Today, Nissan announced the details for its new 5.6-liter Endurance V8 gasoline engine that will power the Titan and Titan XD. The new engine, which Nissan says was assembled in Decherd, Tennessee, bookends the story of the first phase of the “American Titan” story. The engine features four-valves per cylinder, Variable Valve Event & Lift and Direct Injection, and is rated at 390 horsepower @ 5,800 rpm and 401 lb-ft of torque @ 4,000 rpm.

The gasoline-powered engine joins the award-winning Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel in early spring 2016 to round out the engine offerings for the all-new Nissan XD full-size pickup, which stakes out a unique position in the segment between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty entries. The bold new design combines the capabilities of a heavy-duty hauler with the drivability and affordability of a light-duty pickup.

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“With this new engine, Nissan TITAN XD customers will have the opportunity to make the choice that is best for their towing and hauling needs – either the all-new Endurance V8 or the Cummins® diesel – two offerings that you won’t find on any other truck on the market today,” said Rich Miller, chief product specialist, TITAN, Nissan North America, Inc. “It’s going to be a tough decision for TITAN XD customers between these two very durable, capable engines.”

While the new Endurance V8 shares its displacement with the previous-generation V8 installed in Titan, that is where the similarities end. The new engine features 390 horsepower (up from 317) and 401 lb-ft of torque (up from 385), along with Nissan’s advanced VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) technology, which combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake and exhaust sides to provide high performance and crisp response. Throttle response is enhanced by directly controlling the intake valve, rather than using the traditional method of controlling intake with a throttle valve, and valve timing and opening with non-variable camshafts.

The new engine also features Direct Injection Gas (DIG™) technology, which provides better wide-open throttle performance and improved fuel economy and emissions performance (versus a non-direct-injection system) by reducing engine knock, improving combustion stability and offering precise injection control. An 11.2:1 compression ratio is provided by a new piston design, aiding overall engine efficiency and performance (previous Titan: 9.8:1) and a Multi Control Valve (MCV) assists in managing the engine’s thermal efficiency better than a traditional thermostat.

TITAN XD models equipped with the Endurance V8 engine will be outfitted with a new 7-speed automatic, which features Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching.

More information on the Endurance V8 and 7-speed automatic will be available closer to its early spring 2016 on-sale date.