21 Dec

Redesigned Nissan Titan Truck May Arrive for 2015 Model Year

An all-new Nissan Titan pickup truck may arrive inside the spring of 2014 as a 2015, Reuters reports. The announcement comes at the heels of a report from Nissan itself confirming development of a brand new pickup truck — although Nissan wouldn’t specify an on-sale date for the recent model.

The Nissan Titan is the oldest full-size pickup avaiable for purchase today. It hasn’t been significantly updated since its launch in 2003, despite the fact that nearly all its competitors had been redesigned in recent times. The Ram 1500 added more luxurious features like self-leveling air suspension and real wood interior trim, the Ford F-150 gained a thrifty EcoBoost V-6 engine, and General Motors completely revamped the Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra twins for 2014. Even the aging Toyota Tundra will receive some mild tweaks for the 2014 model year.

The Titan’s age is one of the factors hurting its success: the present model (pictured) sold just 21,576 units last year, regardless that American drivers bought about 1.6 million full-size trucks.

Nissan Americas vp of product planning Pierre Loing says his company recognizes the will for a brand new pickup truck, and confirms engineers in Michigan, Arizona, and Tennessee are developing the brand new model. He says it “will expand Titan’s attract a broader spectrum of truck buyers, including the all-important skilled trades-buyers. Our new truck should be packed with Nissan innovation and expertise without compromise.”

“Our truck engineers and architects have very clear marching orders,” Loing said in an announcement. “Deliver a winner. Nothing is off the table… They know the stakes.”

Reuters reports that no less than two new versions of the Nissan Titan may arrive next year. First, the truck may add a V-6 engine for improved fuel economy; it currently has just a 317-hp, 5.6-liter V-8. Second, the brand new Titan is likely to be offered with a two-door cab; today’s model has either a Crew Cab with four doors or a King Cab with rear half doors.

Nissan had hoped to have a brand new Titan available to buy by now, however was delayed as a result of a failed technical partnership. Originally, Nissan  teamed up with Chrysler to co-develop a brand new model that may be in line with the Ram 1500 (then called the Dodge Ram). But Chrysler’s 2009 bankruptcy battle caused both companies to dissolve their partnership — forcing Nissan to begin developing a brand new truck from the floor up. Worse still, disruptions in Japan attributable to the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami forced Nissan to further delay work at the new Titan.

Based at the rumored introduction date, lets see the 2015 Nissan Titan bow at next year’s Big apple auto show.

Sources: Reuters, Nissan