Nissan QASHQAI 2.0 dCi got 'Best SUV' award

Recently introduced Nissan QASHQAI 2.0 dCi equipped with ALL-MODE transmission has just received its first award. The editorial staff of the British "What Diesel Car?" magazine has granted the small crossover SUV the 'Best SUV' award praising the vehicle's "lovely drive", capability and good look.



The magazine considered the Nissan QASHQAI 2.0dCi the best option in the whole range taking into account its decent mileage (which is up to 40.9 mpg) and low CO₂ emissions of just 184g/km "when fitted with manual transmission and in 4WD configuration."



The diesel engine produces up to 150hp @ 4,000 rpm and generous 320Nm of torque peaking at 2,000 rpm.





See also: 2008 Nissan Pathfinder starts at $25,700

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2008 Nissan Pathfinder starts at $25,700

Nissan North America has just begun selling its 2008 Nissan Pathfinder full-size SUV. Offered in six trims, the refreshed SUV is for the first time available with new 5.6-liter V8 engine, capable of producing up to 310 hp and impressive 388 lb-ft of torque. The standard model features less potent 266 horsepower and 288 lb-ft torque 4.0-liter V6, though.




All models except for the top one are available with a standard five-speed automatic with a choice of either 4x2 or 4x4 drive.

The least expensive 2008 Nissan Pathfinder S comes at MSRP $25,700 and features 4x2 drive, standard V6 engine and you will have to through in additional couple of grands to upgrade it to the full-wheel-drive.



The mid-range 2008 Nissan Pathfinder SE trim is also available in either front- or full-wheel-drive and costs $30,600 or $32,850 respectively. These vehicles are shipped with the already both V6 and V8 engines, and feature new chrome applique for body side moldings, a RearView camera and a new rear lift gate with power cinch feature.



The top of the line 2008 Nissan Pathfinder LE starts at $33,900 and is available only in full-wheel-drive.




See also: Nissan Pathfinder scored well in EuroNCAP tests

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2008 Nissan Armada will start at $35,250

Nissan has eventually announced prices for its facelifted Nissan Armada full-size SUV. The huge vehicle, which shares its body-on-frame platform with the Nissan Titan pickup truck (also recently updated), will be offered in eight models, featuring only one 5.6-liter, 317hp Endurance V8 engine mated with a five-speed automatic gearbox.



The cheapest 2008 Nissan Armada will be offered as the 4x2 SE model, which will start at comparatively low $35,250 price and the 4x4 SE that starts at $38,050. More upscale Nissan Armada 4x2 LE and 4x4 LE will set you back at $41,750 and $44,550 respectively.



For the additional money you'll get a Michelin tire package, power folding 60/40 3rd row seat, heated steering wheel, Intelligent Key with twist start, enhanced Bose sound system with 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive and 3rd row speakers and amplifier, and this sort of stuff.



All Nissan Armadas may also be ordered with an E85 FFV (Flexible Fuel Vehicle) engine at no additional costs.

See also: Nissan Pathfinder scored well in EuroNCAP tests

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Nissan Pathfinder scored well in EuroNCAP tests

In its recently unveiled study, European New Car Assessment Program (Euro NCAP) has proven Nissan Pathfinder full-size SUV to be one of the safest sports utility vehicles in the market.



EuroNCAP tests new cars in three categories: front impact, side impact and pedestrian impact. The Pathfinder scored well in all three categories getting 32 points while the average score for the category is 28 points.



The new Nissan Pathfinder got 12 points in front impact test, 18 points in side crash test and got additional 2 points thanks to its front seat belts reminder system, achieving overall four-stars rating for adult occupant protection. Only the new Audi Q7 SUV seems to better than the Pathfinder getting four, four and two stars respectively.



In child occupant and pedestrian protection tests Nissan Pathfinder was not that good, taking three and two stars respectively, because in the frontal test, the chests of both the 1½ and the 3 year old dummies were subjected to high decelerations and there is no pedestrian protection offered by the vehicle's leading edge of the bonnet.

Photos: Nissan

See also: Nissan Pathfinder by Marc Ecko: Urban Warfare style

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Nissan Pathfinder by Marc Ecko: Urban Warfare style

At a special event held at New York's Splashlight Studios, Nissan and Marc Ecko have jointly unveiled a pair of their new babies: the Nissan Pathfinder and Nissan Armada SUVs customized by Marc Ecko fashion brand.

The Nissan Pathfinder by Marc Ecko has received a glossy urban warfare black-and- gray camouflage paint job with highly-contrasting orange-painted alloy rims. Inside, there is also an orange-painted center console and seamless black leather upholstery and molded wood backs.

Frankly speaking, I do not really dig sport utility vehicles treated by different sorts of fashion houses and French couturiers of questionable gender self-identification. I mean, an SUV is like a tank: it is supposed to crawl from point "A" to point "B", get the job done and return its crew back home safely. A tank is not supposed to make any sort of personal statement. And so is SUV, its utilitarian nature makes all these "personalization" efforts look stupid and lame.

See also: Mitsubishi Outlander gives birth to the Citroen C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007

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