Nissan X-Trail dci 4×4 LE Auto Review

It can still carry your bike in the back and get you through the mud, unlike many newer rivals,Nissan X-Trail, you’re still good in my books.

Nissan X-Trail dci 4×4 LE Auto review by John Beale

A cross-over SUV needs to provide both the comfort, performance and handling for in-town driving, as well as the utilitarian nature of the SUV, with some off-road prowess to match and interior space for the camping/biking/kids. It’s a lot to ask, but the Nissan, Honda CRV, Subaru Forester and Toyota Rav4 have been playing here for years.

Exterior and Interior

The competition has moved to softer, rounder angles (Honda, Koleos & old Rav4) where the Nissan X-Trail is still rather boxy and a bit more macho in looks. I like that. The 18-inch alloy rims, ¾ privacy glass and roof mounted spotlights give the top spec X-trail a bit more class.

Inside it’s typical Nissan fare, with a lot of hard plastics throughout the cabin, and familiar Nissan switchgear. It’s not exciting at all, but it meets the specification standards I would expect at this price, such as auto lights and wipers, keyless go (where you actually still turn the ignition, just without a key…weird!), panoramic sunroof, full leather seats, Bluetooth and reverse camera … sans touch screen / nav.

Open the hatch and there’s a pair of drawers that slide out, as well as storage space under the hardboard and roller cover for security. A total of 603 litres of luggage space, with over 1773 litres when seats are folded flat, which compares well to the Honda CRV’s 488/1557. The high rear tailgate also makes it ideal for taller items into the back, as the roofline doesn’t slope like more modern SUVs. Unfortunately the rear seats are a bit tight for adults, but visibility out of the vehicle is good, and I found it fairly easy to park and manage in town.

Nissan X-Trail engine

What is not so nice in town is the delay in power getting to the wheels. Foot flat to quickly sneak into traffic and there’s significant delay from the 2-litre 4cylinder (110kW/320NM @ 2000RPM )diesel working through a 6 speed Auto to the front wheels. The full turbo shove kicks at around 2300RPM, and once you’re moving, there’s a small band of power to work with. Even though the unit is fuel efficient, I achieved a combined 8.3l/100km (Claimed 7.4l/100km), I feel like it’s slightly underpowered and towing (750kg unbraked / 1350braked) could mean you won’t be overtaking and might struggle up the hills. The auto box is also not really a master of switching. Slow upshifts and downshifts in manual mode meant I just left it to do its thing in Auto, where it seems happiest.

Ride and handling

I unfortunately didn’t get to test the full capability of the 4×4-i system, which rather unique in this segment. It lets the driver select either 2/auto/full time locked 4-wheel drive. Advanced Hill Descent, Hill Start assist and Vehicle Dynamics control add to make this the most equipped against the competition. Ground clearance of 201mm (Against the Honda’s 170mm) reinforce the fact that the Nissan X-Trail has been engineered to make it off the beaten track. This does play against it in town, where it does tend to sway and pitch a bit more than expected, but there has to be some sacrifice to achieve the extremely comfortable ride that the X-trail offers. Steering feel is incredibly light, and takes some getting used to, as it pulls back to centre rather violently.

Nissan X-Trail dci 4×4 LE AT – Conclusion

The benefit of a boxier shape bring more practicality and space in the Nissan X-trail, than the competitors, but the interior is starting to show its age. When driven in a relaxed fashion, the extremely comfortable ride and quiet interior rewards, with the added benefit that the X-Trail has the goods to get going in the rough. I would probably opt for the petrol in manual guise, and get the 4×2, unless you really need the 4-wheel capabilities. Have a look at the new Honda CR-V as a direct rival. Soon to be released is the new Toyota Rav4 coming in April, and the Subaru Forester diesel coming soon.

  • View the Nissan X-Trail dci 4×4 LE AT: New / Used
  • Competitors:
    • Nissan X-Trail dci 4×4 LE AT – 110/320 @ 2000RPM, 7.4l/100km – R462 900
    • Honda CRV 2.2Dtec exclusive AT – 110/350 @2000RPM, 8.4l/100 – R499 000
    • Toyota Rav4 2.2D-4D GX (Manual) – 110/340 @2000RPM, 7.9l/100km – R407 300 (Soon to be replaced)
    • Subaru Forester diesel not yet available
  • Warranty and Service: Nissan – 3yr/90 000 Service plan

Nissan NV200 becomes Gibson Mobile Repair and Restoration Van

Nissan has joined forces with musical instrument maker, Gibson, to create a mobile repair guitar shop which comes in the form of a compact cargo van, the Nissan NV200. The NV200 Mobile Repair & Restoration Van will be showcased at the 2013 New York Auto Show this week.

“The Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo van’s small footprint makes it ideal for maneuvering in tight places, which is perfect for both urban music venues and crowded outdoor concerts where space is at a premium,” said Gibson CEO Henry Juszkiewicz. “The large cargo bay with standard integrated mounting points and available cargo hooks help make the vehicle configurable and customizable to suit the needs of a working guitar technician.” he added.

Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo Van built for your needs

Engine Capability

The NV200 Compact Cargo Van is fitted with a 2.0-litre inline four-cylinder engine the delivers 96kW and is mated to an Xtronic CVT. Fuel consumption is rated at 9.8-litres/100km in the combined cycle.

Exterior and Interior Styling Features

The Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo Van is covered in a full body wrap which reads ‘Gibson Repair and Restoration’ on one side and ‘Gibson Pro Audio’ on the other and also contains classic images of Gibson guitars and audio products such as speakers and headphones.

On the inside of the Nissan NV200, a custom rack is located behind the front seat and can hold up to four guitars. The cockpit has been customized with Gibson’s classic design and wood veneers in the dashboard that evoke classic Gibson materials such as mahogany and flamed maple. The seats are all covered in special leather. The Nissan NV200 also comes with a Gibson Pro Audio system provided by Onyko, Gibson’s Pro Audio consumer electronics’ brand.

“The Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo van is perfect for small businesses, entrepreneurs and dreamers,” said Joe Castelli, vice president, Commercial Vehicles and Fleet, Nissan North America.

2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed welcomes Lexus

Lexus has announced that it will make its first official appearance at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed in the U.K. starting on 11 – 14 July 2013. Lexus, Toyota’s luxury automotive brand, will use the show to showcase the all-new IS sports sedan range.

Lexus IS sedan to go big at 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed

Apart from taking part in the festivities at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the new Lexus IS sedan will also be available for short test drives at the Goodwood Moving Motor Show where the public will have a chance to experience the vehicle for the first time in the U.K.

The Lexus GS executive saloon will also be making an appearance at this years’s event along with the full hybrid IS 300h in F-Sport trim which demonstrates how Lexus has introduced its sporting spirit to its range. The LFA supercar by Gazoo Racing will once again please crowds at the famous Goodwood Hillclimb.

The 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed is considered to be the largest motoring garden party in the world and the event is held in the grounds of Goodwood House and combines a variety of cars, celebrities and motorsport ‘royalty’, making it a car culture event unlike any other.

Hyundai HND-9 Concept hints at future

Exterior renderings of the Hyundai HND-9 Concept have been revealed which hints at the brand’s future luxury sports coupe design and will be officially shown at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show on 28 March 2013. The Hyundai HND-9 Concept is the ninth concept developed by Hyundai Motor Group’s R&D Center in Namyang, Korea, and represents an evolution of Hyundai’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ design philosophy.

Hyundai HND-9 Concept boasts fresh styling

The Hyundai HND-9 Concept features a long hood and wheel base with sleek character lines running from the headlamps to the rear trunk. The wide hexagonal-shaped radiator grille is testement to the high performance of the HND-9 concept while the butterfly doors, silver exterior colour, dual twin muffler and unique front and rear headlights give the concept a futuristic look.

The rear-wheel drive Hyundai HND-9 concept is equipped with a 3.3-litre turbo GDi engine which delivers 272kW and is mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission.

Further details of the Hyundai HND-9 concept will be revealed at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show next week.

Jaguar XJR headed for global debut in New York

Jaguar is expanding its R-model lineup with the addition of the XJR which will be making its global New York Auto Show debut next week. The Jaguar XJR is the flagship sedan for Jaguar and will be showcased alongside the newest members of the Jaguar line-up including the new F-TYPE and and the all-wheel drive XF and XJ sedans.

Jaguar XJR has the power

The Jaguar XJR is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that delivers 405kW and features bespoke chassis and aerodynamic developments. The XJR is the most ‘focused , agile and responsive Jaguar XJ ever made’, according to Jaguar. The Jaguar XJR combines supercar performance, sporty styling and high levels of luxury.

According to Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar, “The new Jaguar XJR epitomises the three pillars of technology, performance and contemporary design which the Jaguar brand stands for in the twenty-first century, while delivering new levels of dynamic ability in a luxury saloon.”

More details on the Jaguar XJR will be made available next week when the car makes its debut at the New York Auto Show.

Kia Optima gets new engine

Kia has announced that the Kia Optima GDi is now available with a new 2.5-litre Thetall GDi engine which reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions, while offering more power when compared to the previous engine.

Kia Optima GDi – More power, better efficiency

The new 2.5-litre Gasoline Direct Injection (GDi) engine now produces 148kW at 6 300rpm and 250Nm of torque compared to the previous 132kW/231Nm engine. The new engine produces 7% more torque at low engine rpm and up to 12% more torque at high engine rpm.

A cooling jet under the piston crown sprays oil over the piston walls which reduces friction and enhances fuel economy. The engine has also been designed to ‘breathe’ more and incorporates a system that adjusts the amount of air sucked into the combustion chamber, creating an optimal air-to-fuel mix. Two-phase injection reduces loading on the catalytic converter which reduces emissions.

Kia Optima GDi -Price

Kia Optima GDi – R336 995

The Kia Optima price includes a 5-year/150 000km warranty, a 5-year/90 000km service plan and 3-year unlimited km Roadside Assistance. Service intervals are set at 1-year/15 000kms.

LEGO Ferrari shown in Australia

The first Grand Prix of the season took place this past weekend in Australia, but not before Ferrari drivers Fernando Alonso and Felipe Massa unveiled a full scale version of a Ferrari Formula 1 car constructed almost entirely from LEGO bricks. The LEGO Ferrari event was part of a new promotion run by Shell in Australia, in collaboration with Ferrari and the LEGO group.

F1 LEGO Ferrari is one of a kind

The unveiling of the F1 LEGO Ferrari coincided with the launch of a Shell promotion where customers are able to purchase limited edition Ferrari cars such as the 250 GT Berlinetta, the F40, the FXX and the 458 Italia.

To launch the promotion, experts constructed a 1:1 scale model of the Ferrari F150 Italia with which Maranello Scuderia competed in the 2011 Formula 1 World Championship. The scale model took several months to design and it features genuine Pirelli race tyres and a large seat to accommodate a driver. The steering wheel is an exact replica of the original and is made entirely from LEGO bricks.

2014 SRT Viper Time Attack to make New York Auto Show debut

The 2014 SRT Viper TA (Time Attack) will be making its debut at the New York Auto Show on 27 March 2013 and has been configured by Chrysler Group’s SRT (Street and Racing Technology) team in collaboration with professional road racers. Only 33 examples will be made, all of which will feature the special ‘Crusher Orange’ exterior paint colour.

2014 SRT Viper Time Attack – Specifications and Features

Engine Capability

The 2014 SRT Viper TA is fitted with a handcrafted, aluminium 8.4-litre V10 over-head valve engine that produces 477kW and 813Nm of torque. The SRT Viper TA is based on the 2013 SRT Viper and uses a majority of pre-developed components from the SRT stable. The suspension has been specifically tuned for track use and a two-mode Bilstein Damptronic suspension system provides firmer damping when compared to the Viper GTS models.

Exterior and Interior Styling Features

The SRT Viper TA features ‘Crusher Orange’ exterior paint with black 2D TA logos behind the front wheels and a Stryker logo can be found on the front fascia and on the lightweight Sidewinder II wheels. The exterior aerodynamics package includes carbon fibre front splitters and a rear spoiler while a carbon fibre rear applique accents the rear width proportions.

On the inside, the driver-orientated cabin of the SRT Viper TA features the standard premium ballistic fabric racing seats from Sabelt with a lightweight fibreglass shell created by resin transfer moulding technology which reduces weight and increases durability. The driver and passenger seat can accommodate a 3 or 6-point harness for racing seat belts. The black interior is accented with ‘Crusher Orange’ stitching on the cloth seats, instrument panel, centre stack, console, hand brake, shifter boot, shifter head, steering wheel and doors.

The 2014 SRT Viper Time Attack edition will be built at the Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit with production starting in the third quarter of 2013.

Jaguar XFR-S makes Goodwood debut

The new 2014 Jaguar XFR-S will make its global debut at the world famous Goodwood Hill today as part of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The Jaguar XFR-S, the fastest Jaguar sports saloon ever, will be driven in front of a media audience by 1988 Le Mans 24hr race winner Andy Wallace.

Jaguar XFR-S set to impress

The Jaguar XFR-S, which is a prototype version, is finished in Italian Racing Red, and will be joined at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by Jaguar classics such as the 1962 Jaguar Mk. II by Jaguar Heritage Racing and a 1954 ‘short nose’ Jaguar D-Type which is a development prototype.

The 2014 Jaguar XFR-S can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 4.6 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 300km/h. The XFR-S is powered by a 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine that produces 405kW and 680Nm of torque, some 29kW and 55Nm more than the Jaguar XFR.

Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar Global Brand Director said, “I’m delighted that Jaguar is able to present the XFR-S in action for the first time in the UK, and that a Jaguar motorsport hero will be behind the wheel. The crowd at Goodwood will have a unique opportunity to see and hear the ultimate expression of seductive Jaguar design and sporting performance in the XFR-S – well in advance of first deliveries to customers this summer.”

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class interior revealed

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class has been teased with the release of interior photographs and the company calls it ‘the best automobile in the world’. According to Mercedes-Benz, the new S-Class embodies ‘perfection to the last detail’ with the result being ‘The Essence of Luxury’.

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class is classy personified

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class features highly sophisticated automatic climate control functions while the seats are considered to set the benchmark in automobile engineering. Both the climate control and the seats are operated with maximum convenience using several actuators and electric motors.

The interior is luxurious, elegant and stylish in its design. The interior features a generous amount of wood trim, especially in the dashboard and centre console. Metallised switch surfaces with pearl-effect paint finishes in three colour shades further enhance the interior.

The ‘First Class Rear’ features a business centre console which integrates a telephone handset, additional storage compartments and a folding table. The new S-Class also features a new command centre with a redesigned display that extends in front of the driver and provides numerous functions in a ergonomical way while appearing to be ‘free-floating’. The new centre display is enhanced by the ‘corona effect’ ambient back lighting.

Two high resolution colour displays in 8:3 format with a 12.3-inch diagonal screen form the basis of the new information centre of the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The left display provides relevant information to the driver while the right screen allows for control of the infotainment system and comfort functions.

Superior seating options

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class offers five different rear seat variants including an Executive seat with a backrest angle adjustable by 43.5 degrees. The seats also incorporate a world-first ENERGIZING massage function that have 14 separately actuated air cushions in the backrest and a warming function. A choice of six massage programmes are available with two using the heating function. Another world-first are the reversing fans used in the active seat ventilation system. Using the reversing fans, the airflow in the seat structure can be reversed which reduces draughts and enhances comfort.
The Warm Comfort package includes heated armrests and door centre panels in the front and rear. The package also includes a heated steering wheel and the fast-responding seat heating Plus which is controlled using the central display or the remote control in the rear.

THERMOTRONIC Climate Control

The THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control features a mass flow regulating concept which allows individual occupants to achieve their personal comfort needs. New features include autonomous adjustment options for the driver and front passenger sides as well as individual modes which include ‘Focus’, ‘Medium’ and ‘Diffuse’.

The ‘active perfuming system’ is another world-first as part of the AIR-BALANCE package. The system is switched on and off manually with manual adjustment of the intensity. The perfume atomisation system individualises the smell of the vehicle, yet it does not permanently change the interior smell and perfume molecules do not stick on fabric or clothing. The air filtering system has been enhanced and now has the ability to ‘clean’ the air by rendering bacteria, viruses and spores inactive through ionisation.

Entertainment at its best

The new Mercedes-Benz S-Class is the first sedan to feature a Frontbass system as standard. The system’s woofers are installed within the bodyshell using the 40-litre space in the cross-member and side-member as a resonance chamber. The system includes 10 speakers. As an alternative, customers can opt for the Burmester Surround Sound system or the Burmester High-End 3D Surround System.

A multi-user entertainment system is another world first for the S-Class which allows independent access to the media sources of the entertainment system from any of the four seats and these include radio, TV, internet, navigation, DVD player and USB-connected devices. The driver control function also allows the driver to route any video or audio source to the display or headset of any passenger.

It has not been confirmed when the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class will reach South Africa.