The Japanese carmaker is looking to bring the mid-sized cross over Qashqai to market in 2021 with its newly developed Alliance CMF-C platform.
The platform is the result of a joint effort between Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi (the Alliance) that brought about the Common Module Family that ranges from Type A, A+, B, C/D and EV for its modular architecture concept.
In terms of major changes, the Qashqai's structure has increased the employment of ultra high strength steel by 50% over its predecessor.
Also, the front and rear doors, front fenders and hood, are now all made of aluminium which has helped to reduce its overall weight by 21kg.
Furthermore, the structure has been updated to help it become more capable in terms of impact absorption in its crumple zones.
The overall effect has made the upcoming Qashqai 60kg lighter and 41% stiffer than the outgoing model.
With the added rigidity, the suspension can now derive additional comfort and handling thanks to an updated Macpherson strut set-up at the front and rear.
For power, customers have a choice of two powertrains starting with a 1.3-litre petrol engine that's supported by a mild e-POWER hybrid electric motor system and later on a more powerful variant.
Engineers of the new model have flattened the floor and for improved airflow and given it active grille shutters to ensure air passes around the front of the car as cleanly as possible.
The shutters only open when engine cooling is required for the radiators.
The front styling of the car also generates an air curtain that directs the airflow around to reduce the drag generated by the front wheels.
The new Qashqai will be equipped with the next generation of ProPILOT with Navi-link which looks to help reduce fatigue and stress while driving.
The system is able to provide adaptive cruise control with stop-go functionality, provide lane-keeping assistance and can even recognise road-signs and react accordingly - especially to speed limits when using cruise control among others.
Lighting the way forward for the Qashqai will be LEDs that can adjust accordingly to steering angles and this time, it'll be able to adapt its beam according to road conditions and other road users.
The beam will be divided into 12 individual elements that selectively deactivate upon detection of an oncoming vehicle.
Thanks to this innovation, it can project a brighter beam further and wider, but the shape effectively changes so oncoming road-users will not be dazzled.
“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 Nissan Europe product planning vice president Marco Fioravanti.
