Nissan Qashqai Replaces 2.0 dCi With 130 HP 1.6 dCi Engine

Here’s another chapter from the book of ‘miracles’ achieved by downsizing the engines in cars people actually want to buy. Nissan has announced that a new and more efficient 1.6-liter turbo diesel engine is taking the place of the 2.0-liter diesel. This means that models sold across Europe will be cheaper to run (theoretically) but also about 20 horsepower less poky when you step on the right pedal. The changes cover both the regular Qashqai and the seven-seater Qashqai+2.

The 1.6-liter diesel is a good idea in theory, as most European carmekers have it in their range, but we can’t get away from the disappointment that both the Qashqai and Renault models like the Grand Scenic (which also got a 130 hp 1.6-liter) need big engines to pull them along in comfort and a touch of refinement.

Getting back to the actual figures, the 1.6-liter provides 130-horsepower and 320Nm (236 lb-ft) of torque from 2,000 rpm. The 2.0-liter it replaces put out 150HP but the same amount of torque.

If you take power out of the equation, the 6.29 second acceleration between 30 to 50mph (50-80km/h) is actually dealt with faster, so they might be onto something with this one.

On the combined European test cycle, the Qashqai 1.6 dCi returns figures of 4.9 liters per 100 km (57.7mpg UK), an improvement of 1.0 liters (9.8mpg UK) over the 2.0 dCi. In the case of the 2WD manual model this is paired with CO2 emissions of 129g/km.

"This is a remarkable engine, best in class in so many respects. It provides the dynamic driving performance which matches that of the outgoing 2.0-liter dCi yet produces fuel consumption and emission figures equal to or better than our existing 1.5-liter dCi unit," said Paul Willcox, Senior Vice President, Nissan Europe.