Contents Show
Does Nissan have an all-wheel drive history? Oh yes, because there is the Patrol, which from the 50s blossomed from an oversized Jeep copy to a charismatic off-road vehicle and was particularly successful in Germany with its thick six-cylinder engines in the pre-SUV era. Now in the 21st century, 4 × 4 no longer stands for rough off-roaders, but for supple softroaders, and the Japanese also have a suitable answer: Juke, Qashqai, X-Trail and Murano successfully ride on the SUV wave, The Nissan Snow Experience in St. Moritz is to prove that these all-wheel drive vehicles can also convince on wintry terrain. But there were a few problems.
On the one hand, winter in Europe does not really want to ignite at an altitude of almost 2.000 meters. On the white slopes of the fashionable ski resort, a terrifying amount of green spots flash through and even in the valley, a break in heat has turned a laboriously maintained playground for cars into snow into a mirror-like ice rink.
On the other hand, it was very difficult to be in a team with Sebastian Bauer from in just under 120 minutes passion: driving collect usable impressions on four different vehicles. Therefore on autohub.de a summary, with the emphasis on "short":
Nissan Juke 1.6 DIG-T ALL MODE 4x4i:
The Juke wasn't just in mid-2014 revised, but surprising in this Nissan internal all-wheel comparison with an unusual motor-gear pairing: Because only a 25.290 euro 1,6l turbo petrol engine is available as an all-wheel model in combination with a continuously variable CVT transmission. Diesel or manual transmission? None. Unfortunately, this combination seems a bit overwhelmed in the icy conditions. Firstly, because the Juke does not have a mechanical differential for distributing power to all four wheels, but rather a space-saving technology package on the rear axle, which distributes the engine power arriving from the cardan shaft to the two wheels via a torque vectoring system with two clutch packages. If you then activate the permanent 50:50 all-wheel drive at the push of a button and deactivate the ESP in order to have some fun on the smooth surface, an unpleasant smell creeps into your nose relatively quickly, since the clutches reach the limits of their performance in the battle with the yaw angle , The second reason is the CVT transmission, which only lets the 190hp engine frantically roar without really efficiently passing on the power. The weaknesses of the all-wheel drive system cannot even be compensated for by the right foot, since a targeted gas surge arrives too late as an impulse on the wheels. The fun factor of the Juke on ice is close to zero, but that doesn't make it a bad car. However, he would rather just be an extroverted compact SUV that safely takes its occupants from A to B. However, everyone has to decide for themselves whether a 3.000 surcharge is necessary for an all-wheel drive.
Nissan Qashqai 1.6 dCi ALL MODE 4x4i
The first Qashqai was a surprise success that Nissan had not expected when it was launched in 2007. But the compact SUV hit the nerve of the times and found around two million buyers worldwide. The second generation has been with dealers since the beginning of 2014 and continues exactly where the old one left off: as a practical vehicle in the B segment with a neat appearance. Found as a pure front-wheel drive the new Qashqai is very popular with us. If you also want a powered rear axle, you have to increase your budget by 2.000 euros and start at at least 29.500 euros. But there is a catch: the optional four driven wheels are only available in combination with a 130hp diesel and manual transmission. Petrol or automatic? None. But based on our experience with the continuously variable automatic transmission in the Juke, which is also offered for the front-wheel drive Qashqai, this is not necessarily a disadvantage. And that's right: the small 1,6l oil engine pushes its 320 Nm surprisingly powerfully into the ice via the four wheels. If you also deactivate the ESP and activate the “Lock” mode, you actually have something like driving fun, because with a little intention the rear of the five-door car can now also wedge out. Unfortunately, the central multi-plate clutch only distributes the power evenly to both axles up to 45 km/h. Above this speed, the system switches back to variable force distribution. The same applies here: the Qashqai doesn't want to be a source of joy, but rather a pleasant, inconspicuous crossover for the family.
Nissan X-Trail 1.6 dCi ALL MODE 4x4i
"The Qashqai + 2 is dead, long live the X-Trail", because with the second generation Qashqai the variant with the +2 seats died, but the seven-seater seat was not canceled without replacement. It's just called X-Trail. Already like its predecessor, the X-Trail shares its base with the Qashqai, only that 3rd generation X-Trail its boxy look lost and changed to eye pleaser. The X-Trail is 26 centimeters longer, 12 centimeters higher and 2 centimeters wider than its gene donor. With a curb weight of 1.655kg, this is 120kg more or at least € 31.750 surcharge at € 2.250 compared to a similarly equipped Qashqai. Accordingly, the load moves a little more slowly and the four-cylinder turbodiesel is noticeably harder. Does anyone still ask about driving fun? No. People prefer to look forward to the extensive safety equipment with emergency braking and lane keeping assist as well as traffic sign recognition and the appealing ergonomics even for tall people. A crossover for people who need a little more space.
Nissan Murano
Yes, it is said that traveling Muranos have actually been sighted in Germany. But they are rare. Very rarely, because he can against them German premium SUV league named X5, ML and Touareg despite its fine V6 petrol engine (we already tested the alternative diesel offered in early 2013) do not stink. Design, material appearance and chassis are too much designed for the Murano's core market: the USA. Accordingly, the Murano, which has been available since 2008, moves across the ice rather slowly. The pleasantly whispering 3,5l engine weighs heavily on the front axle and reinforces the innate tendency to understeer. The standard CVT transmission then gives the 1,9 tonner the rest. Should the at least 48.950 Euro expensive Murano with standard all-wheel drive push off the track, only one thing helps: apply the brakes, wait until it comes to a standstill and then start again at a leisurely pace. No stress. It almost seems as if Nissan only brought the Murano, which is at the end of its life cycle, to St. Moritz with due respect.
Nissan GT-R
Stop! Wasn't the car mentioned in the introduction? Right, and yet he stood there. The candy after the whole crossover slip. The fixed star of the entire Nissan model range. Yes, that's how ice ballet works. Powerful 550hp front, gearbox rear. The all-wheel drive system regulates the power distribution finely via its differentials. The downer: the fun does not start here at less than 96.400 euros. And worse. Before you have really shot at the Japanese sports car icon, you are warned to change your car again. Yes, we do not have time and therefore point to our extensive Nissan GT-R driving report on a dry surface.
And finally ...
Who wants to cross country with crossover vehicles? None really. Therefore, the optional all-wheel drive is actually only a cost driver in terms of purchase and consumption. Modern ESP and good (winter) tires don't get us far any less these days and one or the other snowy winter day is actually no longer a reason to buy, because at the latest when braking, all drive concepts are the same again. Our ideal partner in this quartet? The Quashqai, but then without all-wheel drive, without diesel and without automatic. But just as hand-operated petrol engine.
Link tips:
All photos: Axel Griesinger