Nissan Releases All-New Dualis Midsize Crossover SUV

TOKYO (May 23, 2007) - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today launched sales of the all-new Dualis mid-size crossover sport utility vehicle (SUV) at Nissan dealers across Japan. The Dualis features an unprecedented vehicle body size and packaging combination with a definite European flavor. The car's dimensions approach those of a compact hatchback, while incorporating the spaciousness required of an SUV. As a result, the Dualis blends the outstanding dynamics and stability of an SUV with the agility and sportiness expected of a hatchback.

Dualis 20G (2WD) <fitted with optional equipment>

Development of the Dualis was led by Nissan's European design and engineering centers and targeted at the demanding driving conditions of the European market. Along with its powerful exterior design, the Dualis has been engineered with driving performance in mind. Characteristics including crisp, stable handling, steering and braking, set it apart from other SUVs available on the market today.

A Strong, sporty exterior

• Highlighting the new Dualis' styling is its distinctive exterior design that fuses a sporty, compact upper section with a lower portion that suggests SUV-like dynamics and stability.
  
  In front, the bumper conveys a sporty impression and a feeling of SUV strength and protection, while the grille features the signature design of Nissan SUVs in the European market. Blue clearance lamps impart a high-tech image to the three-dimensional design of the headlamps.
  
  A dynamic character line continues from the fender into the roof, with the wheel arches expressing SUV stability and dynamics. Sharply executed side windows are inspired by the distinct image of a crossover vehicle, while a sharp, flowing waistline suggests an athletic muscularity.
  
  Besides their lighting function, the rear combination lamps are also designed for improved aerodynamics. A bold rear bumper appearance evokes the same protective feeling as the front.
  
  Nissan used Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis for the first time ever in designing the Dualis body, resulting in a drag coefficient of 0.35 - one of the lowest Cd figures for an SUV.
  
  The Dualis is offered in a choice of five body colors: Diamond Silver and four all-new colors, Urban Cement Gray, Meto Black, Café Latte Beige and Reddish Copper.

An interior designed for driving pleasure

• Together with the compact body size and efficient vehicle packaging comes a relaxing interior environment and large luggage area; a wealth of comfort features are provided to create a remarkably comfortable and enjoyable interior.
  
  The Dualis cockpit gives the driver a sense of unity with the car and a feeling of focused control. The interior design provides the optimal space for each seating position, with a raised center console giving the driver's seat a sporty cockpit feeling while imparting a sense of relaxation to the front passenger's seat.
  
  The seats provide a stable sitting posture, even during cornering, to allow for comfortable travel with minimal fatigue on long-distance trips and supple ride comfort on various road surfaces. Increased adjustment ranges of the driver's seat and steering wheel enable drivers of varying statures to enjoy the optimum driving position. The high sitting position characteristic of an SUV and the large windshield combine to ensure excellent outward visibility with a wide, unobstructed view.
  
  The stylish glass roof adopts 6-mm-thick laminated privacy glass with an ultraviolet (UV) ray blocking capability, and the large opening gives the interior a bright, airy feeling.
  
  Interior appointments include a combination meter cluster with a sporty, aluminum-looking panel, round ventilation ducts, a metallic finish shift knob, and a center console box with a highly refined design reminiscent of a sports car and fitted with an armrest. Dualis 20G and 20G FOUR models have a sliding armrest. The combination of soft pad material of the instrument panel and door trim with the metallic finish of the door grips gives the interior a look and feel of superior quality.
  
  Utility is enhanced with a number of handy storage compartments, including a large-capacity glove box with a cooler, a console box and front and rear door pockets, among others.
  
  The air conditioning system features dual-zone temperature controls enabling the driver and front passenger to set the temperature independently for more personalized comfort. A quick blower system is also provided to achieve a comfortable interior temperature quickly, without discharging air directly into passengers' faces. An automatic air conditioning system with dual-zone temperature controls is standard on the Dualis 20G and 20G FOUR.
  
  Dualis also comes with Nissan's HDD-based CARWINGS navigation system, featuring a touch panel screen for easier operation. In addition to navigation functionality, the system incorporates improved entertainment functions with a music box and DVD audio/video playback. A Bluetooth hands-free interface is also available as a factory-installed option.
  
  Nissan's Intelligent Key System with improved anti-theft functionality, including electric power steering system, engine immobilizer and other deterrents linked to the ID code stored in the key fob is also available (standard on the Dualis 20G and 20G FOUR).
  
  Also available is a side-view monitor that reduces blind spots on the car's left front side to provide helpful visual support when positioning the car alongside curbs, parking or meeting oncoming traffic on narrow roads. Another available driving convenience feature is a rearview monitor that uses a small CCD camera to take a color image of the area behind the car for display on the navigation system monitor. Both monitors are offered in a set as a factory-installed option.

Performance that provides driving comfort

• The Dualis' newly developed front strut suspension and rear multi-link suspension provide outstanding handling performance combined with a smooth, comfortable ride. Shock absorbers with high-speed damping control have been adopted to enhance both handling and comfort, with rebound springs which to maintain a flat body position during cornering.
  
  The vehicle-speed-sensitive electric power steering system varies steering feel characteristics according to driving speed. This system allows a light steering effort at low speed and provides a direct, reassuring steering feel at high speeds. In addition, the use of an electric motor for power assistance helps to reduce fuel consumption.
  
  The car's highly rigid body achieves class-leading body stiffness. Extra effort was made to increase rear body stiffness, which is one area where the bodies of wagon-type vehicles tend to undergo large deformation.
  
  Powering the Dualis is Nissan's MR20DE engine, renowned for its high torque at low-to-medium speeds and quiet operation. Further improvements were made to the engine to increase its power output in the practical speed range of everyday driving.
  
  All Dualis models are fitted with Nissan's newly developed XTRONIC CVT-M6, a continuously variable transmission with a six-speed manual shift mode. A newly adopted Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) function adjusts shift timing according to the driver's personal driving style and driving environment, optimizing both performance and fuel economy.
  
  The combination of the MR20DE engine with improved torque in the low-to-medium speed range and the new XTRONIC CVT enables Dualis to deliver class-leading response in both city and suburban driving. The car provides progressive acceleration performance comparable to that of larger 2.4-liter class vehicles.
  
  Dualis also comes with an Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) system that achieves excellent braking capacity by optimally distributing brake force to the front and rear wheels according to the number of passengers and cargo on board. Summer tires are standard on all models for superior handling and stability.
  
  Four-wheel drive Dualis models utilize the advanced All-Mode 4x4 system also featured on the popular Nissan X-TRAIL. This system can be switched among a 2WD mode, an AUTO mode and a LOCK mode according to driving conditions. It delivers stable, sporty driving performance and sure-footed traction on various surfaces, from on-road driving to off-road travel - even on snow-covered roads. Dualis has minimum ground clearance of 205 mm.
  
  A Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system is available as a factory-installed option to provide stable driving performance by automatically controlling brake force and engine output. This system is activated when sideslip or another unstable vehicle behavior is detected, based on various information input, including steering angle, amount of brake pedal depression and wheel velocity sensor signals.
  
  Among midsize SUVs, Dualis achieves best-in-class fuel economy of 14.2 km/L (2WD models) under Japan's 10-15 test mode. It also boasts class-leading fuel economy under real-world driving conditions.

Safety and Environmental Features

• Among Dualis' safety and environmental features as Xenon headlamps with automatic lighting functionality (standard on 20G and 20G FOUR), LED high-mounted stop lamp, heated outside mirrors, flat blade wipers, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Anti-lock braking system (ABS), with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) system and Brake Assist.
  
  Other systems include High-strength Zone Body construction for high safety, impact-energy-absorbing body structure for mitigating pedestrian injuries, front-seat Active Head Restraints, Dual SRS airbag systems for the driver and front passenger, SRS curtain airbag systems^*, SRS side airbag systems for the driver and front passenger^*, double pretensioner seatbelt with two-stage load limiter for the driver, pretensioner seatbelt with load limiter for the front passenger, separate rear-seat head restraints (middle-row seats only^*), three-point rear seatbelts (middle-row seats only^*).
  
  Dualis' brake pedal construction prevents rearward pedal movement and includes an impact-absorbing pad. Dualis also has a collapsible steering column.
  
  Dualis has been granted SU-LEV certification for all models (75% fewer emissions than Japan's 2005 exhaust emission standards). It also has met Japan's 2010 fuel economy standards, actually exceeding them by 5 percent. Also, volatile organic compounds (VOC) have been reduced from the interior materials. Dualis' clean interior environment features were developed from the three perspectives of clean air, human skin friendly and sanitary/clean.
  
  *Available in a set as a factory-installed option.

Sales Target and Origin of the Dualis Name

• The name Dualis expresses the concept of a car that allows users to enjoy enriched dual lifestyles that they can switch between as they please. Sales are targeted at 2,000 units/month.

Sales launch events: Saturday and Sunday, May 26-27 and Saturday and Sunday, June 2-3, 2007

Price range: 1,953,000 yen to 2,430,750 yen

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