Nissan has added turbodiesel power to the X-trail SUV locally.
Featuring the same 2-litre turbodiesel engine recently launched in the Qashqai range, X-Trail market appeal should be appreciably broadened by the smooth, efficient 110kW engine.
Refined turbodiesel power
Equipped with centre-mounted balancer shafts and a pendulum engine mounting the 16-valve, four-cylinder unit produces a class average 110kW at 4 000rmin and 320Nm at 2 000r/min. Thanks to symmetrical intake ports on each cylinder, acoustic refinement – usually the bane of turbodiesel engines – is of nearly petroleum injection quality.
In the Qashqai application the 2-litre engine renders a very refined, punchy driving experience, and these dynamic qualities should replicate themselves in the X-Trail too.
Available in either front- or all-wheel drive, the range builds from XE to SE and finally LE in three trim levels. Entry level XE trim is available in two-wheel drive configuration only, with all-wheel drive constituting the SE and LE trim level ranges. All turbodiesel models drive through either manual or automatic six-speed gearboxes - the petrol X-trail CVT drivetrain option is not avaliable.
Practical SUV blend
Although the X-Trail is oddly proportioned and less attractive than its predecessor, the interior is capacious, and in lieu with its SUV market positioning, very practical.
Cup holders and stowage spaces abound in the X-Trail cabin architecture – if only Nissan would transfer some of these stowage space features to the Qashqai range – and the load bay area features clever plastic sliding drawers for wet or muddied items.
With only 203mm worth of ground clearance X-Trail is hardly a continent crosser. In mitigation, considering its soft-roader market positioning, the turbodiesel engine produces 288Nm at only 1 750r/min, combined with the ultra user-friendly all-mode turn-dial 4x4 system – which has front-wheel, auto all-wheel and 50:50 front/rear lock functionality – mud and sand driving ability should be sufficient for weekend soft-road adventurists.
A key aspect of any diesel SUV is fuel efficiency, and here Nissan claims the new X-trail 4x2 diesel consumes only 6.9l/100km; the 4x4 version 7.2l/100km, and the 4x4 auto 8.1l/100km.
Pricing
2.0 XE 4x2 6M/T: R279 990
2.0 SE 4x4 6M/T: R343 990
2.0 SE 4x4 6A/T: R359 990
2.0 LE 4x4-i 6M/T: R372 990
2.0 LE 4x4-i 6A/T: R388 990
Featuring the same 2-litre turbodiesel engine recently launched in the Qashqai range, X-Trail market appeal should be appreciably broadened by the smooth, efficient 110kW engine.
Refined turbodiesel power
Equipped with centre-mounted balancer shafts and a pendulum engine mounting the 16-valve, four-cylinder unit produces a class average 110kW at 4 000rmin and 320Nm at 2 000r/min. Thanks to symmetrical intake ports on each cylinder, acoustic refinement – usually the bane of turbodiesel engines – is of nearly petroleum injection quality.
In the Qashqai application the 2-litre engine renders a very refined, punchy driving experience, and these dynamic qualities should replicate themselves in the X-Trail too.
Available in either front- or all-wheel drive, the range builds from XE to SE and finally LE in three trim levels. Entry level XE trim is available in two-wheel drive configuration only, with all-wheel drive constituting the SE and LE trim level ranges. All turbodiesel models drive through either manual or automatic six-speed gearboxes - the petrol X-trail CVT drivetrain option is not avaliable.
Practical SUV blend
Although the X-Trail is oddly proportioned and less attractive than its predecessor, the interior is capacious, and in lieu with its SUV market positioning, very practical.
Cup holders and stowage spaces abound in the X-Trail cabin architecture – if only Nissan would transfer some of these stowage space features to the Qashqai range – and the load bay area features clever plastic sliding drawers for wet or muddied items.
With only 203mm worth of ground clearance X-Trail is hardly a continent crosser. In mitigation, considering its soft-roader market positioning, the turbodiesel engine produces 288Nm at only 1 750r/min, combined with the ultra user-friendly all-mode turn-dial 4x4 system – which has front-wheel, auto all-wheel and 50:50 front/rear lock functionality – mud and sand driving ability should be sufficient for weekend soft-road adventurists.
A key aspect of any diesel SUV is fuel efficiency, and here Nissan claims the new X-trail 4x2 diesel consumes only 6.9l/100km; the 4x4 version 7.2l/100km, and the 4x4 auto 8.1l/100km.
Pricing
2.0 XE 4x2 6M/T: R279 990
2.0 SE 4x4 6M/T: R343 990
2.0 SE 4x4 6A/T: R359 990
2.0 LE 4x4-i 6M/T: R372 990
2.0 LE 4x4-i 6A/T: R388 990