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’Groat’s on the northern tip of Scotland without once stopping to refuel. The drivers, who set off at 6 am on 25 September, 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 £193 (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. Speed limits were adhered to on minor roads and a cruising speed of approximately 60 mph (96 km/h) was used on motorways. Just like during normal customer usage, the test-drivers used cruise control, headlights and air-conditioning when required.

During the run, the QASHQAI averaged 111 g/km of CO₂, compared with the quoted brochure figure of 145 g/km. To offset the CO₂ emitted, NTCE plans to contribute to a carbon neutral tree planting scheme.

The economy run is part of NTCE’s efforts to raise awareness about fuel-efficient driving under the company’s mid-term environmental plan Nissan Green Program 2010. The plan, which was unveiled in December 2006, is aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions from Nissan’s products and activities around the world, as well as reducing other exhaust emissions and increasing recycling.

The Europe designed and built QASHQAI went on sale in early 2007 in Europe and has since sold more than 70,000 units. The car is also available in Japan where it is sold as Dualis.

In May, the car was awarded the maximum five-star rating for adult occupant protection from the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), with the highest ever recorded score for any vehicle.

NOTE: Amount in pounds is translated for the convenience of the reader only at the foreign exchange rate of 1 pound =1.44 euros.