Upgraded Nissan Titan could come to Oz

A facelifted version of the Nissan Titan  has been revealed and it could help Nissan Australia finally land the full-size US pick-up Down Under.

Boasting a fresh look, more power and a new transmission, the 2020 Nissan Titan comes with an upgraded 5.6-litre petrol V8 with 298kW of power and 560Nm of torque (up 7kW/26Nm), matched to a new nine-speed automatic that replaces the previous seven-speed unit.

Presenting a new “powerful warrior” design theme, the refreshed Titan features a new front bumper and grille, redesigned LED headlights and tail-lights, and fresh alloy wheels.

It also gets a larger 9.0-inch infotainment unit with over-the-air updates, LED lighting for the tray and a dual-panel panoramic sunroof.

Among the standard safety equipment is front and rear autonomous emergency braking (AEB), blind spot monitoring, high beam assist, lane departure warning and now rear cross traffic alert. Adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition and a 360-degree camera can be optioned.

The MY20 Titan goes on sale early next year in the US, where it is built exclusively in left-hand drive and will be available in a range of variants, from the entry-level S model to the most expensive Platinum Reserve and PRO-4X flagships.

The latter are most likely models to be sold through official channels Down Under for the first time – if Nissan Australia can establish a business case for local right-hand drive conversion in the same way the Walkinshaw Group ‘remanufactures’ the Chevrolet Silverado and RAM full-size trucks in Melbourne.

Nissan Australia boss Stephen Lester, who has been campaigning to get the Titan on sale here since 2017, told carsales in July that local RHD production is the most likely solution.

“There are no markets in the world where right-hand drive [Titan] exists,” he said. “Now I feel we have produced and demonstrated a workaround opportunity.”

We understand the same Melbourne-based automotive engineering company that Nissan Australia has enlisted to develop and produce the upcoming Navara N-TREK-based Warrior tough-truck would be the Japanese brand’s partner for the local Nissan Titan RHD conversion program if it is approved by Nissan in Japan.

Our sources have confirmed that a preliminary investigation has already been undertaken into local Titan conversion, but the deal remains in its infancy with significant investment into vehicle development and production yet to be signed off.

As the first global versions of both the Toyota Tundra and Ford F Series loom, Lester made it clear he would like the Titan to emulate the success of the locally converted RAM and Silverado here, and the new-look MY20 range could help his cause.

“The reality is we are going to keep working and fighting on this because I think there is tremendous opportunity and I will continue to talk to the global team about the fact others are taking that opportunity,” said Lester at the time.

“So my view is not listening to the immediate objections of people to suggest that we shouldn’t do it, but rather to find solutions for those opportunities. And I think here in Australia we are more than capable as a country to overcome those things and get it done.”