(Mon 07 Apr 08)

Nissan has announced the arrival of a seven-seat version of the Qashqai crossover SUV which will go on sale in Europe in October this year.

It's called the Qashqai+2, but despite the name it's not just a regular Qashqai with two more seats. The body has been lengthened and the roof reprofiled to provide extra room. There is now enough space for two children, or two small and uncomplaining adults, in the third row, but if you don't need this you can still benefit from the fact that with those rear seats folded down the +2 has 500 litres of luggage space, or 90 more than the standard model.

The +2 does, however, mirror the existing Qashqai in that the line-up includes three trim levels, a choice of four engines (two petrol, two turbo diesel) and front- or four-wheel drive. UK prices will be announced at the London Motor Show on July 22.

The Qashqai+2 will be built at the Nissan factory in Sunderland, where a third shift is being added in June. Originally, all Qashqais were created there, but earlier this year Nissan switched production of all Qashqais not intended for sale in Europe to the Kyushu plant in Japan in an effort to ease the demands on Sunderland.

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