(January 12, 2015) DETROIT — The 2016 Nissan Titan XD, which made its world debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, goes on sale in the United States and Canada beginning in late 2015 with an all-new design that stakes out a unique position in the segment between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty entries.

Called the "XD," it offers the effortless towing and hauling of the larger, more expensive heavy-duty trucks — including an available maximum towing capacity of more than 12,000 pounds and maximum payload capacity of 2,000 pounds (when properly equipped) — yet has the fuel-efficiency and affordability of a half-ton pickup.



The new Titan XD Crew Cab, which was shown in Detroit with its powerful Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel, is the first of three cab configurations, two frame sizes, three powertrain offerings and five grade levels to be available in the full Titan lineup.

"The full-size truck market is the toughest market to crack in the entire industry, with so many outstanding products available," said Fred Diaz, senior vice president, Nissan Sales & Marketing and Operations U.S.

"This new Nissan Titan XD is designed to offer buyers something the others don't  — combining outstanding towing and hauling capabilities and exceptional towing and hauling fuel economy. It also offers excellent ride comfort and handling, and the features and amenities that real working truck owners want."

The all-new Titan XD, like the first-generation Titan, was developed with core Nissan planning, design, engineering and manufacturing teams contributing from Tennessee, California, Michigan, Arizona and Mississippi. The Titan XD's engine will be sourced from Cummins Inc. in Indiana. And, the lead designer and nearly four-dozen engineers also worked on the original 2004 Titan development.

While the original Nissan Titan is known for its consumer-focused innovations such as the Wide-Open rear doors, bedside storage compartment, factory spray-on bedliner and Utili-track Bed Channel System, the next-generation starts with a focus on commercial strength components — from the radiator to the rear axle and everything in between.



"Titan XD is a truck that uniquely utilizes both technology and strength to add confidence to the completion of everyday work tasks," said Diaz. "Half of all full-size truck owners tow more than 10 times a year, with a quarter of owners using them to haul tools, so we engineered Titan XD's toughness from the ground up."

Nissan Titan XD models utilize a unique frame and chassis to handle its Cummins diesel and its expanded towing and payload potential. Starting with a durable, proven chassis design from Nissan Commercial Vehicles, the new fully boxed, full-length ladder frame is extensively reinforced and strengthened for use with the Titan XD with added stiffness, vertical and lateral bending, and torsional rigidity. It also features an extended 151.6-inch wheelbase — about 20 inches longer than non-XD Titan models.

To maximize stability, handling and ride comfort, Titan XD uses a new heavy-duty, highly stable suspension design. The double-wishbone with stabilizer bar front suspension is reinforced and tuned for hard use and the rigid rear axle suspension utilizes hefty leaf springs and leaf bushings, along with twin-tube shock absorbers. The axle is a large purpose-built American Axle Manufacturing design. The rear differential measures 13.0 inches with 3.5-inch axle tubes, while the front differential (4x4 models) measures 9.25 inches. Also available is an Electronic Locking Rear Differential.

"A new class of truck also demands a new class of engine. Like the Titan XD itself, the new Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel fills the space between more expensive big bore diesels and less capable smaller displacement diesels," said Diaz. "And more than just power and torque, this engine is refined, starts fast and is responsive and quiet. It's also lightweight and offers clean emissions."

The Titan XD Cummins diesel is the first commercial application of the new Cummins M2 two-stage turbo system, which helps reduce traditional turbo-lag through precision balancing between high-pressure and low-pressure turbos. The patented Rotary Turbine Control provides solid performance across the powerband and manages exhaust gas temperatures.



The new engine also features a Bosch HPCR fuel system to deliver precise fuel control and multiple injections per combustion stroke, which helps increase efficiency and reduce traditional "diesel clatter." And, the advanced, maintenance-free Bosch ceramic glow plugs provide quick engine starts, even in extreme low temperatures.

Another key advantage of the new Cummins diesel design is that it provides maximum durability and power in a lightweight package. Weight was reduced by building the cylinder block out of compacted graphite iron (CGI), which is stronger and lighter than traditional iron.

Other lightweight engine components were added, including high-strength aluminum-alloy heads and composite valve covers. The CGI block, along with the dual overhead camshafts, also contributes to the engine's excellent noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics. The new Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel exhaust system has a particulate filter and selective catalytic reduction that enable the engine to run cleaner. That technology also serves a second purpose – reducing typical diesel noise.

As a result of all these advanced systems, the new Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel is more capable than small displacement diesel engine offerings and less expensive than big bore heavy-duty diesels.

It is also designed to be fun to drive, with about 45 percent more torque at cruising speed than similar-sized gasoline V8 engines. And, its low revving powerband requires less downshifting and provides more confidence while towing, as well as saving fuel whether towing or carrying heavy loads.

"Since the majority of full-size pickup owners drive more than 10,000 miles a year, fuel economy is also critical. Titan XD's Cummins diesel is expected to provide a projected 20 percent better fuel economy* than a gasoline-powered V8 while towing full loads," said Diaz. Actual mileage figures are not yet available.

Helping handle the power and torque of the engine is a heavy-duty 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission developed and tuned exclusively for the Titan XD.

Titan will also be offered with V8 and V6 gasoline engines. Details on those engines will be announced at a later date.

Durable off-road performance has also been emphasized, with features such as Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist and Brake Limited-Slip Differential (BLSD). A new off-road gauge uses accelerometer data to calculate the vehicle's pitch and roll angles.

Titan XD has a maximum payload of more than 2,000 pounds (when properly equipped) and a maximum towing rating of more than 12,000 pounds (when properly equipped). It is also snow plow-capable.

Among the list of new available towing aids are an Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, Trailer Sway Control (TSC), Tow/Haul Mode with Downhill Speed Control and a Trailer Light Check system that allows one-person hook-up operation – checking turn signals, brake lights and running/clearance lights from inside the Titan cab.

Also assisting trailer hook-ups is the Titan XD's available RearView Monitor with Trailer Guides, while the available Around View Monitor (AVM) provides a unique "bird's eye" view of the surrounding area from front, rear and side cameras to help with parking and pulling in and out of tight spaces. The system also includes Moving Object Detection (MOD), which helps the driver to detect moving objects such as vehicles, shopping carts or other large objects when backing out via an on-screen notification and warning chime.

The all-new Nissan Titan XD exterior and interior designs were created at Nissan Design America. Where the original Titan broke new ground in terms of smart cabin and bed utility, the goal this time around was to keep things simple but smarter – making owners' lives easier.

Inspired by a theme of "powerful precision tool," the Titan XD exterior provides a bold, commanding presence with a fresh, modern technical feel. "The designers sought to give Titan a feeling of athletic strength – a look that honors the power of the Cummins diesel engine," explained Diaz.

The profile of the Titan XD, with its extended front overhang, was actually influenced by the engine, to incorporate the high performance grille, charged air cooler and two-battery installation. Aerodynamics also played a role in the exterior design, which is improved from the previous Titan and incorporates a front spoiler, roof and tailgate spoilers, front tow hook hole cover, underbody covers, rear tire wind deflectors and a seal between the cab and bed.

Available exterior features include LED headlights and taillights, signature Daytime Running Lights, puddle lamps, and step rails for cabin and bed entry/exit. Door closing effort has also been reduced (compared to the previous generation Titan).

"We see the Titan XD as a truck with bold presence — tough enough to roll on to a job site with confidence, but refined enough for everything else," said Diaz. "And the bed, like on the original Titan, check all the boxes with user-friendly features and attention-to-detail."