In October 2009 Nissan introduced a limited-edition Qashqai trim pack called n-tec that added an extra touch of class to its million-seller crossover - now it's done the same for the current version.
The second-generation Qashqai n-tec will be available in three variants: a 1.6-litre Acenta or a two-litre Acenta, both petrol-fed; the two-litre version will come with or without a glass roof.
The 1.6 version has new roof rails, and all three models run on special 18” black alloy rims, with leather upholstery as standard and new finishes in key areas for an upmarket feel.
The instrument panel has also been revised, with a new, clearer TFT display between the main dials showing instantaneous and average fuel consumption, odometer, time, cruise control and speed limiter settings.
New, low-level interior lighting makes you feel welcome as you get in while new door seals (as well as an “acoustic glass” windshield) reduce wind noise from the front of the glassed area.
The 2011-spec 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engine delivers a claimed 81kW at 6000rpm and 154Nm at 4400rpm to the front wheels via five-speed manual gearbox, at a cost of 7.1 litres/100km
The ECU of the two-litre engine has been tweaked to improve torque - now 198Nm at 4400rpm - with power still quoted at 102kW at 5200rpm, burning an average of 8.1 litres/100km with the standard six-speed manual gearbox.
Two-litre versions also come with traction control and vehicle dynamic control.
Only 648 n-tec Qashqais will be available in South Africa, spread across the three variants but, says Nissan's Nancy Reddy, you won't be paying limited-edition prices.
The n-tec models only cost R7000-R10 700 more than their vanilla stablemates, she points out, whereas if you bought a plain Qashqai and specified all the n-tec trim as options it would cost between R12 000 and R15 000 extra, depending on the model.
PRICES
1.6 Acenta n-tec - R259 900
2.0 Acenta n-tec - R293 900
2.0 Acenta n-tec with glass roof - R299 900