Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today launched sales of the all-new Dualis mid-size crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) at Nissan dealers across Japan. The Dualis features an unprecedented vehicle body size and packaging combination with a definite European flavor. The car's dimensions approach those of a compact hatchback, while incorporating the spaciousness required of an SUV. As a result, the Dualis blends the outstanding dynamics and stability of an SUV with the agility and sportiness expected of a hatchback.
Development of the Dualis was led by Nissan's European design and engineering centers and targeted at the demanding driving conditions of the European market. Along with its powerful exterior design, the Dualis has been engineered with driving performance in mind. Characteristics including crisp, stable handling, steering and braking, set it apart from other SUVs available on the market today.
Together with the compact body size and efficient vehicle packaging comes a relaxing interior environment and large luggage area; a wealth of comfort features are provided to create a remarkably comfortable and enjoyable interior.
The Dualis cockpit gives the driver a sense of unity with the car and a feeling of focused control. The interior design provides the optimal space for each seating position, with a raised center console giving the driver's seat a sporty cockpit feeling while imparting a sense of relaxation to the front passenger's seat.
The seats provide a stable sitting posture, even during cornering, to allow for comfortable travel with minimal fatigue on long-distance trips and supple ride comfort on various road surfaces. Increased adjustment ranges of the driver's seat and steering wheel enable drivers of varying statures to enjoy the optimum driving position. The high sitting position characteristic of an SUV and the large windshield combine to ensure excellent outward visibility with a wide, unobstructed view.
The stylish glass roof adopts 6-mm-thick laminated privacy glass with an ultraviolet (UV) ray blocking capability, and the large opening gives the interior a bright, airy feeling.
Interior appointments include a combination meter cluster with a sporty, aluminum-looking panel, round ventilation ducts, a metallic finish shift knob, and a center console box with a highly refined design reminiscent of a sports car and fitted with an armrest. Dualis 20G and 20G FOUR models have a sliding armrest. The combination of soft pad material of the instrument panel and door trim with the metallic finish of the door grips gives the interior a look and feel of superior quality.
Utility is enhanced with a number of handy storage compartments, including a large-capacity glove box with a cooler, a console box and front and rear door pockets, among others.
The air conditioning system features dual-zone temperature controls enabling the driver and front passenger to set the temperature independently for more personalized comfort. A quick blower system is also provided to achieve a comfortable interior temperature quickly, without discharging air directly into passengers' faces. An automatic air conditioning system with dual-zone temperature controls is standard on the Dualis 20G and 20G FOUR.
Dualis also comes with Nissan's HDD-based CARWINGS navigation system, featuring a touch panel screen for easier operation. In addition to navigation functionality, the system incorporates improved entertainment functions with a music box and DVD audio/video playback. A Bluetooth hands-free interface is also available as a factory-installed option.
Nissan's Intelligent Key System with improved anti-theft functionality, including electric power steering system, engine immobilizer and other deterrents linked to the ID code stored in the key fob is also available (standard on the Dualis 20G and 20G FOUR).
Also available is a side-view monitor that reduces blind spots on the car's left front side to provide helpful visual support when positioning the car alongside curbs, parking or meeting oncoming traffic on narrow roads. Another available driving convenience feature is a rearview monitor that uses a small CCD camera to take a color image of the area behind the car for display on the navigation system monitor. Both monitors are offered in a set as a factory-installed option.
