Frankfurt show: Nissan’s X-Trail hits the spotlight

NISSAN has released a single snapshot of an all-new third-generation X-Trail SUV it is expected to reveal at next week’s Frankfurt motor show.

The close-up image of the vehicle's headlight reveals a similar lighting design to that of the Hi-Cross SUV concept unveiled at last year’s Geneva motor show, while a chrome grille bar hints at Nissan's latest corporate face first used on the upcoming Pathfinder mid-size SUV.

While the Japanese car-maker has not confirmed details of the vehicle it will premiere, it said in a statement that it was “ready to reinvent the SUV” with a new production model.

All clues point to a replacement for the ageing X-Trail compact SUV, with reports last week suggesting the show car will be the replacement for the US-market Rogue.

The design of the 2014 X-Trail is expected to move away from the boxy look of the current model and follow the more rounded lines of Nissan’s Hi-Cross concept.

Based on the dimensions of the Hi-Cross concept, the next-gen X-Trail is expected to be 25mm longer, 60mm wider and 30mm lower than the current version, while the wheelbase will be 150mm longer.

Nissan will reportedly offer the X-Trail with an optional third row of seats, pushing it into more family-friendly territory.

This fits in with Nissan's reported plan to discontinue the seven-seat Dualis+2 variant and only sell the short-wheelbase five-seat version with the next-generation. The X-Trail, Dualis and US-spec Rogue are all built on the same Nissan C-platform Reports also say the X-Trail will have better handling and feature more car-like dynamics, while maintaining similar off-road ability to the outgoing model.

Powertrain details are scarce, but the X-Trail is expected to use heavily revised versions of the current 2.0-litre turbo diesel and 2.0-litre petrol engines, while a new petrol-electric hybrid system is also likely.