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2008 Nissan Dualis preview


Nissan Australia is expecting big things from the company's new five-door crossover, the DUALIS. According to Nissan, the car is aimed at young urbanites looking for a unique combination of small car agility and compact SUV versatility.

The Dualis is also expected to attract first-time Nissan buyers. In the first year of sales in Europe, the average age of new owners is 44 years old, three years younger than the average and six years younger than the compact SUV average.

Over 30 percent of buyers also fall into the 36-45 year bracket, against a 20 per cent average for the small car segment and 27 per cent for the compact SUV.

The Dualis finds it self against the likes of Suzuki SX4 hatchback, both cars are small and compact and utilise an all-wheel drive chassis. Like the SX4 the Dualis can pick between 2WD, Auto and 4WD lock driving modes. It has a wheelbase of 2,630mm, it is 1,615mm tall, 1,780mm wide and 4,315mm long.

Powered by a 2.0-litre four cylinder engine, the Dualis makes do with 102kW at 5,200rpm and 198Nm of torque at 4400rpm. The Japanese giant will offer the Dualis with a standard six-speed manual transmission, with the continuously variable transmission (CVT) available as an option.

As for fuel consumption, the 65-litre tank gives the manual DUALIS a 8.4-litres of fuel per 100km rating, while the CVT variants use 8.5l/100km.

From the inside the $28,990 entry price tag does not result in a cheap and nasty interior. It will sit five occupants with seating positions elevated for that sought after SUV feel.

It is available in seven colours, most of which are a Dualis special:

  1. Arctic White,
  2. Urban Silver,
  3. Blade,
  4. Cayman Blue,
  5. Pearl Black,
  6. Fired Iron,
  7. Intense Blue.

You also get 60/40 folding rear seats which can be tucked away to store an enormous 1443-litres of luggage. But if you want to keep the Red Bull cold, there is always the 14-litre cooled glove box which can accommodate 15 cans of coke.

Standard features include:

  • Air conditioning
  • Steering wheel adjustable for rake and reach
  • Power windows and mirrors
  • Single CD-Tuner with 4 speakers
  • Remote central locking
  • Front cup-holders
  • Cooled 14-litre glove box
  • Centre console box
  • Height-adjustable, sculpted driver's seat
  • 60/40 split rear seats
  • 352-litre boot capacity, expandable to 1443-litres

Unfortunately the base model does not recieve ESP as standard, but it can be added as an option.

The ALL MODE 4x4 system electronically controls power and torque by transferring it between wheels and axles the instant it is required.

There will be two models for the Australian market, the Dualis ST and Ti.The ST starts with the basics but can be upgraded with a $2,000 option pack that includes 16-inch alloy wheels, Vehicle Dynamic Control and Enhanced Understeer Control, Active Brake Limited Slip and side and curtain airbags.

The top top of the range Ti model receives the option pack as well as

  • leather seats, heated at the front;
  • leather wrapped steering-wheel with controls for the audio,
  • Bluetooth phone compatibility and Drive computer;
  • aluminium trim highlights,
  • a six-stacker CD player with six-speakers,
  • rain sensitive windscreen wipers,
  • light sensitive auto headlamps,
  • sliding centre console armrest and a handy pull-out storage tray under the front passenger seats.

The Dualis is on sale now for the following RRP:

  1. Nissan Dualis ST six-speed manual $28,990
  2. Nissan Dualis ST M-Mode CVT $30,990.
  3. Nisan Dualis Ti $33,990 manual
  4. Nisan Dualis Ti CVT $35,990

CarAdvice is road testing the Dualis in the next few weeks so check back for a review.

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