DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: New Nissan Pathfinder on the trail for more sales

The new Nissan Pathfinder, due in Australia before the Patrol, will be instrumental in the brand's growth in Australia and its quest to become the number one importer in the country by 2020.

Arriving in Australian the second half of 2013, managing director for Nissan in Australia, Dan Thompson says he expects the new Pathfinder to attract three or four times as many customers as it has currently. During 2010 Nissan sold around 1000 Pathfinders however a mid-life update last year including a facelift and new V6 turbodiesel engine option helped to double sales for 2011.

Up against segment darlings including Ford Territory and Toyota Kluger, Nissan Australia wants the Pathfinder to sell in similar numbers as its popular Navara at around 10,000 per annum – a significant increase, admits Thompson.

The new model's styling will help win new buyers, he believes. "In my opinion the previous model's design never really resonated with the Australian public," said California-born Thompson.

"That's what is so exciting about the new Pathfinder... We finally have the design nailed," Thompson told motoring.com.au. "[This is] A design more along the lines of what families are looking for... If anything gives us the confidence for the fourth-generation model, it's its design direction."

The outgoing Pathfinder's blocky styling gives the wagon an authentic offroad-capable appearance, much like the X-TRAIL. But Nissan has taken a different tack with the Pathfinder; applying more modern styling, and it will also mod-up the new X-TRAIL when it is released a few years from now.

The new Pathfinder may look smaller due to its edgier styling, however the fourth generation version is longer and wider than the predecessor, and boasts more interior space. It's also 225kg lighter thanks in part to the adoption of a monocoque rather than ladder-frame chassis.

Along with the weight savings, the new Pathfinder is also more 25 per cent efficient, according to Nissan.

Engine and specification details for Australian-delivered models weren't available from Nissan spokespeople at the time of the Pathfinder's reveal at Detroit. However Nissan's global product guru, Andy Palmer promised there were many powertrain options open to consideration for our market.

Thompson told motoring.com.au that a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine model would join the range, which currently only offers diesel options. It is also likely a continuously variable transmission will be offered.

Pricing also wasn't confirmed however Thompson told motoring.com.au the Pathfinder has "always represented tremendous value" and so shoppers can expect the same positioning for the new model.

The new Pathfinder maintains three-row seating to accommodate seven passengers. Nissan says the new underbody has also allowed designers to extend on cabin space while the exterior has been styled for better aerodynamics with redesigned headlights.

Visit motoring.com.au again for more news from the North American International Auto Show.

Read the latest news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site.