Nissan is mulling a sportier version of its Qashqai compact crossover similar to the Range Rover Evoque. According to Marco Fioravanti, Nissan Europe’s general manager for product planning and strategy, a coupe-style Qashqai could win sales in Europe in the segment of crossover coupes, where the Evoque has started a trend.
“We are observing the moves of other automakers such as Audi, Honda and Volvo. We will not stand watching,” Fioravanti was quoted as saying by Automotive News Europe.
Fioravanti ruled out a Qashqai hybrid version, however. “Our traditional engines have excellent fuel consumption. We want to keep a high ‘value for money’ formula on the Qashqai,” he said. The new Qashqai’s most fuel-efficient variant is the 110hp 1.5-liter diesel, which averages 3.8 l/100 km (61.9 mpg US) and emits 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
A “hot” Nissan Qashqai Nismo is also said to be in the works, with the carmaker currently offering Nismo versions of the Juke crossover and the 370Z coupe. The third Nismo-badged model, the GT-R Nismo, will go on sale in Europe by the end of the year.
By Dan Mihalascu
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