Seven-seat Nissan SUV confirmed
* Five- or seven-seat choice for the new X-Trail
* Production car very similar to Hi-Cross concept car
The Nissan Qashqai+2 will be discontinued and replaced with a seven-seat configuration in the new X-Trail, the company's UK managing director, Jim Wright, has told What Car?.
Despite the Qashqai+2 selling well, the decision was made to offer the extra seats in a larger car to improve comfort and versatility.
The new Qashqai will maintain its existing position and pricing strategy in the segment, but it's promised to be a better place to sit, with more high-quality elements in the cabin.
Meanwhile, the new X-Trail will sit above the Qashqai and be available with a choice of either five- or seven-seat configurations. The styling has been heavily reworked to distance the car from its 'towcar' reputation.
Mr Wright said the new X-Trail is 'very close' to the Hi-Cross concept car shown at last year's Geneva motor show.'
The curvier design and plusher cabin will pitch the new X-Trail as a rival to the likes of the Audi Q5. The production car will be revealed at the Frankfurt motor show later this year.
