With gas prices soaring, day-to-day consumers are seeking out the cars with best mileage. Nissan Qashqai 2012 will have an advanced 1.6L diesel engine which gives one of the best fuel economy in the crossover market, 62.8 mpg. Qashqai seems an appealing choice for UK consumers as the pricing starts at £16,000 and up
EMISSIONS DOWN AND TECHNOLOGY UP IN REVISED QASHQAI RANGE
Advanced new 1.6-litre diesel engine brings enhanced efficiency to Qashqai and Qashqai+2 range
119g/km CO2emissions deliver dramatic cost savings and environmental benefits
New engine is more refined and offers stronger in-gear acceleration than the outgoing 2.0 dCi
Around View Monitor also added to Qashqai range offering luxury class visual parking
Additions set to further enhance the growing appeal of British designed, British engineered and British built Qashqai
Having created one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK car market, Nissan's Qashqai is ready to move even further ahead of the competition. The next evolution for the top selling crossover comes in the form of an all-new diesel engine that lets drivers enjoy the best of both worlds - greatly reduced emissions with improved in-gear performance.
With fuel prices pressing ever higher and the motorist not only looking to save on running costs but also reduce their environmental impact, Qashqai's new 1.6-litre dCi engine arrives at the perfect moment. Replacing the 2.0dCi manual, the new four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine delivers dramatically enhanced economy and emissions in the Qashqai and Qashqai+2.
Like every Nissan producing less than 130g/km, the 1.6 dCi wears Nissan's Pure Drive badge. The first Qashqai models to benefit from the new engine are available to order now for delivery in October, and offer CO2 emissions of only 129g/km. Early next year Nissan will add its latest Stop/Start system, automatically turning off the engine when stationary to bring the Qashqai's emissions down to an even more impressive 119g/km.
The savings for Qashqai drivers will be immediately felt. A 31 per cent improvement in fuel economy results in 62.8mpg (+14.9mpg) on the combined cycle while the first year's VED is free of charge. Company car drivers will also enjoy significant savings with a benefit in kind tax banding of just 13 per cent, for stop start versions, further broadening the appeal of Qashqai to the important fleet sector. What's more, the 1.6 dCi without stop and start costs £250 less to buy than the equivalent 2.0 dCi.
Nissan Motor GB Managing Director Jim Wright said "Current financial pressures for both the individual and company car buyers mean costs are constantly being analysed so it is good to see how Nissan's technical innovations, introduced on this engine, help to minimise overall running costs."
Unlike some eco-friendly diesel models, the new 1.6dCi doesn't forget the importance of performance, either. Engineers have not only been able to make the 130PS engine quieter and more refined than its 2.0-litre predecessor, but they have also reduced the number of engine revs required to reach peak 320Nm torque from 2,000rpm to only 1,750rpm. What this means to the driver is that despite all of the savings offered by the 1.6 dCi, acceleration in the crucial 30-50mph bracket is also quicker, taking only 6.29 seconds.
And remember, there's more to Qashqai than just a pretty face. Coping with harsh winter weather and slippery campsites is no problem for the all-wheel drive version, which becomes one of the lowest CO2 emitting crossovers on sale in the UK, while the Qashqai+2 offers the lowest CO2 emissions of any seven seat crossover on the UK market.
"This is a remarkable engine, best in class in so many respects. It provides the dynamic driving performance which matches that of the outgoing 2.0-litre dCi yet produces fuel consumption and emission figures equal to or better than our existing 1.5-litre dCi unit," said Paul Willcox, Senior Vice President, Nissan Europe.
In addition to its efficient new engine, Qashqai has also benefited from a number of innovative items of equipment including for the first time in its class, Around View Monitor. Up until now this type of advanced visual parking aid is more usually found in the luxury car class, but Nissan's commitment to delivering the latest technology to its customers means Around View Monitor will be fitted as standard to all Qashqai and Qashqai+2 Tekna variants.
Using a set of discrete external cameras, Around View Monitor makes manoeuvring and parking as safe and easy as possible by giving the driver a real-time bird's eye view of the surrounding environment. Working seamlessly with the popular Nissan Connect touch screen navigation system, Around View Monitor adds three additional cameras to the Qashqai's existing rear view system to create the ultimate 360° overview. What's more, the driver can choose to focus on the image feed from any particular camera when looking out for a particular obstacle in front, behind or to either side of the Qashqai.
These enhancements are set to underline Qashqai's dominance in the crossover class. More than one million Qashqai and Qashqai+2 models have now been built at Nissan's Sunderland factory, where on average 1,200 roll off the production line every day.
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Honda Civic Type-R Mugen debuted in 2010 with a limited production run of 20 hand-built units that were sold to enthusiasts in UK. For the year 2011, the cylinder bore and stroke have been increased to create an overall capacity of 2,156cc, which gives the car the name, Honda Civic Type-R Mugen 2.2. The result of the change is a boost in engine output from 240 to 260PS, and additional torque is available throughout the rev range. Peak torque is now 240Nm at 6,000rpm. Compared to a standard Honda Civic Type R, both power and torque are up 30 per cent.
Honda Civic Type-R Mugen 2.2 2011
One of the most exclusive and explosive hot hatches of recent years has been given an extra dose of MUGEN power.
The Honda Civic Type R MUGEN debuted in 2010 to near-universal acclaim, and a 20-strong limited edition production run of the hand-built, motorsport-derived machines went on sale to UK enthusiasts.
Now technicians at Northampton-based MUGEN Euro have worked their magic again, producing a unique version with even more power and torque.
The cylinder bore and stroke have been increased to create an overall capacity of 2,156cc, so the car has been christened the Honda Civic Type R MUGEN 2.2.
The result of the change is a boost in engine output from 240 to 260PS, and additional torque is available throughout the rev range. Peak torque is now 240Nm at 6,000rpm. Compared to a standard Honda Civic Type R, both power and torque are up 30 per cent.
When coupled to the host of motorsport-derived components created exclusively by MUGEN – including sports suspension, uprated brakes and a stunning performance bodykit – the MUGEN 2.2 represents the ultimate expression of the Honda Civic Type R philosophy.
It has been created as a fitting tribute to the highly successful Honda K20 2.0-litre petrol engine, which has ceased production in Japan. Homologated by MUGEN as an FIA Group N race series engine, the K20 has long been the powerplant of choice with tuners and motorsports competitors who want the very best in naturally aspirated performance.
Moreover, it has been at the very heart of everything MUGEN Euro has achieved since the company was formed in 2006. Its skilled engineers have built or tuned almost 400 examples for race and rally competitors around the world.
The Honda K20 engine has also powered the only two complete road cars produced by MUGEN; the Honda Civic MUGEN RR four-door saloon sold in Japan, plus the limited Honda Civic Type R MUGEN sold in the UK.
Hiro Toyoda, vice-president of MUGEN Euro, commented: “Environmental pressures mean naturally aspirated engines are rapidly being superseded by other engine architectures and technologies. We may never see the like of the K20 in a mainstream production car again, so felt it only fitting we mark the occasion with this special 2.2 version of the Honda Civic Type R”.
Plans for the 2.2 car have yet to be finalised. Of the 20 limited edition 2.0-litre cars launched in 2010, four remain unsold and it’s possible MUGEN Euro may offer them with the reworked engine. Existing owners could also be invited to return their cars for an upgrade. A decision on these two proposals is expected to be made shortly.
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Lexus CT 200h F-Sport will have its European debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show along with the GS 450h full-hybrid performance saloon. The F-Sport features bolder styling elements and handling adjustments, increasing its appeal to customers seeking a more dynamic and engaging drive.
World debut for new full hybrid GS 450h
European debut for new CT 200h F-Sport
The new Lexus GS 450h full hybrid performance saloon will make its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show on September 13. Equipped with second-generation Lexus Hybrid Drive, the new GS is set to deliver improvements in both environmental and driving performance.
The GS 450h will be sharing the limelight with the new CT 200h F-Sport. The first development of Lexus’s full hybrid luxury hatchback since its launch earlier this year, the F-Sport features bolder styling elements and handling adjustments, increasing its appeal to customers seeking a more dynamic and engaging drive.
These newcomers will be joined on the Lexus stand in Hall 8 by models from the current IS 250, IS 250C, CT, RX and LS ranges.
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SKODA MissionL Concept car will have its world-premier at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Close to the final production-ready design, this concept car reveals the look of the ŠKODA's sixth model line that is to become symbolic of the Czechcarmaker's planned model offensive. The new compact five-door vehicle will be launched in Europe, Russia and China. In line with the brand’s internationalisation principles, this compact ‘liftback’ will feature specific modifications in each of these regions. In addition,the Indian market will have its own version, a compact sedan.
ŠKODA to present the MissionL concept carat Frankfurt, a close to production-ready
concept car
› The MissionL includes key elements of ŠKODA's up-coming model line
› The brand's sixth model line
› ŠKODA starts its “model offensive”
› Worldwide brand sales planned to reach 1.5 million vehicles by 2018Mladá Boleslav, 5 September, 2011 - ŠKODA will present a world-premierdesign concept called MissionL at this year's Frankfurt International MotorShow. Close to the final production-ready design, this concept car reveals thelook of the ŠKODA's sixth model line that is to become symbolic of the Czechcarmaker's planned model offensive.
The new compact five-door vehicle will be launched in Europe, Russia andChina. In line with the brand’s internationalisation principles, this compact‘liftback’ will feature specific modifications in each of these regions. In addition,the Indian market will have its own version, a compact sedan. These steps arein line with the goals of ŠKODA's 2018 growth strategy that were set last year.
The brand intends to increase its sales to 1.5 million vehicles by 2018.“Revealing the look of our new compact model, the MissionL shows exactly the directionour brand is going to take,” says ŠKODA Board Chairman Prof. Dr. h.c. Winfried Vahland.“The world premiere in Frankfurt gives a clear signal that ŠKODA is going full steamahead now. We are going to present a new vehicle every six months over the next two orthree years.”In line with its 2018 growth strategy, the brand is gearing up, investing heavily in newmodels, markets and production capacities. Starting in mid 2013, the Yeti will belaunched in the Chinese market and will be produced locally. Furthermore, ŠKODA (incooperation with Shanghai Volkswagen) will produce a new compact model for thismarket from 2013, increasing the number of models produced in China to five.
The brand will also expand production in Russia through the Volkswagen Group'spartnership with the Russian-based car manufacturer GAZ Group. The GAZ plant in
Nizhny Novgorod will start producing the Yeti in the last quarter of 2012. In India,ŠKODA will start production of a brand new compact sedan this year. The brand alsoremains focused on its traditional markets – Europe and the Czech Republic, its homemarket. Beside the Fabia and Octavia, ŠKODA's main plant in Mladá Boleslav will producea third model; the brand is already increasing the capacity of its production lines.
Starting in late 2012, ŠKODA will also manufacture the automatic twin-clutch gearbox
DQ200 in its plant in Vrchlabí.
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