FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
9 December 2003
X‑TRAIL TAKES ON A NEW TRACK
Sales of Nissan’s X‑TRAIL are climbing faster than any other compact 4x4 and in a segment that’s growing quicker than any other, too. So to keep up the pace, Nissan has revised the X‑TRAIL adding the most powerful diesel engine in its class, a new interior and even higher equipment levels. And it’s current X‑TRAIL drivers that were the driver behind most of the changes.
All the new X-TRAILs are on sale now. Prices start from £16,995 for the new SE, a slight increase over the outgoing range that is more than compensated for by additional equipment of which the new T-Spec range topper, in particular, has loads. More, in fact, than any other compact 4x4, says Nissan.
The biggest improvement is to the diesel which leaps up to the top of its class with a power output of 136PS. That’s an increase of over 19% on what was there before. Torque or pulling power goes up by 16.3% yet fuel consumption stays at 39.2 mpg and CO2 emissions at 190 g/km. The new X‑TRAIL dCi is naturally rather faster than the outgoing diesel with 2.2 seconds slashed off the 0-62 mph acceleration time bringing it down to 11.5 seconds. And there’s another 10 mph added to the top speed. Nissan has also taken the opportunity to improve the gearchange to make it cleaner shifting. Plus existing X‑TRAIL-ers will notice a reduction in engine noise. There are changes, too, for those who prefer their car fuelled by petrol with
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availability of the 2.5-litre 165PS engine extended to Sport trim. In fact it’s now the only petrol engine available on the Sport, being rather sportier than the 2.0-litre it replaces.
It’s inside the X‑TRAIL that Nissan has made the most changes, many in response to customer feedback. There’s a completely new dashboard with more ergonomically designed controls. Switches for the climate control are now grouped into three circular knobs shared with the 350Z and positioned higher on the centre console. Operation of the X‑TRAIL’s innovative and electronic ALL-MODE 4x4 system is now by knob rather than button – apparently customers find turning a knob more satisfying… They also want more fresh air to the face so there’s a new air vent mounted above the steering column. And customers asked for longer front seat cushions so they’ve got those, too. Other requests that Nissan has fulfilled are for better quality materials, more storage space, more interior illumination and a higher opening tailgate. A demand for leopard print seat covers was ignored though.
In some instances, Nissan went even further to keep customers happy. Take the luggage net which they wanted fitted to their X‑TRAIL. Well, it is now. And rather than just coming up with a net that keeps loose bags of shopping from going AWOL around the luggage area, Nissan created a net that can be clipped any way around the customer wants. It even turns itself into a dog guard. Without anybody asking, Nissan has changed the air conditioned can holders so that they are now vertically mounted by the windscreen pillars and added a chillable centre console box. It’s easily big enough for a packed lunch if not the dog.
One area where existing X‑TRAIL-ers were quiet was exterior design. They like it and they like its good residual values. So why change things. All Nissan has done is make the car a little easier to park with a new front bumper design that shaves
55 mm off the overall length. This has also led to a new mesh grille and, as is the current trend, white side indicators and smoked effect rear lamps. The 16” alloy wheel design has also changed. But not so that you’d notice. It’s the same size as
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before and just as easy to clean. More obvious to existing X‑TRAIL-ers are the three new colours that they can now choose from. But sorry Ms Robinson of Harrow, there’s still no pink.
The base model in the original X‑TRAIL range, badged the S, has gone. Instead the range starts with a new SE derivative that gains side airbags as well as a CD player, an alarm, the cargo net, driver’s seat lumbar adjustment, and electronic climate control instead of a sunroof. It also gets new seat upholstery as well as all the other interior improvements detailed above. There are two engines offered, a 2.0-litre 140PS petrol carried over from the outgoing S priced at £16,995 and the new six-speed dCi for £18,395. Both versions come with Nissan’s innovative ALL-MODE 4x4 system which gives a choice of two-wheel drive, automatically selecting four-wheel drive and a ‘LOCK’ facility that fixes the torque going to front and rear axles. And all at the twist of a knob now rather than a push of a button.
But the new range doesn’t stop there. Nissan has added a T-Spec version fitted with every toy in its 4x4 cupboard. There’s Nissan’s ESP+ system which combines electronic stability programme and traction control, a load bearing roof system with integrated Safari Lamps, and a Europe-wide DVD with BirdView satellite navigation system. All this for £1700 more than the equivalent SVE with which the T-Spec shares its electrically adjustable and heated front seats with leather upholstery.
The most popular version of the X‑TRAIL has always been the Sport. And there’s no reason why it shouldn’t continue to be so especially now that it gets a new interior and the 2.5-litre 165PS engine with the option of automatic transmission as well as the new dCi 136PS diesel unit. The 2004 Sport has got more equipment, too, such as leather-rimmed steering wheel with audio controls, front fog lamps, active head restraints, fully colour coded exterior, that cargo net and a centre floor mounted box with lid. And that’s in addition to the enormous electric glass sunroof, 6CD autochanger, 16” alloys and roof spoiler it’s always had. Prices go from £18,995 for the 2.5 (auto adds £1000) to £19,795 for the dCi.
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The SVE model now has black leather instead of the previous tan which out-doorsy customers thought not too clever. The front seats gain electric adjustment, eight-way for the driver and four-way for the passenger, in addition to their two level bum warmers. And the SVE also gets the multi-function cargo net and active front-seat head restraints like all other 2004 X-TRAILs. As with the Sport, 2.5 manual (£20,895) or auto (£21,895) and dCi versions (£21,695) are available – each are £1900 more than the Sport to which the SVE also adds electrically folding door mirrors. Very handy if you have on-street parking.
Obviously the X‑TRAIL won’t have lost its four star NCAP safety rating. If anything, the car’s score should improve as all models gain active front seat head restraints and on the entry model, side airbags. Naturally anti-lock brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and brake assist are standard across the range. And here is the range, all 11 models of it:
2004 X‑TRAIL range
model transmission on the road price
2.0 SE 5-spd £16,995
2.5 Sport 5-spd £18,995
2.5 Sport 4-spd auto £19,995
2.5 SVE 5-spd £20,895
2.5 SVE 4-spd auto £21,895
2.5 T-Spec 5-spd £22,595
2.5 T-Spec 4-spd auto £23,595
2.2 dCi 136 SE 6-spd £18,395
2.2 dCi 136 Sport 6-spd £19,795
2.2 dCi 136 SVE 6-spd £21,695
2.2 dCi 136 T-Spec 6-spd £23,395
ends…
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Wayne Bruce Head of PR 01923 899930
E-mail: wayne.bruce@nissan.co.uk
Gloria Maydew Press Relations Manager 01923 899937
E-mail: gloria.maydew@nissan.co.uk
Linda Robinson Press Relations Manager 01923 899932
E-mail: linda.robinson@nissan.co.uk
All Nissan news releases and pictures can be downloaded from the Newspress website at http://www.newspress.co.uk
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