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All-new Nissan X-Trail strengthens Nissan's crossover range

Nissan is confirming its position as the world leader in crossovers with the arrival of the all-new X-Trail. Completely redesigned from the ground up, the X-Trail joins the Qashqai, Juke and Murano in Nissan's all-encompassing crossover family - bringing new technology, style and class-leading levels of practicality.

OVERVIEW

The new model combines Nissan's acclaimed 4x4 heritage with fresh ideas and technologies inspired by the brand's ground-breaking crossover models. Together they form a car that redefines the compact SUV segment.

Built on the new, jointly-developed Renault-Nissan Alliance Common Module Family (CMF) platform, the new X-Trail is just as tough and accomplished as the previous generation model, but adds crossover style and efficiency, exciting design, innovative technology and exceptional comfort.

Nissan's desire to make the new X-Trail the most comprehensive offering in the C-SUV sector provided the driving force behind the car's bold new design. Fitting perfectly into the brand's vision of modern crossover SUV styling, the new X-Trail features a striking new look that defines Nissan's latest design language.

Thanks to a smooth yet muscular body, the new X-Trail combines strength and the spirit of adventure with organic, flowing lines. The elegant yet sporty profile also integrates a host of new design features and details, including bold new headlamps - available with LED as standard on high-grade models - and a distinctive new LED signature strip that makes the car instantly recognisable at night. Other details include an powered tailgate and an opening panoramic moonroof.

Inside, the new X-Trail offers a completely new environment for occupants. Designed from the very outset, including seven seat (optional), the cabin features a raked theatre seating layout that ensures every passenger has a great view out. Featuring premium materials and intelligent design throughout, the new X-Trail sets new standards for rear seat access, space for optional third-row passengers and in-car technology. The X-Trail also showcases the latest-generation NissanConnect system that offers smartphone integration and a host of innovations including several in-built Apps to enhance the connected driving experience.

Powering the new X-Trail is a powerful yet frugal dCi 130 engine that delivers strong torque and excellent refinement at all speeds. Available in two and four-wheel-drive forms, the latter features Nissan's latest-generation ALL MODE 4x4-i transmission. Coupled with Nissan's new Chassis Control system and Nissan Safety Shield, the new X-Trail's drivetrain provides the driver with a comprehensive network of safety and comfort features that ensure every journey is an enjoyable one.

The new X-Trail will play a highly significant role in Nissan's growing crossover family. It will be built at nine different manufacturing sites around the world for a vast array of markets. Globally, its predecessor was one of the company's biggest selling vehicles and the new version is expected to make a significant contribution to Nissan Power 88, the company's mid-term business plan covering fiscal years 2011-2016.

New X-Trail in detail

DESIGN

Combining the sleek and stylish lines of a modern crossover with the robust appeal of a typical SUV, the new X-Trail sets new standards for design in the C-SUV sector. A marked departure from its squared-off predecessor, the new X-Trail showcases next generation SUV design, introducing a smoother, more flowing look without compromising the vehicle's off-road abilities.

Using an advanced new platform, Nissan's design team was able to take full advantage of the architecture's longer wheelbase and broader track. In keeping with Nissan's crossover design language, the new X-Trail places strong visual emphasis on the wheel areas, with the trademark large arches forming the cornerstones of the design. Combined with a dipping roofline, deeply sculpted flanks and rising window line, the new X-Trail fully exploits Nissan's crossover design DNA to create a car that delivers a stylish and modern appearance.

As customers have come to expect from Nissan, the new X-Trail features a host of intelligent and useful design details.

The front end, for example, combines complex shapes with crisp lines and intelligent use of light and shade. The all-new LED headlamps cut into the bumpers, cleverly combing the upper and lower halves of the body. The lamp clusters themselves are intricately detailed, with a striking new lighting signature that gives the new X-Trail a distinctive look in low light conditions.

At the rear the new X-Trail blends bold new styling cues with existing Nissan touches. The rear light clusters, for example, display the familiar ‘boomerang' shape, while the characteristic D-pillar provides a strong visual link to both the Juke and Qashqai.

As with the exterior, the new X-Trail's interior has undergone a dramatic transformation. With more space, improved ergonomics and a host of new premium features, it sets new standards for comfort and equipment in the C-SUV sector.

The main dashboard area combines advanced technology with an intelligent layout that allows the driver to concentrate on the road ahead. The split-level dashboard has been designed to be as clear and easy to navigate as possible, with the gently raised centre console housing both the infotainment system and the ventilation controls.

The redesigned combimeter features the Advanced Drive-Assist Display, a large five-inch colour display screen located between the two main dials. This high-resolution screen displays information from, among other sources, the new X-Trail's safety systems, and has been designed in such a way that drivers can receive warnings without having to take their attention away from the road.

The centre console houses the latest NissanConnect system with a seven-inch high-resolution screen and a host of smartphone connectivity features.

Quality and attention to detail have come to typify Nissan crossover design, and the new X-Trail is no exception. The cabin area features a host of high quality materials, including chrome, piano black and leather with contrast stitching. To further enhance comfort for occupants, Nissan examined every surface where the driver or passenger comes into contact with the car. As a result, the door armrest pads and centre console pad is eight times thicker than sector rivals offer. Other touches include a large between-the-seats storage box large enough to take an iPad or 10-inch tablet.

Equally impressive is the large glass moonroof - the biggest available in the class. Not only does it bathe the new X-Trail's cabin with natural light, the front half can also be opened to provide extra ventilation.

TECHNOLOGY

The new X-Trail is one of the most advanced cars in its sector. Fully connected, the new X-Trail benefits from the latest generation NissanConnect in-car navigation, information and entertainment system. Drivers will also benefit from a comprehensive suite of assistance features that make up the new X-Trail's Nissan Safety Shield system.

As has become expected practice from Nissan, all the features have practical benefits to make life easier for the driver and occupants.

New NissanConnect is one of the foremost examples of Nissan's engineering innovation. In its latest form, NissanConnect has evolved to offer smartphone connectivity, to keep owners connected to the outside world wherever their journey takes them. With access to a range of apps covering music, social networking, entertainment and travel through a large, 7-inch colour touch screen, the new NissanConnect is the perfect fit for new X-Trail.

The latest generation satellite navigation integrates GoogleTM features to reveal a host of useful information from weather forecasts to the location of fuel stations, hotels, restaurants and many other points of interest. The ever-popular Send-to-Car function also allows drivers to plan a trip at home and send it to their in-car NissanConnect system at the click of a button. The system includes Bluetooth audio streaming and mobile phone integration as well as Aux-in and USB slots.

The driver also benefits from one of the most advanced meter displays yet seen, with 5 inch TFT colour display incorporating 12 graphic displays accessible on rotation offering advice and warnings covering average and actual speeds, navigation turn-by-turn instructions, audio content, traffic sign recognition, eco driving advice and torque distribution settings in 4WD mode and more.

Powerful, flexible engine

At the heart of the new X-Trail is a muscular four-cylinder dCi 130 powerplant that generates 320Nm of torque. In line with Nissan's approach to downsizing, the 1.6-litre unit produces same torque than the previous 2.0-litre dCi unit and is considerably more efficient and cleaner. By reducing power sapping friction in its drivetrains, new X-Trail provides excellent performance from the latest generation of downsized engines, providing the pace of a bigger powerplant with the economy and emissions of a smaller one.

Jointly developed with Alliance partner Renault, the 130PS (96kW) unit is one of the most advanced diesel engines in its sector, with a host of technical innovations designed to maximise fuel consumption and reduce CO2 emissions.

Among these are a cold-loop, low-pressure exhaust gas recirculation system that recycles exhaust gas at a lower temperature to reduce emissions of nitrogen oxides and CO2. The engine unit also features optimised thermal management that allows the engine to reach operating temperature much quicker. This, in turn, reduces friction losses when starting from cold and improves fuel efficiency.