2007 Nissan X-Trail: Similar Shape, All-New Car

Motoring Channel Staff - 19/Feb/2007

Geneva, Switzerland — Nissan revealed its next generation X-Trail compact AWD at the Geneva Motor Show, which benefits from more powerful engines, a new look interior, an upgraded 4x4 system and more interior room. 

But rather than taking a heavy hand to the vehicle and dreaming up a radically different design, the Japanese company has kept the car's style familiar. There are numerous differences that separate the older first and this second generation model, such as the new headlights, revised 'family' grille and other features, but as Nissan points out, customer research clearly showed that the robust, strong shape was popular and well appreciated. 

The Japanese company even admits that this robust shape was a key factor in the decision making process for many buyers. While the new 2007 model X-Trail is completely new, there's a clear resemblance with its forebear.

Key design cues, such as the solid shoulder line, deep glasshouse and static window line have been transferred to the newcomer and the squared off appearance gives practical benefits too – with maximised interior space and the feeling of reassurance which is important to many buyers.

Other changes to the design include the revised profile of the rearmost side window, the extended wheel-arches and by the tough grille, which echoes the style found across Nissan’s 4x4 range.

At the back, the one-piece top-hinged tailgate extends deep into the bumper to create a low loading sill, while the high mounted stop lamp has been integrated into the top of the frame itself, rather than being mounted behind the tailgate glass as before.

The new X-TRAIL made its Australian debut at the 2007 Australian International Motor Show, where local versions will be available with an updated version of the existing 2.5-litre petrol engine and will go on sale in late 2007.

In a nutshell, the new model offers the following: 

• More interior space

• Greater comfort & refinement

• Improved performance

• Better economy

• Reduced emissions

• Increased safety levels

According to Nissan, the 2007 model X-Trail is new from the ground up, sharing its platform with the recently launched Nissan Qashqai. The platform features strut-type suspension at the front with a multi-link system at the rear, both ends being mounted on separate rubber insulated sub-frames providing enhanced refinement and isolation from vibrations.

The new X-Trail is slightly larger than before: its wheelbase has increased by 5mm to 2630mm, while overall length has risen by 175mm to 4630mm. Much of this extra length can be found in the trunk area, which has increased dramatically in size – up almost 50 per cent on the existing model.

The approach and departure angles of 28 and 23 degrees respectively and a generous 200mm ground clearance enable the X-Trail to traverse difficult terrain with comparative ease. It can safely stake its place in Nissan’s 4x4 range alongside such iconic vehicles as Patrol and its big brother, the Pathfinder.

At the heart of X-Trail’s 4x4 armoury is the latest ‘intelligent’ version of Nissan’s highly regarded "All Mode" electronic all-wheel drive system.

A simple to operate system, All Mode 4x4-i has a rotary knob on the centre console offering a choice between two-wheel drive or Auto mode. Auto is regarded as the ‘default’ mode: when driving at speeds of up to 80km/h, the system constantly monitors throttle opening, engine speed and torque to anticipate wheel spin and to distribute torque between front and rear axles as needed. Above that speed, the system reacts to wheelspin, again shifting drive rearwards to restore traction as required.

There's also the 'Lock' mode that operates at speeds of up to 40km/h and offers a more serious off-road setting for adventurous drivers, and is automatically over-ridden each time the engine is re-started.

Among the other highlights of All Mode 4x4-i are DDS and USS, standing for Downhill Drive Support and Uphill Start Support. USS is a fully automatic system that activates on any slope that exceeds a 10 per cent incline, holding the vehicle on the brakes until the driver starts to move away. The system also works if the vehicle is reversing up an incline.

DDS – operated via a switch on the centre console – operates when All Mode is in lock mode. DDS uses the anti-lock brakes to maintain a descent speed of 7km/h allowing the driver to concentrate on steering. Like USS, DDS also works when the vehicle is in reverse.

The interior continues Nissan’s practice of providing much higher levels of quality than expected for the class of car. 

Soft feel materials feature on all touch points, explains Nissan, while grained plastics and flocked surfaces in contrasting shades – black and grey or black and sand – are used throughout the cockpit. Depending on the trim level, instrument surrounds and other features are finished in silver or titanium colours to give a technical feel.

And as with other recent Nissan models, the X-Trail has been created with versatility and practicality uppermost. Positioning the instrument cluster behind the multi-function steering wheel has allowed greater versatility in the centre console, which can now house a larger navigation screen closer to eye level as well as providing space for an in-dash multi disc CD changer.

Perhaps the most versatile aspect of the new X-Trail is the trunk, however. With the rear seat in place, the original vehicle had a measurement of 410 litres up to the lower edge of the rear window. In the new X-Trail the equivalent figure is 603-litres, an increase of 193-litres.

This has been achieved by rerouting the exhaust silencer from its original transverse position under the boot floor to a north/south location alongside the rear wheel well. This has allowed the creation of an innovative double deck trunk, with space for a sliding drawer under the floor where valuable items can be stored away from prying eyes.

The drawer has partition walls that can be placed in a number of different positions or removed altogether as required. The floor and the drawer can both be removed to increase load space even further: as a result the trunk area of the new X-Trail is deeper and wider than the original and, even with the false floor in place, virtually as tall. With it removed, trunk height is increased by 127mm over the original.

To ensure maximum practicality, the floor has been finished in a tough and easy-to-clean but non-slip plastic surface. Raised ribs have been placed at unequal distances apart to help prevent loads shifting when the vehicle is on the move. Full carpeting was rejected for the trunk as customer research showed that many owners either carried dogs or outdoor sports equipment in the rear of their X-Trail and preferred a wipe-clean surface.

As before, the rear seat backrests recline through 7 degrees for maximum passenger comfort, and also fold flat to increase load space, but rather than a conventional 60/40 split fold, the new X-Trail has 40/20/40 folding system, again to increase flexibility.

Nissan's current model X-Trail has been a great success in Australia and as recently as February 2007, was the market leader in its segment. In 2005 and 2006, Nissan Australia sold 12,702 and 11,331 X-Trails respectively.

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