NISSAN has taken not just one but TWO category wins at the annual Auto Express Awards in London.
The all-new Nissan Qashqai 1.5 dCi Acenta Premium took the Best Crossover honour, while the brand’s suite of Safety Shield technologies came out on top in the Safety Award category.
The new Qashqai, launched earlier this year, was praised for its overall quality along with its extensive list of advanced technology and safety features. The winning vehicle – the Qashqai 1.5 dCi Acenta Premium – is the most efficient model in the range, emitting just 99g/km CO2 with a combined fuel consumption of 74.3mpg.
Furthermore, the judges from Britain’s biggest motoring weekly were impressed by the comprehensive protection offered by the collection of Safety Shield technologies and commended the way it had introduced premium-brand safety standards to the mass market.
Presenting both awards at the ceremony at the Connaught Rooms in London, Steve Fowler, the editor-in-chief of Auto Express, said: “The new Qashqai is an incredibly impressive car, taking all the best bits of the original model, but adding a new level of sheen to everything from the comfort to the quality. It makes tremendous sense as a family crossover with all the space, safety and kit you could want, while buying and running it won’t cost the earth.
“Nissan’s Safety Shield technologies bring a world of reassurance to today’s car buyers. Features that were previously the preserve of much more expensive cars have been made more accessible on a range of affordable cars, with some clever thinking and super-advanced gadgets.”
Jim Wright, Managing Director of Nissan Motor GB, said: “Winning both the Best Crossover and the Safety Award from Auto Express is a tremendous endorsement for the Nissan brand. When Nissan originally launched the Qashqai it quickly defined the crossover segment. The all-new Qashqai raises the bar further, setting a new standard of refinement, quality, practicality and, of course, safety in the crossover sector.”
Nissan’s innovative system of Safety Shield technologies – available on the Nissan Note, Juke, Qashqai, X-Trail and the forthcoming Pulsar – comprises a number of advanced technologies to set new standards for accident avoidance and protection for mainstream car buyers, namely Driver Attention Alert, Traffic Sign Recognition, Forward Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Moving Object Detection, and High Beam Assist.
