Sales couldn’t get much worse for the Nissan Titan. With only 7,175 trucks sold through July, Titan garnered just 0.59 percent of the U.S. full-size truck market, according to Automotive News data center. That’s just 10 percent of Toyota Tundra and 1.5 percent of GM truck sales during the period.
With an all-new model coming for 2016, Nissan needs to punch a bigger dent in the segment. That’s why the automaker reached out to engine-maker Cummins in Columbus, Ind., to exploit a niche between light-duty and heavy-duty pickups.
More Top Picks Best Diabetic Shoes For Men Wide Width
“We got to the Titan XD by talking to both half-ton and three-quarter-ton customers to get input on the next Titan,” said Rich Miller, chief product specialist for Titan. “The half-ton customers said they wanted a diesel engine without moving up to a three-quarter-ton truck, and three-quarter-ton customers asked for something less expensive with better ride quality, improved fuel economy and trailer-towing performance. We went to Cummins and asked if they had an engine that could do that.”
It did in a 5.0-liter V-8 diesel engine already in development. The engine delivers 310 horsepower and 555 pound-feet of torque for full-range towing. Fuel economy has not been announced, but Nissan claims it will be 20 percent better than comparable gasoline engines but will not match the light-duty Ram EcoDiesel’s 29 mpg. Unlike the EcoDiesel, the Cummins-equipped Titan XD will comfortably tow 12,000 pounds and carry 2,000 pounds of cargo, or payload.
The half-ton Ram 1500 EcoDiesel towing and payload top out at 10,650 pounds and 1,900 pounds. You have to move up to Ram 2500 to exceed Titan’s ratings. GM and Ford pick fine points in specs but tell a similar story. Toyota does not offer a heavy-duty pickup.
Beyond the diesel and inelegant sheet metal, Titan offers innovation and comfort. Interior styling looks as if it came from an Infiniti and can be optioned with Rockford Fosgate audio, tilt/telescoping steering column, and a cavernous rear compartment with comfy Zero Gravity seats. Heated/cooled front seats and heated rear seats are available.
Towing and hauling are convenient with a dash brake controller, pre-installed fifth-wheel bed attachments, and a bed channel system for attaching tie-downs. Convenience is enhanced with a 120-volt in-bed plug, LED cargo lighting, and Around View Monitor for maneuvering.
Nissan needed the Titan to be relevant. Creating a sub-segment for truck buyers and equipping it with an all-new Cummins engine should make a dent. Sales commence later this year; prices TBA.
Casey Williams is an automotive freelance writer.