generations of Qashqai: elegant design, enhanced packaging and efficient powertrain, combined with elevated quality and a driving experience from a higher segment. Thanks to the new Alliance CMF-C platform, a showcase of advanced engineering, innovation and advanced technology, the new Qashqai will again raise the bar in the crossover segment and customers will savour those attributes.

Like its predecessors, the styling of the new Qashqai was led by the team at Nissan Design Europe, based in central London (UK), while its engineering was led by Nissan Technical Centre Europe, situated in Cranfield, Bedfordshire (UK).

“The starting point for the design and development of the all-new Qashqai was a deep analysis of the relationships we’ve had with all of our Qashqai customers over the last 13 years. It has enabled us to understand their needs and, in particular, what they value in the crossover that they use and rely on daily,” said Marco Fioravanti, Vice President, Product Planning, Nissan Automotive Europe.

As with the two previous generations, the design for the all-new Nissan Qashqai came out of Nissan’s European Design Studio in London, UK.

Although unmistakably Qashqai in its styling, the third generation is more muscular, sharp and modern. On the exterior, the Qashqai’s enhanced body stance is more purposeful, with prominent shoulder lines, an extended wheelbase and imposing 20-inch alloy wheels introduced to Qashqai for the first time.

The wheelbase of the car has increased by +20mm with the overall length increasing +35mm. There’s a marginal increase in height (+25mm) and width has increased +32mm for improved presence on the road.

The front end of the all-new Qashqai sports an enlarged Nissan V-Motion grille, finished in chrome with a secondary pinstripe of satin chrome to emphasise its precision. This is flanked by slim, full LED advanced matrix headlamps with boomerang signature daylight running lights. Super tight gaps between all these details create a premium and precise impression.

The forward lighting on new Qashqai has been enhanced from the previous model to feature a slimmer, sharper design thanks to the use of LED technology. From the side, the new Qashqai appears more athletic and dynamic, with a single ‘fast line’ that strikes through the car from the front to the rear, giving a very horizontal presence to the car, but also conveying a sense of dynamism.

The new Qashqai will be available in 11 body colours with five two-tone combinations, creating 16 variations to choose from.

Supporting Nissan’s goal of achieving 50% electrified sales in Europe by 2024, the Qashqai will not only be available with a 1.3 DiG-T petrol equipped with mild hybrid technology, but it also represents the European debut of e-POWER, Nissan’s innovative and award-winning powertrain that draws technologies from the company’s pioneering Nissan LEAF electric vehicle.

The new Qashqai brings the first deployment of Nissan’s innovative e‑POWER drive system to Europe. Exclusive to Nissan and a key component in the company’s Intelligent Mobility strategy, the e-POWER system is a unique approach to electrification by making every day driving exciting.

The new Qashqai’s e-POWER system is comprised of a high-output battery and powertrain integrated with a category-leading variable compression ratio 154hp petrol engine, power generator, inverter and 140kW electric motor of similar size and power output as found in Nissan’s electric vehicles. It’s a unique solution that combines the enjoyable, seamless linear acceleration which is characteristic of an EV, but without the need for charging.

To meet the typical demands of European consumers and their daily drive, the e-POWER installation has been significantly upgraded for the new Qashqai. Where the application in the Note – Japan’s best-selling car in recent years – is a 1.2 petrol engine charging the battery unit, and a final power output of 106hp. For Europe it has been upgraded to a 1.5-litre petrol engine, with a final power output of 140kW (187hp).