New Nissan Qashqai seven-seat SUV pictures break cover

Pictures have just emerged of the new Nissan Qashqai+2 which will break out of its seven-up jelly mould at the British Motor Show in July, where prices and complete tech specs will become clear.

Unlike the genre-questioning role the Qashqai plays, the Sunderland-built Qashqai+2 is being labeled by Nissan as the 'first family crossover'. However, it's been described elsewhere as everything from a compact crossover SUV to an off-road MPV hatchback.

Whilst the design themes are wholly unchanged from what Nissan salesmen simply call the Qashqui when addressing prospective UK buyers, the physical dimensions have – on second glance - been subject to change so as to accommodate the extended acreage going on inside. So the new Qashqai+2 is identical to its Qashqai five-seat twin right up until its A-pillar rearwards, when accommodation for the families growing pains are further encouraged.

The wheelbase for example has been broadened on Nissan's none-tortuous chassis restyling rack and now measures an additional 135mm over the standard fit Qashqai. The length has been broken, reset and found an extra 211mm and the roof height has been disjointed to gain a further 38mm.

All this corrective surgery results in the Qashqai+2 affording its incumbents a segment-unprecedented third row of flat folding seats complete with under floorboard storage compartments.

90-litres more load capacity than five-door when the two extra seats compress to create something akin to a boot space. Of the two extra chairs, anyone of stunted growth can sit comfortably for periods, however those over 1.6metres will feel a little restricted. Compensation comes in the guise of more head and legroom for the business class passengers however.

The exterior also suggests a marginally revamped rear bumper, deeper rear window and more cube-like front door frames; that can be seen under a powerful microscope.

Set to hit Nissan UK dealers in October 2008, the seven-seater will sit alongside the present five-seat range. Buyers of either chair configuration will get to choose between two diesel (one Renault-Nissan alliance 1.5 DCI jobby plus a range-topping 2.0-litre DCI lump with a Bosch piezoelectric-controlled injection system) and two 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrol power plants in either two or four-wheel drive formatting.