Nissan launches its all-new crossover ‘Kicks’ across ME
Crossover to redefine segment with class leading innovation, style and practicality
Nissan has launched the all-new Nissan Kicks compact crossover in the Middle East, its latest addition to the crossover segment. The all-new Nissan Kicks was first rolled out in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during the 2016 Summer Olympics held there, and is poised to add a whole new dimension to the compact end of the crossover field in more than 80 countries.
Samir Cherfan, Managing Director of Nissan Middle said: “The all-new Nissan Kicks was developed with the modern urban commuter in mind, with the aim of delivering the most innovative, stylish and functional crossover in its class. These commuters will appreciate the car’s ability to deal with the rough and tumble of the urban jungle courtesy of its advanced chassis control technology. They will also love the ease of parking thanks to the Around View Monitor and the amazing functionality of the 7-inch color touchscreen. From the cosseting interior to the bold styling to the advanced technology, everywhere you look on the car there is evidence to back up our belief that Kicks will be a big hit with young people all over our region.”
The newcomer is aimed squarely at urban driving environments and combines a robust exterior and elevated driving position with compact dimensions for agile performance and manoeuvrability. The body features an advanced aerodynamic design, which optimizes fuel consumption and minimizes noise. Kicks is also one of the first models to realize the concept of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, initially presented at the Geneva Auto Show in 2016.
Nissan Intelligent Mobility uses smart, relevant technology to make the driver’s life easier while also making advances towards Nissan’s long term goal of zero emission and zero fatality motoring. Nissan Kicks targets young people who are early adopters of such technology and who appreciate and embrace the way it can both simplify urban driving and connect them more easily to what matters. The Intelligent Mobility technology present in Kicks aims to reduce stress for drivers through innovations such as the Around View Monitor (AVM) and the Moving Object Detection system (MOD).
Using four cameras, placed at the front and rear of the car and in both door mirrors, AVM creates a bird’s eye 360-degree view of the car which can be displayed on the central monitor and used as a parking aid.
When the MOD system detects a moving object - a pedestrian, for example - a warning is sounded to alert the driver to the hazard and prevent a potential accident.
Technology-loving Kicks owners will relish the convenience and simplicity of the suite of systems that are accessible via the centrally mounted 7-inch colour touchscreen. These functions include navigation, audio, and Bluetooth phone connections. Complementing the touchscreen, and ideally located in front of the driver, a further screen in the main cluster of dials relays information from the on-board drive computer, audio system and navigation systems, as well as displaying warnings. Vehicle settings can be easily adjusted using the four-way selector on the steering wheel.
Among a host of comfort and safety technologies included in Kicks, its chassis control, supported by advanced electronic systems known as Active Trace Control, Active Ride Control and Active Engine Brake, is a truly outstanding feature.
Active Trace Control is an innovation that intervenes during driving through corners to ensure the intended trajectory is maintained by discreetly applying brakes to wheels individually. This has the effect of preventing a sudden loss of grip or stability.
Similarly, Active Ride Control, applies the brakes for a split-second after the car has encountered large undulations in the road, to reduce the “bounce” effect on the suspension. This simple, effective solution is lighter and less complex than expensive and heavy adaptive damping systems.
To counter the “coasting” effect often associated with automatic and CVT gearboxes, Kicks is equipped with Active Engine Brake. When the accelerator is released, typically approaching a corner, engine braking is applied to stabilise the speed.
In terms of its visual appeal, Kicks features established Nissan design signatures such as the V-motion grille which dominates the car’s front end. Also present are the boomerang head and taillights, and the “floating” coupÈ-style roof with a “wrap-around visor” look to the windscreen and side glass. The spacious interior too, is instantly recognizable as a Nissan design thanks to the “gliding wing” shape stretching the width of the dashboard.
Underlining the car’s crossover stance and inherent strength is its generous ground clearance (200mm), which helps provide a commanding driving position and a high eye point for excellent all round visibility. Nissan Kicks has class-leading fuel efficiency thanks to its advanced 1.6-liter engine and lightweight platform. Power is rated at 88kW (118HP) and torque of 149Nm.