Performax Internation, the Gympie-based company that specialises in importing and converting big Yank utes into compliance for Australia, have added another big rig to their stable: the Nissan Titan.
It’s Nissan’s take on the full-size ute, which competes with the likes of Ford’s F-Trucks, Chevy Silverados and RAM Trucks in the huge American market. Let’s look at some specs.
It’s all about what’s under the bonnet, mostly. A Cummins-derived 5.0-litre diesel V8 resides there, which makes 235kW and 752Nm. Rather than using parallel turbos on the V8, the Cummins diesel uses a sequential that has one small and one large turbo, which each service different parts of the rev range. A small turbo spools quickly for a surge of low-rev torque, and a larger turbo helps with boosting power in the higher rev range.
Obviously, the Nissan Titan is a big rig. The wheelbase is 3,835mm and the body is 6,187mm long and 2,049mm wide. Unfortunately, like the other big-rigs that are available in Australia, the price is also pretty big. A wells-specced dual-cab Titan XD Platinum Reserve will cost $139,000 (plus on-road costs). For that money, you’re getting a pretty luxurious interior, with leather, electric captain’s chairs. Another cool feature is being able to check the operation of your trailer lights through the key fob.
You’ll get up to 900kg of payload on the Titan, and the ability to tow up to 5.2 tonnes, depending on your license. The ute tub is 2-metres long and 1.6 metres wide, a bit bigger than most other dual cabs.
Nissan enthusiasts will be excited to see this is now available on Australian shores, even if many are only wanting cheap engines out of wrecks in future years. The GU Patrol is pretty much a no-show anymore, and sports a driveline that was positively outgunned ten years ago.There is a special ‘Legend’ edition of the GU floating around, before the door hits it on the way out.
The Y62 Patrol takes over the historic nameplate, but has no diesel engine option. Instead, it the Y62 sports a manically powerful, naturally-aspirated 5.6-litre petrol V8 under the bonnet, which makes a fairly stonking 298kW and 560Nm. Peak torque is at a fairly high 4,000rpm however, which makes it feel like a car engine that’s been shoved into a big, seven-seating Patrol.Interestingly, that engine (and the seven-speed automatic gearbox) is the exact-same as the petrol-powred Titan, but Nissan unfortunately didn’t see the case for also fitting the diesel to the Y62.
Instead of traditional live axles of yesteryear, fairly stiff independent all-round suspension works with a decent off-road traction control system and stacks of ground clearance for great off-road performance, even though many find it hard to stare an independently-sprung Patrol in the eyes.
Want to check out the Nissan Titan in person, along with a new Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado? Get yourself over to the Brisbane Caravan Show, that is happening between 7-12 of June.
