Geneva motor show - Nissan

What's the big news?
Now Nissan really has Land Rover's new Freelander squarely in its sights - it's just revealed an all-new X-Trail 4x4 at the Geneva Motor Show.

The new X-Trail doesn't look radically different from its predecessor, retaining the boxy, rugged look of the outgoing model, but, built on the same platform as the Qashqai, the new X-Trail is 18cm longer, with most of the extra space going into the boot.

In the back, there's a flexible two-layer floor with a drawer compartment underneath - somewhere for outdoorsy types to put wet clothes, we're told. And when the rear seats are folded, there's now a totally flat floor. With the rear seats in place, the boot now has a 600-litre capacity.

Interior quality has been improved for the new model, with the centre controls now in front of the driver rather than in the centre of the dash. Bluetooth phone connection and air conditioned cup holders will be standard on all cars.

A new intelligent four-wheel drive system works to correct any signs of oversteer or understeer before the standard ESP system gets involved, and there's also hill descent control and hill hold systems fitted as standard.

There are four engines to choose from - two new 2.0-litre diesels with either 150bhp or 173bhp, a new 140bhp 2.0-litre petrol from the Qashqai and a 2.5-litre unit with 160bhp. Both petrol engines are available with Nissan's CVT gearbox, which is more economical and which results in lower carbon dioxide emissions than the equivalent manual. For the first time, a six speed automatic is also available with the lower-powered diesel.

Nissan claims the way the vehicle drives is one of the biggest improvements over the current model. We won't know until we get behind the wheel of the new car in May.

The new X-Trail will be in UK showrooms in September. Prices haven't been announced, but expect around them to rise by about £1000 over the current model.

Anything else?
Nissan has put more power into its already brawny 350Z. Oomph is now up to 309bhp from 296bhp, and revs are up, too, from 7000rpm to 7500rpm.

Just a new engine, then?
Not quite. It's the same engine as before, but Nissan says 80% of it has been changed. And to accommodate the unit, Nissan has had to restyle the bonnet. Check out our gallery to see the new 'bulge'.

The car is available in three new paint finishes - orange, grey and blue - and a new grey interior trim.

This 350Z also has active headrests to help minimise neck injury if your car is struck from the rear. The car will be on sale in the UK in May – expect an increase of around £1000 on the current model.

To see video footage of the Nissan stand, and more on the X-Trail, click here.