FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE24 August 1999TERRANO II FOR THE YEAR 2000 - IN DETAILExterior
New exterior styling of the latest generation Terrano II, both three-door and five-door, generates a more imposing presence and echoes the design of Nissan’s luxury flagship off-roader, Patrol GR.
The wider and stronger front appearance is dominated by a new grille and dual-optic headlamp design, underpinned by a robust new bumper. The three dimensional front grille gives a more organic look to the broad frontal aspect. Below the grille the new bumper bolsters the impression of width and contributes to an added sense of power and strength.
The more imposing presence of the vehicle is reinforced by the larger 16in alloy and steel wheels. The spare wheel, carried conveniently on the rear door, has an innovative cover that combines practicality with style. New stop lamps, combi-lamp clusters and back door moulding add to the sophisticated 4x4 appearance. Large door mirrors and redesigned side-steps add practicality to the style. New badging enhances awareness of the Nissan brand.
Interior
Complementing the revised exterior is a revised interior design. The bold personality of the interior is reflected in the new centre console and centre panel, with new dials set in a two-tone fascia.
Key highlights are the contemporary fascia and centre console. The dials ahead of the driver are all new, with sporty graphics and multi-function display. The LCD display incorporates an outside temperature indicator (with low temperature warning), a clock and separate total and trip odometers.
The fascia centre panel, housing the new radio/cassette and climate controls, flows smoothly into the console, creating an integrated, high-quality ambience. The front seats have been redesigned to give more comfort and increased side support for better seat position both on and off road.
Although the interior has a new sense of luxury, practical features abound. New double cupholders above the ventilation controls, a new back door stowage net and sunvisor pocket, enhance utility and day-to-day practicality.
New Grade Structure
The new Terrano II also benefits from a clear and simple range structure; three grades are available:
SE+: As SE plus leather trim and CD Autochanger
SE: Side cladding, alloy wheels, chrome highlights, ‘wood-effect’ centre cluster, dual airbags, EBD/ABS, air-conditioning
S: Body-colour bumpers, sporty seat trim, power windows, electric sunroof, water repellent glass, keyless entry with ‘anti-hijack’ feature
TECHNICAL FEATURESChassis
The latest generation Terrano II builds on the strengths of the preceding models. Unlike some other 4x4s, which have limited off-road performance, Terrano II has a strong separate chassis to withstand the torsional forces of off-roading. The front independent suspension, with double wishbones and torsion bars, is balanced at the rear with a live axle located by four trailing arms and a Panhard
rod, and controlled by coil springs. New for the 2000 MY models are more sophisticated gas-type shock absorbers, to improve ride comfort and stability, particularly on the road.
This combination of a torsionally stiff chassis and pliant suspension gives a smooth and controlled ride on the road, further refined by anti-roll bars front and rear. When off-road the ride is compliant and flexible, capable of coping comfortably with the toughest terrain.
Combined with the new 16in tyres (235/70 R16 replacing 235/75 R15), the uprated suspension improves stability under all conditions, with a reduction in understeer and a four per cent improvement in maximum lateral acceleration. Not only that, but it allows a three per cent maximum speed increase in the Elk Test. With a two per cent improvement in aquaplaning avoidance during cornering, and six per cent improvement in longitudinal aquaplaning, the latest generation Terrano II gives an improved and safer ride under all conditions - in the wet or dry, snow or ice.
Engines
In a market traditionally dominated by diesel engines, Nissan’s 2.7TDi provides excellent performance. Turbocharging, intercooling and electronic control of the diesel injection system combine to produce 125PS at only 3,600rpm. Peak torque reaches 278Nm at just 2,000rpm. Flexibility, even at low engine speeds, makes this an optimum match for the latest generation Terrano II off-roader.
The petrol engine offered alongside the turbo-diesel remains Nissan’s reliable 2.4-litre, 12-valve four-cylinder unit, offering excellent performance while meeting the latest stringent emission legislation.
Both engines are available in the three-door or five-door models, but the 2.7TDi engine can also be specified with four-speed automatic transmission. The powerful intercooled turbo-diesel, which is built in Europe at Nissan’s Cuatro Vientos engine plant in Madrid, is matched well with the specially tuned automatic transmission. Controlled by a microprocessor unit, the four speed automatic has a lock-up on the torque converter to save fuel, while retaining optimum response between gears either on road or on rougher terrain.
Safety
Terrano II offers a comprehensive range of active and passive safety features. The safety package has been improved with an enhanced ABS system, the introduction of Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), and larger rear brakes for increased performance, allowing a bigger friction surface and better heat dissipation. The anti-lock brakes on the latest generation Terrano II are specially designed to work off-road. As well as the four sensors in the wheels, a g-sensor detects the rate of deceleration in order to distinguish between high and low-friction surfaces like ice and snow. The ABS functions effectively in the three basic vehicle modes: rear drive only, four-wheel drive, and four-wheel drive low. In addition it switches out below 8km/h to improve retardation in certain conditions, such as deep snow, where locked wheels can actually improve performance.
Terrano II is the first Nissan off-roader to be fitted with EBD, Electronic Brake Distribution. It contributes to a significant improvement in Terrano II’s braking performance. With EBD, off-road vehicles can brake as effectively as passenger cars. EBD helps vehicles most with a higher centre of gravity, like 4x4s, because they are more prone to longitudinal pitching. The EBD in Terrano II continuously monitors performance of the rear brakes, allocating the maximum amount of force possible during heavy braking.
As a result of all these changes, the latest generation Terrano II has one of the best braking performances in the 4x4 market. NETC-E found in its cold test, braking from 100km/h to zero that the latest generation Terrano II stopped 5.6m shorter than its predecessor and 8.2m shorter in the hot test.
Terrano II offers a secure platform for the occupants. The high and commanding driving position allows excellent visibility and, due to the new water-repellent glass on the front side windows, under all weather conditions as well. The glass, which is the first Nissan application in Europe, reduces the water’s surface contact area and hence the water’s adhesion to the glass. A hydrophobic coating reduces the diameter of the water droplets, helping them slide off in the airflow and making them easier to see through before they slide off. The new surface is easier to clean than conventional glass and it means that de-icing is equally simple.
Visibility is improved not just during the day but at night as well, thanks to the new headlamps. The new system gives a low beam 8m or 5.6 per cent wider and 26m or 16.7 per cent longer than on the previous model. At the rear the new high-mounted stop lamp allows better visibility in poor conditions. All-round visibility is further enhanced by the large door mirrors.
Security
Terrano II already has excellent security systems, with the latest Nissan Anti-Theft System and Superlocking. This defence has now been taken even further with the anti-hijack system. This means that a single press on the transponder key now unlocks just the driver’s door (a second press unlocks all the doors). Once inside, pressing the ‘unlock’ switch unlocks the remaining doors. There is only one external lock on the entire vehicle – on the driver’s door.
To make security user-friendly, the previous ignition key and entry transmitter have now been cleverly combined into one integrated keyhead. The Nissan Terrano II has in-depth security features, so the driver can unlock the driver’s door or all the doors, using either the key or the button in the transponder. The alarm fitted disables the volumetric sensing inside, which is operative when the car is locked. Breaking into the vehicle will trigger the alarm if a window is broken or a door is opened. Breaking-in will not allow the thief to unlock the doors as Superlocking disables all the interior release handles.
Once inside, the driver can then insert the key in the ignition and start the engine. To do so, the transponder key, which has two unique codes, will communicate with the immobiliser to confirm the codes. Even if the thief has somehow copied the key, the engine will remain immobilised without the right codes.
Defence extends to the radio and beyond. Every time the radio is switched on it checks that the immobiliser codes are correct. Unless that unique code is known, the radio will not work in another vehicle. Not only the vehicle and its occupants but even the accessories are protected by security. A new spare wheel bracket is fitted so that the spare wheel cannot be removed from outside the vehicle.
Audio Equipment
Terrano II gains a new audio system – a six-speaker system similar to that on the New Primera. A large co-ordinated display unit is integrated in the centre panel to make operation easier and safer. Bass speakers are located in the door for ambience with tweeters mounted in the bases of the A-pillars for clarity.
Advanced features include:
· TIM or Traffic Information Management, allows up to four minutes of the latest traffic information to be recorded and replayed before a journey has started. This can be set to record when you are not even in the vehicle.
· Speed dependent volume control, which automatically adjusts the volume in accordance with vehicle speed allowing the driver to concentrate on the road. Six different volume/speed settings are available.
· A personalised audio facility, which allows individual audio settings to be stored within each ignition key. This means that two drivers, each with their own key, can retain different audio settings.
Manufacturing
Terrano II is a European vehicle – designed, developed, built and enhanced by Nissan’s European team of engineers and technicians. Built by the 3,900 strong workforce at the Nissan Motor Iberica SA plant (NMISA) in Barcelona, with parts sourced from a large proportion of NMISA’s 221 European suppliers, Terrano II is exported to over 80 countries world-wide.
No chlorofluorocarbon materials are used in either the Terrano II’s components or manufacturing processes. Recycled materials are increasingly used, and all parts larger than 100g are clearly marked for recycling.
Rallying the Terrano II
Terrano II is not just a so-called ‘lifestyle’ 4x4. This is clearly demonstrated at all levels of serious off-road competition. At the highest level, a Terrano II won the T1 Diesel Class of the 1999 Granada-Dakar Rally. Spaniards Rafael Santiveri and Rosendo Tourinan survived 9,000km of off-road racing in their production-based Terrano II to take victory. Hazards over the 18 days included sinking sand, sheer dunes, extreme heat and even armed robbery!
At the enthusiast level, the Terrano II Challenge is forming a popular and competitive element within the Portuguese National Off-Road Championship. The championship, the largest in Europe, enables cost-effective competition in high-quality rally-raids. The two-day events have special stages up to 300km long. For the 1999 championship 35 teams regularly compete - all using identical three-door Terrano II models with standard KA24E petrol engines. Success can be measured by the fact that Terrano II is the single most popular model within the whole National Championship - with Nissan 4x4s accounting for more than 50 per cent of the entire entry list.
ends…
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Andrew Roberts Manager, Product Affairs 01923 899930
e-mail: andrew.roberts@nissan.co.uk
Gabi Whitfield Press Officer, Product Affairs 01923 899930
e-mail: gabi.whitfield@nissan.co.uk
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