- Extreme pickup concept bows on heels of all-new 2016 TITAN® XD’s December launch
- Created by Nissan Design America in La Jolla, California, TITAN Warrior Concept offers aggressive adventure-ready design and commercial-duty chassis with modified off-road suspension
- Nissan IDS Concept makes North American debut, showcasing practical, real-world applications of autonomous drive technology
- Record 2015 Nissan business results, including 7.1 percent sales increase, also detailed during media conference
DETROIT – Just one year after the production version of the all-new Nissan TITAN XD made its world debut at the North American International Auto Show, the TITAN Warrior Concept was unveiled today on the very same stage. A design study created to demonstrate how the Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine-equipped TITAN XD can be adapted for off-road adventure use – as well as for its heavy-duty work capabilities – the TITAN Warrior Concept features unique exterior and interior design treatments and a modified off-road suspension.
“Truck buyers have a seemingly insatiable appetite for more content and more unique offerings,” said José Muñoz, executive vice president, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. and chairman, Nissan North America, Inc., as he revealed the TITAN Warrior Concept. “Even though our all-new 2016 TITAN XD just started arriving at Nissan dealers nationwide last month, we are already exploring new territory where TITAN might go in the future.”
Also making its first North American appearance in the Nissan display is one of the stars of the recent Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan IDS Concept autonomous driving vehicle. Last week, Renault-Nissan Alliance chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn announced the two companies would launch more than 10 vehicles with autonomous drive technology by 2020. The technology will be installed on mainstream, mass-market cars at affordable prices
The IDS Concept embodies Nissan’s vision of the future of autonomous driving and zero emission electric vehicles. By integrating advanced vehicle control and safety technologies with cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI), Nissan is among the leaders developing practical, real-world applications of autonomous drive technology.
Muñoz also reviewed Nissan’s ongoing sales growth in the United States in 2015 and its strong momentum heading into the new calendar year, building on the late 2015 launches of the new TITAN XD, Altima sedan, Sentra compact and the tremendous growth in sales of the recently redesigned Murano and Rogue crossover SUVs. Total 2015 sales were an all-time high of 1,484,918 units, an increase of 7.1 percent over 2014 sales.
“We set sales records month after month, profitably. We introduced fresh products in every critical segment, including full-size pickups. And we beat the industry average in terms of percentage of sales increase,” explained Muñoz. “Our calendar year share of 8.3 percent represents the one of the highest gains in the industry and our brand value continues to rise. Our market presence also continues to expand through our involvement in sports, entertainment and charity support.”
Public days for the 2016 North American International Auto Show, which is held at Cobo Hall, are January 16-24. For photography and additional information about the Nissan TITAN Warrior Concept and Nissan IDS Concept, along with the complete lineup of 2016 Nissan vehicles, please visit NissanNews.com.
About the Nissan Warrior Concept
The TITAN Warrior Concept creators had more than a strong foundation on which to build their vision of a bold and expanding future in the full-size pickup market, they had a familiar one. As part of the group that brought the “American TITAN” to life – a group that ranged from Tennessee, Michigan, Mississippi, Indiana, Arizona and California – the design team imagined how their original TITAN design, inspired by warriors in ancient Greek mythology, might evolve to extreme levels of adventure duty.
While maintaining the TITAN XD Crew Cab’s standard wheelbase and length, they gave the concept truck an even more powerful presence than the original. Building on the new second-generation TITAN’s warrior-inspired styling, the designers amplified the protective look of the production exterior.
Designating the new look as “modern armor” – with a stealthy, robotic quality – they continued the anatomical feel of the production TITAN, but added a more machine-like, sharper-edge appearance. Exterior features include muscular, carbon fiber fenders, functional hood vents, carbon fiber cabin and tailgate spoilers, and a large front skidplate, which interlocks into the powerful front bumper. Custom LED lights, front and rear, and integrated, roof-mounted LED off-road lights add to the TITAN Warrior Concept’s stealthy presence. The TITAN Warrior Concept is covered in a custom matte-gunmetal paint called “Thunder” and accented in special “Magma” and black color highlights.
Inside the TITAN Warrior Concept’s rugged performance-focused exterior is an interior conceived to handle the abuse experienced on an extended off-road excursion in comfort and style. The seats are covered in a carbon-colored high-strength seat fabric trimmed with “Magma” orange accents. Interior surfaces utilize material, such as carbon fiber, polished chrome finishes, leather with accented Magma orange stitching. Other interior details include unique hot-and-cold drink containers integrated into the center console. Robust auxiliary toggle switches are integrated into the center stack for additional off-road accessories. Instrument panel-mounted auxiliary gauges are provided to easily monitor truck performance.
As an extreme adventure version of the new 2016 TITAN XD, the TITAN Warrior Concept utilizes the factory fully boxed ladder frame and Cummins® 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel engine and the standard heavy-duty 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission as its base. Where the TITAN Warrior Concept departs from its production counterpart is in the full custom suspension design. In the front, the standard suspension has been replaced with custom upper and lower control arm with performance ball joints, along with racing-style internal bypass reservoir coil-over shocks with custom reservoir mounts and tie-rod extensions. In the rear, the modifications include custom internal bypass reservoir shocks with custom reservoir mounts. Adjusted-length prototype axles were installed, along with a custom sway bar, relocated sway bar brackets and rear lift blocks and U-bolts. Hydraulic pressurized bump stops were also added front and rear.
About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan’s operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized annually by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year since 2010. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the U.S. media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.
About Nissan Motor Co.
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan’s second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 247,500 employees globally, Nissan sold 5.32 million vehicles and generated revenue of 11.38 trillion yen (USD 103.6 billion) in fiscal year 2014. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of more than 60 models under the Nissan, Infiniti and Datsun brands. Nissan leads the world in zero-emission mobility, dominated by sales of the LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle. It is the best-selling EV in history with almost 50% share of the zero-emission vehicle segment. For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.
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Contact
Dan Passe
Product Communications, Nissan North America
615-725-5264
dan.passe@nissan-usa.com
Phil Lienert
Nissan Truck, SUV Crossover Communications
615-725-5236
phil.lienert@nissan-usa.com