New Nissan X-Trail will target the Ford Mondeo and other big saloons, will be a road-biased seven-seater
The new Nissan X-Trail SUV is entering the final stages of development ahead of a launch at next month’s Frankfurt motor show. UK sales are tipped to get under way later this year.
The new car is set to be given much clearer positioning within the Nissan line-up. When the next-generation Qashqai arrives early next year, there will be no seven-seat version, so the X-Trail will be Nissan’s sole offering in the seven-seat SUV segment.
The firm closely previewed the new X-Trail with its stylish Hi-Cross concept at the 2012 Geneva motor show. The new X-Trail promises more road-biased ride and handling than the outgoing car.
But the added style and dynamic improvements will not come at the expense of off-road ability, claim insiders. They say the new X-Trail will be just as capable as the current car off road when equipped with the expected optional all-wheel drive system.
Front-wheel drive is tipped to be offered as standard to help make the economy better than the current car’s. The core engine will be a significantly updated version of the current X-Trail’s 2.0-litre diesel engine.
The interior, also previewed by the Hi-Cross concept, is set to be significantly improved both in terms of design and quality over the current X-Trail’s. Standard equipment levels will also increase.
The aim with the new X-Trail is to score a sales success against conventional saloons like the Ford Mondeo and Vauxhall Insignia. “Building on the popularity of the Qashqai in its segment, the idea is to repeat its success in the D-segment,” a source revealed to Autocar at the Hi-Cross’s launch. The new Ford S-Max, also set for a Frankfurt reveal, is another target for the X-Trail.
For all the latest news from the Frankfurt Motor Show, stay tuned to Autocar.co.uk.