New Qashqai lights up modern art centre
- Vehicles, concept designs and films go on display at BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art
- Gateshead Millennium Bridge to be illuminated in Nissan's signature red
Sunderland, January 14, 2014: The striking design behind the new generation Nissan Qashqai will be the subject of a unique event in one of Europe's leading contemporary art galleries.
The powerful curves, clean lines and intricate detail of the all new Crossover icon will be at the centre of a four-day Nissan Innovation and Excitement Event at Gateshead's BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, starting this Saturday, January 18.
Featuring rare concept images, a Qashqai showreel cinema and the new Qashqai itself, the event will preview a ceremony at the plant on January 22 to mark the vehicle's launch.
Visitors on Saturday will also be able to speak informally with Nissan's recruitment team about existing vacancies at the company, with experienced maintenance professionals for both the vehicle and battery plants the focus of current recruitment activities.
The event will also host staff from the Benfield Nissan dealership, who will create Newcastle and Gateshead's first city centre car showroom against the iconic backdrop of the bridges of the River Tyne.
Finally, the world-famous Gateshead Millennium Bridge will be illuminated in the Nissan brand's signature red throughout the event, providing a signpost as visitors approach BALTIC.
Nissan's Vice President for Manufacturing in the UK, Kevin Fitzpatrick, said: "Nissan has created the next generation Crossover by redesigning Qashqai from the ground-up. We think it's fitting to celebrate that design in one of Europe's leading modern art galleries.
"The event will showcase the role of our design and technical centres in developing this innovative new model, as we move into full production at our Sunderland plant.
"At the same time we would like to invite anyone interested in working for Nissan to meet with members of our team, and give customers the chance to buy their next Nissan."
On display around the vehicles at BALTIC will be a range of concept images which have led to the new Qashqai's bold design, highlighting the development of the vehicle at Nissan's Design Centre in London and Technical Centre in Cranfield, Bedfordshire.
Production of the new vehicle at Nissan Sunderland Plant was announced in 2011 following the soaraway success of the first generation Qashqai, which is the highest volume car made in Britain and has helped Nissan to become to biggest UK carmaker of all time, with plant production recently passing one million vehicles in two years.
Details of all current vacancies at Nissan can be found at the website www.careersatnissan.co.uk
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
INTERVIEW, FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY OPPORTUNITIES WILL BE AVAILABLE TO MEDIA FROM THE MORNING OF SATURDAY, JANUARY 18TH
ABOUT THE NEW NISSAN QASHQAI
Premium technology, second generation crossover design and enhanced dynamics all combine to form the backbone of the new Nissan Qashqai.
The striking new Qashqai is 47mm longer than the current model and fractionally lower and wider, giving it a sleek, poised stance while maintaining the crossover style, compact dimensions and raised driving position. Distinctive features - including a clamshell-style bonnet - lend a premium appearance while retaining the Qashqai's strong visual DNA.
As with any new Nissan, the Qashqai is packed full of innovative technology. It offers drivers a comprehensive suite of advanced technology features enhancing every aspect of driving. Nissan's Safety Shield technologies now incorporate Forward Emergency Braking, Driver Attention Alert and Traffic Sign Recognition along with several other vital driver aids, while Intelligent Park Assist takes the stress out of urban manoeuvres. The new Qashqai is designed to make premium technology more accessible than ever.
The innovation continues with the new Qashqai's powertrain range, which is wider and more efficient than ever. Every engine uses a turbocharger to reduce capacity, emissions and fuel consumption while maintaining excellent performance with class-leading CO2 emissions - from only 99g/km. Efficiency is further enhanced by an extensive mass reduction programme, resulting in 40kg weight loss on some models despite the extensive addition of new equipment.
While front-wheel-drive variants will account for the majority of sales in most markets, four-wheel drive ALL-MODE 4x4-i versions will also be available to match a choice of six-speed manual or all new Xtronic transmissions.
Inside, a dramatic rise in material and design quality adds significant interior appeal to the Qashqai package. Versatility also remains a core crossover attribute; Nissan's engineers have devised innovative ways to make the new Qashqai fit into drivers' lives. Delivering greater occupant space and a larger luggage capacity enhanced by a variable floor system, the new Qashqai even offers space to store the parcel shelf when not in use.
ABOUT NISSAN IN THE UK
More than one in three cars built in the UK is a Nissan, which has been Britain's biggest car producer since 1998. More then £3.5bn has been invested in Nissan's world-renowned Sunderland Plant, which started production in 1986 and now exports 80% of production to more than 130 markets.
Other UK operations include Nissan's European Design Centre in Paddington, London, Nissan's Technical Centre in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, and Nissan's UK Sales and Marketing headquarters in
Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. Through these sites and in UK dealerships Nissan currently employs 11,000 people in Britain, supporting a further 24,000 jobs in UK suppliers.
Current production at Nissan Sunderland Plant includes the Nissan Qashqai, the 100% electric Nissan LEAF, the Nissan Note, Nissan Juke and Juke NISMO.
Also announced for future production at the plant is a new premium compact model, the Q30, under the Infiniti brand.
ABOUT NISSAN MOTOR CO.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with approximately 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.
For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Paul James, Nissan Sunderland Plant Communications
Phone: +44 191 418 4197
Mob: +44 7814 851943
Email: paul.james@nissan-nmuk.co.uk
Katherine Zachary, Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Phone: +41(0)218225128
Mobile: +41(0)797018516
Email: KZachary@nissan-europe.com