I think it’s a shoe in but that is just me Wayne Gerdes – CleanMPG – Dec. 8, 2015 2016 Nissan Titan Destructive Testing. After more than 900 of these impacts including numerous broken rims and flat tires, the alignment was still in spec! A few hours ago, Nissan announced that the upcoming all-new 2016 Nissan Titan XD has been named one of three finalists for the 2016 North AmericanTruck/Utility of the Year (NATOY), an annual award selected by an independent, self-funded jury made up of a group of automotive journalists from across the United States and Canada. The announcement of the finalists for both the North American Truck of the Year and the North American Car of the Year was made today at the Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit. The NATOY jury selected the finalists from a list of trucks and sport utility vehicles that set new benchmarks in the classes in which they compete. The jurors evaluated Titan XD and 11 other semi-finalists on the ballot based on factors including: value for the dollar, innovation, handling, performance, safety and driver satisfaction. I bolded the three areas directly above where the Titan XDs strength stand out in particular vs. competitors. Excellent Estimated Pricing The 2016 Nissan TITAN XD splits the difference between a very capable 1/2 ton and a super capable 3/4 ton. Within the following vid you can hear Nissan’s Rich Miller, Titan Chief Product Specialist describing the Titan XDs product positioning. 2016 Nissan Titan XD Product Positioning The new design combines the capability of a true heavy-duty tower with the drivability and affordability of a light-duty pickup. It is anchored by a powerful 310 hp Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel mated to a heavy-duty 6-speed Aisin automatic transmission, placed within a ¾-Ton frame with HD Axles, Shafts, HD Differential, HD Transfer Case, HD Steering gear and Huge brakes. Together they combine to provide a maximum towing capacity rating of more than 12,000 pounds in low end trims. I believe it "may" be driven to high efficiency with caveats due to the std. 3.91 rear end. and But not so fast... 2016 Nissan Titan XD Chassis Detail The Titan XD's long list of features include 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 – including checking turn signals, brake lights and running/clearance lights. Assisting trailer hook-ups is a RearView Monitor with Trailer Guides. TITAN XD also offers an available Around View Monitor (AVM) from the Nissan parts bin, which provides a unique "bird's eye" view of the surrounding area to help with parking and pulling in and out of tight spaces. The system includes Moving Object Detection (MOD). Two trailer hitches are available, including an integrated gooseneck hitch engineered into the frame and easily accessible in the bed. The 2016 Titan XD will be offered in five grade levels: S, SV, SL, Platinum Reserve and the PRO-4X grade with standard off-road features including 18-in alloys with all-terrain off-road tires, Bilstein off-road shocks, electronic locking rear differential and skid plates. Pro-4X Trim at night. Notice the excellent under rail bed lighting? The Titan XD Platinum Reserve grade features premium leather-appointed heated seating, dark chrome exterior trim, two-tone paint treatment, leather-wrapped steering wheel with wood insert, 20-in dark chrome alloy wheels plus more. This was one very comfortable truck. Platinum Reserve very comfortable leather seating with embedded moniker. Following the launch of the 2016 TITAN XD Crew Cab this month, the new Titan XD will be offered in three cab configs, two frame sizes, three powertrain offerings and five grade levels. Moving to the regular Titan compared to the Titan XD, Rich added, As said in the intro, there are few trucks taking the risk by targeting a segment that splits the difference between the HD and LD segments so nicely. In doing so, Nissan called upon the iconic brand “Cummins” to provide HD towing torque with a better than 1/2–ton competitors Ride and Handling qualities. It may not meet everyone’s expectations but they did a hell of a job at meeting a lot more future customers’ expectations than currently exists.
