Detroit show: Nissan Pathfinder strip tease

NISSAN has released further teaser images of its all-new Pathfinder SUV, this time in a couple of brief videos ahead of the vehicle’s unveiling in the flesh in concept form at the Detroit motor show next week.

The videos show the nose and tail of the fourth-generation five-door wagon revealing a close family resemblance to other Nissan SUVs, including the Patrol.

The company’s statement accompanying the videos says the concept will be a seven seater with “thoughtful technology, ample cargo room and four-wheel drive”, previewing the new generation that has been confirmed for release in the United States in the third quarter of 2012.

GoAuto understands the Australia release will follow some months later, probably in the second quarter of 2013.

Nissan says the the new model “takes all of Pathfinder’s traditional SUV hallmarks and wraps them in a new platform and dramatic new aerodynamic design”.

Left: Teaser images of the rear and side of the new Nissan Pathfinder.

The new Pathfinder is set to dispense with the truck-like Navara underpinnings of previous generations and move to a more car-like, monocoque architectureThe drip-feed of teaser images of the new model started before Christmas when Nissan’s North American arm released a dimly lit side view of the concept car under the headline ‘Pathfinder Re-imagined’.

The new Pathfinder is expected to arrive in Australia hard on the heels of the new V8 Patrol, which will finally touch down in local showrooms in about 12 months.

No details of powertrains have yet been released.

Although Pathfinder is reaching the end of its current model life, it has done well for the Japanese importer in Australia in the past year, with sales jumping a whopping 42 per cent to the end of November.