The Driver - Spring 2017 TheDriver_Spring_2017_v4_singles | Page 16

AUTO SHOW ROUND-UP
DETROIT–MONTREAL–TORONTO–GENEVA
2017 Nissan Qashqai
DETROIT
T
he North American International
Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit
provided more substance than
flair. Nissan showed off its Vmotion
2.0 Concept bringing some glitz to
the party, but it was its new Qashqai
nameplate that brought the buzz.
The Qashqai name – to be called
Rogue Sport in the U.S. – isn’t new
globally, and has been selling quite well
since its inception in 2007. In Europe, it
has become one of the best-selling SUV/
Crossover vehicles, and Nissan Canada
hopes it will do the same in its region,
at a time when compact crossover sales
are at an all-time high.
“We’re convinced it will be a game
changer in the compact segment,”
explains Christian Meunier, Senior Vice
President, Nissan Sales & Marketing and
Operations, Nissan North America and
Chairman of Nissan Canada.
The Qashqai slots in between the Juke
and Rogue with an elevated hatchback
style. It shares the same platform as
the Rogue, but it sits 2.3-inches shorter
in wheelbase and 12.1-inches shorter in
overall length with a maximum cargo
capacity of 1,730 litres.
2018 Toyota Camry
DETROIT
T
oyota has a lot to be proud of in
its Camry. It not only is the best-
selling mid-size sedan in Canada
for 2016, it’s been the best-selling
passenger car in the United States for
15 consecutive years. So, there was no
better venue for Toyota to reveal its all-
new, eighth-generation 2018
Camry than at NAIAS.
The new sedan starts
from a clean slate with a
more dynamic, athletic
and wide stance stemming
from its new Toyota’s New
Global Architecture (TNGA)
platform. The Camry grows
in wheelbase by 2-inches, while its hood
gets reduced by 1.6-inches for that lower
“The Qashqai name – to be
called Rogue Sport in the U.S. –
has been selling quite well
since its inception in 2007.”
Powering the engine is a single
offering: a 2.0-litre inline-four that
produces 141 hp and 147 lb.-ft. of torque
matched to either a six-speed manual
transmission (only available in Canada
and on the base trim) or Nissan’s
signature Xtronic continuously variable
transmission. Front-wheel-drive is
standard and all-wheel-drive is available.
The Qashqai has been Canadianized
with standard heated front seats, as well
as options for a heated steering wheel
and remote control start functions.
Pricing will be revealed closer to
its on-sale date, expected to be
occurring shortly this Spring.
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THE DRIVER
seating position. The lowered look adds
a more athletic stance to a car that
needed a little more punch.
Three engines are offered: a new
2.5-litre inline-four, an upgraded
3.5-litre V-6, and a hybrid that uses the
aforementioned 2.5-litre along with its
electrified system. The two gas versions
will be matched to a new eight-speed
automatic transmission; while the hybrid
gets connected to a continuously variable
transmission that has a Sport Mode for
quicker gear shifting when needed.
Power numbers have not been
revealed, but we do know that the
2.5-litre will use variable valve timing,
and have higher horsepower and torque
numbers than its previous iteration. In
addition, Toyota has claimed that this
new engine will offer best-in-class fuel
economy.