Truck lovers are no doubt champing at the bit with all the new-model introductions today at the 2015 North American International Auto Show from Detroit, Michigan. Fortunately for those truck enthusiasts, one of the first press introductions today is for Nissan, which unveiled the all-new Titan – both of them. That’s right, we have known the Titan was coming in 2016 and have been fully aware of the diesel option, but until now, we weren’t able to share the fact that there will actually be two new truck platforms in 2016 – the Titan and the Titan XD.
The highly anticipated 5.0-liter Cummins V8 turbo diesel for the Titan will only be available in the Titan XD, a truck that spawns what Nissan describes as a “new class” of full-size trucks that straddles the line between heavy-duty capability and light-duty drivability. The Titan XD, slated to go on sale in late 2015, makes up part of the 2016 Titan offerings that include three cab configurations, two frame sizes, three powertrains and five grade levels. Nissan also formally announced the performance specs for the new 5.0-liter Cummins, with the new motor rated at 310 horsepower and 555 lb.-ft of torque.
“The full-size truck market is the toughest market to crack in the entire industry, with so many outstanding products available,” said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations U.S., Nissan North America, Inc. “This new Nissan TITAN XD is designed to offer buyers something the others don’t – combining outstanding towing and hauling capabilities and exceptional towing and hauling fuel economy.”
The new XD will feature a maximum towing capacity of more than 12,000 pounds and a maximum payload capacity of 2,000 pounds, though Nissan says this new truck will provide the fuel-efficiency and affordability of a half-ton truck. We’ll have to take their word on it at this point, as no pricing or fuel economy figures were released today. The Titan XD is the first commercial application of the new Cummins M2 two-stage turbo system, which is designed to reduce traditional turbo-lag by balancing between a high-pressure and low-pressure turbo.
Nissan also says this new Cummins motor will be quieter and more efficient, thanks to its Bosch HPCR fuel system that uses multiple injections per combustion stroke. The 5.0-liter Cummins is designed as a lightweight diesel package as well, as its block is constructed of compacted graphite iron (CGI), which is stronger and lighter than traditional iron. Other lightweight engine components were added, including high-strength aluminum-alloy heads and composite valve covers. Nissan says this new Cummins V8 has a particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction, which helps the engine to run cleaner and also reduce “typical diesel noise.” Nissan says this all adds up to a diesel that is “more capable than small displacement diesel engine offerings and less expensive than big bore heavy-duty diesels.” You could say the Titan XD found its own niche.
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Nissan says that the Cummins V8 features about 45 percent more torque at cruising speeds compared to similar-sized V8 gasoline engines. The Cummins will be mated to a heavy-duty six-speed Aisin automatic transmission developed exclusively for this application. Although Nissan didn’t provide much in terms of the anticipated fuel economy, Diaz did say “Titan XD’s Cummins diesel is expected to provide a projected 20 percent better fuel economy than a gasoline-powered V8 while towing full loads.”
Although Nissan may still be tight-lipped on a few details, it did provide plenty of insight into the design of the new truck. The new Titan XD features a fully boxed, full-length ladder frame borrowed from the Nissan Commercial Vehicle side that is extensively reinforced and strengthened for added stiffness, vertical and lateral bending, and torsional rigidity. The wheelbase is also longer than non-XD Titans at 151.6 inches, which Nissan says is about 20 inches longer.
The Titan XD features a double-wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar, while the rear features “hefty” leaf springs and leaf bushings and twin-tube shock absorbers. The Titan XD features purpose-built American Axle Manufacturing (AAM) axles: 9.25 inches in front, 13.0 inches with 3.5-inch axle tubes in the rear. Nissan says an electronic locking rear differential is an available option. Four-wheel ventilated disc brakes with hydraulic power assist will provide stopping power for the XD, features 14.2 x 1.5 inch front, 14.4 x 1.2-inch rear.
The 4×4 versions of the Titan XD will feature a new transfer case designed to ensure maximum power distribution in every gear, as it distributes torque to both ends and provides traction in any terrain. Nissan will include off-road-minded features on the XD, such as Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist and Brake Limited-Slip Differential. The truck will feature a new off-road gauge that uses accelerometer data to inform the driver of the vehicle’s pitch and roll angles.
The Titan XD is built for work, so it’s no surprise that Nissan equipped it with a number of towing and hauling features to complement its 2,000-pound payload capacity and 12,000-pound tow rating. The Titan XD will be equipped with an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Control, Tow/Haul Mode with Downhill Speed Control, and a Trailer Light Check system that will allow the driver to ensure all the lights are working without the need of another person. The RearView Monitor on the Titan XD features Trailer Guides to make trailer hookups much less of a chore, and the Around View Monitor gives a 360-degree view of the truck for getting into and out of tight spots. Nissan says the truck also features its Moving Object Detection, which is designed to aid the driver in identifying moving objects while backing up. Nissan also notes the Titan XD meets the new J2807 towing standard.
Inside the new Titan XD, Nissan looks to improve the overall experience from utility to comfort. Nissan says front storage has been increased by 33 percent and rear storage 28 percent compared to the previous Titan, thanks in part to new second-row under-seat storage that includes a locking lid and integrated fold-out flat floor. The center console is now large enough to house up to a 15-inch laptop (or smaller tablet), with space opened up by Nissan’s move to a column-mounted transmission shifter. For the driver, Nissan features a steering wheel with both tilt and telescoping column adjustment. The interior also features seven assist grips for entering and exiting the vehicle, while 12-volt and 120-volt power outlets can be found inside (as well as in the truck bed). The driver gets a 5.0-inch color instrumentation display that features unique diesel monitoring and maintenance displays, while the center stack features a 7.0-inch NissanConnect with navigation, mobile apps and more.
Standard front and rear Zero Gravity seats are designed to maximize good posture for improved comfort during long drives. Optional heating and cooling front seats will be available, as well as the choice of water-repellent fabric or leather. Nissan also focused on reducing cabin noise and vibration by the use of laminated front and rear side glass, with the Titan XD being the first full-size pickup offer this. Nissan also says engine noise isolation and body sealing is improved compared to the first-gen Titan.
There’s surely more info to come down the road from Nissan regarding its new truck, but what we know so far has us exited to get behind the wheel of the 2016 Titan and Titan XD.
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