I sat in the next generation Xtrail today!! Yes really!

Sulphur man · Apr 27th, 2007, 02:22 PM

Today I took part in a market research project at Shepperton Studios here in the UK. Nissan, it seems, is researching the feasibility of a seven seat version of the Qashqai. There were all sorts of vehicles on display for comparison - including the new Xtrail!!

I could write a really long post about it, but I would probably miss things out. So how about asking me questions? This will focus my mind and I will remember things better. I can tell you two things to start off: The front wings are steel, and the steering wheel adjusts for reach as well as rake, so the driving position was pretty spot-on.

My overall impression of the car 'in the flesh' was positive. Quality was slightly improved over the current model, and it had a different smell as well (don't know how important that is?) The interior didn't seem any bigger than the current model, but the new load area was quite impressive - especially the double layer floor, now less slidey but still washable, and obviously slightly longer.

So how jealous are you on a scale of 1 to 10?

flynn · Apr 27th, 2007, 04:06 PM

You too?

I was there yesterday. http://www.nissanforums.com/x-trail/...ail-flesh.html

ERBell · Apr 27th, 2007, 04:39 PM

Are they using the same engine or is a V6 available? Not that it matters, I live in Canada but it would be nice to know.

aussietrail · Apr 27th, 2007, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ERBell

Are they using the same engine or is a V6 available? Not that it matters, I live in Canada but it would be nice to know.

The engine is still the same (refined QR25DE) but they have a new diesel engine that is being used for the first time. V6 is not available with the exy.

Sulphur man · Apr 27th, 2007, 05:03 PM

Well that's the story of my life... someone's always beating me to it!

Not surprising really - they are targeting XTrail owners. I counted about ten in the car park while I was there.

Note to self: read forum more often before posting news...

flynn · Apr 28th, 2007, 03:55 AM

What did you think of it Steve? I thought there was an improvement in quality all round and most of the tacky bits that annoy me on mine seem to have been dealt with. Got the impression the carpets were better but forgot to really look. Boot was bigger but seemed to be less headroom for rear passengers; I definitely wouldn't want to travel in the back. I'd guess some people would find a use for the underfloor drawer but for me it would just be something else to store in the shed.

And what did you think of the project car? I wasn't very complimentary. Thought it was way too small to stuff 7 people in which would leave no boot room. Didn't fit the bill either as an MPV or SUV. Gave me visions of some poor sod with five screaming kids crammed in the back being sick.

Interesting that you called it a seven seater Qashqai because they insisted to me that it wasn't even though it looked very like it.

Did you do the extended interview at the end?

uk_owner · May 3rd, 2007, 05:44 AM

How did you guys here about this? I can't believe that I missed it. I work only five minutes down the road from Shepperton Studios!! GUTTED!!!

flynn · May 3rd, 2007, 02:23 PM

They just phoned. I thought it was one of those time-share scams at first. The ones where they offer a free micro-wave or "a diamond pendant worth £200" to attend a presentation.

It was like an Xtrail rally. Must have been 20 Xts in the car-park.