Nissan is offering the Qashqai a new, more efficient 160 hp petrol engine and taking the opportunity to finally combine it with an automatic transmission. Its price starts at 30 300 €.
The reversal of taxation for the benefit of petrol engines is pushing manufacturers to review their ranges. Thus, Nissan completes that of the Qashqai by giving it a new petrol engine of 160 hp, more efficient and more sober (it is possible!) And benefiting from an automatic transmission.
Previously, only Diesel was entitled to it for the simple reason that gasoline did not inspire the customers too much because of their adverse CO2 emissions causing a consequent penalty, greatly amplified in case of association with an automatic transmission.
But times change, according to the mood of the technocrats who play with the standards to be applied and according to the financial interests of the moment, forcing the manufacturers to adapt.
1.3 litre turbo petrol of 160 hp
This Diesel craze was conceivable for big wheels or SUV fans, these hybrid-styled vehicles, mixing the saloon, estate and 4 × 4 formulas, initiated by the Qashqai in 2007. Heavier, more greedy, the couple became an undeniable asset, as the price of fuel. But the diesel became ” liquida non grata ”, losing its fiscal advantage and soon to be banned in cities, while the petrol engine gained sobriety and flexibility.
The example is given by the latest generation of the Qashqai which receives a brand new 4-cylinder 1.3 liter, available in two powers 140 and 160 hp, developed thanks to the synergies of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.
This block replaces the 1.2 liter of 115 hp and the 1.6 liter of 163 hp. A loss of 3 hp certainly, but a gain of 20 Nm (270 Nm) and CO2 emissions fall by 10 g / km and consumption of 0.3 liter.
A 7-speed auto box welcome
This Qashqai powered by the 160 hp petrol, the most powerful in the range, is only available in traction, and the only choice of a 4-wheel drive remains the prerogative of the Diesel 150 hp whose torque of 340 Nm remains an advantage to evolve outside asphalt. However, it finally has the automatic 7-speed dual clutch transmission for an additional 1600 euros.
A truly essential option for incomparable driving comfort, especially in the city or in long queues at tolls during transhumance periods.
But this DCT7 also has the advantage of box ratios better staggered than those of the 6-speed mechanical gearbox. The proof, at 6500 rpm, gives 40, 75, 110, 140, 170 and 200 km/h. No paddles on the steering wheel, but it is possible to regain control by impulse on the central lever.
The average consumption of 5.8 litres
In other words, all the gears are useful to maintain, at any speed, good efficiency, the 7th speed is there just to maintain a highway cruising speed effortlessly and moderate consumption.
Thus, the on-board computer mentioned a 6.6-litre appetite on the Paris-Marseille motorway route, while respecting the imposed speeds. A 2,300 kilometre tourist trip, essentially taking the secondary network of the Gard, Aveyron, Tarn, Ariège and Pyrénées Orientales departments, to discover the Aubrac and the Cathar castles, proved that this Qashqai could be satisfied with hardly more than 5 litres.
Hence a general report that came out at 5.8 litres. Very close to the 5.5 litres announced by Nissan as average consumption. A good reason to give up Diesel, heavier, clumsy, noisier and more expensive to purchase and maintain.
