Nissan’s new SUV..
Engine and Powertrain:
New X trail is offered powered by four engines (two petrol and two diesel). Of the four engines for the western market, only one petrol engine is carried forward to the new X trail. But for the Indian new X trail, Nissan may go for the diesel engine. The 2.0L diesel one with 150hp and other with 173hp, Torque outputs are 320Nm and 360Nm respectively, 90 per cent of which is developed, in both cases, at a low 1750rpm. Both engines are fitted with diesel particulate filters to minimise emissions Transmissions will be a choice between a six-speed manual and CVT automatic, or a six-speed auto for the 173bhp diesel.
Styling and engineering:
Truly this kind of vehicles is easy to market – the new Xtrail is all about clever engineering. From the users feedback Nissan has carefully engineered the new Xtrail. New X trail is evolutionary, rather than revolutionary.
In the styling, Nissan retains the classic, solid shoulder line, large glasshouse and the window and tall SUV proportions of the original for the new X trail. With a high mounted stop lamp integrated to the frame and extended tail lamps looks afresh from the rear. Low loading sill and larger tail gate are clever engineering but new X trail too miss sidesteps which is very important for SUVs. Soft feel materials feature on all touch points, while grained plastics and flocked surfaces in contrasting shades – black and grey or black and sand – are used throughout the cockpit. Depending on the trim level, instrument surrounds and other features are finished in silver or titanium colours to give a technical feel.
In the new X trail instrument cluster has been positioned behind the steering wheel; unlike the existing X trail’s centre-of-the-dash mounted instrument panel. This move is claimed to allow greater versatility in the centre console and provide space for the audio system. New X trail is slightly larger than before: its wheelbase has increased by 5mm to 2630mm, while overall length has risen by 175mm to 4630mm. Much of this extra length can be found in the trunk area, which has increased dramatically in size (from 410L to 603L). A notable feature in the new X trail is the intelligent double-decker trunk – trunk with a sliding drawer under the floor where valuable items can be stored away from prying eyes. The drawer has partition walls that can be placed in a number of different positions or removed altogether as required. This has been achieved by rerouting the exhaust silencer from its original transverse position under the boot floor to a north/south location alongside the rear wheel well. Raised ribs have been placed at unequal distances apart to help prevent loads shifting when the vehicle is on the move.
For better ride and handling:
New X trail features strut-type suspension at the front with a multi-link system at the rear, both ends being mounted on separate rubber insulated sub-frames to provide enhanced refinement and isolation from vibrations. With the approach and departure angles as 28 and 23 degrees and with a generous 200mm ground clearance, the new X trail will be able to traverse difficult terrain with a comparative ease.
Safety and Special Features:
Apart from the standard safety features which includes airbags, ABS and EBD, new X trail features the intelligent four-wheel drive system. Intelligent 4x4i includes two unique systems to Nissan: Downhill Drive Support (DDS) and Uphill Start Support (USS). USS is a fully automatic system that maintains brake control on 10 percent inclines until the driver starts to move away. DDS uses the vehicle’s anti-lock brakes to maintain a descent speed of 7 kilometers-per-hour, enabling the driver to concentrate on steering.
New X trail’s long list of equipments includes power windows front and rear, and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity. Principal options include Xenon headlamps, roof rails with fully integrated driving lamps, and satellite navigation with a full colour screen shared with the rear parking camera.
Price and the launch:
Nissan India say that the new X trail would most likely be in India “within a year or maybe sooner” and pricing would be slightly higher than the current version’s Rs 25-30 lakh range, due to the higher 113 percent import duty on fully-built vehicles.