The Nissan people in Sunderland are happily saying their first generation Qashqai was the car that changed the game, writes Brian Byrne. And they're probably right.
When it was first launched seven years ago, the compact crossover had no real competitors, now it has around 14 in the game it began. And with two million sold around the world, there's a big buyer base hungry for the next one.
Well, the next one is here, and we've driven it today from the factory on the chilly north-east edge of England which a year ago became the first car factory in the UK to achieve 500,000 units output in a 12 months period.
It raises the stakes. Considerably. With carefully found extra space, a little more length and width, a longer wheelbase and a seriously more sexy look, it can't not be another winner for Nissan, and Sunderland.
The style retains the SUV characteristics that were in no small way responsible for the early success that caught the maker seriously by surprise. There's a lot more presence now, especially up front, while the rear treatment is also much more distinctive.
The inside quality feel is a big bounce upwards too, and Qashqai is now a challenger for premium compact SUV status, especially in the SV grade which the local distributor reckons will be the most popular variant.
The extra width doesn't just translate into more elbow room, but for considerably more storage space between the front seats. And, of course, to more comfort for the rear seat occupants.
A mix of driving through the Dales west of the factory, followed by a faster run down the A1 and then cross country to Leeds/Bradford showed a car that has hit a high score on the refinement scale, especially in quietness on the road.
The 1.5 diesel under the large hood is also the one that will sell most in Ireland, though there is a new 1.2 petrol four with turbo that is already being tapped by customers whose needs are not diesel. The Irish distributor believes the 14 percent petrol in the outgoing car will change to 25 percent with the new one.
Though larger, it's lighter too. And there's a lot of extra tech both as standard and available in the three 'packs' that are part of the option list.
Starting price for the range is €24,495. The 'walk' to the diesel is €1,900. There are currently 20,000 Qashqai owners out there in Ireland. That rumbling sound you hear is them stampeding to the dealership network.
