Diesel X-TRAIL beats the odds
The business case seemed marginal, but Nissan has bowed to customer demand, introducing X-TRAIL variants powered by a Renault-sourced dieselNissan has bitten the bullet, offering Aussie buyers a modern four-cylinder diesel engine in the X-TRAIL compact SUV. The importer took its time arriving at the decision (more here), but the local market's increasing acceptance of diesel as an alternative to petrol engines has swayed Nissan's decision makers.
The company claims that it is the first to market with a diesel compact SUV among the four top-selling models in the segment -- those four top-selling models NOT including the Suzuki Grand Vitara diesel, which has been on sale in Australia since March and is selling a steady 50 units a month, on average.
"The top four players are about 78 per cent of all compact SUV sales," says Ross Booth, Nissan's General Manager Marketing, "with ourselves, Outlander, RAV4 and CR-V -- so when we say 'major competitors', I'm not trying to belittle the competition, it's just from a volume perspective, [the top four] make up the substantial volume.
"To be honest, [the Suzuki's] engine, from a power and torque perspective, is a long way away from the X-TRAIL," says Booth, contradicting any argument that the Suzuki might be a viable competitor to the new X-TRAIL variants.
Supporting Booth's contention, the X-TRAIL dCi is powered by a new generation diesel from Renault, whilst the Grand Vitara is powered by an older generation of Renault engine.
Meeting the Euro IV emissions standard and featuring a diesel particulate filter, the new 2.0-litre turbodiesel in the X-TRAIL is coded M1D and is offered in two states of tune: a 110kW/320Nm output for the automatic variants or a 127kW/360Nm version for the manual X-TRAIL dCi. Both variants develop peak torque at the same engine speed, 2000rpm, but the auto needs to be revved to 4000rpm for peak power, versus 3750rpm for the manual.
Nissan claims that the manual variants use just 7.4L/100km of fuel in combined cycle testing and emit 198g/km. In its detuned state, the X-TRAIL dCi auto returns a fuel consumption figure of 8.1L/100km and emits 216g/km. To keep NVH to a minimum, the M1D engine benefits from balance-shaft technology.
Both the transmissions are overdrive units and transfer the engine's torque to the front wheels in 2WD mode, or all four wheels -- as required -- in the 4WD/auto mode.
Underpinning the drive system, the suspension comprises MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link IRS system behind, whilst the steering is electrically-assisted rack and pinion.
As with other Nissan models, the diesel X-TRAIL dCi is offered in two levels of trim with manual and auto drivetrain options, taking the total variants to four.
At the entry level for Nissan's new range, there's the X-TRAIL dCi TS, priced from $36,990 when specified with the six-speed manual or $38,990 for the six-speed automatic variant. Pricing for the higher grade X-TRAIL dCi TL starts at $39,990 for the manual and finishes up at $41,990 for the auto.
On the face of it, the base model diesel X-TRAIL is $5000 more expensive than the entry-level petrol X-TRAIL ST, but the X-TRAIL dCi TS is also trimmed to a higher level, with such items as an upgraded audio system and larger alloy wheels (versus the steel wheels fitted to the X-TRAIL ST.
As standard, the X-TRAIL dCi TS is fitted with: dual front airbags, side-impact and curtain airbags, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, stability control, 17x6.5J alloy wheels, 215/60 R17 tyres, remote central locking, electric windows/mirrors, trip computer, alarm, MP3-compatible six-disc CD audio system, air conditioning and triple-split-fold rear seats.
Over that specification, the X-TRAIL dCi TL comes equipped with leather upholstery, electric seat adjustment for driver (six-way adjust) and passenger (four-way adjust), front-seat heating, sunroof and climate control air conditioning.
Tested by Euro NCAP late last year, the X-TRAIL has scored a four-star safety rating and, according to Nissan, performed especially well in the area of child safety.
Although diesel variants sold in the medium SUV segment sell in larger numbers as a proportion of total sales, Nissan expects the compact X-TRAIL dCi to account for 30 per cent of sales when it goes on sale next month.
To comment on this article click here
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
