Tag: Nissan

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QASHQAI E-POWER TAKES THE HIGH ROAD

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Back in the ‘noughties’ the Pulsar hatchback was not pulling its weight in Europe, so the maker Nissan decided to beef it up and give it a new name: in this case the Qashqai, and a new identity, the compact SUV. Down Under it became the Dualis, before following in Euro-fashion with the Qashqai moniker. Now it has gone hybrid … but, Jim, not as we know it. While the popular petrol/electric hybrid these days uses both power sources to drive the vehicle, Nissan’s e-Power system leaves the internal combustion… Read more

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BAD-ASS X-TRAIL ATTACKS SKI SLOPES

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Check this out. Nissan has modified an X-Trail SUV to work in the snow with the creation of the X-Trail Mountain Rescue Concept. The modifications include the replacement of the wheels with snow tracks, to give the X-Trail the traction to tackle slippery slopes. GMC did a similar thing with Sierra 2500HD All Mountain concept in 2018. As well as adding the tracks, a bespoke roof rack has been added to the X-Trail to carry an evacuation stretcher and snow shovels. A siren, flashing light bar and powerful lights have… Read more

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NISSAN QASHQAI ST-L

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Once known as Dualis, Nissan’s small SUV the Qashqai has grown in size and stature over the years. Sitting between the Juke and X-Trail in terms of size, the current, third generation Qashqai was launched in 2021. It’s 60kg lighter than before, stands taller, longer and wider, and has a longer wheelbase — and of course costs more. That means more room for luggage, and more knee and leg room for rear seat passengers. What’s not to like? STYLING The latest, third generation Qashqai comes in four grades: ST, ST+,… Read more

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TASKMASTER OF HUGE PROPORTIONS

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Question: does the Navara PRO-4X Warrior, a latecomer to the ranks, have enough to take on the army of talent in one of the most closely fought contests in the Aussie automobile market? With fully armed dual cab pick-ups the likes of the Ford Ranger, Mitsubishi Triton, Toyota HiLux Rugged, Mazda BT50 Thunder, Isuzu’s D-Max and the US Ram holding the line, the Navara Warrior has its work cut out. Not that Nissan isn’t out to giving things a shake, calling on input from local specialist engineer Premcar, to light… Read more

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NISSAN Z NISMO COMING DOWN UNDER

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Nissan has confirmed that the high-performance Nismo version of its Z sports coupe will be coming to Australia later this year. On sale here since mid-2022 the Nissan Z is the latest in a line of sports cars that go all the way back through the golden era of Nissan sports cars from the 1969 Datsun 240Z to the 370Z, the last one to have a three-digit prefix, signifying engine size. Due here in late 2023 the new Z Nismo will come in a single grade, priced at $94,000 plus… Read more

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CLASS ACT – NISSAN PATROL WARRIOR PREVIEW

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Nissan or should we say Premcar has previewed the Nissan Patrol Warrior. Due later this year, it features a 50mm lift, cosmetic changes and a bi-modal exhaust system with tailpipes that exit in front of the rear wheels — so you can hear them better. Premcar’s Engineering Director Bernie Quinn said the underlying idea was to increase the Patrol’s capability rather than “shift’ or takeaway from what it could already do. “Crucially it was engineered in Australia by Australian engineers for Australian customers,” he said. As well as the 50mm… Read more

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X-TRAIL PUTS EXTRA ‘E’ INTO HYBRID SUV

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Not to make too much of a point about it, but beating of chests by automobile manufacturers about their fight to save the planet appear to be getting louder. Take Nissan, for example, with its new X-Trail petrol / electric hybrid SUV. Badges announcing e-Power and e-4orse, the company’s commitment to electrification, are plastered prominently all-round the vehicle on top of the restrained EV initials (for electric vehicle) found on rego plates of similar cars. Under the skin e-POWER is a 100 per cent electric motor-driven system Nissan claims gives… Read more

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NISSAN X-TRAIL Ti-L AWD

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In the process of researching this story I came across a review by one of my esteemed colleagues. Not once did he mention the fact that Nissan X-Trail and Mitsubishi Outlander are one in the same car, sharing a platform and drivetrains. That makes Outlander, the X-Trail’s most direct competitor, or so I would have thought. Of course, they don’t look the same and there are plenty of other differences, but you wouldn’t buy one without checking out the other first. Then again, the latest X-Trail is probably the pick… Read more

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NISSAN PATHFINDER TI AWD

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Pathfinder has been a cornerstone of the Nissan line-up since 1985, designed as a softer, smaller sibling to the heavy-duty Patrol. Now in its fifth generation it has moved with the times, shedding its humble Navara origins and ladder chassis to become a standalone seven or eight-seat family hauler with “some” off-road ability. At the same time the latest design channels some of the machismo from the Navara PRO-4X Warrior, with a blunter, bolder grille and elaborate front light assembly. Released in November last year, with four grades and front… Read more

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NEW Z OUT ON ITS OWN

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Talking about the new Nissan Z brings to mind the phrase ‘an inconvenient truth’. The sports car’s low stance, two wide doors and swoopy back bring rise to problems of getting in and out, and carting anything in an otherwise expansive boot deeper than a briefcase, or small piece of flat-pack furniture. Convenience takes a back seat, or it would if there was one. The truth of the matter is the strict two-seater (not even a 2+2) doesn’t pretend to be anything more than a high-performance teeth rattler on rutted… Read more