X-Trail to go diesel

NISSAN will follow Suzuki to become the second Japanese car-maker to offer a diesel-powered compact SUV in late July, when its second-generation X-Trail will become available with turbo-diesel power.

In response to customer demand, Australia's first diesel X-Trail could also be joined by a diesel version of the Dualis, if Nissan Australia can mount a successful business case.

Nissan has already ruled out the possibility of the seven-seat Dualis becoming available in Australia, and has now warned that the popularity of the diesel model in Europe, where it is known as the Qashqai, means both oil-burning Nissan SUVs will be in short supply here.

The diesel version of the new X-Trail, which was launched in Australia last October, employs the same M1D-codenamed, Renault-developed common-rail direct-injection 2.0-litre 16-valve four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine as the Qashqai/Dualis.

Two versions will be available in our X-Trail: an entry-level 110kW/320Nm engine mated only to a new six-speed automatic transmission, and a more powerful 127kW/360Nm iteration matched exclusively to a six-speed manual.

Nissan says both engines produce 90 per cent of their peak torque outputs from 1750rpm and, despite offering superior performance, the 127kW manual X-Trail diesel returns lower fuel consumption than its 110kW auto stablemate, 7.4 versus 8.1L/100km respectively.

Both X-Trail diesels will come in two specification grades, with the base TS based on the mid-range ST-L petrol X-Trail and the premium TL version sharing the same specs as the flagship X-Trail Ti petrol.

As such, the TS will come standard with twin front, front side and side curtain airbags, ESP traction/stability control, ABS brakes, seatbelt pretensioners, 17-inch alloy wheels, power windows/mirrors, air-conditioning, a six-CD sound system, foglights and chrome door-handles.

The TL diesel will add heated leather seats, climate-control air-conditioning and a panoramic sunroof.

Representing a $1000 premium over the existing X-Trail ST-L petrol, the TS manual will come priced at $36,990, while the TL will cost $39,990. Auto versions of both variants will cost a further $2000.

“The new diesel engines offer impressive performance in both manual and automatic configurations and reinforces the X-TRAIL’s position as an extremely capable compact SUV,” said Nissan Australia managing director and CEO Dan Thompson.

“The X-Trail diesel will be the first volume selling model in the compact SUV segment and we are pleased to be able to respond so quickly to such strong customer demand for this model.”

The move will see Nissan join a host of non-Japanese compact SUVs to be available with diesel power in Australia, including Jeep's Patriot CRD and Compass CRD (both priced from $33,990), Kia's Sportage CRDi ($32,490), SsangYong's Actyon ($29,990) and Kyron ($32,990), and Suzuki's Grand Vitara DDiS ($34,990).

While Land Rover's Freelander is the most expensive compact diesel SUV, priced from $52,490, Volkswagen will launch its all-new Golf-based Tiguan SUV in late May, priced from $35,990 with diesel power.

That's the same starting price as Holden's seven-seater Captiva diesel, and similar to other mid-sized SUVs like Hyundai's Santa Fe diesel (from $36,990) and Kia's Sorento diesel ($34,990).

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