JRM Nissan Gt - nismo R GT3 and Nissan Qashqai at Donington - 2014 test drive

With Nissans enviable reliability record and fantastic sporting heritage I've come today to Donington Park to have a go of their Nissan GTR Nismo GT3. It's going to be quite an interesting one so I think I should take her for a spin. Nissan has a long standing heritage in Motor Sports and its current crop which boasts the height of performance Nismo range of the 370z coupe and gtr are at the fore front of Nissans product developments which not only benefits the vehicles in racing but also filters down innovative technologies into the consumer range and into models such as the WhatCar car of the year 2014 the Nissan Qashqai which for the second itineration of the Japanese manufacturer incredibly popular crossover is immediately evident. As the new model has evolved into a much more refined and premium vehicle with better performance and improved running costs. Fresh out of the hot seat GTR Pauls taking the Qashqai for a quick spin. So here it is the new Qashqai from Nissan, what a very very successful vehicle they had back when they launched the car in 2007 sold well over expectation. Built in Sunderland so great for the local Economy. This is much more refined and much more beautiful cabin and everything about it really really speaks volumes of what Nissan are about. The dashboard feels very very premium compared to the outgoing car. Dials are really easy to use, you've still got your buttons to press that Nissan always give you. And the infotainment system is second to none. You can take your pick from Petrol engines or Diesel engine, great diesel engine in this particular vehicle its giving back fantastic fuel economy that I can see on my dashboard now. I've driven all the way from Liverpool and t's doing the same kind of Miles per Gallon as my Diesel Saloon car is doing. Which is pretty impressive. Because at the end of the day this is a heavier vehicle, it's a lot bigger and probably has a lot more wind resistance and aero dynamics but that engine is giving back some fantastic economy and people want to save money these days. So I can't really complain. So no complaints from Paul but what does one of his fellow race drivers have to say? I've been joined by Matt Belle, Matt's one of the drivers for JRM so his been telling me where the buttons are for the GTR Nismo Nissan that I've been driving. Matt you've driven an old Qashqai, how does it compare inside to this one? What do you think of it? Well there's quite a big evolution since the one that I drove, it's quite nice to see they've given a nice facelift to the interior of the car. I like the exterior of it as well I think they've done some good styling, a pretty good evolution on the old car I think. It seems like a big step up doesn't it and as you spoke about the premium feel of the car that's one of the things I noticed. It's the way the brand is going obviously with it being historically a racing name it's nice to see that some of that comes back over into the road car side. And it is a sports utility vehicle like you say and it's something that we expect from Nissan isn't it, reliability, and also good platform. How do you think it would compare to the Nissan that you're used to driving out there it's got a lot of buttons hasn't it? Well I think the Nissan racing cars that I've got might have a few more odd buttons on the steering wheel but generally the race programme are always there to bring the key of technology into the road cars that's the whole point of these programmes. Both under the bonnet and throughout the car you'll see technology into the Qashqai and across the whole Nissan range. That's one of the things that I'm very impressed by, this is a diesel version of the vehicle but it's very good fuel economy wise and i noticed on the race car you've got different map setting and things. You've probably learnt a lot from how fuel is used in a race car and you can put it into vehicle like this. Yes exactly, all engines are developed throughout racing cars. A lot of people would look at the Qashqai and look at a GTR GT3 and go where is the symetry there but a lot is, its all in the technology and all in the under the bonnet stuff. Which really makes a difference to your economy when you get onto the road. It's the kind of things that we develop. And one thing that the race car hasn't got and I'm sure of it, it's actually got a reverse camera this one and its 360 vision, check that out! What do you think of that? That's pretty good year, it be honest on a race car if you need a reverse camera then you're in a bit of trouble. It's got an amazing amount of other features this one's got cruise control, that's obviously something you wouldn't have in a race car. You've got all sort of buttons in this car, this is quite a well spec one but it's what you've come to expect with Nissan. It's just a great all round model of the Nissan brand. I like it its good, I think we should stick some slicks on it and give it a spin round it will give that GTR a run for its money. You can chase me. Let's go for it Good luck with that Paul, for any information on the new Qashqai or to book a test drive contact your Local Perrys dealership today. For all the latest news and releases follow us on Facebook, Twitter and subscribe to us on YouTube.