Nissan cues its latest European Q-car, the Qazana. Qazana debuts at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.
What do automakers have for specific letters? Ford has traditionally loved names that begin with “F,” as in Flex, F-Series and Five Hundred. Toyota has its “C” cars, such as Camry and Corolla. In Europe, Nissan is becoming addicted to Qs, as in the Qashqai compact SUV that debuted at the Paris Motor show, in 2006, and went on sale shortly afterwards – with significant success.
This week, at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Nissan will cue up another “Q” car. Superstition? “Maybe,” said a source within Nissan Europe. “It clearly is a name that people think of immediately as a Nissan.” Whatever the reason, building on the success of the Qashqai, it’s now adding Qazana.
This global debut is important to Nissan, which hopes to underline its position as a pioneer in the field of crossovers. The Qazana not only builds on the tradition of the Qashqai, but also the Murano, of which the second generation is in production.
Sadly, all we can offer, until later this week is a teaser picture, but Nissan insists the Qazana concept has a striking design, dominated by large wheel arches and a lower, sportier stance than your typical crossover. Qazana is a five-door model, with rear doors opening forward after the front doors have been opened. (We promised not to call them “suicide doors,” but you can pick whatever name you choose.)
Nissan has been backing off on its auto show presence, abandoning the North American International Auto Show, in Detroit, earlier this year, and nearly pulling out of Chicago. This past week, executives announced they’ll make further cuts in their near-term show presence. But Geneva will nonetheless be a big event for the Japanese maker. We already showed our readers the Pixo city car, and the NV200 commercial van. Nissan better pack them in now, while it can.