FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
28 May 2004
Nissan Concept wins Design Award
Nissan’s latest Concept car, the Qashqai, has won a prestigious award at this year’s Sunday Times Motor Show Live at the NEC, Birmingham. It made it to the top of the judges’ list in the best Concept/Prototype category of the Institute of Vehicle Engineers (IVehE) Motor Show awards. The Qashqai was first exhibited at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year.
A number of expert automotive engineers and designers, all members of the Institute of Vehicle Engineers, were chosen to study and inspect new cars and concept vehicles on display at the British Motor Show. A stringent scoring system was used as the panel of judges worked their way through the different categories.
James Walker, Executive Director of the IVehE, said: “The Nissan Qashqai was picked out for its high quality of design and execution. This vehicle has lots of innovative features with an excellent load carrying capacity, aided by an outstanding seat configuration, which when folded up vertically gives exceptional accessibility to a well-designed interior.
He added: “The Qashqai is an excellent example of a modern lifestyle car, sophisticated for city life and adaptable for rural sporting use, with the ability to carry sports equipment from bicycles to surfboards.”
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The leading judge of the Concept Category, Brian Horner, Chief Executive of Visioneering UK Limited, said of the Qashqai: “The vehicle is beautifully built. It could easily be developed for economic production.
“This is a truly excellent concept vehicle.”
The designers of the Qashqai were delighted at the news of this award. Makoto Yamane, Studio Chief Designer, said: "Winning this award is a great start to Nissan Design Europe's performance. I feel that the Qashqai project captures the vibrant flavour of our new studio surroundings in London and the international team which worked on the car.”
He continued: “The Qashqai is a unique concept giving dual role in design and execution offering a mix of urban qualities with off-road toughness, a sign that Nissan is exploring new market segments.
“Everyone at Nissan is extremely proud to receive this award.”
And Mat Weaver, Senior Designer at NDE, said: “Designing a concept car is very often a case of burning the midnight oil, so as the fruit of our hard work I'm honoured that the Qashqai has been recognised and awarded by the Institute of Vehicle Engineers. This concept is the first work from our new London design studio to be seen and with this fantastic start I'm looking forward to what we can offer in the future. Qashqai as a vehicle offers a look which is unique in its solid yet very agile appearance both inside and out.”
He added, “I feel it's a car you can see yourself in, which for a concept car is not often the case, but it goes some way in proving that we are trying to bring the future closer to today."
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The Qashqai combines coupé-like styling with the stance and authority of an off-road vehicle. The concept has four-wheel drive and ground clearance closer to that of a typical off-road vehicle, yet retains the looks, feel and driveability of a sporting hatchback.
Qashqai has a number of special features. The front doors open conventionally but the back doors are rear hinged and there is no central ‘B’ pillar. As a result, access to and from the passenger compartment is exceptionally easy.
A unique seating arrangement sees all four individual seats attached to a central backbone chassis rail. The seats can be folded upright, flush with the central rail, which leaves enough space for a bicycle to be stored easily inside the cabin without it having to be dismantled first.
A boot area behind the rear seats houses a safe for valuables and is approached via a split tailgate. Another thoughtful touch makes access to the luggage area from outside as simple as possible: the lower portion of the tailgate slides away underneath the body of the car when opened.
Ends…
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Lisa Yates Press Officer 01923 899937
Email: lisa.yates@nissan.co.uk
Linda Robinson Press Relations Manager 01923 899932
Email: linda.robinson@nissan.co.uk
James Walker
Executive Director, Institute of Vehicle Engineers 0121 778 4354
Email: james@ivehe.org
All news releases and pictures can be downloaded from the Newspress website at www.newspress.co.uk
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