Nissan entered the full-size truck market with the Titan in 2004, but it didn’t endear itself to many truck fans. The 2008 model will arrive this spring sporting the new corporate truck face seen on the new Pathfinder and Armada. It will also come in a long-wheelbase version. There’s also a new trim called PRO-4, which joins the XE, SE and LE versions.
Inside the Titan we see some upgraded materials and a lot of new features, like optional Bluetooth hands-free calling, heated leather seats and a DVD entertainment system.
Power comes from a 317-hp, 385 pounds-feet of torque V-8 engine that’s rated to tow 9,500 pounds. That figure doesn’t match new offerings from Toyota and Chevrolet, which both best the 10,000-pound mark.
[Source: Kicking Tires]
Follow the jump for more images and the official press release.
PRESS RELEASE: 2008 Nissan Titan
Rugged Utility and Performance Additions Beef Up 2008 Titan's Work and Play Capabilities
– Long Wheelbase Option, PRO-4X Off-Road Grade Bring A Strong "Any Job, Any Place" Dimension to Titan Lineup –
For 2008, the Nissan Titan full-size pickup builds on its already extensive résumé with the addition of a new Long Wheelbase (LWB) version and a new Titan PRO-4X model, designed to enhance Titan's already strong reputation as the truck of choice for work or adventure. The 2008 Titan, which will be available in spring 2007, is now offered in four models – XE, SE, PRO-4X and LE; two cab styles – King Cab and Crew Cab; four bed lengths – 5'6" and 7' for Crew Cab, 6'6" and 8' for King Cab; 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations; and continued from last year, Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) capability (E85 Ethanol) as a no-cost option.
The new Titan LWB models feature a longest-in-class* 7' bed with the Crew Cab body configuration and an 8' bed with the King Cab body. Titan LWB models also include a new largest-in-class* 37-gallon fuel tank for increased driving range. The new Titan PRO-4X model offers a special off-road equipment package, including Rancho® shock absorbers, a lower final gear ratio, two additional skid plates, electronic locking rear differential, white-faced interior gauges, body-color exterior trim and special interior styling and trim.
The 2008 Titan also features freshened styling, with a revised front end, wheel lip moldings and all-new wheel styles. Inside, Titan features a new seat design and refined meter clusters.
Other 2008 Titan enhancements include available Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, factory-installed XM® satellite radio tuner, heated leather-appointed bench seat, a revised center stack and a larger, 8.0-inch DVD screen (up from 7.0-inch). A new beige interior color and two new exterior colors – Desert Stone and Timberline – are now available.
Titan continues to boast first-in-class* innovations such as Wide-Open rear doors (King Cab) that open nearly 180 degrees for unobstructed rear cab access, an available high-utility bed that includes an industry-exclusive factory-applied spray-on bedliner, a Utili-track tie-down system that provides ultimate cargo hauling flexibility and a segment-exclusive integrated, lockable bedside storage compartment.
"The Titan lineup continues to expand in terms of both selection and flexibility, giving Titan buyers the perfect choice for just about any work or adventure need they might have," said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. "The PRO-4X and Long Wheelbase Titans embody our full-size truck philosophy, allowing drivers to take more cargo across more terrain in style and comfort."
New Titan PRO-4X Model
Titan's all-new PRO-4X trim offers drivers outstanding off-road flexibility, pairing Titan's already impressive list of standard equipment features with the PRO-4X's off-road performance enhancements.
The PRO-4X features Rancho performance shock absorbers, a lower final drive ratio (to 3.357), additional skid plates on the oil pan and transfer case, a class-exclusive Electronic Locking Rear Differential and unique 18-inch aluminum-alloy off-road wheels with off-road style center caps and largest-in-class* P275/70R18 all-terrain tires.
Inside, the PRO-4X receives styling cues that differentiate it from the rest of the Titan lineup with unique meters and gauges, seats featuring an embroidered PRO-4X logo, red stitching and available leather-appointed red-stitched shifter knob and steering wheel.
All PRO-4Xs feature body-colored grille and bumpers, an identifying decal over the rear fender and a number of subtle exterior trim components to achieve a sportier look.
A Refined Engine with Outstanding Towing Power
For 2008, every Titan again offers Nissan's advanced Endurance V8 as standard equipment. The all-aluminum 5.6-liter V8 engine received an increase for the 2007 model year to 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque, ratings that continue in 2008. The use of advanced engine technology such as aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshaft, graphite-coated pistons, 6-bolt main bearing caps, and Super Silent single-stage timing chain result in enhanced fuel economy with no sacrifice of performance.
The 2008 Titan will again be available with Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology as a no-cost option. Equipped with a common fuel tank designed to run on varying blends of gasoline with ethanol (up to E85) or other fuel, Titan FFV offers an alternative to conventional gasoline, utilizing the growing number of alternative-fuel stations in the United States.
Titan's standard 5-speed automatic transmission was designed especially for heavy-duty truck use, with emphasis on serious towing. Each component was created for full-size truck application, and a wide gear ratio was used to create a high performance control system producing top-class acceleration, power and shift quality. For 4WD models, Titan adapts an advanced shift-on-the-fly 4-wheel drive system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes with electronic control part-time transfer case.
Titan features a maximum towing capacity of 9,500 pounds for King Cab and 9,400 pounds for Crew Cab (when properly equipped) – as much as some 3/4-ton pickups.
Titan utilizes a rugged, fully boxed high-strength all-steel F-Alpha platform for enhanced crash performance and long-term durability.
Titan's responsive handling is a product of its all-steel double wishbone front suspension design and overslung leaf spring (dual rate) rear suspension with shackles mounted along the frame sides to increase departure angle.
For 2008, Titan offers new standard 18-inch wheels on XE, SE and PRO-4X models and new 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels as standard on the Titan LE.
Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is standard, along with 4-wheel disc brakes with Bosch Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).
A Refined Interior For 2008
Titan's interior features refined styling for 2008 with new seat styling, new meter design and added differentiation between each model grade.
Access to the King Cab's interior is aided by its standard Wide-Open rear doors that swing open nearly 180 degrees, providing unprecedented access to the rear seats. Key to the door's design is a hefty, two-stage hinge with four axis of rotation. The door opens first to a conventional 85 degrees, then can be swung the rest of the way up to 168 degrees.
Two interior configurations are available – a standard bench seat with column shifter, which seats six passengers or an optional Captain's Chair Package with two front bucket seats, which seats five passengers and offers a large center console and gated floor shifter.
The center console can hold a variety of beverage containers, including a 1-liter bottle. A 12-volt adapter is equipped in the storage area and can be used as a power source for a phone or other electronic devices.
The storage in the center console offers passengers a variety of storage choices, with size adjusted by simply removing or adding dividers. The console's storage box can also accommodate hanging file folders and contains holders for maps, paper, pens and business cards on the console lid.
Among the Titan's many interior features are standard flip-up 60/40 rear seat cushions for added cargo space and flexibility, with grocery hooks on the bottom of the seat cushions. The rear floor was designed to be nearly flat for maximum cargo utility.
The Crew Cab's rear seat is large and relaxing, with a full 24 degrees of seat back angle, helping passengers take full advantage of the Crew Cab's Titan's 126 cubic feet of available space, including front and rear seat leg room of 41.8 inches and 40.4 inches, respectively. Both King Cab and Crew Cab Titans' rear compartments offer ample rear storage, including door storage bins and rear door bottle holders in the armrests and available power front windows with one-touch auto up/down function (not available on King Cab XE models). All Titan Crew Cab models feature a standard power down/up rear bed access cab window.
An available overhead console system gives passengers more storage options. The console houses rear audio controls and also contains dampened storage bins for both front and rear passengers for items like sunglasses, CDs, cell phone, PDA or a small tissue box. Crew Cab models offer an optional rear-seat DVD Mobile Theatre System with fold-down 8.0-inch monitor, up in 2008 from the previous model's 7.0-inch screen.
Titan features an available fold-flat front passenger seat that allows extra versatility and can also be used as a working area. Additionally, available power-adjustable front seats with a driver's seat memory system and heated seats provide added convenience. Titan also offers available power-adjustable foot pedals with memory.
A Dynamic Exterior Design and High Utility Bed
For the new model year, Crew Cab Titans will be offered as a Standard Wheelbase Model, with a 5-foot-6-inch bed, or a Long Wheelbase Model that offers the longest Crew Cab bed in class, measuring a full 7'. King Cab Standard and Long Wheelbase models will feature beds 6'6" and 8' long, respectively. All Long Wheelbase Models feature a largest-in-class* 37-gallon fuel tank, lengthening Titan's driving distance between fill-ups.
Titan's available spray-on bedliner helps prevent scratch damage and corrosion to the bed and inner tailgate surface. Thinner than drop-in bedliners or typical aftermarket spray-on applications, the Titan bedliner also maximizes bed volume. It is the first offered by any original equipment manufacturer and is covered by the Nissan warranty.
Also available is the Utili-track tie-down channel system, with five special "C" cross-section rails that are mounted in the bed (two channels in the bed floor, and one each on the bed side rails and the bed header panel).
Removable utility cleats (rated at 200 pounds) slide into the channels, providing a wide range of attaching points for cargo tie-down. The channels are open at the rear of the bed, allowing the cleats to be completely removed when not in use for easy cleaning.
Nissan offers an extensive line of bed dividers, sliding cargo trays and modular storage units, along with bike and kayak racks and other accessories.
The Titan bed also includes four standard stake pockets and, as required for a working pickup, carries 4x8-foot plywood sheets easily between the wheel housings. Titan's bed includes a standard dampened tailgate assist that aids in the effort to open and close the tailgate.
Titan also features an innovative bedside storage compartment located behind the rear driver's side wheel. The bedside storage bin is designed to hold common truck items such as work gloves, chains, rope, road flares, first aid kit or a hitch ball.
The compartment is double-sealed to help prevent the intrusion of water and dust (though the compartment is not designed to be waterproof in case of submersion) and uses the Titan ignition key for unlocking.
Safety and Security
The 2008 Titan includes a long list of safety equipment, including Nissan's Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front passenger occupant classification sensor; available front seat-mounted side-impact and roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags that help provide side-impact and rollover protection for outboard passengers; front seat belts with adjustable upper anchors, pretensioners and load limiters; front seat Active Head Restraints; three-point rear passenger seat belts; and LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system.
Driver and passenger confidence is accentuated with an extensive list of vehicle-incorporated safety features including a Zone Body construction with front and rear structure crumple zones, an energy absorbing steering column, hood buckling creases with safety stops, knee bolsters and special body side reinforcements and a shift interlock system.
2008 Model Lineup and Manufacturing
The 2008 Nissan Titan King Cab and Titan Crew Cab are offered in four models – XE, SE and LE, each with a choice of 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations – and PRO-4X (4WD only).
Each is offered with a long list of standard equipment including a powerful 5.6-liter Endurance V8, 5-speed automatic transmission with Tow/Haul mode, power rack-and-pinion steering and 18-inch wheels and tires.
Titan XE models are equipped with a standard 40/20/40 split front bench seat with a center seat fold-down armrest storage bin, split fold-up rear seat and three-point seat belts for five positions. XE and SE 2WD models are available with a Traction Package (standard on LE) that includes 2-wheel limited slip (ABLS) and front tow hooks.
The new PRO-4X grade adds 18 x 8J alloy wheels with off-road-style center cap, largest-in-class* P275/70R18 off-road tires, body-color front and rear bumpers and grille, a lockable bedside storage box, unique interior features including unique meters and gauges, splash guards, the off-road equipment detailed above and auto on/off headlamps.
Titan SE models include standard 5-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels and P265/70R18 tires and chrome steel center bumper, while LE models add 6-spoke 20-inch alloy wheels, standard high-utility bed, leather-appointed seating, Rockford Fosgate®-powered audio system with eight speakers, dual-zone auto-climate control system and power folding mirrors with heat, power adjust, auto dim, and integrated turn signal.
Optional SE equipment packages include a Popular Package (equipped with split bench seat or bucket seats) including upgraded audio system with steering wheel audio controls, rearview mirror, temperature and UGDO, proximity sensors and adjustable pedals; and Popular Rockford Fosgate Package, which includes Popular Package contents plus premium sound Rockford Fosgate-powered audio system and, new for 2008, Bluetooth® hands-free phone system and XM® satellite radio tuner.
Other available equipment and packages include sunroof, Navigation Package with DVD-based navigation system and Utility Bed Package with C-channel tie down system, bedside storage, rear bed lighting and power point and spray-on bedliner. The Titan's Tow Package includes receiver hitch, lower final gear ratio, additional 7-pin wiring harness plug, trailer brake prewiring, transmission temperature gauge, extending mirrors and heavy-duty battery.
