Nissan Titan 2

In times when the average lifecycle of an automobile in the market is decreasing as you read this page, Titan’s case results quite interesting, if not surprising. In an attempt to reduce costs and increase competitiveness, the Japanese automaker considered developing its new generation from the current RAM lineup, but such partnership was never officialized. The solution ended being an in-house project, but now with the additional pressure of all that lost time. The result is finally here, but it’s impossible not to wonder: does the new Titan have what it takes to make up for five years?

From a first year selling 87,000 units, it has been pretty much downhill for Titan ever since. Losing sales almost in an exponential fashion meant that people took it because of the seek of novelty, rather than for thinking of it as a true threat to the Big Three. As if this situation wasn’t bitter enough, these pick-ups were getting facelifts, new technical parts, more equipments and/or entirely new generations during the aforementioned delay. Nissan obviously knew it would take a lot of work to catch up with them, but it also didn’t want to risk ending at the same situation as before. Therefore, it decided to make its product a little different: the new payload, towing and gross weight figures put the novelty between the typical light and heavy duty pick-up trucks.

In other words, instead of developing a separate heavy-duty pick-up (and taking the risk of failing in the same way), the Japanese automaker upgraded Titan so as to do a little of both jobs. But its subversive character doesn’t go any further: components such as body, brakes, chassis and suspension just follow what the competitors have – or had, in part of F-150’s case. Despite the new truck is debuting in a single body version, it’ll also offer single and extended cabs, three bed lengths, 17” to 20” wheels, front or all-wheel-drive, and three engines. The latter will be a V6 and a V8 with gasoline, and one of the biggest features of the new Titan: a brand new turbo-diesel 5.0 V8 that is made by Cummins, delivers 310 hp and 555 lb-ft, and will only appear at upscale trim levels.

Other interesting features will only be noticed with the everyday use. Nissan’s new pick-up can offer several trailer controls, tow/haul mode, proximity-key access, step bars along the entire length, downhill speed control, damped tailgate, and a particular set of items for the cargo bed: 120-volt outlet, Utili-track aluminum cleats which move and lock almost anywhere along the room, LED lights, and lockable storage boxes that can be removed when not in use. At the cabin, there are no surprises: the design resembles other Nissans very much, and includes huge space, lots of storage areas, “Zero Gravity” seats, and an equipment list which includes a 5” LCD screen for the instruments, a 7” one for the Nissan Connect infotainment system, dual-zone climate control, and Rockford Fosgate stereo.

The new Titan will offer five trim levels, although only three were showed now. SL is the intermediate, PRO-4X is dedicated to off-road activities, and Platinum Reserve will use two-tone leather, better materials and more chrome inserts so as to seduce wealthier customers – on the other hand, Nissan knows its pick-up is still unable to compete with the high-luxury versions that have been released for the light-duty variations of Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-Series and RAM pick-ups. After being officially released during this year’s Detroit Auto Show, the all-new Nissan Titan will go on sale in the end of the next Northern summer. The other trim levels and body configurations should be showed by then, along with the complete price list.