Nissan confirms its position as undisputed leader of the crossover market
• Three model range is the most comprehensive crossover family on sale
• Nissan innovation and vision at the heart of every crossover model
• Proven track record and understanding of customer requirements
Lisbon, Portugal (6th May 2014) Creating a new, innovative and successful sector of the car market is an incredible achievement. To maintain the same vision and ambition to develop an entire range of best-selling, sector-leading cars with the same DNA is unprecedented. Over the course of the past seven years, Nissan has been at the forefront of the crossover sector - developing exciting new models and extending the unique Nissan way of thinking to new sectors of the market.
The launch of the new X-Trail and new Juke further illustrates Nissan's command of the crossover segment. Although rivals have inevitably followed Nissan's lead in recent years, no other brand offers such a diverse and complete range of crossover models.
Nissan crossovers continue to enjoy strong demand around the world - with their popularity growing on a daily basis. The original pioneer, the record-breaking Qashqai, is leading the way.
CROSSOVER STYLE - REWRITING THE DESIGN RULEBOOK
From the moment the ground-breaking Qashqai arrived in 2007, family car design was never going to be the same again. Combining the rugged looks and high driving position of an SUV with the nimbleness, running costs and footprint of a family hatchback, the Qashqai proved that with innovation and a bold vision, drivers really could enjoy the best of both worlds.
Step forward seven years and Nissan's vision for the future is clearer than ever.
The brand has successfully distilled the elements that make the perfect crossover, and used its leadership and knowledge in the sector to create cars that excite and delight in equal measure.
Key to Nissan's ongoing success is its unique design DNA. All three members of the crossover family feature a host of similar styling themes that make them instantly recognisable - the most noticeable being a powerful V-shaped grille. The use of large wheel arch volumes helps convey a feeling of strength and ruggedness, giving the driver a feeling of security and confidence at the wheel. Tapered waistlines and flowing rooflines add a sense of elegance and athleticism to all three models - enhancing their visual appeal and marking them apart from everything else on the market.
Bold design details that deliver a premium look have become another essential element of Nissan crossover design. From the thoroughly original headlight layout of the Juke to the distinctive boomerang rear light clusters of the Qashqai and new X-Trail, the brand has consistently pushed the boundaries of design.
Nissan crossovers have also set new standards for interior design, technology, packaging and layout. From the original Qashqai to the new X-Trail, every Nissan crossover has featured a host of innovative design features to make life on board easier, safer and more comfortable. And it's not just the sensible, practical features such as the new X-Trail's theatre-style seating layout that mark Nissan crossovers out from the pack. Striking details such as the Juke's painted lower centre console show that form matches function in every area.
CROSSOVER TECHNOLOGY - LEADING THE WAY
Nissan has a rich history of introducing pioneering technology into its cars. The brand believes that premium technologies should be accessible to all, and has worked tirelessly to introduce sector first features to its cars.
One of the most significant examples of Nissan's technology innovation is the acclaimed NissanConnect system. Available across the full Nissan crossover range, it offers smartphone connectivity, allowing owners to stay connected to the outside world wherever their journey takes them. With access to a large number of apps covering music, social networking, entertainment and travel through colour touchscreens, the new NissanConnect is simple and intuitive to operate and offers features usually reserved for luxury cars.
Among the latest NissanConnect features are an advanced satellite navigation system that integrates Google Send-to-Car function which allows drivers to plan a trip at home and send it to their car. Occupants can also call up the location of fuel stations, restaurants and even check weather forecasts at the touch of a button.
Around View Monitor with Intelligent Park Assist
Arguably the most acclaimed technology to appear in Nissan crossovers is Around View Monitor (AVM). Designed to take the guesswork and stress out of finding and parking in a suitable parallel or car park bay, AVM makes even the trickiest of manoeuvres seem easy.
The system uses a network of tiny cameras and sensors that ‘read' the area around the car. Sophisticated image-processing technology takes this spatial data and presents the driver with a remarkable ‘helicopter view' of the car.
Nissan Safety Shield
Nissan Safety Shield is an advanced suite of features designed to enhance the safety of occupants in line with Nissan's ongoing vision towards zero accidents - a sentiment underlined by the company's commitment - to produce commercially viable autonomous vehicles by 2020.
Safety Shield fully utilises the camera and sensor network that provides the Around View Monitor with information. This has allowed Nissan to develop one of the most sophisticated and comprehensive safety systems in the industry.
The elements of Nissan Safety Shield include:
Moving Object Detection
Available on all three crossovers - Juke, Qashqai and new X-Trail - Moving Object Detection takes parking safety to a new level. The system combines the vehicle's front and rear parking sensors with Around View Monitor to deliver an extra level of protection. If, when stationary, something moves into the area covered by the cameras, the system will give an audible warning and highlight the area in which the moving object is detected. Mounted on the tailgate and having a fish-eye lens, the rear wide view AVM camera has a sweep of vision in excess of 180 degrees, giving it an unparalleled field of vision at the back of the car.
Lane Departure Warning
Designed to alert the driver if the vehicle starts to drift out of lane, Lane Departure Warning uses advanced computer programming to detect road markings. If the vehicle moves out of lane and the driver has not operated the indicators, a warning is given. Lane Departure Warning is available on new Juke, Qashqai and new X-Trail.
Blind Spot Warning
The innovative Blind Spot Warning system uses the Around View Monitor to detect vehicles in the hidden blind spot areas. If a vehicle is detected in either blind spot, a discreet warning light illuminates in the door mirror. If the driver indicates to change lanes and the system detects a vehicle in the danger area, the light flashes and an audible warning is given.
Forward Emergency Braking
Available on Qashqai and new X-Trail, Forward Emergency Braking combines an advanced radar and software system to help prevent front-to-rear collisions. If the radar detects that the gap to the car in front is closing and the driver hasn't reacted, it issues an audible warning. If the driver still doesn't react, the system partially applies the brakes and issues another audible warning. If the gap is still closing, the brakes will be applied harder if necessary.
Driver Attention Alert
With one in road five accidents caused by driver fatigue, Nissan's Driver Attention Alert system is an important new addition to the car's safety package. Fitted to Qashqai and new X-Trail models, the system constantly monitors driving inputs, showing a dashboard alert if the steering becomes erratic, indicating the driver should take a break.
Traffic Sign Recognition
This clever system - available on Qashqai and new X-Trail models - acts as an extra pair of eyes that can detect speed limit signs and display their information to the driver. Speed limit signs are automatically read by the front-facing camera, which has been programmed to work across Europe, regardless of national sign typography. It even recognises that some countries enforce a weather dependent lower speed limit if it's raining, so both dry and wet weather limits are displayed to the driver.
High Beam Assist
Designed to ensure that the lighting system provides maximum illumination at any given time, this system combines a high-resolution camera with advanced software to detect when to switch from low beam to high beam headlights when it recognizes oncoming or distant traffic. High Beam Assist is available on Qashqai and new X-Trail models.
Park Assist
Nissan knows that parallel parking can be one of the most stressful parts of urban driving. That's why all three Nissan crossovers are available with Park Assist. Automatically measuring the size of an available parallel parking space, Park Assist actively takes care of steering into the space with the driver controlling just the forward and reverse motion.
The advanced parking system requires a space which is just 80cm longer than the length of the vehicle to be able to automatically steer neatly into position, saving time and avoiding damage to wheels, tyres and bodywork. The system can also assist in bay parking, with the driver benefitting from the ‘helicopter view' provided by the Around View Monitor (AVM) to guide them through the process. Once the system has detected the white lines of an empty bay (required for the system to operate), it will automatically park inside them.
DRIVETRAINS - DELIVERING MORE WITH LESS
And it's not just the in-car technology that makes Nissan crossovers special. Engines, drivetrains and suspension systems have all been developed to give running costs and dynamics which can match or better those offered by conventionally shaped rivals.
Through the use of intelligent technology and advanced engineering, Nissan has been able to downsize a number of engines available in its crossover range. While maintaining performance and flexibility, Nissan has been able to reduce capacity on both petrol and diesel engines. Smaller engines weigh less and have less internal friction, making them cleaner and more fuel-efficient. This results in significant cost savings for drivers with no compromise in performance.
Transmission systems are another area where Nissan leads the way. All three crossovers are available with highly efficient ALL-MODE 4x4i four-wheel systems. These incorporate a host of additional technologies including torque vectoring that help maximise traction and improve cornering balance.
The new Juke, Qashqai and new X-Trail also feature Nissan's advanced XTronic automatic gearbox. Engineered to deliver a smooth and natural driving experience, it behaves like a traditional, multi-ratio automatic gearbox during hard acceleration, delivering stepped changes. In more gentle driving, the ratios are subtly adjusted to give ultimate smoothness.
