Although the new 2016 Titan Nissan XD goes on sale later this year, we're guessing they'll be rolling off the Canton, Miss., production line by September or October — but not in a wide variety of trim levels or versions.
The new Titan should probably be considered two new pickups since there are two very different vehicles set to go on sale: the NP 1500 Titan XD and the NP 1500 Titan. Initially the Titan XD will be the only Titan available when it goes on sale late this year, and it will only be offered with the all-new turbo-diesel 5.0-liter V-8 Cummins (310 horsepower and 555 pounds-feet of torque). Also, the Titan XD will have a unique, stronger frame and chassis with the resulting higher towing and payload capabilities. And to match all this capability, Nissan is including a factory gooseneck hitch option for fifth-wheel and horse-trailer towing.
The Titan XD will be available at a later date with a choice of diesel or gasoline V-8 engines, while the lighter-duty Titan will come online later — probably by the first half of 2016 — and will offer a choice of V-6 and V-8 gas engines.
Another big change for 2016 Nissan Titan lineup is the fact there will be three different cab configurations: single cab (normally called a regular cab), King Cab (or extended cab) and crew cab (four full-size doors). To go along with these cab lengths, the new Titan lineup will have three bed lengths: 5.5 feet (available on crew only), 6.5 feet (King and crew) and 8 feet (single and King). This will likely mean Nissan will need three different wheelbases (compared to just one now) to accommodate the configurations. The Titan XD models we saw at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit only had 6.5-foot-bed crew cabs, which sit on a 151.6-inch wheelbase; that's a length and configuration Titan never offered before.
The new Titan lineup will now be offered in five different trim packages instead of the previous four. They are the base-level S, a moderately equipped SV, the off-road-biased Pro-4X, the well-equipped premium-level SL and the all-new Premium Reserve luxury package. New features and technologies will include LED lighting, projector headlamps, 120-volt plugs in the cab and bed, a dampened tailgate, larger navigation and information screens, bed lighting, integrated brake controller, trailer-light check, 360-degree camera and more.
No pricing will be released until we get closer to the on-sale date but we're guessing Nissan will try to lure these new "white space" buyers that have wanted a heavier-duty half-ton-like diesel pickup but didn't want to spend the extra money or make the ride-quality compromises necessary. It won't surprise anyone if average transaction prices for the Titan XD hover well more than $45,000 with crew-cab Cummins models being the first to roll off the line. We saw the new Platinum Reserve trim, and it reminded us of the Laramie level that Ram offers but with much better materials and touch surfaces than we've ever seen in a Nissan.
The Cummins engine will be offered in all five trim packages, which means the Titan Pro-4X could be the first serious off-roader to be offered with a turbo-diesel (yes, the Ram 1500 Outdoorsman with the EcoDiesel is nice but not a serious 4×4, and the Power Wagon only uses the Hemi). Likewise, being able to order a work-ready lower-trim-model light-duty diesel will give big and small businesses alike a chance to upgrade an aging fleet with a nice powertrain combination. More to come.
To read the overview press release, click .
To read the specifications press release, click .
To read the Cummins press release, click .
Manufacturer images
