by Damien Sharkov
With the Frankfurt Motorshow underway there has been plenty cause for excitement for everybody in the automotive industry.
The city boys and business types will have relished at the sight of the new Mercedes S class coupe, while lovers of higher speeds also had their moment as the Jaguar C-X17 also broke cover.
Perhaps even the Mini-esque Citroen Cactus will have found a few admirers out there. For caravan fans, however, one car new release has been particularly anticipated – the Nissan X-Trail.
In terms of design Nissan has revamped the SUV in an attempt to diversify its function, beyond its use as a towcar. Its slicker lines seem to bring it closer to a VW Passat or Ford Mondeo than its bulky competition in the form of, say, a Skoda Yeti.
The 2014 X-Trail will introduce “premium technology to a new area of the market” Nissan claims, and it was confirmed the new seven-seater X-Trail will be available in front wheel drive as well as four wheel drive.
The company also stresses that the SUV is just as capable in off-road environments as previous models.
The 2014 X-Trail will be the first Nissan to carry the Nissan Safety Shield, along with host of other safety features, including control assist, intelligent cruise control with low-speed following capability, and four wheel active steer to name just a few.
There has been no word, however, on the car’s specific weight or towing capabilities, as the 2014 X-Trail is not due before July 2014. Most of the details released so far stress the comfort of the drive, safety features and on road capabilities. The current X-Trail has a minimum kerb weight of 1,615kg and it is believed the 2014 version will have a similar weight.
No official announcement has been made on the engine the car will use, however, as Nissan boasts the new X Trail is a comprehensive step forward from its predecessor it is speculated the car is likely to be available with a diesel engine and the option of a 1.6 turbo petrol one.
Hopefully the alleged improvements on the X-Trail’s previous incarnation also extend to fuel economy and emissions, as the last edition to Nissan’s SUV line delivered a relatively disappointing 44.1 miles per gallon.
With almost a year until the Nissan X-Trail arrives in dealerships it still has to prove whether its slick exterior is matched by an equally impressive robustness outside the urban environment.
News
2014 Nissan X-Trail unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show
