Nissan’s advanced ProPilot drive-assistance technology is now available on all automatic variants of the Qashqai crossover.
Used during single-lane driving, the system maintains the car’s lane position and distance from the vehicle in front, edging the UK’s best-selling crossover a step closer to self-driving autonomy.
According to Nissan, ProPilot is the “first step on the journey towards autonomous driving” and is designed to be a ‘hands on, eyes on’ technology.
In other words: the driver remains in control and responsible for the vehicle at all times.
ProPilot is designed for low-speed congestion and high-speed cruising, with Nissan claiming it “liberates drivers from some of the more mundane elements of motoring”.
It’s activated via a ProPilot button on the right of the Qashqai’s steering wheel, with the ‘SET’ button used to maintain the current speed and a safe distance from the vehicle in front.
The Qashqai will slow to a complete stop if the traffic conditions require, before pulling away if the car is stationary for three seconds or less. If the wait is longer, the driver can continue by using the ‘RESUME’ button or tapping the accelerator.
‘Confidence, control and enjoyment’
Kalyana Sivagnanam, managing director Nissan GB, said; “The Nissan Qashqai has always been a leader in terms of innovative design and technologies that enhance the ownership experience.
“Our advanced ProPilot drive assistance adds a greater level of confidence, control and enjoyment to the UK’s best-selling crossover.”
ProPilot is currently available on the Leaf and Qashqai in the UK, with the X-Trail set to receive the technology later in 2019.
On N-Connecta grades, ProPilot is a £595 option, but the technology is standard on Tekna and Tekna+ grades. For Qashqais with a manual gearbox a Drive Assist Pack is available as standard on Tekna and Tekna+, and as a £595 option on N-Connecta models.
Drive Assist Pack is essentially ProPilot ‘lite’, with the system not featuring the stop/resume function.
ProPilot debuted on the Nissan Serena in Japan in 2016, and since then more than 350,000 vehicles have left the factory equipped with the technology. It is available on the all-electric Nissan Leaf as well.