THE KNOWLEDGE
WITH ANDREW HOOKER
NOMADS FROM SUNDERLAND
Last month I mentioned the forecast increase in higher grade materials on vehicles
this year, along with the increase we can expect to see of driver assistance
technologies.
January saw the launch of a new generation of one of the
most popular cars in the UK, the Nissan Qashqai – a crossover
model that 45,000 of us bought new in the UK in 2012. Nissan in
Sunderland, which has so far built more than 1.7 million Qashqai
models, will continue to build the new Qashqai – alongside the
Note, the Juke and the LEAF electric vehicle – with 80% of these
vehicles being exported around the world.
It would be a mistake to simply suggest that the Qashqai is built
on the common module family (CMF) platform or floorpan. The
CMF architecture, together with the Nissan alliance integrated
manufacturing system (AIMS) is far more than just a platform.
It is a system which enables better consistency and sharing of
components and production capacity
across the Nissan and
Renault range of
vehicles.
into line between Renault and Nissan models too. So where
you would previously have operated the headlamp functions in
one order for a Nissan, and another for a Renault, in the future
they will be the same. This all enables better commonality of
components, a reduction in purchasing costs and, ultimately, less
stock holding at the factory.
Technology
The Qashqai is the latest of many vehicles to feature camera
and radar technology as part of a driver assistance system – in
this case, as part of Nissan Safety Shield. This includes the radar
forward collision avoidance system to warn or apply braking if
there is a risk of collision, and lane departure warning to detect
the vehicle drifting out of its lane. The tailgate mounted camera,
with a 180° viewing angle, provides the input for a blind spot
warning system to the rear. The Qashqai can be fitted with four
cameras, providing ‘all round’ vision on a seven inch screen in the
instrument panel.
After 10 minutes or so of driving, the Qashqai will
‘learn’ the driving style of whoever is behind the
steering wheel. It will use this to detect and
identify those inputs becoming more erratic and
therefore that the driver is becoming fatigued.
This system, called driver attention support, then
notifies the driver to take a break.
Another good advance is the option of light
emitting diode (LED) headlamps that provide a
more energy efficient yet better and cooler light,
which proves less tiring for our eyes.
The intelligent parking assist uses front and rear
sensors to enable the Qashqai to steer itself into a
parking space just 80cm longer than the vehicle itself,
together with instructions for the driver to assist this operation.
Consistent
That the floor sections themselves have more consistent
interfaces to allow ‘joining together’ for use between models of
different lengths and body derivatives is a given – it’s a bit like a
Lego kit with different size bricks to make the shape you require.
It will also include a much higher percentage of high strength
steels (HSS) to create a simple, lighter, yet strong and rigid
structure.
The chassis and suspension features technology that the owner
may appreciate, even if they are unaware of their operation.
For example the Qashqai will apply, through the electronic
stability control (ESC) system, discreet specific braking to
individual wheels when cornering to maintain stability and avoid
understeer, and when the vehicle is travelling on uneven road
surfaces the active ride control will again discreetly brake to
maintain an optimum pitch angle for the vehicle.
The CMF goes deeper than that, in so much that it better
standardises engine and transmission fitments so the range of
CMF related powertrains can be easily integrated into any Renault
or Nissan built using this system. This applies to interiors and
major modules, such as fascias etc, too. What is less obvious is that
functionality of wiper switches and light switches etc are brought
Qashqai is just one spelling of the name of a group of nomadic
tribes from the Persian grasslands who historically adapted to
the wild, aggressive and mobile hordes of Genghis Khan, and
defeated them. This new model from the highly efficient plant in
Sunderland is clearly another nomad that is adapting to changing
times.
24 bodyshop | February 2014
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28/01/2014 06:53:07