Nissan previewed the new 2008 Nisan Titan full-size pickup, Pathfinder mid-size SUV and Armada full-size SUVs at a press conference at the Nissan Technical Center North America, Farmington Hills, Mich. prior to their public debut at the 2007 Chicago Auto Show, February 9 – 18 at McCormick Place, Chicago. 

The three new vehicles offer significant upgrades and enhancements, including the addition of new Nissan Titan Long Wheelbase King Cab and Crew Cab models, a new 5.6-liter V8 engine for Nissan Pathfinder, and new exterior and interior designs for Nissan Armada.  The three new 2008 Nissan vehicles are scheduled to be available at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning in spring 2007.

“The addition of the Nissan Titan Long Wheelbase models and the first-ever V8 engine ever offered in the 22-year history of Pathfinder expand the available choices for buyers of these two popular vehicles,” said Larry Dominique, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc.  “The extensive makeover of Armada, which has topped J.D. Power and Associates’ APEAL study for the Large SUV class in 2005 and 2006, adds up to an even more attractive, more premium and more complete Armada package for 2008 – one that we think will continue to make Armada stand out in the full-size SUV class.”

Brief overviews of the 2008 Nissan Titan, Pathfinder and Armada follow. 

2008 Nissan Titan
 The 2008 Nissan Titan full-size pickup builds on Titan’s reputation as the truck of choice for work or adventure with the addition of a new Long Wheelbase (LWB) version and a new Titan PRO-4X model.  

 The 2008 Titan is offered in four models – XE, SE, PRO-4X and LE; in two body styles – King Cab and Crew Cab; in 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations; and four bed sizes – 5’5”, 6’5”, 7’ and 8’; and with Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) capability (E85 Ethanol). 

 The 2008 Titan also features freshened styling, with a revised front end and all-new wheel styles.  Inside, Titan features a new Seat design and refined meter clusters.  Other 2008 Titan enhancements include available Bluetooth hands-free phone system, XM Satellite Radio tuner, heated leather-appointed bench seat, a revised center stack and a larger, 8.0-inch DVD screen (up from 7.0-inch).  

 Titan is built on Nissan’s rugged F-Alpha pickup platform, featuring a powerful 5.6-liter DOHC Endurance V8 rated at 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft torque.  Titan features a standard 5-speed automatic transmission and a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,500 pounds for King Cab and 9,400 pounds for Crew Cab (when properly equipped).

2008 Nissan Pathfinder
 The popular Nissan Pathfinder expands its lineup for the 2008 model year with the addition of a new 300-plus horsepower 5.6-liter V8, the first V8 offered in its 22-year history in the United States market.  This more powerful option offers a significant increase in torque, rated at 300-plus lb-ft, to achieve 7,000 lbs of maximum towing capacity.  

Also available is Pathfinder’s proven 266-horsepower 4.0-liter version of the award-winning Nissan VQ-series V6 engine.  All Pathfinders continue to be built on a high-strength, fully boxed, all-steel frame based on the full-size Nissan Armada SUV.

Other changes for 2008 include new exterior styling and a greatly refined interior, as well as newly available technology such as a revised Nissan Navigation System with 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive (available on LE only).  The 2008 Pathfinder’s exterior features new front and rear styling, new 17-inch wheel designs for SE-V6 and LE-V6 and new 18-inch wheel designs for SE-V8 and LE-V8 models. 

Pathfinder again offers first-class amenities with standard three-row seating. Inside, the refinements continue with a 7.0-inch color display and RearView Monitor (all models except S-V6), new center stack design, 2nd row reclining Seat (center portion), revised cupholder design, new illuminated switchgear (all models except S), new fabrics and materials, heated steering wheel (LE models), Intelligent Key with twist start, Bluetooth hands-free phone system (available on LE models only) and new Russet interior color (leather-appointed only).

2008 Nissan Armada
Nissan Armada powers into 2008 with new exterior style, new colors, more luxurious interior amenities and enhanced technology features and new option packages. 

Outside, the 2008 Armada features a new front fascia, new headlight and fog light designs, new one-piece roof rack design, revised rear fascia, and 20-inch wheel and Michelin tire package (LE only). 

Inside, Armada offers a 3rd row power folding 60/40 Seat (optional LE), new interior colors and fabrics, new gated shifter, new wood grain accents (LE only), available heated steering wheel (LE only), a locking glove compartment and revised steering wheel and combination meter illumination. 

New technology enhancements include an Intelligent Key with twist start (standard LE, optional SE), enhanced Bose sound system with 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive and 3rd row speakers and amplifier (standard LE, optional SE), Bluetooth® hands-free phone system (standard on LE), improved available Nissan Navigation system with an XM NavTraffic system with real-time traffic information (XMâ contract required), and a larger 8.0-inch screen for the optional DVD Entertainment Package.

Class-leading towing capacity of up to 9,100-pounds is provided by Armada’s heavy duty frame and suspension, as well as a standard 317 horsepower 5.6-liter V8 with 385 lb-ft of torque.  Available Flexible Fuel Vehicle technology (FFV) allows drivers to use traditional gasoline or an alternative fuel such as E85.

 “The 2008 model year is already shaping up to be a tremendous year for Nissan with the previously announced Altima Coupe and all-new Rogue crossover SUV – and now new Titan, Pathfinder and Armada,” said Dominique.  “Attendees at the Chicago Auto Show will have five great new reasons to visit the Nissan display.”