Infiniti X-series

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I think Nissan should bring the X-Trail here to compete against the Land Rover Freelander.
Infiniti could redesign the interior. The X-trail is being offered in Nissan's markets at a steady pace. It should be offered here as an Ifiniti, since we have the X-terra, and the name X35 suits it just right. The interior of the X35 should be based on the Fusion concept with a luxury/sporty look to it.

Please, don't be shy, post pics! images/icons/grin.gif


http://www.km77.com/marcas/nissan/xtrail_02/gra/009.jpg http://www.km77.com/marcas/nissan/xtrail_02/gra/011.jpg

[ 11-18-2001: Message edited by: Washington-QX ]

[Nizzan]

Ever since they introduced the X-Trail here and there and not here, I've always wanted it over here. If it's a Nissan, cool. If it's an Infiniti, cool. Just bring it over here. Oh yeah, change that interior up a bit too.

[Hudson]

Nissan said that the X-Trail would compete too closely with the Xterra for market. I agree...Nissan needs to come out with a small car-based SUV priced under the Xterra.

As for the X-Trail as an Infiniti, I think that's a bad idea. The truck hasn't been designed to be sold as an Infiniti and it will either bring down the whole brand image or take millions of dollars to bring up to the Infiniti standard.

Is the X-Trail offered with a six?

[diehardnissan]

XTrail is in the Top of performance, material quality, style and offers more Off Road capabilities than any other mid-size SUV in its class (All-Mode system) images/icons/wink.gif
IMO no bad for Infiniti to make some changes
and bring it in USA but with the optional 2.0lit Turbo 280 ps (J-spec) in order to spoke Lexus RX images/icons/grin.gif
X-TRAIL should come in USA anyway images/icons/wink.gif
Six speed available only with 2.2 Turbo Diesel engine in Europe images/icons/wink.gif
XTRAIL-EUROPE (http://www.nissan.ru/news/worldshow/frankfurt2001/x-trail/)

http://www.nissan.ru/models/x-trial/images/12.jpg
http://www.nissan.ru/models/x-trial/images/13.jpg

http://www.nissan.ru/models/x-trial/images/14.jpg

[ 11-05-2001: Message edited by: diehardnissan ]

[Hudson]

Just from the pictures you've posted, this vehicle would need an entirely new interior. The dashboard screams "entry-level" especially with the gauges mounted in the center pod. While from the pictures, leather looks nice...you can't tell if it's "luxury market quality."

This vehicle is far too small to go up against the RX300. Look how close the front seats are...it has a narrow "transmission tunnel" console between them--the RX300 has much more room than that. And a turbo four-cylinder? That would not fly in the $35k price range. Selling the X-Trail as a sub-$30k SUV would undermine the whole concept of Infiniti. As of 2003, how many four-cylinder vehicles will Infiniti have? How many has Lexus ever had? You can't make this vehicle into an Infiniti.

Bringing this vehicle to the US as a Nissan has its problems as well...but not as many as if it were sold as an Infiniti. As a Nissan, it would rival the Xterra for size and price, sabatoging the sales of the domestic, truck-based (i.e. more profitable) SUV. If Nissan's coming to the US to go after the CRV, RAV4 and Escape, bring something smaller and less expensive.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The X monkier I believe is being held for when Nissan imports the GT-R to North America.

[diehardnissan]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hudson:
Just from the pictures you've posted, this vehicle would need an entirely new interior. The dashboard screams "entry-level" especially with the gauges mounted in the center pod. While from the pictures, leather looks nice...you can't tell if it's "luxury market quality."

This vehicle is far too small to go up against the RX300. Look how close the front seats are...it has a narrow "transmission tunnel" console between them--the RX300 has much more room than that. And a turbo four-cylinder? That would not fly in the $35k price range. Selling the X-Trail as a sub-$30k SUV would undermine the whole concept of Infiniti. As of 2003, how many four-cylinder vehicles will Infiniti have? How many has Lexus ever had? You can't make this vehicle into an Infiniti.

Bringing this vehicle to the US as a Nissan has its problems as well...but not as many as if it were sold as an Infiniti. As a Nissan, it would rival the Xterra for size and price, sabatoging the sales of the domestic, truck-based (i.e. more profitable) SUV. If Nissan's coming to the US to go after the CRV, RAV4 and Escape, bring something smaller and less expensive.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
How can you say that while this SUV has the same price as CRV or RAV4 and its bigger
and with more Off-Road capabilities (All-Mode system while CRV - RAV4 pseudo-continues 4WD) ?
The interior is according to the Off-Road capabilities and the quality of the material is in top of the class. The cockpit panel is in place 25 degrees while
the rest of the competition is about 32degress in order to get your eyes on the road or Off the Road.
X-TRAIL is 70mm smaller in OVERALL LENGTH and 50mm smaller in OVERALL WIDTH than RX300 but its bigger than CRV and RAV4 in dimentions and
from distance of the road. So how can you say that X_Trail is far too small against the RX300 while X-TRAIL has the LONGEST wheelbase in its class
(2625mm) -- RX300=2615 -- images/icons/grin.gif
In every single car magazine in Europe while they tested the X Trail they put it in the top of the Performance in Road and Off Road
capabilities images/icons/wink.gif with the same price of a CRV or RAV4 images/icons/wink.gif
PLUS for the record, the X-TRAIL's cd is 0.37 - very low for a car of its type AND X-TRAIL has the longest wheelbase (2625mm) in its class !! images/icons/grin.gif
Add some other facts are that X-Trail is a big success in sales in Japan and the optional equipment or the aftermarket modifications are Incredible and
outstanding and dust the competition:-)) .
Just take a look at Nissans Japanese site and you will take the message !!!!
X-TRAIL should come in USA too !!! http://www.nissan.co.jp/X-TRAIL/T30/0110/INTERIOR/index.html] INTERIOR
http://www.nissan.co.jp/OPTIONAL-PARTS/X-TRAIL/T30/IMAGES/GME10.jpg
http://www.nissan.co.jp/OPTIONAL-PARTS/X-TRAIL/T30/IMAGES/GMUNA.jpg
http://www.nissan.co.jp/OPTIONAL-PARTS/X-TRAIL/T30/IMAGES/GMUNL.jpg http://www.nissan.co.jp/OPTIONAL-PARTS/X-TRAIL/T30/c_r_top.html ]optional parts http://www.nissan.co.jp/X-TRAIL/T30/0110/EQUIPMENT/main1.html http://www.nissan.co.jp/X-TRAIL/T30/0110/EQUIPMENT/main1.html

[diehardnissan]

XTRAIL_PICTURES (http://www.km77.com/marcas/nissan/xtrail_02/galeria2.asp)
http://http://www.km77.com/marcas/nissan/xtrail_02/gra/030.jpg
http://www.km77.com/marcas/nissan/xtrail_02/gra/033.jpg

[ 11-17-2001: Message edited by: diehardnissan ]

[diehardnissan]

I'm sorry for my three posts but i wanted to show to you that X-Trail is the best ever SUV in its class images/icons/grin.gif
Please read some Road Tests and enjoy the pics !!!:-)) http://www.carkeys.co.uk/launch/LA000113.htm ] ROAD TEST http://www.hoot-uk.com/content/launch_pad/archive/nissan/x-trail.html ] ROAD TEST http://www.towsure.co.uk/tcar1001.htm ] ROAD TEST http://www.ulsternet-ni.co.uk/motoring/moto3501/motopage.html ]REVIEW http://www.nissan.ru/news/worldshow/frankfurt2001/x-trail/glance.html ] MORE FEATURES http://www.nissan.ru/news/worldshow/frankfurt2001/x-trail/spec.html ]SPECS/PERFORMANCE/DIMENSIONS
X-TRAIL
Max. roof load 100kg
OVERALL LENGTH 4510 mm
OVERALL WIDTH 1765 mm
Overall height
1750 with roof spoiler 1675 without roof spoiler
Wheelbase 2625 mm
Track front 1530 mm
Track rear 1530 mm
CHASSIS
Suspension
front
independent, MacPherson strut Suspension
rear parallel-link strut, coil springs
Steering rack & pinion, power assisted
Braking system ventilated disc front, disc
rear, two circuits, diagonal distribution, power assisted, electronic 4 channel / 4 sensor ABS incl. EBD and Nissan Brake Assist
Wheel size 15x6JJ (std for Comfort only),
16x6,5JJ (others)

=============================================
LEXUS RX300
Overall Length (mm) 4580
Overall Width (mm) 1815
Overall Height (mm) 1660
Wheelbase (mm) 261
RX300
Chassis
Suspension Type - Front
Four Wheel Independent,
MacPherson Struts, with
coil Springs,
gas-pressure Shock
Absorbers, Stabiliser Bars
Suspension Type - Rear
Four Wheel Independent,
MacPherson Struts, with coil Spring with gas-pressure Shock
Absorbers, Stabiliser Bars

[Hudson]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by diehardnissan:

How can you say that while this SUV has the same price as CRV or RAV4 and its bigger
and with more Off-Road capabilities (All-Mode system while CRV - RAV4 pseudo-continues 4WD) ?
The interior is according to the Off-Road capabilities and the quality of the material is in top of the class. The cockpit panel is in place 25 degrees while
the rest of the competition is about 32degress in order to get your eyes on the road or Off the Road.
X-TRAIL is 70mm smaller in OVERALL LENGTH and 50mm smaller in OVERALL WIDTH than RX300 but its bigger than CRV and RAV4 in dimentions and
from distance of the road. So how can you say that X_Trail is far too small against the RX300 while X-TRAIL has the LONGEST wheelbase in its class
(2625mm) -- RX300=2615 -- images/icons/grin.gif
In every single car magazine in Europe while they tested the X Trail they put it in the top of the Performance in Road and Off Road
capabilities images/icons/wink.gif with the same price of a CRV or RAV4 images/icons/wink.gif
PLUS for the record, the X-TRAIL's cd is 0.37 - very low for a car of its type AND X-TRAIL has the longest wheelbase (2625mm) in its class !! images/icons/grin.gif
Add some other facts are that X-Trail is a big success in sales in Japan and the optional equipment or the aftermarket modifications are Incredible and
outstanding and dust the competition:-)) .
Just take a look at Nissans Japanese site and you will take the message !!!!
X-TRAIL should come in USA too !!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It's really easy for me to say that. You're comparing apples to oranges. The off-road capabilities of the X-Trail have nothing to do with the market being discussed here. According to surveys by DaimlerChrysler, only 3% of SUVs EVER go off-road. I'm sure the percentage is even smaller for car-based SUVs like the X-Trail, CR-V, and RAV4.

Putting a four-cylinder engine in an Infiniti product takes the brand back a step, even if it's a class-leading engine. Infiniti is aiming toward the entry-luxury and luxury crowd and the brand hasn't made a big enough dent to market a near-luxury four-cylinder vehicle. Look at the sales of the G20...and notice how they're replacing it with a six-cylinder car. In the small SUV market, even the smaller (compared to the X-Trail) Land Rover Freelander has a V6. Like it or not, six-cylinder equates to "status"...four-cylinder equates to "bargain."

The X-Trail may be close in size to the RX300, but it's closer in size to the CR-V. Compare dimensions of the X-Trail and the (2001) CR-V and you'll see that most dimensions are DEAD ON. Same height and length. The CR-V rides on a 3mm shorter wheelbase but has a 3/4mm wider track (front/rear). I believe the 2002 CR-V is even longer, taller, and wider...and still considered a small SUV.

The whole point was marketing this vehicle as an Infiniti. Not a good idea, in my opinion. And unless something is done with the Xterra, marketing it as a Nissan doesn't make sense either.

[diehardnissan]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Hudson:


It's really easy for me to say that. You're comparing apples to oranges. The off-road capabilities of the X-Trail have nothing to do with the market being discussed here. According to surveys by DaimlerChrysler, only 3% of SUVs EVER go off-road. I'm sure the percentage is even smaller for car-based SUVs like the X-Trail, CR-V, and RAV4.

Putting a four-cylinder engine in an Infiniti product takes the brand back a step, even if it's a class-leading engine. Infiniti is aiming toward the entry-luxury and luxury crowd and the brand hasn't made a big enough dent to market a near-luxury four-cylinder vehicle. Look at the sales of the G20...and notice how they're replacing it with a six-cylinder car. In the small SUV market, even the smaller (compared to the X-Trail) Land Rover Freelander has a V6. Like it or not, six-cylinder equates to "status"...four-cylinder equates to "bargain."

The X-Trail may be close in size to the RX300, but it's closer in size to the CR-V. Compare dimensions of the X-Trail and the (2001) CR-V and you'll see that most dimensions are DEAD ON. Same height and length. The CR-V rides on a 3mm shorter wheelbase but has a 3/4mm wider track (front/rear). I believe the 2002 CR-V is even longer, taller, and wider...and still considered a small SUV.

The whole point was marketing this vehicle as an Infiniti. Not a good idea, in my opinion. And unless something is done with the Xterra, marketing it as a Nissan doesn't make sense either.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

About the V6 or V8 engine options you have a strong point and i have to agree with you.
I leave in Europe and i was lucky enough to spend a few hours inspecting and driving the X-TRAIL machine in person and i can say that even the beautiful pics are far away from the quality and the beauty of this SUV. The 2.0 lit engine in this car is to small against the size of the space and looks like a small 1.0 lit and definitely Nissan should put at least an 3.0 lit engine :cool

[**DONOTDELETE**]

...forget about a V6 or V8, too heavy.
All you need is to bring the Japanese spec SR20VET engine that's available in the "GT" model and has 280hp and a very flat torque curve available at low rpm.

Add 17" wheels, the ESP+ and HID options and an SUV this light with that engine could smoke almost anything out there.

A new class all by itself, luxo-compact SUV.
Freelander, X3 watch out!

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Does anyone else think the X-trail looks like the Renault Scenic RX4???????

[shaun]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by glaze2001:
Does anyone else think the X-trail looks like the Renault Scenic RX4???????<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

my godddd here we go again...cars that will not make it here and rightly so should not make it here. this is a nice car. but i prefer the styling of the x-terra. plus it competes way too closely with the x-terra. also as we have been seeing with suv's in the lux segment. they dont look like true suv's anymore...so who would buy this. lexus, acura, bmw, mercedes..all these car companies have gone a different way with their suv's...and rightly so. lux suv's should look different. If the pathfinder goes full size and the x-terra goes midsize...then this car would fit in nicely...but as of yet..this is not the case.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

If you check out the Nissan X-trail in Taiwan, you would agree for it to come to US as an Infiniti SUV. It is very luxuriously equipped when its marketed in Taiwan.
http://www.x-trail.com.tw/

I think its definitly worthy of an Infiniti badge and can be a great help for Infiniti to gain sales volume. It might just like what Lexus RX300 did for Lexus.

Ed

[fatddyslam69]

i couldnt agree more except that i want the X-TRAIL here as a NISSAN. Like i said, for 2004 year, the XTERRA should be given a MUCH better interior (because the current one sucks more than i can explain) and it should be redesigned with a V8 option to compete with the 4RUNNER. The XTRAIL should come here exactly as it is. I would buy it a million times before i would even touch a RAV4 or CR-V. The interior is fine with me...it has friggin' pepsi can holders in the dash.....that is freakin awesome...and it has off road capabilities while in-keeping with real world luxury. The MURANO is already out there and the better alternative for the HIGHLANDER, and the PATHFINDER (whatever it is going to be called) will become the full size to compete with the likings of SEQUOIA and LANDCRUISER. Jeez, i posted this same thing like everywhere........NISSAN LISTEN TO ME!!!! I was told by some people that the "X" will be here in 2004, for 2005 year sales...... http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[M_TYPE_X]

X-Trail would be a "Nissan" branded vehicle, any other idea is absurd. http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/crazy.gif Why are we talking about this in M45/Q45 land? http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif

[fatddyslam69]

SORRY FOR DOUBLE POST, BUT......IT LOOKS AMAZING HOW IT IS MARKETED IN KOREA....THAT EXACT CAR SHOULD COME TO THE STATES.....BUT STILL AS A NISSAN. I THINK THAT CHROME PIECE AT THE TOP OF THE FRONT GRILL SHOULD BE WORKED OUT, BUT OVERALL-VERY NICE...IN THE 2.0L ENGINE VERSION, THER IS EVEN A TOOTH TO MATCH THE REST OF THE NISSAN LINEUP, BUT IT IS MORE SUBTLE THAN THAT OF THE MAXIMA.....AMAZING INTERIOR&gt;....WOW!!!!!

Sorry about aall in caps...i was excited....hehe http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[GroovinGTR]

</font><blockquote><font class="small[/img]In reply to:</font><hr />
Why are we talking about this in M45/Q45 land?

[/QUOTE]
Back in the day there was no M45/Q45 land and this post dates back to a more simple time when every Infiniti post (minus the I30) was in one subgroup. Ah the old days, before the G35 came out...seems so long ago.

[Jason B]

This thread is being move to "other infiniti vehicles forum".

[**DONOTDELETE**]

If you check out the Nissan X-trail in Taiwan, you would agree for it to come to US as an Infiniti SUV. It is very luxuriously equipped when its marketed in Taiwan.
http://www.x-trail.com.tw/
I think its definitly worthy of an Infiniti badge and can be a great help for Infiniti to gain sales volume. It might just like what Lexus RX300 did for Lexus.

Ed



I totally agree with you on that. If BMW has really really good sells with the X3 and Volvo has good sells with the XC50 and Infiniti wants to get into that market, this is the perfect vehicle. That redesigned grille and interior looks so "Infiniti"! With those two things, it would sell well as a competitor to the X3 and XC50.

[GroovinGTR]

I think Nissan/Infiniti has enough $30,000 SUV to last a long time. Now if the Xtrail (especially the amzing Taiwan version) was brought to the US as a $20k Nissan amazing things would happen.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I am sorry guys, the X-Trail sold in Taiwan is not as good as you think it is. I saw it first hand 2 month ago in Taiwan and it's not very luxurious. I spent around 40 minutes checking out the car and chatting with the Nissan representative about the new X-Trail.

What I got was the X-Trail is tailored to fit the needs of Asian countries. What does that mean? The interior has been made to be more practical. It's roomy inside, excellent visibility, not too tall, but it doesn't feel very strong. On the other hand, the quality of the car was not very impressive. Exterior panels felt flimsy, fit and finish is subpar, headlight looked fragile and cheap. The interior screamed econo luxury wannabe, and the material was Sentra class with fake laminated wood. The car felt like a styled Minivan cross-over like the MPV in person. (in a good way, as in more practicality and less off-road capability) I can see how a car like that would do well in the Asian market (where SUV sales is low, mostly because consumers there are smarter and more practical)

It is interesting because the best selling SUV in Taiwan is the Infiniti QX4. The Infiniti dealership in Taiwan only sells two cars, Q45 (not selling at all) and QX4. There are not too many SUV's in Taiwan, but a good portion of them are QX4's. (much cheaper than ML and X5, I guess) I honestly can't see Infiniti building the next QX series base on the Taiwanese X-Trail. The QX4 is a superior car, even with its aging design and smallish interior.

[sun757]

I am from Taiwan.

Though I haven’t driven X-trail (I’m still too young to own a car), I have to say it’s true that X-trail sold in Taiwan is not that good as you think. People here complain most about the exterior styling of this SUV. They feel the front view of X-trail is not strong enough, and they seem to like the Exterior of original design (Japanese / European version) more.

The interior styling of X-trail is treated to satisfy Taiwanese taste. It may appear to be luxurious in shape, and pleasant to look at, but both materials and fit and finish are not good enough. Some even feel the materials used in X-trail are inferior than Sentra sold here in Taiwan (Maybe they saw the prototype models? http://forums.freshalloy.com/images/graemlins/confused.gif). Redesign of interior also sacrificed some practical and convenient features created by original design.

But I have to admit that X-trail is a nice entry-level SUV. It sold twice as many as CR-V in Japan (from Jan to Aug, 2002), and close to CR-V in Europe. It has been voted "Soft Roader of the Year 2003" for the second consecutive year by the UK’s leading off-road magazine, 4x4, beaten off stiff competition from the Land Rover Freelander, Ford Maverick, Toyota RAV4 and the Honda CR-V.
X-trail is good, thought not good enough to become an Infiniti, IMO.

To sum up, I think X-trail suits the mark “Nissan” well, but not “Infiniti”. Maybe Infiniti should create its own baby SUV priced around 28 - 34K to compete with future BMW X3.

To see interior picture of X-trail sold in Taiwan:
1. Go to www.auto-online.com (http://www.auto-online.com.tw)
2. Fill the blank (located on the upper middle of web page) with "X-trail 2", then click the Chinese words on the right side near the blank.
3. Now yor're transfering to a new web page. Find the thrid picture, click the Chinese words below it, and you can see a large photo showing interior view of X-trail.
I am sorry not able to post the picture onto the forum.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

http://www.auto-online.com.tw/album/1037801715.jpg

[Mariolo]

My X-trail ,From Taiwan
245/70/16
http://211.22.155.67:81/Images/Resize%20of%20PA131425.JPG

[scourge]

Taiwan? Man, I'm just to the right of you.

wait, wait wait, is that the x-trial interior in some country, i know the x-trail interior look almost exactly like the freelander /discovery, not to bad when compared to a crv

but that other interior would be sick in any nissan, (altima damn it) haha

[Mariolo]

Wired....I don't get any buzz. Only little noise from tires when "on-road".

[baco99]

That is a much nicer looking truck than the Xterra.

And what is that interior shot? Very slick!