Nissan Qashqai: next-gen compact SUV teased

Set to replace the outgoing Dualis (pictured below) following an official name change, the Nissan Qashqai will be sold locally for the first time carrying a nameplate used in global markets since 2007.

Teased under a cover with highlighted design points, the Nissan Qashqai is due to be revealed in full on November 7, 13 days ahead of its world premiere at the Tokyo motor show on November 20.

With specifications yet to be revealed, the Japanese manufacturer says the new Qashqai is "the most significant car in its modern history", representing Nissan “at its most creative".

Sharing its platform with the new third-generation X-Trail – due locally in the second quarter of 2014 and with seven seats for the first time – the Nissan Qashqai will feature innovative design, sector-first technologies and state-of-the-art cabin infotainment systems. It will also only offer seating capacity for five rather than the current Dualis+2's seven.

Petrol and diesel powerplants are expected to be offered, as well as front- and all-wheel-drive variants.

A globally successful model for Nissan, the first-generation Dualis was originally launched in Australia in 2008 and is still proving its popularity as Nissan Australia’s third best-selling model this year.

It’s a busy time at Nissan, with the Juke and Pathfinder introduced this month, the Altima arriving in November and the Pathfinder Hybrid and Pulsar SSS sedan coming in 2014.