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Nissan's Z-alert

It's another Z-car from Nissan, but this time designers have taken a muddy route. Following the announcement that the production version of the Qashqai compact SUV will be built at the firm's Sunderland plant, the Japanese company has also released pictures of its Zaroot concept ahead of its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

By Chris Thorp

08th February 2005

Displaying the future of the manufacturer's 4x4 styling, the car points the way to the next-generation X-Trail, which is due on sale in 2008. The Zaroot is a unique off-roader with seating for four and classy full-length gullwing doors. It's intended to explore the possibility of combining the attributes of an off-roader with a sports car, yet features the sharp muscular lines that characterise other 4x4s in the Nissan range.

Brian Carolin, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Nissan Europe, told us: "This concept shows potential design directions and is intended to gauge public opinion." For those who can't wait until 2008 for a new Nissan 4x4, the firm has another off-roader set for production at the end of next year. Based on the Qashqai concept first shown at the Swiss event last year, the new model will be a quirky alternative to conventional hatchbacks.

Codenamed the P32L, the compact SUV is based on the new Alliance C platform developed in conjunction with Renault. Both four and front-wheel-drive versions of the 4x4 will be built, but it's expected that about 60 per cent of the 130,000 made will be the latter.

Aimed at stealing buyers from the Volkswagen Golf, the as yet unnamed vehicle is likely to be priced between ΂£14,000 and ΂£20,000. Representing an investment of ΂£123million - of which ΂£5million has been pledged by the Government - the arrival of Nissan's new five-door mud-plugger has safeguarded the jobs of 1,000 workers at the Sunderland factory.

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