2016 Nissan Titan XD First Drive - A cat looks at the Kings - Ask the people in the know that big pickup is probably the worst new pur...
Ask the people in the know that big pickup is probably the worst new purchase you can do today and you will receive a resounding answer :. Titan
Nissan's foray into pickup has been a breath of fresh air when it debuted for model year 04. But as all merchandise is standing on retail shelves he went quickly out of style, became unrefined in comparison constant improvement competitors, and could not be had with a thirsty V8 during the doldrums of the Great Recession.
It is this languor at the lower end of the totem pole which must be coaxed Nissan engineers to seriously analyze its truck strategy going forward. Surely, if Nissan was to participate in pickup game, it would be necessary to update the model at the same pace that everyone - or at least the same rate as Toyota. This is an expensive undertaking given the development of a new model is now priced well into the billions of dollars. And it is risky to invest so much money in a segment known for the loyalty and ownership domestic domination
Thus, Nissan had an idea :. Hit 'em where they is not, and steal a seasoned truck guy to push the new-sensor "class"
(Disclosure Nissan m :. 'flew from Halifax, Nova Scotia, all the way to Arizona to lead their new darling for a day. I stayed in an Arizonan stereotyping station which could easily double as public housing in a live action version of "the Flintstones ". There were drinks, food, and a book for gifted children for us during our stay. reading level probably exceeded book the level of some of those present understanding.)
After a plan to slather on Titan badges Ram pickups was taken to the back forty and shot something had to be done. This - the Titan XD - is that something: a supposed tweener truck that splits the difference between conventional microphones 1/2-tone Detroit and 3/4 ton pickups Detroit. Though, make no mistake, the Titan XD (not to be confused with the new Titan half-ton that comes later) is / 4-ton truck 3 firmly placed in class 2b territory (GVWR over 8500 books ).
Torque "Triple nickel" has a weight of opponent
newsmaking the greater part of the Titan XD Nissan equation is the Cummins- sourced 5.0-liter turbodiesel V8 tucked inside ginormous front end of the truck.
Nissan diesel is quite unique because about 70 percent of its parts are shared with the Cummins diesel ISV5.0 heavyweight used in school buses and commercial applications. However, it is different in that it is purpose designed and developed for class 3/4-tone. Nissan boasts 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque produced by the new engine compression ignition. (A gasoline V8 will arrive later, and a V6 for the half-ton Titan.) And since the Titan lives in the class 2b, Nissan is well within its right to give label fuel economy finger middle like any other truck manufacturer 3/4 ton. If you're looking to compare thirst, EPA nuthin 'for you, son
This 555 lb-ft of torque number -. The basic "triple nickel" engine nickname - is not an earth shattering figure compared with other trucks in the class who are now also always reach nearly 1,000 lb-ft. But these brawnier engines exist to transport, massive loads of commercial quality. Cummins mill in the Titan XD, without offering a first class torque figure is a smooth operator that gives weekend enthusiasts boating ability to tow a Bayliner on Lake Travis in comfort.
Even with all that muscly torque, the Titan feel powerful on the dyno butt - and there's a reason : the mass. Titan XD is an elephant. Really powerful. Really heavy. Not that fast. Curb weight 6,709 pounds begin to Trim S 4 × 2 Crew Cab covered.
The idea behind diet heavyweights Nissan, which goes against the fuel economy is a heavy truck is more stable. This statement proved true, at least for a (fairly canned) towing test, such as the Titan refused to bend while dragging a trailer load of 000 pounds behind it. A horse engineer along with us as the truck is so stable that it has never seen, it triggers its standard trailer sway control during normal driving. It's pretty impressive if true.
The backbone of this weight and stability is a framework derived from NV series Nissan vans. The chassis fully boxed ladder is almost a complete carbon copy of the front frame of the NV-pillars, with heavy modifications rear engine mounts to make it worthy for the use of pick-up. Titan XD can carry nearly 2,100 pounds of heavy widgets in bed (when properly equipped) and a payload test with a load of 700 pounds was shrugged off by the tweener. For much of the payload test, I forgot that I was a payload test, and only recalled the existence of our office when a glance at the mirror produces an image of a black box instead of a tailgate.
Innovate, like everyone else
as much as the Titan XD carves a pseudo-segment for itself, truck design tries to mix what came before that he (former Titan) with what is happening now (all others). There is nothing to break ground on the new sheetmetal that Nissan pickup.
A Brobdingnagian grille sits between two equally powerful headlights featuring LED daytime running lights and LED spotlights available. More lighting is recessed into sculpted bumper Titan XD. The size of the grid eclipse the presence of the Nissan badge sitting front and center, but the top bezel of the grid provides an excellent location for the massive letters spelling in relief TITAN .
The profile of Titan could be mistaken for an F-150 or Ram those not proficient pickup. Moreover, it's a truck, so not much happening on the other side of Titan that some badging and fancy wheels - dependent on the filling, of course. However, if you choose to go for PRO4X trim, say goodbye to these rails step.
Wheels measure 17 inches for the base model and painted steelies up circles aluminum 20 inches on SL and Platinum inverse models. power heated mirrors, manually extendable towing available on SV and above models complement the important characteristics.
More badges adorn the back of the Titan XD, and it is here where the Nissan designers restraint in not turning the entire tailgate in a rolling panel. (Lookin 'At You, Mr. RA) LED taillights are also behind the Titan sparkles as much as the front and rear spoiler - which is molded into a tailgate lock using moistened - helps provide an extra n e of fuel economy. Nissan's Utili-track system makes an appearance in some models, allowing adjustable attachment points for your toys.
Go in, stay awhile
Like the exterior of Titan, the no reference indoor games in the segment, but represents some of the best and offer a comfortable place for a tow his boat at the cottage.
thrones Zero Gravity optionally combined with soft leathers in the upper linings, are a great way to spend time behind the wheel. There is a wide range of motion, and it's easy to find a neutral position with a combination of seat and steering wheel adjustments.
are great to wear the glove of you. steering wheel controls and the dashboard are easy to find and manipulate. As with all Nissans, some of the buttons, knobs, and cut pieces in the Titan XD look and feel a bit chintzy - although, to be fair, even those in competitor trucks. If you are a buyer with a real job on your mind, vinyl flooring welcomes you in base trim models S.
wrapped in Innovation an old package
throughout trim range of Titan XD, you will not find an infotainment system which is as good as competitors from Ford, GM and Ram.
Audio begins with an AM / FM unit / CD with 5-inch screen. There is not much, but it makes up for its spartan looks with Bluetooth audio streaming capability available as standard. And, let's face it, at least he is not a radio base with the calculator display Casio. A 7-inch touch screen is available in the SV models and comes standard on PRO-4X and above trim. However, this version of NissanConnect is in need of an update, and can not hold a candle to the visual offered by competitors.
It is in this old envelope that Nissan has implemented truly innovative solutions to common problems. In addition to the available Around View Monitor and other features that Nissan has been touting for years, the screen provides a central line to aim your truck perfectly with your trailer. Once you're hooked, you can use Nissan's check light trailer by clicking and holding the lock button on the key fob, which scrolls lighting outdoor lights while you are outdoors the truck. It is a great feature to check a job trailer-connection without spotter to 4 hours before a fishing trip -. But not very good for your neighbors who hear your truck honking away in the twilight
the word of the moment: the spaces
This cat looks at the kings, and eyeballing the remaining grapes. In a spot for himself, Nissan hopes to be the big truck in the small pond. But how many really are a niche for Titan XD?
As you can see above, the Titan XD fact overlap some Ram 3 / mic 4 tons, in both GVWR and towing capacity, and some 1/2-ton trucks from Ford and GM in the towing department. As Nissan introduces new cabin configurations on the market, wait a few more empty space to fill, and towing numbers perhaps even higher.
However, looking at the graphic above, one can only wonder why Nissan does not build a heavy half-ton pick-up instead.
so we asked.
"T he final segmentation Titan XD is really the heart of what we see as the 'white space' on the full-size truck market," said Phil Lienert, specialist responsible communications trucks, SUVs and crossovers Nissan. " the key for us is that Titan XD is not only set for pulling power, but for optimum stability, strength and a sense of overall security for towing loads up to 12.314 pounds. Empty weight and max towing both impact the final GVWR we selected for XD. We are exactly where we wanted to be in terms of the capacity and size of the truck. In contrast to class distinctions, our focus has always been on unmet customer needs Large Pickup "
In a word :. You can not have stability without weight, and you can not build a heavy truck can (at this level) within the class 2a. increased stability (weight) and capacity (towing) means an increased GVWR, and it also means belonging to the same club all these Duty and 3500 series great microphones in the world.
blue collar sophistication
the Titan impresses on and off road. Defeat yellow PRO truck -4X along a covered path, an aggressively sized aggregate showed the strength provided by big, beefy frame of the truck. it was not a smooth ride, but it was pretty quiet and accomplished without a single trim rattle .
However, I am not a guy off road. Our brothers in Off-road.com can probably give you a better idea of the Titan XD capabilities in the bush
Instead, I will say this :. Titan XD is better than any other 3/4-ton truck on the road if this level of capacity you need. It is smooth, take the imperfections as well or better than any other truck, and it is extremely comfortable. It's not full-size sedan smooth, and anyone who says that is either completely stunned hyperbole or leverage. But when it comes to its closest competitors, the Titan XD is more sophisticated than all.
The Titan XD is not about to dethrone one of the Detroit Three, but other cats in Plano should choose his next move wisely
[Images: © 2015 Mark Stevenson/The Truth About Cars]
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