New design for US Pathfinder
2012-08-06 11:37
NEW AND IMPROVED PATHFINDER: The vehicle has been redesigned to be more aerodynamic and to have increased fuel efficiency.
Set to change its heavy pickup truck underpinnings and its 26-year history of boxy SUV looks, the Nissan Pathfinder has been redesigned into something more aerodynamically sleek.
The change, however, is not set for South Africa. The more rugged and truck-based version will continue in the country.
Similar to the Nissan crossover vehicles, the Pathfinder will be built on the same light unibody platforms as the Murano and Infiniti JX 35, The Detroit News reported.
UPDATED AND IMPROVED
The 2013 model is following in the footsteps of many others in this categoryby ditching its heavy pick-up truck design. Another change is its new “all-weather” road-going mission which also gets better fuel economy.
Without its frame the Pathfinder cuts 230kg from the 2012 model and improves its fuel consumption by 30 %. Nissan claims the full-size vehicle will have best-in-class cabin space with its three-row, seven-passenger seating, towing capacity and fuel economy.
Nissan said the new Pathfinder will come with a 194kW, 3.5-litre V6 engine and a low-friction, constantly variable transmission. Manual or traditional automatic transmissions, V8 or four-cylinder engine options are not on the cards.
MEETING CUSTOMERS' NEEDS
Officials said buyers in this category aren't looking for off-road capability anymore, and many are former minivan owners.
Tom Smith, Nissan's chief of truck and SUV marketing said: "Our customers are looking for all-weather capability, they are not going off-road much, but if they do, we still have Xterra and Armada (truck-framed SUVs)."
According to Detroit News, the interiors of the upscale models had leather upholstery and the latest infotainment technology.
