Posted on 25 Jan 2023 under Nissan Electric Vehicles
Nissan’s Hybrid Technology Takes A Giant Leap Forward
Nissan has always been at the forefront of automotive innovation and their commitment to hybrid technology is no exception. The company has been researching and developing hybrid powertrain technology for many years, resulting in the market-leading Nissan e-Power hybrid system. This combines a petrol engine and an electric motor to provide superior fuel economy and a smooth ride while reducing carbon emissions. Let’s take a closer look at Nissan’s latest hybrid technology innovations and how they could redefine the meaning of eco-friendly performance cars.
Nissan’s new and improved e-Power hybrid technology is a testament to the fact that electric motors are not going anywhere. The latest update in the automotive world is that Australian motorists now have the option of purchasing hybrid models for both the Nissan X-Trail and Qashqai cars. For front-wheel drive, the Qashqai is a great option while the X-Trail gets Nissan’s ‘e-4orce AWD’ system with an additional motor on its rear axle.
The electric motors in both of these new incredible hybrid SUVs actually drive the wheels while the petrol engine is essentially the generator. One of the many benefits of this kind of hybrid technology is modifying the handling balance by changing each motor’s torque. In simple terms, more power at the front leads to understeer while more power at the back causes oversteer and a perfect combination in-between produces neutrality – something highly beneficial for drivers.
By individually controlling the extent of regenerative braking at both front and rear, Nissan claims that it can maintain a more level position to prevent an abrupt nose dive due to any type of deceleration. The automaker additionally states that its twin-motor system is faster than conventional all-wheel drive systems in distributing power from side to side and front to rear.
With the release of the two hybrid SUVs in Australia, it’s clear that Nissan is continuing to push boundaries when it comes to green technology. Now, they have announced another exciting development: a new Nismo performance car with hybrid power that could indirectly be a successor to the all-impressive and highly esteemed Nissan GT-R.
While Z-cars are not a common sight in countries with strict emissions policies, Nissan has confirmed that this new exciting hybrid performance car will meet emissions requirements and could go on sale as early as 2030 in the U.S., UK and Europe. This move further cements Nissan’s position as one of the leading automakers when it comes to cutting-edge hybrid technology.
Takao Katagiri, Nissan Nismo CEO, confirmed that this upcoming car will have a hybrid powertrain but also hinted at a combination of EV and hybrid models. Such amalgamation is hoped to revolutionise the market by providing drivers with a greater level of mobility.
Nissan executives had previously stated that any performance EVs will need solid-state batteries which are still largely in the early development stages. Richard Moore, strategy boss of the West Midlands Gigafactory said that “if the new car is to be viable in Europe, a hybrid option will be the most likely starting point.”
Nissan may be headed for a complete shift to electric powertrains but they are not quite there yet. François Bailly, the senior VP and chief planning officer of AMEIO (Africa, Middle East, India, Europe & Oceania) stated: “I would love to have an EV sports car, but we need to organise. We’re not ready to announce the sequence, but it’s clearly on the table.”
Nissan’s timeline for solid-state batteries gives us a glimpse into the future of electric vehicles designed with enthusiasts in mind. Research is well underway and plans are in place for a pilot factory in 2024 where the technology could be ready as early as 2026! From there, expect to see this technology used in the production of EVs from around 2028.
Since Nissan is a major competitor in the Formula E championship and while they only finished 9th out of 11 constructors last season, the Japanese automaker is pinning its hopes on the new e-4orce 04 Racer. This new Formula E racer delivers 40% more power than its predecessor with a maximum speed of 320km/h with tremendous acceleration and grip.
With Formula E representing the apex of EV technology, this next-level series will bring about thrilling innovation and excitement on and off the track as car manufacturers are pulling out all the stops to deliver an EV racer that can compete with the very best. With the new e-4orce 04 Racer, Nissan hopes to achieve top results on the track and in the development of next-gen EV and hybrid technology.
In summary, Nissan has been among the top companies leading the proverbial change in the research and development of electric and hybrid technology. With the increasing demand for more sustainable transportation options, Nissan’s investment in hybrid technology is sure to pay off in the long term and have a positive impact on the environment. For more up-to-date motoring news from around the world, follow our blog!
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Posted on 18 Jan 2023 under Nissan Qashqai
UK Motorists Love It And We Love The Nissan Qashqai Too!
In the early ‘70 British cars were trend setters. Marques like Jag and Bently, Rover and Austin were world beaters, and it was difficult to see how the nascent Japanese auto industry could get a foothold in that market. And yet it did.
In the past half century, while Britain lost its car industry to foreign ownership, Japanese cars have gone from cheap and reliable to market leaders. These cars were readily accepted by the motoring mad British driving public, and now leading this pack is the third-generation Nissan Qashqai.
Nissan has a massive presence in Britain, through its key Sunderland plant, one of the manufacturing pillars that underpin Nissan’s presence in the international motoring market.
And now the Qashqai is the best selling car in the UK.
The Nissan Qashqai is well-known in South Africa and around the world. It was, a decade or more ago, the car that launched the wildly popular crossover segment. The crossover combines the best of a normal car or station wagon with the bits that make SUVs so popular. So the Qashqai is spacious and well appointed, seating 5 comfortably, with a huge boot and nice ground clearance. This superb balance gives you a family car, an urban run-around for a working person, and the ability to leave it all behind and go off-road.
The Qashqai has taken this appealing combination through three generations to what is now its most popular iteration yet.The internal combustion-only powered Qashqai in the UK is very similar to the Qashqai you can buy in SA, so the same features that make it so popular there can be enjoyed here too.
In the base trim we get 6 airbags, an 8-inch audio display, Android/Apple infotainment, reverse camera, 17” alloy wheels, cruise control, LED headlamps and a wireless charger. One step up gives you ProPilot level one autonomous display, 18” wheels and lane-keep assist among others.
In the UK, though, you can get a Qashqai with e-Power. A frugal petrol engine powers a battery which drives the front wheels, giving you the range and flexibility of petrol with the economy, responsiveness and massive torque of an EV.
We believe the Qashqai will soon get an e-Power variant in South Africa, but we don’t know when. In the meantime, what are you waiting for? Take a Qashqai for a test drive and see for yourself why the whole world is still in love with this car after all these years.
The post Best-Selling Car In The UK – The New Nissan Qashqai appeared first on Nissan Blog at Group1.
Posted on 11 Jan 2023 under General
Three Nissan Ads Among Five Top US TV Car Ads
Brie Larson is an American actress, filmmaker and singer. Recently she starred as Caron Danvers in the mega-Marvel movies Captain Marvel and Avengers: Endgame. She is also the face of Nissan USA and the TV ads featuring her dominated the US automaker ads, taking up three of the top most-seen spots in 2022.
American TV advertising is beyond huge. Mainstream sports such as NBA (baseball) and college football, and news and talk shows, draw tens of millions of viewers. Winning in this arena is vital to the success of any advertiser and Nissan has done very well last year.
Number one on the list is called Today Is Made For Thrill: Why Wait For Tomorrow? It was viewed 2.54 billion times and features a collage of Nissan cars, with Larson at the wheel. The ad is fast-paced and has exceptional production values and you just want to drive a Nissan right there.
Second on the list is 60 Years in 30 Seconds. This ad was seen 2.54 billion times and references Nissan’s 60-year legacy in the States. Yet again tightly written and directed, with great nostalgia shots followed by superb action footage.
Fifth on the list is Electric Cars For Electric Drivers, viewed 2.07 billion times. It talks about the Leaf legacy and the future of Nissan EVs, with the message that these vehicles have covered over 5 billion miles and they are so silent, you can hear your heart beating faster when you drive them.
So now you are wondering about ads three and four on that list, right? To be fair, and to show you the kind of competition in this market, here they are.
Number three is Dodge: We Do Power, which features muscle cars going fast, a pretty much-defining characteristic of that brand’s top models.
In fourth place is Subaru: Well Adventured. This is visually and conceptually very pretty, but probably two too many ideas crammed into one ad. But they know their market best.
The thing about these ads is that they are all aimed at brand building. It feels as if South African TV advertising is too small and too fractured to do that, and we have often been left with only hard-sell advertising instead.
If you want to keep up with Nissan news here and around the world, check out our blog or follow us on social media.
The post Three Top Five Viewed American TV Ad Spots For Nissan appeared first on Nissan Blog at Group1.
Posted on 22 Dec 2022 under General, Nissan News
Nissan support motor skills development at TVET colleges
Nissan South Africa has announced that it will be making donations to local educational institutions as part of an initiative to help improve motor technology skills in the country. With the growing skills gap in the automotive sector, this could greatly benefit students who are looking at potential study options in 2023.
Nissan South Africa’s recent partnership with local tertiary institutions aims at promoting socio-economic development initiatives for the country. To help achieve this goal, the automaker has donated engines and other motor parts to UJ and five additional TVET colleges located in Gauteng, Limpopo, and the North-West. A total of R2 million in donations have been given by Nissan as part of their Motor Technology Enhancement Programme (MTEP).
The vehicle manufacturing company has set out to support skills development and training in higher education institutions across South Africa by backing projects designed to resolve societal issues. They have promised to better the lives of South Africans in areas like education, environmentalism and humanitarian aid.
The educational institutions to benefit from this generous donation includes colleges in Gauteng, the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Tshwane South, Waterberg, Vuselela, Central Johannesburg, Limpopo and the North West. Nissan’s donation of engine units consisting of engines, gearboxes, and differentials was made with the aim of addressing the current skills shortage, particularly in the following areas:
Nissan could secure the donation through the motor technology enhancement programme, which aims at keeping the motor technology curriculum up-to-date and responsive to changes in the automotive industry.
According to the Principal at Tshwane North College, Dr Thembi Tsibogo: “The engines will provide experiential training to students who are studying automotive programmes in the engineering faculty, and this will enable lecturers to enhance learning by providing practical demonstrations and application of the subject content.”
Dr Samuel Loyiso Gqibani, UJ’s head of the School for Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Technology said: “Having Nissan SA as our partner in the journey towards establishing an up-to-date motor technical programme with tools and state-of-the-art equipment is a dream come true for us.”
It is estimated that the automotive industry will face a shortage of 2.3 million skilled workers by 2025 and 4.3 million by 2030. The shortage of qualified workers in this sector can be addressed through initiatives like MTEP, which support development and training in tertiary institutions.
The donations from the Nissan Motor Technology Enhancement Programme will go a long way towards helping to fill the gap created by the skills shortages in South Africa and meeting the demand for skilled automotive professionals over the next decade. By investing more in education, particularly in motor technology, the automotive industry will have a better chance of thriving in a global environment.
With Nissan’s donations, local tertiary institutions are now well-equipped to offer their students advanced motor technology training and thereby produce highly qualified employees for the automotive industry. This could prove to be a major turning point in South Africa’s quest to become a leader in the automotive sector.
Nissan Donates Engines To Enhance Motor Technology Curriculums
Nissan is setting an example of how corporate investment can be used to bridge the gap between education and industry in order to help drive economic growth and development. The automotive company has also shown its commitment to driving socio-economic change towards a better future for South Africans.
According to the country director at Nissan South Africa, Kabelo Rabotho: “Nissan’s approach towards advanced teaching and skills development was informed by its commitment towards advancing the UN’s Sustainable Goal of inclusive and quality education, furthering South Africa’s Automotive Master Plan 2035, which commits the industry to the development of new technologies and skills, and Nissan’s own sustainability strategy pillar of realising a more inclusive society.”
The donations made by Nissan will undoubtedly result in a positive long-term impact, such as increased employability for graduates and a more competitive South African automotive sector. Their commitment to supporting education, especially motor skills development, is highly commendable and will go a long way towards building a better future for South Africa.
Group1 Nissan is proud to be affiliated with a brand that cares about the community and takes action when it’s needed most. For more Nissan SA news, motoring tips and vehicle launches, please read our blog and follow us on Facebook.
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Posted on 21 Dec 2022 under General, Nissan Concept, Nissan News
Nissan Z GT4
The SEMA Show is an annual trade-only show that invites automotive speciality equipment manufacturers to display alongside automotive manufacturers to debut new, innovative products, and connect with industry buyers from all over the world. This year, in October, the highly anticipated event took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The four-day show attracted 160 000+ industry professionals, with 2400+ exhibitors across 1.2 million square feet of exhibition space. Suffice it to say, it was a mammoth occasion, and Nissan certainly came to play – enticing show attendees with no less than amazing concept vehicles that were tailored to inspire and delight. This included:
The Ariya Surfwagon concept features a vinyl wrap reminiscent of Californian-style ‘woodie’ wagons and the beach cruisers of the past. If you ever wanted to listen to the Beach Boys in the perfect vehicle, this would be it. Featuring a custom roof rack that holds a pair of 7-foot surfboards with a matching colour scheme, the Surfwagon also boasts 20” ‘smoothie’ wheels with polished centre caps roll on white-wall tires.
If you love all things retro, you’ll be in awe of the 1987 Nissan Sunny pickup that’s been converted with Hakosuka-style and an electric powertrain from a Nissan Leaf. It’s been fitted with eye-catching 17” Rotiform wheels and a BRE 46 racing livery and sets the scene for racing excellence with 236 pound-feet of torque (triple the output of the original combustion engine).
The Nissan Frontier is a mid-size pick-up truck that is widely beloved throughout America. In this interaction, it has a staunch 5.6-litre V8 engine, custom wide-track suspension with Bilstein shocks, and a wide body kit with carbon fibre front wings.
The Frontier was also reimagined as a 1990s truck with custom suspension, a wide body, a MagnaFlow cat-back exhaust, Alcantara upholstery and 20-inch alloys. This leaned into the looks and trends that were prevalent in ‘street truck’ culture in the heyday of the 90s.
An innovative new race car that is already poised to compete in GT racing around the world in 2023.
Keep an eye out for more info on the exciting things happening in Nissan’s global R&D department. In the meantime, get in touch with a Group1 Nissan representative to learn more about the amazing models we currently have available at our showrooms.
The post Nissan Astonishes 2022 SEMA Crowd With Fun New Concepts appeared first on Nissan Blog at Group1.
Posted on 19 Dec 2022 under Nissan News
Nissan Ginetta G55
The thunder of two mighty Nissan VK45 V8 engines spiced up this year’s Killarney 9-Hour Endurance Race. Team Africa Le Mans fitted two of their four GinettaG55 cars with these hot Nissan engines.
The VK45 is a V8 naturally aspirated aluminium DOHC 4-valve engine. It is a development of the VQ V6, rather than the previous VH V8 engine. This engine also features a new variable intake manifold, newly designed heads and a larger drive-by-wire throttle chamber.
Although it has a 4.5-litre displacement, these two engines have been destroked to 4.3-litre to improve reliability.
While you will not find this beast of an engine in any Nissan sold in South Africa, Nissan’s engineering team transfers the knowledge and skills required to create such engines back into the development of normal car engines. So any Nissan you buy will have some of the racing DNA of this V8 in it.
The Ginetta G55 is a specialist sports car, built by Ginetta Cars in Leeds since 2011. It is built to FIA GT3 regulations, one of the most popular and diverse racing classes in the world. Although originally fitted with a Ford V6 engine, this popular racer has been fitted with many different engines for different races over the years.
Team Africa Le Mans car 505 was driven by the father and sons super team Pirro – Emanuele, Cris and Goffredo (Goofy).
Emanuele won Le Mans five times with Audi, drove for Benetton and Dallara F1 teams and was the test driver for McLaren in the F1 championship days of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. He is a two-time ALMS sports-car champion and has won at Goodwood and Macau. He is also an FIA steward.
His son Cris is a senior engineer at Alfa F1, while Goofy, also a graduate of the prestigious Cranfield engineering school, currently works in the Italian F3 Championship.
Car 50 was driven by Anthony Reid, saloon car star Hennie Groenewald and Murray Shepherd.
Reid has a Le Mans 3rd place under his belt and competed in the British GT3 series against the likes of Damon Hill. He was once offered to drive with Jordan F1. In the ‘90s and 2000s, he was one of the highest-paid saloon car racers in the world.
Groenewald has won the Wesbank V8 Supercars series three times and he has competed internationally in various formulae, including Formula 3. Shepherd, although still young, has a wealth of experience in various kinds of races and is seen as a star of the future.
Team Africa Le Mans is a South Africa-based GT racing team run by volunteers from Africa. It uses top driving talent. The team’s aim is to carry the continent’s flag into international competition.
The team made its international debut in 2016 in the Paul Ricard 24-hour race, and it is the first team from Africa to be invited to the Road to Le Mans race. It will use an all-African pit crew from South Africa and Kenya.
The Team promotes the STOP! Poaching initiative, with a focus on the plight of the Pangolin.
You can keep up with local and international Nissan news by following us on social media.
Image sourced from WPMC
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Posted on 08 Dec 2022 under Nissan Magnite
Nissan Magnite Red Edition Fires On All Cylinders
Nissan SA has added a new special-edition Nissan Magnite Red to its already impressive line-up. Here’s what you need to know about the specifications, pricing and blushingly good looks.
The Nissan range in South Africa has two new fresh faces, each featuring a new Red Edition package.
Based on the version of the car that launched in July 2022 in India, where the SA-spec Magnite is produced, it seems that the main exterior changes include red accents on various parts like the grille, front bumper cladding, wheel arches and body side cladding. The front brake callipers are also given a crimson finish while the rear axle has the same drum brakes.
Along the sides of the Nissan Magnite Red Edition are decals (just underneath the windows) that end in big graphics on each C-pillar. At the rear, this variant has extra tailgate decoration, and also comes with “Red Edition” badging for an added spicy twist to the already highly successful model.
Although it’s not confirmed, the exterior paint colours for the Magnite Red Edition in South Africa might be Onyx Black and Storm White (which are currently offered in India). If you purchase this special-edition model, the interior will have a red dashboard with matching red accents on the seat upholstery, door-side armrest and centre console.
Nissan Magnite Red Edition Interior
The Nissan Magnite Red Edition is based on the Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta variant and will feature either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Delivering 74 kW and 160 Nm (manual) and 152 Nm for the CVT, it’s the perfect vehicle for a nippy and efficient driving experience, whether you’re in stop-and-go traffic or cruising down the winding highway for work or pleasure.
Stefan Haasbroek, the marketing director at Nissan Africa said: “With escalating fuel prices in South Africa – and around the world – drivers justifiably want more kilometres for their buck. The Magnite’s three-cylinder engine is as frugal as it is powerful, with an average fuel consumption of only 5.27l/100km on the Manual variant and 6,0 on the CVT models.”
The Nissan Magnite Red Edition also features a long list of driver aids with several intuitive systems and other niceties, including:
Nissan SA confirmed that only 600 units of the limited-edition model would be available for the South African market. It will effectively cost an extra R7 800, with the manual derivative priced at R298,300 and the CVT R325,300. It will be sold with a three-year/30 000km service plan and a six-year/ 150,000km warranty.
With the increasing popularity of the original Nissan Magnite, selling more than 500 units every month and 735 in October, it’s no surprise that they’ve added a limited edition model since this car is a winning recipe all around.
According to Haasbroek: “We wanted to manifest our customers’ passion for adventure and thrill in the design and ignite their passion for driving. We believe the Red Edition will accelerate the already robust demand for the Magnite, with an evolved offering for young, aspirational, and tech-savvy customers.”
For more information about the Nissan Magnite Red Edition or to book a test drive, complete the short form on the website or contact your nearest Group1 Nissan.
The post Nissan Magnite Red Edition To Dominate The Market appeared first on Nissan Blog at Group1.
Posted on 05 Dec 2022 under General
Nissan Factory Warranty: Everything You Need To Know
In addition to a comprehensive Nissan factory warranty, the Japanese automaker has a legacy of offering cars that are affordable and dependable. They are also known for manufacturing impressive performance cars, fashionable sport sedans, reliable bakkies and practical SUVs.
However, while modern cars are generally of higher quality, more reliable and with advanced technology, repairs are inevitable. Another consideration for car buyers is the increasing costs as vehicles are becoming more sophisticated, which is where the Nissan factory warranty comes into the equation.
In this guide, we share valuable insight into what the Nissan factory warranty covers, the associated costs and some of the extended warranties on offer.
While Nissan cars compare favourably to their competitors in terms of performance, fuel economy, and safety features, the average consumer is keeping their vehicle for seven years. This means it’s becoming increasingly important to look at a brand’s warranty coverage and extended warranty options.
The Nissan factory warranty is designed to cover any defects in material or workmanship, which take place during the first three years or 90 000km (whichever comes first). Coverage includes repairs at an authorised Nissan dealership, on all mechanical components including the engine, transmission and OE factory-fitted accessories.
The coverage of the Nissan warranty is 3 years/90,000 km for basic coverage and 5 years/150,000 km for the engine, which is on par with the offerings of other mainstream brands. Nissan Assured also provides 24-hour roadside assistance which offers towing services, flat battery and locksmith support and security sent to your location while you wait for assistance.
It’s worth noting that the Nissan factory warranty is only valid when the vehicle is serviced according to the manufacturer’s service schedule. This means that if you are not up-to-date with your car’s maintenance plan and some component fails, you may have to pay for parts or labour costs yourself.
With a few exceptions, the repairs and maintenance costs you come across should be covered if you are still within your factory warranty terms. The following is not covered by the Nissan factory warranty:
The Nissan factory warranty does not cover the expenses associated with normal wear and tear or inspections. If anything were to happen to your Nissan vehicle during the warranty period, you would be responsible for labour, repair or replacement of warrantable parts/s and/or components. Repairs made during the warranty period will not cause it to be extended.
Nissan offers a variety of extended warranties for customers who want to keep their vehicle covered after the initial three-year/ 60,000km factory warranty expires. The most popular extended warranty option allows customers to extend the factory warranty coverage for up to seven years/ unlimited km with a Nissan Extended Warranty.
While the cost of an extended Nissan Warranty will vary depending on your model and year of manufacture, this additional cost can prove invaluable as it helps you avoid paying for expensive repair costs yourself.
It’s crucial to look at not just the coverage details but also the costs that come with any extended warranty for your Nissan. You should also compare different policy options – including some from third-party companies, which might have better coverage as well as lower prices.
The Nissan body warranty does not apply to the chassis and undercarriage and is subject to the requirements described in the conditions. Nissan promises that, from the date of sale to the original owner, the body of every new Nissan vehicle will not succumb to rust perforation for as long as ownership lasts.
If you’re looking to get your vehicle fixed and returned to its original condition, the Nissan Approved Body Repair Centre Network is the perfect solution. They only use quality parts and materials that are fitted by the manufacturer with several benefits:
Find your nearest Group1 Nissan Service Centre.
The truth is, no warranty plan covers every part or aspect of your vehicle. Some common parts not covered in a standard Nissan factory warranty classified as bumper-to-bumper are tyres, factory accessories, headlights and electronic systems. Here are a few other Nissan warranties on offer:
All adjustments not associated with the replacement of parts are covered under warranty for the first 12 months, regardless of how many miles you’ve driven. In terms of the air conditioning system, you are covered for 72 months or 150,000 km under the New Vehicle Warranty. However, if you need to recharge the refrigerant and it is not associated with the repair or replacement of a warranted part, it will not be covered after the first 12 months.
In some cases, you may want to consider an extended warranty and Nissan offers its own for new and pre-owned vehicles. These warranty plans are transferable to future buyers, should you sell the vehicle. The engine warranty, for example, covers more than the engine and transmission with other add-ons like
The good news is, you don’t need to purchase an extended warranty when you buy your new Nissan car, bakkie or SUV. You can get one of Nissan’s plans any time before the original Nissan factory warranty expires.
In the end, whether or not you purchase an extended warranty is up to you and what you feel comfortable spending. Consider if it’s worth paying extra for more protection, or if you’re okay going without it.
In conclusion, if you own a Nissan car, it is in your best interest to learn about and compare the coverage of extended warranties and the Nissan factory warranty. With this knowledge, you can make an informed decision that will keep your vehicle running smoothly for years to come.
For more information on the Nissan factory warranty, contact your nearest Group1 Nissan in Kuils River, Johannesburg, Stellenbosch or Uitenhage.
The post What Does The Nissan Factory Warranty Cover? appeared first on Nissan Blog at Group1.
Posted on 29 Nov 2022 under Nissan Electric Vehicles
Nissan recently introduced its e-POWER technology to South Africa at the inaugural South African Auto Week event, which was hosted by Naamsa Automotive Business Council from October 26 to 28, at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Midrand.
The South African Automotive Week is a for-industry, by-industry initiative that addresses the interests of the automotive manufacturing sector in South Africa, and the African continent at large. This premium networking and thought-leadership conference brought together the sector’s key stakeholders to drive engagement on the theme of ‘reimagining the future together – the rise of the African auto industry.
The Nissan team attended the exciting four-day event to showcase its newest vehicles and take part in panel discussions around sustainability and the future of the African automotive manufacturing sector.
“Our automotive sector is at the heart of Africa’s industrialisation and can play a vital part in the global electric vehicle (EV) value chain once the trade regime is enacted,” said Wamkele Mene, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) secretary-general.
Automotive Week attendees were given the opportunity to test drive the all-new Nissan Qashqai e-POWER, the all-new third-generation model that offers smoother acceleration, as well as a responsive, efficient, and quiet drive.
According to Kabelo Rabotho, Country Director for Nissan SA, the fact that the Qashqai e-POWER delivers the unmistakable pleasure of electric driving without the need to recharge, which takes the stress out of urban driving and is bound to be a key lever in the practical transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles in the African context.
SA Auto Week guests also had the opportunity to experience the latest versions of classic Nissan models, including the locally produced and award-winning Nissan Navara. In total, Nissan’s Africa Regional Business Unit in Africa offers a range of 24 vehicles to 42 markets that serve retail and commercial customers in the region. South Africa serves as a light-commercial vehicle manufacturing hub for the region with its Rosslyn plant northwest of Pretoria producing the NP200, NP300, as well as the Nissan Navara.
We are proud to say that the Nissan SA team did us proud at the conference, contributing to various industry-building panel discussions and breakaway sessions focusing on sustainable business practices in the industry. We look forward to seeing what exciting developments they will bring to us next.
To learn more about the Nissan models we currently have in stock on our Group1 Nissan floors in Kuils River, Stellenbosch, Uitenhage and Johannesburg, get in touch with our team. We offer a comprehensive range of new and used cars that can be brought to your door for a test drive. Let’s get you kitted out with innovation that excites you.
The post Nissan Unveils e-POWER Tech At Inaugural SA Auto Week appeared first on Nissan Blog at Group1.
Posted on 22 Nov 2022 under Nissan Qashqai
New Nissan Qashqai Earns Top Safety Ratings
With vehicle safety an increasingly important purchasing decision, consumers will be pleased to know that the new Nissan Qashqai has earned five stars from the Australian crash tester ANCAP, based on tests in 2021 by Euro NCAP. However, this only applies to the Nissan Qashqai petrol variants and not the upcoming petrol-electric Qashqai e-Power.
The Nissan Qashqai received top marks in each of the four key areas with impressive numbers, particularly in safety assist and occupant protection. Here is a simple breakdown of the Qashqai’s safety ratings:
The 97% score in Safety Assist is, in fact, the second-highest ever recorded under ANCAP’s latest criteria which means the 2023 Nissan Qashqai is just behind the Tesla Model Y electric SUV with a score of 98%.
While the Qashqai received full marks for occupant status, lane support and Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) junction assist systems, it did get some minor penalties in terms of speed assistance and AEB car-to-car systems.
Another impressive result for the new Nissan Qashqai is achieving 93% for Child Occupant Protection, which is equal to the highest scores recorded by ANCAP, matching the 2023 Ford Ranger and the Ford Everest SUV.
The Qashqai also scored perfectly on the dynamic side and restraint installation tests, with a few small deductions for its front test score and onboard safety features. A 91% score for Adult Occupant Protection in the Nissan Qashqai was courtesy of the side impact, oblique pole and far side impact tests.
In the frontal offset and full-width frontal assessments, the driver’s chest protection received an ‘adequate’ performance score, while in the full-width test, the adult female dummy seated in the second row only had a ‘marginal’ performance for chest protection. The Qashqai also had a minor deduction of 1.54 points due to its “moderate risk to occupants of an oncoming vehicle in the MPDB (frontal offset) test”.
Within the Vulnerable Road User Protection category, the Qashqai’s bonnet provided adequate or good protection to the head of a struck pedestrian but its stiff windscreen pillars resulted in marginal or poor results.
Considering the long list of safety features on the new Nissan Qashqai, it’s no surprise that it scored so well. In terms of the model in South Africa, here are some of the standard safety equipment you can expect:
Carla Hoorweg, ANCAP CEO said: “Nissan is to be congratulated for the Qashqai’s range of active safety systems. The presence and performance of these features demonstrate the significant effort Nissan has made to offer the best safety equipment possible to Nissan Qashqai buyers.”
In closing, Hoorweg continued by stating that these impressive safety performance scores under ANCAP’s most stringent protocols will be welcomed by families and fleet buyers who are looking at their next SUV.
For more information on the new Nissan Qashqai or to book a test drive, visit any of our showrooms in Kuils River, Uitenhage, Stellenbosch or Johannesburg.
The post New Nissan Qashqai Scores Five-Star ANCAP Safety Rating appeared first on Nissan Blog at Group1.