Introduction
Since the invention of the automobile, America has loved their cars, but as times have changed, the American public has found an equal love for their trucks. Even with the constant, steady increase in fuel prices, truck sales have gradually increased throughout the history of the truck. While
Nissan and
Toyota had been producing trucks for quite a long time, it was not until the 1970s and 1980s when those trucks would touch United States soil. Toyota was the first Japanese manufacturer to introduce a truck in the US, and that release was closely followed by the launch of the Nissan Hardbody. These trucks, like most Japanese models, were small, efficient, and fairly low-powered. This would remain the norm for several years, until Toyota introduced their T100, which was the first Japanese truck to take a swipe at the full size truck market, but with its relatively small size for a full size truck, and its V6 engine, it didn't have many of the abilities of the American full size models. That model would be superseded by the Tundra, which was a far more popular model due to the introduced of the more powerful V8 engine. During this entire time, Nissan Motors had several popular truck models, starting with the above mentioned Hardbody, then later the Frontier, but there had not been an attempt at a full size truck. However, with the 2004 release of the new Nissan Titan, Nissan Motors would come storming into the full size truck market, making an instant impact.
Drivetrain
Constructed on a modified version of the F-Alpha platform, the Titan was launched and is currently offered as either a Crew Cab with a 5'7" bed or King Cab with a 6'5" bed. The Nissan gained immediate recognition due to its powerful engine. That engine is Nissan's VK56DE, which is a 5.6L dual overhead camshaft V8 to make 305 horsepower and 379 ft/lbs of torque. This engine is built in Decherd, Tennessee and it uses an aluminum engine block with cast iron cylinder sleeves and specially coated low friction pistons combined with aluminum cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder, and controlling the engine is the Nissan Direct Ignition System. This was the standard setup for 2004 through 2006, but for 2007, the VK56DE will be getting some slight upgrades to boost performance, while not compromising efficiency or their Low-Emissions-Vehicle (LEV) rating. The 2007 Titan will still feature the Endurance 5.6L V8, but thanks to some tuning that engine now makes 315 horsepower and 385 379 ft/lbs of torque. The option of Flex-Fuel compatibility is offered on all trim lines, helping to further the environment friendly attitude of the Titan. That powerful engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission, and the option of either rear wheel drive or four wheel drive. While no performance numbers are available yet for the improved 2007 models, the previous models were able to go from 0-60 in an impressive 6.2 seconds, and the Titan Crew Cab can run the standing quarter mile in an even more impressive 15.3 seconds.
Handling
An electronically controlled locking rear differential is available on the off-road package, and limited slip differential is offered on both rear-and-four wheel drive models. In order to make the Titan handle just about every on-and-off road condition, they are equipped with elaborate suspension and braking systems. The front suspension utilizes a independent double wishbone setup with stabilizer bars, and the rear uses a mulit-leaf straight spring setup with a solid Dana brand axle. An upgraded Dana brand front axle is also offered on Four Wheel Drive models, and on the Off-Road package models, Rancho off-road performance shock absorbers are standard. All models come standard with Nissans engine speed sensitive, power assisted rack and pinion steering, and helping the Titan get stopped is a set of Bosch disc brakes in the front and rear. 4-wheel antilock braking systems (ABS) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) are standard on all models as well, which adds to the safety of the Titan. EBD is a system that helps to move the braking distribution from the front to the rear wheel, depending on the general direction of the truck. When braking hard in a straight line, over emphasis on the front wheels will often make the truck fish tail, or spin, so the rear wheels receive more brake force, and in a turn, the brake force is moved to the front wheels to enhance cornering control
Exterior
As mentioned, the Titan comes in two styles, both of which are four-door models, and each of those styles is offered in the XE, SE, or LE trim line. All of the trim lines are relatively the same, but with additions of exterior and interior trim. The XE was a sort of base model, with the SE being a mid level model, and the LE being the high end, almost "luxury" model. The first of the external differences between the three models is the wheel options. The XE comes with 17 inch steel wheels, the SE with 18 inch 5 spoke wheels, and the LE comes with 18 inch 6 spoke wheels. The two higher end models come with things like chrome bumpers, body moldings, and sliding rear glass. Additional items like different mirrors, the drivers side lockbox, spray in bed-liner, and a tailgate light were standard on the LE, but could be had on upgraded SE models. Overall, the Titan changes very little from one to the next, shy of the slight aesthetic changes.
Interior
The interior was the area that really helps the LE stand apart from the XE and SE. The XE comes with all of the standard features that you would expect of any modern vehicle such as air condition, cruise control, tilt steering, and variable speed windshield wipers. While the SE models do not come with all of the interior upgrades that the LE comes with, there are various upgrade packages, such as the SE Rockford Fosgate Package which adds in many items of the LE. Some of those items include, but are not limited to: power door locks, power windows, keyless entry, auto-dimming rear view mirror, outside temperature display, power adjustable pedals, rear car cargo hooks, front captains chairs with power controls on the drivers side, leather wrapped steering wheel, and floor mounted shift console. Finally, a few items were offered on the LE, but not on the other trim lines regardless of the upgrade packages. Those items were items such as Dual zone automatic climate control, footwell lights, passengers power captains chair, heating units in the front seats, leather seating in the front and rear, and brushed aluminum accents throughout the vehicle. The LE also comes standard with an elaborate Rockford Fosgate premium audio system with a 6-disc changer, steering wheel mounted stereo controls, an eight speaker surround sound system including subwoofers, and a dual media playback system with wireless headphones. When the LE, or the SE with the RF package is chosen, it gives the passengers all of the audio options of many modern luxury vehicles.
Conclusion
Many people who were interested in the Titan upon its pre-release commercials, were disappointed to learn that there were no smaller bodied models, such as a 2-door with varying beds, such as is offered on the Dodge Ram. It was also upsetting to some people that no smaller engines were offered, but few people who opted for the 5.6L Endurance V8 have much to complain about as far as towing or performance goes. Due to the popularity of the Titan, aftermarket companies have begun to offer high performance upgrades, such as superchargers, and with the increase to 317 horsepower for 2007, the Titan will likely prove to be among the best performing full size trucks sold in the United States. Add to those performance abilities the luxury-car like interior, and you have yourself one of the best full size trucks on the market, which leaves little question as to why the truck has sold so well since its 2004 introduction.
