Press Release
Page 1: Overview
Page 2: Exterior Design
Page 3: Interior Design
Page 4: Chassis/Engine (I)
Page 5: Chassis/Engine (II)
Page 6: Features
Page 7: Market
Page 8: History
Interior Design
-
Driver focused cockpit
-
High separation from centre console
-
Elegant passenger compartment
-
High seating position
-
Distinctive use of colour and materials
-
Panoramic glass roof option
In the same way that QASHQAI’s exterior styling represents a series of contrasts, so the interior has been created by fusing together opposing concepts.
“In any car, the driver has totally different needs to the passenger, but this is not always recognised or appreciated. In QASHQAI we have created a distinct cockpit environment for the driver which contrasts dramatically with the lounge feeling enjoyed by the passengers,� says Stephane Schwarz, Design Director, NDE.
High centre console
All QASHQAI’s major and minor controls have been wrapped around the driver, who is separated from the front seat passenger by an unusually high centre console. Incorporating a cutaway section on the driver’s side for the handbrake, the centre console also houses twin cup holders and a storage box with integrated sliding armrest.
One of QASHQAI’s most significant controls sits towards the front of the centre console just behind the short-throw gear lever – the chunky knurled switch for the ALL-MODE four-wheel drive system.
Hooded cowl
Ahead of the driver, and sitting beneath a hooded cowl, is the instrument panel and trip computer. Minor controls are ergonomically sited in the centre of the dashboard above the gear lever and beneath twin chrome-ringed air vents. Remote audio controls can be found on the steering wheel.
White LED lighting illuminates the dials night and day, while a new saturated orange shade is used on all other illuminated parts, including the trip computer in the centre of the instrument panel, the power window switches and the audio and navigation controls. It is also used for diffused ambient mood lighting in the cabin. This instrument lighting method will also be used on future Nissan products.
Accentuating the different cockpit/lounge ‘zones’, the soft-feel vacuum moulded dashboard ahead of the front seat passenger is finished in a contrasting grain effect to the area in front of the driver.
Colour contrasts
In the most luxurious grade, the contrast is even more marked with the two sections being finished in different colours. Whereas entry level Visia and sporty Tekna grades have all-black dashboards, the wraparound section facing the Acenta driver is black and complemented by a chocolate shade in front of the passenger.
A similar principle applies to the high quality upholstery. Visia grade has dark grey cloth-covered seats and a predominately black interior, while Tekna’s black cloth seats have a contrasting black and grey fabric insert for the centre section. Tekna’s interior, again predominately black, features a number of metallic highlights giving the appearance of an aluminium finish to the steering wheel, gear lever surround and door handles.
Acenta, in complete contrast, uses colour in the seat as well as on the dashboard and doors to create a quite different atmosphere. Taking inspiration from sportswear, the seats use a brick-coloured ‘breathing’ mesh-style fabric for the centre section through which can be seen the black base material of the rest of the seat.
In both Acenta and Tekna grades, embossed leather upholstery is an option: chocolate in Acenta and black in Tekna.
Sculpted seats
The seats themselves are sculpted in both front and rear which adds to the purposeful feel of the interior. In keeping with QASHQAI’s sporting potential, the front seats have side bolsters with a high foam density to provide extra support when cornering. The rear seats, which fold on a 60/40 split, offer optimum comfort for two, but QASHQAI is a full five seater with three point safety belts for all occupants.
Folding the rear seats to increase load space is simplicity itself. The base of the seat is fixed and all that’s required is a single-handled operation to fold each backrest section. When folded, the load floor is flat from tailgate to the back of the front seats in cars with a full size spare wheel and virtually flat when a space saver spare is specified, thanks to a slightly lower trunk floor. There is no need to remove the head restraints before folding the seat.
Thanks to QASHQAI’s overall height and its substantial ground clearance, driver and passengers sit higher than they would in a conventional vehicle, but without the sensation of sitting on top of the vehicle as is experienced in some SUVs.
Sense of security in a relaxing interior
Sitting higher not only provides better visibility out of the vehicle but also promotes a sense of security. But the raised seating position is not so high as to compromise the driving enjoyment and comfort of the car: it really is the best of both worlds.
One of the other benefits of the higher roofline is that occupants sit comparatively upright which translates into more interior leg, shoulder and head room. The cargo space with the rear tonneau cover in place is 387 about 400 litres (306 litres with a full size spare), a little more than is offered by cars like the Ford Focus, Volkswagen Golf and Opel/Vauxhall Astra. It rises to 660 about 800 litres with the rear seats folded.
With minimal intrusion from the rear suspension components, the maximum width in the trunk is 1100mm while the loading height is 778mm. This, in line with QASHQAI’s overall dimensions, lies between the loading heights of hatchback and SUV rivals.
Generous interior storage
Interior storage space takes its lead from the standards set by cars like the Nissan Micra and Nissan Note. The huge cooled glovebox has 14 litres of storage space – large enough to hold a remarkable 15 cans of drink – as well as an integrated sunglasses holder while the front door pockets can each take a 0.5litre bottle and an A4 map book. Mesh pockets on the backs of the front seats are large enough to hold A3 sized map books.
The centre console storage box has a 3.5 litre volume and can hold up to eight CDs in their jewel cases, and there’s also a 4.0 litre sliding storage drawer under the front passenger seat.
A panoramic glass roof is an option unique in the to four-wheel drive versionscategory. Measuring 1037mm by 880mm, the fixed roof covers both rows of sets to create a light and airy interior. It is fabricated from laminated privacy glass, which filters out damaging UV rays and contains heat soak into the cabin. On top of that, temperate atmosfear in the cabin is kept thanks to an advanced low pressure ventilation system.
Electric sunshade
A one-touch electrically operated sunshade can be used to add further protection from the sun and insulation from the elements. The use of laminated glass provides extra safety in the event of a roll-over crash and added security against unlawful intrusion.
“When creating the interior we followed exactly the same principles as we did when designing the exterior, by combining contrasting themes. For example, the cockpit area has a very technical feel, yet the interior as a whole is a stress-free environment.�
“It mirrors the influences of everyday life. Not far from NDE, for example, we experience the total contrast between places like Mayfair and London’s East End. In this way, QASHQAI captures perfectly the divergence of our surroundings,� says Schwarz.
