Nissan Micra 2017 - Here’s another reason you should buy one

NISSAN Micra 2017 is one of the best superminis of the year and now there are even more reasons to buy it.

Express.co.uk gave the Nissan Micra 2017 a review score of 9/10 for its specs, design, tech, ride and handling.

It is a great supermini that is well-kitted out and is wonderfully styled.

Now, the car has been given a five star Euro NCAP safety rating.

It achieved the desirable accolade alongside the new Skoda Kodiaq and Mini Countryman.

The Micra was awarded the top safety rating thanks to the standard fitment of intelligent driving technologies in the Safety Assist category of testing.

Every Micra comes with Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB), an intelligent driving technology which can detect or stopping vehicle ahead and automatically apply the brakes.

This can, in certain situations, avoid impact or reduce its severity.

Another standard feature is the Pedestrian Recognition technology and Intelligent Lane Intervention (ILI).

When ILI is activated it vibrates the steering wheel if the car crosses the white line in the centre of the road and can automatically apply the brakes to help direct a driver back into their lane.

Every new Micra comes with six airbags as standard, plus seat belt warnings and seat belt height adjustment in the front.

The Isofix car child seat fitting system can be used with the new Micra, including in the front passenger seat, for the best possible child protection.

Additional safety features on every Micra include Electronic Stability Program, anti-lock brakes and Hill Start Assist. A speed limiter, automatic headlight sensor, automatic hazard lights and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System are also fitted.

Take the new Nissan Micra for a test drive. Click here to find a Nissan Micra for sale at a Group 1 Nissan dealership, today!

Article source: http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/cars/812255/Nissan-Micra-2017-Euro-NCAP-UK-price

2017 Nissan Juke to be more refined, hybrid variant on the cards – report

The next-generation Nissan Juke is set to arrive next year with cleaner engines, a hybrid option, more tech and a new platform, according to a report out of the UK.

Bursting onto the scene at the 2010 Geneva motor show, the first-generation Nissan Juke won plenty of fans in Europe, but has never been a top-selling model in Australia.

Nissan already confirmed a second-generation Juke last year, with the company also announcing a 100 million pound ($177 million) investment into its Sunderland factory in the UK – where the current Juke, Leaf and Qashqai are built.

According to British website Auto Express, the Mk2 Juke will debut next year, bringing a more efficient and refined engine range along with a crucial improvement in cabin build quality.

The Juke will maintain Nissan’s intention to “remain the undisputed crossover leader”, slotting in as the smallest model in the range below the Qashqai, X-Trail, Pathfinder, Murano and Patrol.

Previous reports have already indicated the new Juke will be built on the Common Module Family B segment platform (CMF-B) co-developed with partner company Renault.

The Juke’s current platform also forms the basis of the Micra, Cube and Renault Captur – an architecture which dates back to 2002.

Nissan CEO, Shiro Nakamura, is quoted by Auto Express saying the Mk2 Juke will still be “edgy and less mainstream”, while still looking like a Juke.

Based on that statement, the next generation should maintain key styling cues such as the two-tier headlight design, flared wheel arches and hatchback-like design.

However, the new Juke is likely to wear the new Nissan design language – as seen on the larger Qashqai – with a longer wheelbase to address one of the main complaints about the current model, rear legroom.

The article by Auto Express claims the new platform will allow for a new range of engines – including a new 1.0-litre turbocharged three cylinder unit – alongside the current 1.5-litre turbo-diesel (not for Australia) and 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol powerplants.

Adding to the updated engine range could be a new hybrid variant, with a range-extender powertrain that was previewed by the Nissan Gripz concept at last year’s Frankfurt motor show.

Also a possibility with the new-generation Juke is an all-electric (EV) option, with Gareth Dunsmore, director of Nissan’s zero-emission business unit, saying to Autocar: “We’re leaders in crossovers and a leader with Leaf and we will combine those two in the future”.

Rounding out the comprehensive changes will be inside the cabin, with the new Juke set to overhaul the current interior that lacks the design and quality of main rivals like the Mazda CX-3 and Honda HR-V.

According to the report, the interior’s design will likely take inspiration from the next Micra (which has been spied testing recently), and include a higher-quality infotainment system complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility.

To stay true to the original model’s intent, however, the new Juke will offer a range of personalisation options, including colours and interior fascia finishes.

Nissan is likely to debut the new Juke after the all-new Micra next year, which has been fast-tracked after the European market reacted poorly to the interior quality and refinement of the current model – which was recently axed from the Australian line-up.

Expect a pre-production concept sometime in the next six months to precede the production version which will launch before the end of 2017.

Find a Nissan Juke for sale today or take one for a test drive at a Group 1 Nissan dealership.  

Article source: https://plus.google.com/b/111015717248297647029/111015717248297647029/posts/N46Mn1CGGQT

Used Nissan Qashqai buying guide (2014-present)

The Nissan Qashqai is a great family car thanks to its comfy driving experience, spacious cabin and low running costs. It was facelifted in early 2017, so there are some great deals on used versions.

Click ‘login’ on carwow’s homepage to sign up and see our range of new, nearly new, pre-registered and ex-demo cars.

What is it?

The Qashqai is a great family car, combining the running costs of a family hatchback with the extra space and lofty driving position of an SUV. It’s comfortable on the road and easy to drive, while optional four-wheel drive brings extra peace of mind if you live in rural areas.

Nissan Qashqai 2017 facelift

A facelifted Qashqai was revealed at the beginning of 2017. The new model featured more angular headlights with LED lighting signatures and a more prominent grille and angular bumper design than the previous model. The interior boasts a redesigned steering wheel with easier-to-use thumb controllers and new graphics for the infotainment system.

What engine should I get?

If you’re planning on covering a lot of miles in your Qashqai, opt for one of the two diesel engines available. The frugal 1.5-litre unit is pleasantly responsive in use and can return up to 70mpg – impressive for an SUV. If you’re after a four-wheel drive or an auto gearbox, these are only available on the more powerful 1.6-litre – even with the auto, it returns an impressive 62mpg.

Those covering medium mileages or who drive more in town will be better suited by 1.2-litre petrol that returns a claimed 48mpg – it’s smooth and fairly hushed in normal driving. The other petrol choice is a more powerful 1.6-litre turbo unit that feels pleasantly strong if not genuinely fast.

Used Nissan Qashqai running costs and insurance

The smaller 1.5-litre diesel only emits 99g/km of CO2 so incurs no road tax if it was registered before April 2017. The Qashqai is relatively inexpensive to service and parts won’t cost as much as some rivals. Insurance will be fairly affordable – entry-level 1.2-litre petrol models equipped with the optional Smart Vision safety pack fall into insurance group 13, mid-range models sit in groups 15-17 and highly specced diesel models sit in groups 19-21.

Should I buy a used or new Nissan Qashqai?

Buying a used Qashqai has its benefits – it’s generally cheaper than buying a new model and, because dealers have stock cars readily available, you can drive away on the same day. There are benefits to picking a new model, however, such as the fact that new cars tend to be offered with better finance packages and that you can pick your exact colour, trim and spec before buying. For more information, check out our explainer of the pros and cons of new vs used cars.

Can I get a pre-reg Nissan Qashqai?

Dealers will have a range of Nissan Qashqais pre-registered and ready-to-go on their forecourts. Models that are pre-registered will have first been registered by the dealer to help them meet their targets and are usually cheaper than an equivalent brand new version. While they’re essentially new cars, you’ll technically be the second owner if you purchase one.

Used Nissan Qashqai problems and what to look out for

Reliability is one of the Qashqai’s strong suits – there has only been one recall in the car’s lifetime to fix an issue with models fitted with a tow bar. Many of the Qashqai’s major components have been tried and tested in a range of other Nissan and Renault products with little fault so should provide years of good service.

A handful of owners have reported the car’s rear shock absorbers failing. Owners describe hearing a rattling noise or the vehicle not moving as it should over bumpy roads so, when test-driving a stock car, listen out for any odd noises coming from the rear – especially when driving over bumpy roads.

Some have reported issues with the engine’s turbo – resulting in a loss of power and worse fuel economy than expected. This issue can be identified by driving the car or by a whistling noise coming from the engine or blue/black smoke coming from the exhaust. If affected, the car’s turbo will need replacing, although this will be covered if your car is still in its warranty period.

Used Nissan Qashqai warranty and servicing

Nissan’s three-year/60,000 warranty begins once the car was first registered and, crucially for used buyers, is transferable between owners so nearly new examples will still have lots of warranty left. Servicing intervals for petrol Qashqais are every 12,400 miles and every 18,600 miles for diesels.

What options should I look out for?

When searching for a used Qashqai, here are a few packages and optional extras to look out for:

• Smart Vision Pack – this safety pack adds Traffic Sign Recognition, High Beam Assist – a feature that automatically dims your high beam when it senses oncoming traffic – Lane Departure Warning, Forward Emergency Braking and Front and rear parking sensors
• Tech Pack – adds a seven-inch touchscreen infotainment system with sat nav, DAB digital radio and a colour rear-view camera
• Comfort Pack – adds a panoramic glass roof and satin silver roof rails
• Premium Pack – includes rear privacy glass, 18-inch alloy wheels and electric automatic folding door mirrors
• Heat Pack – adds heated front seats and a heated windscreen

Nissan Qashqai history

Looking for a Nissan Qashqai for sale? Used Qashqai are in high demand and pretty few and far between. Try a used car dealership, such as Group 1 Nissan.

Article source: https://www.carwow.co.uk/blog/used-nissan-qashqai-guide

BUYING USED: NISSAN NP200 (2009 TO PRESENT)

In a small market segment, the NP200 asserts itself with its big-heartedness…

Built locally by Nissan SA at its Rosslyn factory, the NP200 is a rebadged version of the Dacia Logan bakkie that’s sold mainly in Eastern Europe. In our market, the base-model NP200 is powered by a torquey 64 kW eight-valve 1,6-litre, followed by a 77 kW, 16-valve 1,6-litre and, finally, the most expensive model, a 1,5 dCi turbodiesel that develops 63 kW and 200 N.m of torque. The payload is class-competitive at 800 kg and there’s useful space behind the seats for storing luggage or tools.

Transmission

Owners feel the gearshift is notchy and one shift linkage came adrift due to a missing locating pin. A clutch pedal that had no resistance turned out to be a dislocated clip holding the clutch cable to the pedal pivot.

Engines

A CAR reader reported a broken engine mounting that resulted in a bent side-shaft. Replacement parts took two weeks to arrive. Turbochargers, injectors and pumps can give trouble, as can EGR plumbing, but this seems to be common to most diesels in the market, so it is difficult to predict what mileage can be reached before maintenance is required.

Electrical

Computer issues worried a few, while some locks and windscreen wipers needed repair. Note the wipers are set for left-hand drive, affecting visibility slightly.

Suspension, steering and brakes

Some readers complained about the life of the brake pads, but otherwise no issues were reported.

Body and interior

Owners were impressed with the interior space, something sorely lacking in the trusty 1400 (Champ) bakkies. As you would expect from a small bakkie at this price point, trim issues were noted. The silver-painted plastics, for example, scratch easily. As mentioned earlier, the NP200’s load-carrying ability is very good, handling a full 800 kg without fuss. This makes it a good bet for small-project builders, as well as sports and leisure purchasers.

General

There is a shortage of contenders in this market sector and, broadening the field to more than our trio of three-quarter-tonne rivals (Chevrolet Utility, Ford Bantam, and Fiat Strada), highlights other options such as the Daihatsu Gran Max, Nissan NP300 and the larger Hyundai/Kia 2,7 diesels. Remember that diesel-engined vehicles are more economical than the petrol versions, but they may require frequent and more expensive maintenance work.

CAR road test data

Model: 1,6 16 V SE

Issue: July 2009

Fuel index: 8,52 L/100 km

0-100 km/h: 13,37 sec

Max speed: 169 km/h

Price (new): R151 800

Price (now): R85 000

Parts-price examples

Model: NP200 1,6 16-valve SE (2009)

Oil filter: R105,34

Air filter: R166,11

Headlamp: R2 456,44

Taillamp: R658,81

Water pump: R978,81

ECU: R7 345,20

(Prices include VAT, as published in our May 2016 issue)

All round a Used Nissan NP200 is good value for money. Looking for a Nissan NP200 for sale, then speak to a trustworthy Nissan dealer in your area.

Article source: http://www.carmag.co.za/buying-used-nissan-np200-2009-to-present/

Nissan NP200 - Motoring Review

THE NISSAN NP200 bakkie is the spiritual successor to the legendary 1400 Nissan bakkie that was seen on every South African street during the 1980’s and 1990’s. In fact, the NP200 range picks-up where its predecessor left off and delivers on its promise to provide an affordable, hardworking half-ton bakkie for the South African market.

Launched back in 2008, the NP200 impressed Nissan fans with its load capacity, spritely engine and zippy attitude. Since 2011, fans are able to upgrade by choosing from safety features and comfort features package.With the launch of the NP200 bakkie upgrade program, Nissan became the first motor manufacturer in South Africa to offer an entry-level compact bakkie with two airbags.

Now, available in a limited edition, the locally-built and developed Nissan NP200 Loaded features a host of value-adding enhancements and special additions and will be available in a production run of 300 units only. The new NP200 LOADED features distinctive and sporty upgrades.

The NP200 Loaded offers versatility and practicality with a maximum 800kg payload, a 1 2250 litres standard rubberized load box and specially designed tailgate that can handle 300kg. While still maintaining features from its predecessor such as glove box, door bins and two cup holders under the central console and storage space behind the seat.

On the interior, the NP200 features power steering, air-conditioning, and remote central locking from its predecessor, with new smart extras, such as full leather upholstery, front-loading CD/MP3/WMA/radio/USB/aux and Bluetooth-enabled audio system,  and special black carpets.

The exterior features stainless steel nudge-and sport bars, 15-inch rims, black roof rails, black tonneau cover and specially designed Nissan Concept alloy wheels completes the LOADED look. Loaded is available exclusively in white and features special branding that incorporates silver and red accents in the decals, carpets and seats.

Safety features of this new workhorse include ABS and EBD,which prevents wheels from locking, airbags, crumple zones from the previous NP200 which are engineered around impact resistance while the engine compartment is designed to stack up in frontal impact collisions and seatbelts.

It’s fitted with 1.6-litre petrol engine with a maximum output of 64kW. And the five-speed gearbox has short first three ratios makes load lugging easier.

All accessories have been specifically developed and approved for the NP200 LOADED and do not affect the vehicle’s standard and class-leasing six-year/ 150 000 km warranty, although the Nissan NP200 price is affected slightly. Test Drive an NP200 at a Nissan dealership near you. Book here.

Article source: https://welovenissan.tumblr.com/post/163753320733/nissan-np200-motoring-review

The Top Gear car review: Nissan X-Trail

Overview

What is it?

Previously a boxy, quite serious off-roader, the Nissan X-Trail is now essentially a beefed-up Qashqai, and not just because it bears a strong family resemblance to Nissan’s runaway breadwinner.

No, both cars share the same platform. So the similarities are more than skin deep, though the X-Trail’s skin is stretched a bit further. It’s noticeably higher and longer, with an optional row of third seats. This means it replaces the Qashqai+2 as Nissan’s seven-seat SUV. Add to that the option of four-wheel-drive and what you get is a full-size, family-orientated SUV that’s happy to get its shoes muddy if the need arises.

The results of the X-Trail’s transformation are huge, taking it from around 1,500 to 20,000 annual sales. That’s despite Nissan not offering a high-powered diesel version. Until now, anyway.

Joining the 128bhp 1.6-litre dCi diesel (and the less relevant 161bhp 1.6-litre DIG-T petrol) is a new 175bhp 2.0-litre dCi, which automatically becomes pick of the range. It’s available with two- or four-wheel drive and manual or CVT automatic transmissions. Which means, for the first time, you can have a 4WD auto X-Trail. Rejoice, caravan- and horse-towers.

Nissan prides itself on tech, and the X-Trail is available with the company’s full suite of safety stuff: traffic sign recognition, driver drowsiness alerts, blind spot and lane departure warnings and emergency braking assist all feature.

And while the X-Trail is a car bestowed with pretty good visibility for a modern SUV, you can also have a multitude of cameras and parking assist systems, too. If you want an SUV for its height and space but feel intimidated by its potentially large size, here’s one which takes much of the worry out of steering something big around.

Oh, and if you have dogs, the X-Trail is very good for housing those in comfort too. But you’re not a dog, you’re a human. So what’s the X-Trail like to drive, sit in and run? Keep clicking to read on…

Highlights from the range

Title	0–62	CO2	MPG	BHP	Price
THE FASTEST 2.0 dCi Acenta 5dr 4WD	9.4s	149g/km	50.4	177	£29,300
THE CHEAPEST 1.6 DiG-T Visia 5dr	9.7s	145g/km	45.6	163	£22,600
THE GREENEST 1.6 dCi Acenta 5dr	10.5s	129g/km	57.6	130	£26,295

Driving

What is it like on the road?

Naturally, it’s not the kind of car you while away days dreaming about driving up the Furka Pass. But that’s absolutely right for a family car, and the X-Trail nails its brief. The suspension is set up for a soft, supple ride, and this is a car that’s comfortable on even really beaten up road surfaces. And one which will indulge in light off-roading even with just front-wheel drive, as it soaks up ruts that would beach smaller crossovers.

There’s a lightness to all of the controls that makes it effortless, rather than engaging, to drive. But Nissan’s love of tech means the chassis isn’t soggy – there’s a system that nips at the brakes during corners and over big bumps, to sharpen the car’s responses, which mean it handles tautly enough. Sure, you’re not buying this for fun, but it means you don’t have to trim off loads of speed when a corner or roundabout appears. The X-Trail’s competence just adds to how effortless it is to drive.

On the road, most people won’t need 4WD. Keep the X-Trail’s selectable dial in 2WD and it never, ever feels short of grip. We’d suggest speccing it if you’ll genuinely go off-road or tow stuff. Otherwise, keeping your tyres in check is a more effective way of avoiding trouble when winter lands.

The volume-selling engine is a 1.6-litre diesel with 128bhp, which is a mixed blessing. It’s coarse under acceleration, with a very narrow power band, but once settled it’s not too bad. There’s enough clout to get you from A to B, but never the sense the engine is particularly happy taking you there. A recent addition to the range is a 1.6 turbo petrol, which has less economy, but more refinement.

Which is why the new 175bhp 2.0-litre diesel arrives as pick of the range immediately. Enough torque to feel borderline brisk when the car is empty of kids and belongings, and nice and refined so long as you change gear at 3,000rpm or little thereafter. Its character is pure turbodiesel – not much excitement below 2,000rpm, and a reasonable heap of noise once you wind it far past 3,000 – but the engine is punchy enough between those points to make it perfectly pleasant to use.

The manual gearbox is reasonably slick and allows you to keep the engine in its most effective rev range, while the optional automatic (around £1,500 more) is a CVT rather than a traditional auto. Which for keen drivers, is rarely good news. But if you’re buying an X-Trail for entirely sensible purposes, it might just suit you.

On the inside

Layout, finish and space

With that high roofline and extra girth over an X-Trail, it looks nice and commodious. And for the most part it is, though the rear headroom isn’t quite as capacious as the roofline suggests. Spend £700 and you’ll get a third row of seats, while the boot floor flips and folds into nine different positions, underneath which sits a bonus storage area.

And gone are the tacky plastics and boring dash of old, and in sweeps a more inviting cabin. Invariably the more you spend the better it gets; a touchscreen with Google connectivity is optionable, and the suite of park assist and safety systems is impressive and gives a premium air to a car that otherwise wears its sensible price tag inside. The materials and switches aren’t necessarily plush, but they do feel slick and dependable. We suspect it would be a long time before anything started to rattle in here.

Kudos too to the X-Trail’s visibility, which is among the best cars in its class, before you add in the number of cameras you can specify. Handy for off-roading (unlikely though that is) and fitting it through width restrictors and into tight parking bays (much more probable).

Verdict

Final thoughts and pick of the range

The new X-Trail is softer and more sophisticated. Less rugged, but more family-friendly

All told, the Nissan X-Trail is a very appealing thing. Alright, it’s no glamour car. But it doesn’t look half bad in its new extended crossover guise, and we reckon it hides its prosaic purpose and ability well. Here’s a car that can swallow seven people or lots things, then tow something heavy, but which resembles little more than a swelled Qashqai.

It also handles as sharply as it needs to, comes with a pleasingly powerful diesel engine as an option, and will please the tech-savvy if they tick the right boxes. It’s an appealing family car, and one which will actually do some light off-roading too.

The Nissan SUV range has much to offer and with the Nissan SUV prices - it’s no wonder so many people are visiting Group1 Nissan dealerships to test drive a Nissan vehicle.

Article source: https://www.topgear.com/car-reviews/nissan/x-trail/verdict