Nissan QASHQAI Travels Length of UK on a Tank of Fuel

CRANFIELD, England - How far can the average customer drive a Nissan QASHQAI on one tank of fuel? The entire length of the UK and more if they drive economically.

Seven test drivers from the Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) in Cranfield, Bedfordshire, proved this recently when they took turns piloting a 1.5dCi QASHQAI from Land's End on the southwest coast of England to John O'Groats on the northern tip of Scotland without once stopping to refuel. The drivers, who set off at 6 am on Sept. 25, averaged 67.35 mpg (4.2 l/100 km) on the 867 mile (1,387 km) run - a common route for UK endurance and economy tests. To their delight, there was still another seven litres of fuel left in the tank when they crossed the finish line at 17:30 the next day, enough to cover a further 110 miles (176 km).

The 67.35 mpg achieved on the trip is equivalent to a 29% saving over the quoted brochure figure of 52.3 mpg (combined urban and extra urban driving average). If a customer travels 10,000 miles (16,000 km) per year, the saving would equate to GBP193 (278 euros) per year, based on current UK fuel prices.

To make sure that the average customer would be able to replicate NTCE's economy run, the team used a standard QASHQAI production model. Speeds limits were adhered to on minor roads and a cruising speed of approximately 60 mph (96 kph) was used on motorways. Just like during normal customer usage, the test-drivers used cruise control, headlights and air-conditioning when required.