Xorcise the Beast! (Nissan X-Trail)

Member Name: angusreid

Product:	Nissan X-Trail
Date:	04/12/01 (7519 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: sleek, attractive, smooth

Disadvantages: cant handle off road rough terrain

Xtra, xcessive, xpensive, xasperating, xclusive, or just xtreme!

Nissan certainly raised the curtains with the launch of the all singing, all dancing new x-trail.
Drive this along the high street and you cant help but turn heads, some from curiosity, some from admiration and some from distaste.

Love em or hate em, off roaders have developed far beyond the aluminium bodied Land Rovers of early days.

Statistics show that some 90% plus off roaders don’t!
Don’t go off road that is!

So why do the big 6 car manufacturers insist on lumpy bodies, extra long shells and vehicles that are so hard to manoeuvre, you need a football field to park them!

Its hard to say who really made the breakthrough in 4 X 4 technology and actually produced a car that was for the roads without sacrificing the looks of an off-roader and the general feel and security that they possess.
I will hang my hat on the peg and say that the Freelander bought the new age to the forefront of recognition, with Honda not far behind.

Okay, what makes the X-Trail so different and why the Hoo-Haa in the motoring press for this long awaited baby of the Nissan range.

Well, just about everything and anything you could do differently to a traditional off-roader, can be evidenced beyond reasonable doubt, on the X-Trail.
The sleek looks of the Freelander, without the square shape, the determination of the Maverick, without that unfinished feel, and the compact yet unbecoming interior roominess that she provides a large family with.

So basically I am saying SHE LOOKS GOOD

How does she drive though, I hear you ask?

Well, being fortunate to have sat behind the wheel of one of these purring beasts, I have to tell you, the drive is exceptional.
Pinch yourself, just to be reminded that you are in an off-roader, as this feels more nippy and sporty, almost a feel of a MPV or similar, but a more solid feel.

Suspension and chassis designed in complete harmony to allow the roadster a drive unbecoming of a car so robust.
Corners well with none of that “turns after I do” feel, notorious with 4X4’s.
Not once, even at speed, do you feel the vehicle leaves the road, or is in any danger of tipping over.
All round vision is Xceptional, and comfort, headroom, legroom and passenger space is of much a forefront in both design character and in general use.

Lots of dials and displays, but it does take a bit of getting use to as the dials are in the centre of the console, rather than behind the wheel.
I can only presume that this is to make the transition from left to right hand drive cheaper.

To quote the designer, Stephane Schwarz
“The design of X-Trail was dictated by the environment in which it has to perform. Rough terrain, that demands strength, sturdiness, and genuine agility, contrasted with the style and comfort expected in an urban lifestyle. Every aspect of its bold shape excludes a tool like functionality, which delivers efficiently but with simple elegance. In fact X-Trail effectively combines customers needs with emotional values-very much what Nissan design philosophy is all about-today and in the future”

WHAT?

All this “one becomes one” stuff in a car?

I am not too sure of this boast/philosophy though, as when the sales team were invited to test drive the X-Trail, there was no way they would let them take it off road, and having driven her, there is no way I would take her on anything but light rough terrain.
I am not criticising the X-Trail, just saying there are better off-roaders if that is what you want, but no better road driving 4 X 4.

So what are the features, specs, etc?

Here you go you little facts and figures person you ;o)

Available in a 2.0 litre petrol or 2.2 turbo diesel engine.

5 door models only at pres
ent.

2.0 range:
S retails at £16750 (Manual only)
Sport £17995 (Manual)
Sport £18995 (Auto)
SE+ £19895 M
SE+ £20895 A

2.2 TDi
S £17750
Sport £18995
SE+ £20895

All Tdi’s have 6 speed gearbox and are only available in manual format.

Extras

Metallic paint £250
Electronic Stability Programme + Traction Control and Active Brake LSD £750
SATNAV £1500
6 CD Changer £410
NATS Alarm Upgrade £200
Front Fog Lamps £190
And more!

Comfort and convenience features include:

Keyless entry
Power windows, front and rear
Heat and UV reducing front and side windows
PAS (Power assisted steering)
Electric Mirrors
Cup Holders and Can storage
Radio cassette

Colours available
Alabaster (white)
Chilli Pepper (Red)
Kuro Black
Zinc
Cyclone (blue-green)
Merlot (burgundy red)
Fairway Green
Aruba Blue

Dimensions

1530mm/60.23 inch wheel width/1765mm/69.49 inch body width
2625mm/103.43 inch wheel legth/4510mm/177.69inch body length
1750mm/68.95 inch Height.

Fuel consumption varies between the models and drivers,
Bottoms at 28.2 MPG to 39.2 MPG for the diesel (Gov Combined figures)

Availability varies from colour and spec, but models are on sale from stock at most dealers around the country.

If nothing else, go and drive one of these, and be Xcited!

Angus Reid.

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