Nissan News: Nissan Says A V6 is Coming for Titan, Hints Return of XTerra

[William Maley]

Nissan and Toyota are outliers in the full-size truck market as they only offer V8 engines. Nissan had announced that a V6 was coming, but it hasn't appeared.  Michael Bunce, senior vice president-product planning for Nissan North America told Wards Auto said a V6 is still in the cards, but it will appear in the next-generation Frontier.

“A new Frontier (small pickup) is on its way, and a V-6 is more geared toward that segment. Both (the Frontier and Titan) are built in the same plant in Mississippi, so that opportunity is being looked at for Titan also,” said Bunce.

“I can’t give you any specific details on that, but we will be moving in that direction,” Bunce said when asked if the V6 would first appear in the Frontier before appearing the Titan.

The V6 engine for trucks is mostly positioned for those buying them for fleet duty.

Wards Auto reports that it is unclear what V6 engine will be used.

Bunce also revealed the automaker is looking at a return to the off-road utility segment due to the resurgence of the segment due to models like the Jeep Wrangler.

“We know (via research) the Millennial male, through devices they’re becoming more isolated. And they want to reconnect with friends, family, outdoors. And a vehicle is an expression, a way to do that. We’re doing a lot of work in the space to understand that customer very well.”

Bunce also said the XTerra nameplate “is a great asset in terms of a name and a badge. It’s on the shelf right now, but it’s something we could utilize in the future.” The XTerra nameplate went away in 2015. Judging from these comments, it might mean the XTerra could be coming back.

Source: Wards Auto

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[balthazar]

yeah- it's not that there's no V6.

[smk4565]

They need a good V6, not some dinosaur V6 with 240 hp like what the Frontier has or had, not even sure what engine is in it now.  What would be interesting is the 3.0 turbo V6 Infiniti has, that makes 400 hp which is probably pretty close to the V8 they have since the Nissan/Infiniti 5.6 liter V8 was born on the same day as dirt.

[David]

Nissan needs new powertrain line up period for all trucks / cuv / suv.

[ocnblu]

The brightest nugget in this is the probable return of the Xterra.  If they don't mess with the formula, keep it based on the next-gen Frontier and offer it with the V6 and a stick, it will be a winner.  Which is a rare feat at Datsun these days.

[David]

9 hours ago, ocnblu said:

The brightest nugget in this is the probable return of the Xterra.  If they don't mess with the formula, keep it based on the next-gen Frontier and offer it with the V6 and a stick, it will be a winner.  Which is a rare feat at Datsun these days.

I would agree with everything you say, but the stick will not happen. Stick is dead and not worth the R&D cost to build for new future auto's. Plus less efficient in many ways which you know that.

I agree, sticks can be much more fun than an auto, but the days of stick are over.

[balthazar]

5 minutes ago, dfelt said:

...the days of stick are over.

HA! That's what they said about manual crank wipers and the manual crank start— nevermind.

[Drew Dowdell]

The Titan needs to go on a diet. 

[ocnblu]

The Jeep Wrangler continues to offer a manual transmission.  I rest my case.

[David]

Saw a Titan Diesel today on the Highway, wife and I both agreed that is one butt ugly truck. New Ford drove by right with it and looked way better.

[daves87rs]

On 12/31/2017 at 5:07 AM, ocnblu said:

The brightest nugget in this is the probable return of the Xterra.  If they don't mess with the formula, keep it based on the next-gen Frontier and offer it with the V6 and a stick, it will be a winner.  Which is a rare feat at Datsun these days.

Wish would be cool...

 

But happy to see one of the few Nissans I liked coming back...