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By
EWAN KENNEDY
12 March 2006
Nissan used the Melbourne Motor Show to unveil plans for a couple
of future models, one from Britain, the other from Japan.
Dualis is the name being given to a vehicle that’s a
crossover between a family hatchback and a compact 4WD, the name
signifying its dual-purpose nature. Dualis doesn’t quite roll
off the tongue with any ease, but is certainly an improvement over
the odd tag of Qashqai that will be used on other world markets.
Featuring styling that’s attractive without really breaking
any new grounds, the Dualis will be powered by a 2.0-litre engine
with 103 kW and 200 Nm, the latter number being 100 Newton metres
per litre and suggesting a highly efficient powerplant.
Transmissions will be a six-speed manual or a CVT auto, the
latter with pre-selected ratios that can be operated manually
should the driver so wish. Nissan is pushing strongly in
continuously variable transmissions at present, having them in the
Murano and Maxima and impressing drivers with their seamless
operation.
Though not aimed at the purist 4WD buyer, Dualis will use
Nissan's respected All-mode transmission so should have good
traction on slippery surfaces. It features higher than average
ground clearance for a hatchback, but it isn’t as great as for a
‘real’ 4WD.
We have had a good look over the Dualis at the Melbourne show
and came away impressed with its build quality and good interior
space.
Dualis is built in the Nissan plant in Sunderland in the UK. No
firm date for its launch has been made public, all that Nissan
will tell us is that Dualis will be in Australia, "late this
year".
Nissan Micra is far from being a newcomer, having been a
familiar sight on European and Japanese roads for several years
now. A stylish little car, just look at the way those headlights
sit atop the front guards and at the cute rear end, Micra has been
a real trendsetter since its launch.
A small car powered by a 1.4-litre, four-cylinder engine, Micra
will be chiefly aimed at city and suburban buyers, though it
should prove capable of coping in the country as well.
Micra features a reasonably spacious interior, though
impressive as the rear seat space is for a car in this class, some
of the room seems to have been gained by restricting front seat
movement.
Micra won’t be a complete newcomer to Australia. A previous
generation was sold here during the mid to late 1990s. It
impressed buyers with its build quality and the driving enjoyment
it provided, but turned them off with its high price. We assume
Nissan Australia has learnt its lesson on the latter.
Previously, the Nissan Micra came to us from the UK, this time
around it’s to be sourced from the Japanese factory. Like the
Dualis, Micra is slated for an Australian debut late in 2007.
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Marque Publishing Company
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