Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: <i>Titan</i> trailer celebrates the glory that is the Nürburgring]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/video-titan-trailer-celebrates-the-glory-that-is-the-nur/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/video-titan-trailer-celebrates-the-glory-that-is-the-nur/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/27/video-titan-trailer-celebrates-the-glory-that-is-the-nur/#commentsFiled under:

Titan movie teaser - Click above to watch video

As any parent knows, when a child finds a video he likes he can watch it a kabillion jillion times with undiminished joy. That's exactly the kid we turn into any time you cut up race footage and set it to classical music and exhaust notes. This time it's the preview of the movie Titan, by French director Stephane Benini, which strings together action from the 1000 KM of the Nürburgring and features modern and vintage racers and motorcycles.

The movie has its own Facebook page if you really want to declare your love, or you can do the secret admirer thing and just enjoy the 6-minute HD clip from YouTube after the jump. The sound of the GT2 Corvette and DB9R is nothing short of knee-trembling. Follow the jump for the clip, and try not to spill your pureed peas...

[Source: Clash Productions]

Continue reading VIDEO: Titan trailer celebrates the glory that is the Nürburgring

VIDEO: Titan trailer celebrates the glory that is the Nürburgring originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clash productionsClashProductionsmovieNurburgringtitanvideoyoutubeFri, 27 Nov 2009 12:59:00 EST<![CDATA[REPORT: Even without Dodge Ram, Ghosn says Nissan Titan will survive]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/15/report-even-without-dodge-ram-ghosn-says-nissan-titan-will-sur/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/15/report-even-without-dodge-ram-ghosn-says-nissan-titan-will-sur/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/15/report-even-without-dodge-ram-ghosn-says-nissan-titan-will-sur/#commentsFiled under: ,


When Dodge announced that it wouldn't be sharing its Ram platform with Nissan, we just kind of assumed that the Titan was going to go the way of the Do Do. Why? Because Titan sales are the suck. Nissan has only sold 15,393 copies of its largest truck through the first 10 months of the year. For perspective, Ford sold more F-150s in the first two weeks of October than Nissan has sold in 43 weeks. Last year wasn't much better either, as only 30,000 customers walked out of a Nissan dealer with a new Titan.

But if a report from Inside Line is to be believed, the Titan will live on. Renault/Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn reportedly told IL that "Titan will have a replacement, we are staying in the large pickup truck market." It makes a bit of sense that there will be another Titan given the fact that Nissan also uses the basic platform for the Infiniti QX56 and the Nissan Armada. But then again those portly SUVs aren't exactly flying off the shelf, either.

Speculation is that Nissan could be looking for an outside partner (or already have one) to collaborate on a new pickup. We're thinking one candidate could be Toyota. The only other Japanese automaker competing directly with the domestics in the U.S. half-ton pickup truck market, Toyota was expecting to produce 200,000 units per year of the Tundra when the it launched, but has sold only 66,000 through October. Teaming up with Nissan would help bring costs down, soak up extra production capacity and mitigate the risk inherent in competing against Ford, GM and Chrysler at what they do best.


Gallery: 2008 Nissan Titan


[Source: Inside Line]

REPORT: Even without Dodge Ram, Ghosn says Nissan Titan will survive originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnCarlosGhosndodge ramDodgeRamnissannissan titanNissanTitanpickup truckPickupTrucktitanSun, 15 Nov 2009 18:51:00 EST<![CDATA[BREAKING: Nissan and Chrysler end collaboration, Ram-based Titan dead]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/breaking-nissan-and-chrysler-end-collaboration-ram-based-titan/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/breaking-nissan-and-chrysler-end-collaboration-ram-based-titan/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/26/breaking-nissan-and-chrysler-end-collaboration-ram-based-titan/#commentsFiled under: , ,


It's been a year of ups and mostly downs for Chrysler, and you just can't expect every partner to hang on for the ride. As such, Nissan and Chrysler released a joint statement today announcing a mutual end to their agreement to jointly produce three vehicles. The vehicles were to include a new Titan full-size pickup truck for Nissan based on the Dodge Ram, a new small car for Chrysler based on the Nissan Tiida (Versa in the U.S.), and another compact sedan from Nissan for Chrysler to sell in South American markets. The joint release blames "significant changes in business conditions" as the reason for the breakup, though we suspect it has more to do with the condition of Chrysler than anything else.

[Source: Nissan, Chrysler]

Continue reading BREAKING: Nissan and Chrysler end collaboration, Ram-based Titan dead

BREAKING: Nissan and Chrysler end collaboration, Ram-based Titan dead originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BREAKINGchryslerdodgedodge ramDodgeRamnissannissan titanNissanTitanramtitanWed, 26 Aug 2009 17:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Pickuptrucks.com picks best truck in 2008 Half-Ton Shootout]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/pickuptrucks-com-picks-best-truck-in-2008-half-ton-shootout/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/pickuptrucks-com-picks-best-truck-in-2008-half-ton-shootout/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/pickuptrucks-com-picks-best-truck-in-2008-half-ton-shootout/#commentsFiled under:



When Mike Levine at Pickuptrucks.com sets his mind to something, it gets done in a big way. Witness last year's 2007 Heavy-Duty Diesel Truck Shootout. This year he's back with a comparison test that bests his previous effort not only in size and scope, but also in relevance. For 2008 he has assembled every player in the half-ton truck segment, including brand new 2009 models of the Ford F-150, Dodge Ram, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, Nissan Titan and a 2008 Toyota Tundra. Despite the sagging economy, Americans still love us some trucks, and we've never encountered a more thorough comparison of their performance, towing abilities and fuel economy than what Mike has published at Pickuptrucks.com. Consider it the bible of half-ton pickup comparison shopping and have it pre-loaded on your iPhone when you start visiting dealerships.

We're not going to tell you which pickup won, but we will say that it was remarkable to learn how varied are the targets at which each of these trucks is aiming. Some were great for one task while failing miserably at another, and the winner was the one that performed well the most often. Click the source link below to check out the Pickuptrucks.com 2008 Half-Ton Shootout.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Pickuptrucks.com picks best truck in 2008 Half-Ton Shootout originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f-150half-ton shootoutHalf-tonShootoutlight-duty shootoutLight-dutyShootoutpickuptrucks.comramsierrasilveradotitantundraFri, 14 Nov 2008 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Titan Tire ships world's first 63-inch tire]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/31/titan-tire-ships-worlds-first-63-inch-tire/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/31/titan-tire-ships-worlds-first-63-inch-tire/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/31/titan-tire-ships-worlds-first-63-inch-tire/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Remember in the first Crocodile Dundee movie when he gets mugged in New York City and Sue says "He's got a knife," and Dundee says, "That's not a knife, this is a knife," and then he pulls out a beast-killing monstrosity of a blade? Well, that's what the folks at Titan Tire are saying right now about every other -- smaller -- tire in the world.

Titan has made a 63-inch rubber behemoth for use on trucks in Canada's oil sands. The stats on these rubber donuts is impressive: the 59/80R63 is the biggest production tire in the world, standing over fourteen feet tall and weighing 12,500 pounds with a load rating of 101 metric tons. It makes Titan a very appropriate name for the company, as we learned from another movie, Remember the Titans, that in Greek mythology the Titans were greater even than the gods. Now we can only hope this development will make the price of oil drop another ten dollars...

[Source: Titan via Gizmag]

Titan Tire ships world's first 63-inch tire originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6363 inch tire63InchTiremining equipmentMiningEquipmenttiretirestitantitan tireTitanTirewheelsThu, 31 Jul 2008 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Ghosn hints at killing Nissan Titan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/ghosn-hints-at-killing-nissan-titan/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/ghosn-hints-at-killing-nissan-titan/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/16/ghosn-hints-at-killing-nissan-titan/#commentsFiled under: ,



No one doubts that selling full-size trucks in the U.S. is a tough racket. Nissan knows this firsthand, as it's sold only 60,961 units of its Titan pickup so far in 2007. Compare that to the third best-selling truck in the U.S., the Dodge Ram, which has sold 326,177 units, or the new-for-2007 Toyota Tundra, which has sold 177,336 units.

In a Newsweek article profiling Carlos Ghosn, the CEO of Nissan-Renault reportedly hinted that he may kill the Titan pickup. The fact is, it's becoming less and less profitable to compete in a full-size truck segment that's shrinking and becoming more competitive by the day. While Ghosn is far from hammering the last nail in the Titan's coffin, his reported comment simply highlights the fact that a smart company will build what it can sell for a profit.

Producing a pickup profitably is clearly on Ghosn's mind, and considering last Friday's rumor that Nissan is in talks with Chrysler on a possible collaboration, a Dodge Ram-based Titan that's cheaper to produce than the current truck is definitely a possibility going forward. Either that, or there won't be a Titan at all if Ghosn can't figure out how to make a buck off it.

[Source: Newsweek via Pickuptruck.com]

Ghosn hints at killing Nissan Titan originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Dec 2007 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carlos ghosnCarlosGhosnnissannissan titannissan titan killedNissanTitanNissanTitanKilledtitanSun, 16 Dec 2007 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan hasn't learned from Ford: Navistar-powered diesel Titan in 2009]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/15/nissan-hasnt-learned-from-ford-navistar-powered-titan-in-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/15/nissan-hasnt-learned-from-ford-navistar-powered-titan-in-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/15/nissan-hasnt-learned-from-ford-navistar-powered-titan-in-2009/#commentsFiled under: ,



All indications are that Ford will be dumping the Navistar diesels it's used in its Super Duty pickups almost forever in favor of an in-house-developed diesel sometime around the end of the decade. Apparently undaunted by the quality issues that Ford has repeatedly experienced with the Navistar engines, Nissan appears ready to step into the breach and pick up the supply for the Titan pickup.

Since it appears that Nissan won't be developing a heavy duty version of the Titan, it's not clear at this point if it will use the current 6.4L V-8 that Ford uses or the smaller engine that Navistar had developed for the light-duty Fords. Most likely it will be the latter engine, and it may be available for 2009. Nissan, as expected, won't comment on future products -- except when they do (they previously announced a diesel Maxima for 2010).

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

UPDATE: Mike Levine at Pickuptruck.com spoke with Nissan spokesperson John Schilling who told him, "We haven't announced anything about a diesel engine for the Titan. This news is speculation at this point, but we are continuing to study this technology for potential future use. The only vehicle we've said that will have a diesel engine is the Maxima in 2010."

Nissan hasn't learned from Ford: Navistar-powered diesel Titan in 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Jun 2007 11:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2009dieselNavistarnissan titanNissanTitantitanFri, 15 Jun 2007 11:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan Titan making moves to be bigger, bolder, badder]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/29/nissan-titan-making-moves-to-be-bigger-bolder-badder/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/29/nissan-titan-making-moves-to-be-bigger-bolder-badder/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/29/nissan-titan-making-moves-to-be-bigger-bolder-badder/#commentsFiled under: ,

When it comes to pulling one's weight in the full-sized truck category, Nissan, like Toyota, admits that it made some mistakes with its Titan the first time around, but has learned a lot. Both automakers seem not to have realized that the truck buyer is an entirely different animal than the car buyer. Having failed to reach its sales targets since the truck was launched, Nissan is now planning to give the Titan a complete overhaul. Injecting more "full" into its full-sized contender, the 2008 Titans will be bigger, more powerful, more rigid, have heavier axles and better payload capacity, and bigger brakes.

Nissan is also expanding the model mix, having learned how varied American truck buyers like their option choices to be. One addition will be a decontented V6 model for buyers who just want a no frills work truck. On the other end, the company is considering purchasing diesel V8s from International Truck and Engine Corp (that's right, Navistar). And along with the changes, Nissan is expending the effort to raise the truck's profile; most folks still think it's a mid-sized truck. Nissan is only looking for the Titan to grab 5% of the market, and it isn't too far off now. With the changes, they're in with a shout.

[Source: Auto News - sub. req'd]

Nissan Titan making moves to be bigger, bolder, badder originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 May 2007 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008full-sizednissanpickuptitanTue, 29 May 2007 09:04:00 EST<![CDATA[Yikes: Another $1,000 off on Toyota Tundra]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/29/yikes-another-1-000-on-the-toyota-tundra/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/29/yikes-another-1-000-on-the-toyota-tundra/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/29/yikes-another-1-000-on-the-toyota-tundra/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It looks like the pickup truck wars are on, and one automaker from Japan is not declaring "Mission Accomplished". Within the span of a couple months, the new "game-changing" Tundra was launched, Toyota then placed cash on the hood of the new truck, the guys and girls over at Nissan canceled their HD version of the Titan, and now more cash is needed to move Tundras.

The newest incentive calls for an additional $1,000 towards the trade-in of a regular or extended cab Tundra. The Crew Max still has zero incentives on it, but the base Tundra now carries up to $3,000 in cash on the hood, depending on the model and what region in which it's purchased, which is very close to the $3,500 in incentives that you can get with a four year-old F-150. Special financing is also available on the Tundra for customers with Tier 1 or Tier 2 credit ratings.

Earlier this decade, Toyota did a terrific job of holding steady on incentives while the domestics went wild with 0% financing and $6,000 cash back offers. Now that it's trying to tussle with the Detroit Three in the pickup truck segment, tried and true Toyota discipline is out the window. This isn't a brand-new trend, either. Last year at this time, the previous generation Tundra had $4,500 on the hood, but we thought that trend would be coming to an end with the introduction of the new model. Guess not.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Yikes: Another $1,000 off on Toyota Tundra originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Mar 2007 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Full-size truck warsFull-sizeTruckWarsPickupTitanToyotaTundraThu, 29 Mar 2007 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Autoblog Podcast #61]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/21/autoblog-podcast-61/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/21/autoblog-podcast-61/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/21/autoblog-podcast-61/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , ,

We're fired up about a few things for episode #61. We eventually get to an enthusiastic discussion of the American LeMans Series, but we wind our way through a few subjects to get there. We start off with the snub to Chrysler by some DCX shareholders who suggest a return to Daimler-Benz AG name. Not only is that a kick in the pants to the Chrysler group, but it's incredibly arrogant and illustrates that it was never really a merger of equals. In a froth, we move on to the anti-surprise that Nissan has nixed the heavy-duty Titan. In the death match that is the US pickup truck marketplace, the Japanese are having a tough fight. The Titan has its own charms but low sales, and the Tundra is taking criticism and underperforming in crash tests. We get the truck wars out of our system and move on to rhapsodic descriptions of the GT2 finish at this weekend's ALMS Sebring kickoff. Oh yeah, there were some kind of Audis there, and Acuras, too. We can't get the last-lap dogfight between the Ferrari and Porsche for the GT2 crown out of our heads, though. Before we go, we touch briefly on Smart's recently-opened registration for US buyers, as well as marvel at the low price for the practical city car that will end up as an effette bauble, as well. That's it in a nutshell, enjoy!

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Autoblog Podcast #61 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Mar 2007 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ALMSautoautoblogbenzblogdaimlerdaimler benzDaimlerBenzdaimlerchryslerdcxFerrariGT2heavy dutyHeavyDutynamepodcastPorscheracingSebringsmarttitantundraWed, 21 Mar 2007 11:32:00 ESTAutoblog Podcast #61Dan Roth37:15autoblog; podcast; ALMS; Smart; pricing; racing; Tundra; crash; test; Daimler Chrysler; board; memo; Titan; Heavy duty<![CDATA[Nissan nixes plan for Heavy-Duty Titan pickup]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/nissan-nixes-plan-for-heavy-duty-titan-pickup/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/nissan-nixes-plan-for-heavy-duty-titan-pickup/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/nissan-nixes-plan-for-heavy-duty-titan-pickup/#commentsFiled under: ,

It looks like the challenges in the heavy-duty pickup truck market is too intense for Nissan, who has decided to steer clear of the potentially lucrative, yet highly-competitive, market. Heavy duty offerings from the Detroit three come in several different configurations to suit virtually every need, and Nissan seems to feel that they would have trouble selling enough HD trucks to make it worth their while. The scribes over at Pickuptruck.com quote Nissan as pointing out data that shows only one in three truck owners would consider a foreign truck. With limited sales opportunities, Nissan would have trouble matching higher-volume manufacturers on price, including domestics that will pile on incentives in order to move their bread and butter trucks.

Nissan has plenty of reasons for their decision, yet we think if the Titan had lived up to its lofty sales goals there would be an HD version on the way.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

Nissan nixes plan for Heavy-Duty Titan pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 09:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>f150HD truckHdTrucknissansilveradotitantundraFri, 16 Mar 2007 09:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan releases more images and info on trio of 2008 trucks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/02/nissan-releases-more-images-and-info-on-trio-of-2008-trucks/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/02/nissan-releases-more-images-and-info-on-trio-of-2008-trucks/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/02/nissan-releases-more-images-and-info-on-trio-of-2008-trucks/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


click image above to view more high-res images

Perhaps looking to increase the buzz factor before the 2007 Chicago Auto Show next week, Nissan has released even more images and info on the trio of trucks it will be debuting, which includes the 2008 Titan, Armada and Pathfinder. To recap, the Titan gets a new long-wheelbase version with a 7-foot bed, as well as an off-road PRO-4X trim. The one and only engine is an updated 5.7-liter V8 now producing 317 horsepower and 385 ft-lbs. of torque, which is good for a top tow-rating of 9,500 lbs. that falls below that of the domestics and Toyota's new Tundra.

The Armada gets a refreshened face up front, but the bigger news is on the inside where a new dash makes this full-size SUV an easier ship to sale. Finally, the Pathfinder also gets styling tweaks inside and out, but it's big news is under the hood where a 300-horsepower 5.6L V8 is now an option.

You can check all the numerous big and little tweaks these three trucks received in the press releases located after the jump, or check at all three galleries we've assembled of available high-res images.

[Source: Nissan]

Gallery: 2008 Nissan Armada


Gallery: 2008 Nissan Titan


Gallery: 2008 Nissan Pathfinder


Continue reading Nissan releases more images and info on trio of 2008 trucks

Nissan releases more images and info on trio of 2008 trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Feb 2007 15:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armadapathfindertitanFri, 02 Feb 2007 15:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Chicago Preview: 2008 Nissan Titan]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/chicago-preview-2008-nissan-titan/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/chicago-preview-2008-nissan-titan/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/01/chicago-preview-2008-nissan-titan/#commentsFiled under: , ,



With the Chicago Auto Show kicking off next week, the automakers are starting to show off their wares. Nissan will have a trio of '08 truck updates (Titan, Armada, and Pathfinder) on display, and the first one we'll show you is the freshened Titan. Nissan's full-sized pickup gets a lightly updated face and will now be available in a new long-wheelbase version (shown). Also take note of the beefier rearview mirrors, which jut out on twin stalks instead of the more compact one-piece folding units used on the previous version.

A new PRO-4 trim level has also been added as well, but we don't have additional details on what that specifically includes at this time. We do know that heated leather seats, Bluetooth connectivity and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system are among the creature comforts available on the '08. Motivation comes from a V8 dishing out 317 horses and 385 lbs of torque, which all translates into a maximum towing capacity of 9,500 lbs. -- not enough to best either GM or Toyota's new trucks. We'll update you with more complete info as soon as we can get our hands on it.

Follow the jump for a rear shot.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Chicago Preview: 2008 Nissan Titan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 Feb 2007 07:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20082008 nissan titan2008 titan2008NissanTitan2008TitantitanThu, 01 Feb 2007 07:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota Tundra beats Chevy Silverado in Edmunds comparo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/24/toyota-tundra-beats-chevy-silverado-in-edmunds-comparo/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/24/toyota-tundra-beats-chevy-silverado-in-edmunds-comparo/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/01/24/toyota-tundra-beats-chevy-silverado-in-edmunds-comparo/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



This is what we're truly all waiting for - someone to get their hands on the best-of-the-best pickups for 2007 and stage a knock down, drag out comparison test with the new 2007 Toyota Tundra. Well, Edmunds has come closest by being the first to compare the new Tundra with a 2007 Chevy Silverado and an '07 Nissan Titan. While we really want to see a Tundra vs. Silverado vs. F-150 vs. Ram match, we'll take what we can get.
Much to our surprise after seeing the Tundra in person at the Detroit Auto Show, Edmunds chose it as the winner of its half-ton comparison test by a slim margin over the Silverado. The Edmunds editors seemed to like the Tundra's styling and love its 381-hp 5.7L V8, but like us were not impressed with the interior. The Silverado, meanwhile, was impressive in all areas except for drivetrain. It's 6.0L V8 was less powerful than the Tundra's motor, and a trip to the dyno revealed a quirky fuel management trick that hampers the Silverado's power delivery for four seconds when the throttle is mashed. Only after four-seconds of full-throttle has elapsed does the Silverado produce its advertised power numbers. As it turns out, the fact that the Tundra's big motor and slick six-speed could haul it to 60 mph in only 6.3 seconds was the ultimate deciding factor. Toyota's big T just brought more power to the table.

The three year-old Titan never stood a chance and brought up the rear.

Do we agree with Edmunds? Having never driven the Tundra, it's hard to say. We're convinced at this point that the Tundra's mechanicals aren't as beefy as the domestics', but its engine is a force to be reckoned with. However, we were so disappointed with the interior design and fit and finish of the Tundra we saw in Detroit, that we'd still probably pick the Silverado in this instance.

Click the read link to review the comparo and also see a video of it produced by Edmunds.

[Source: Edmunds]

Toyota Tundra beats Chevy Silverado in Edmunds comparo originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>comparisonedmundsreviewsilveradotesttitantundraWed, 24 Jan 2007 15:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Heavy-duty pickups by Toyota and Nissan delayed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/heavy-duty-pickups-by-toyota-and-nissan-delayed/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/heavy-duty-pickups-by-toyota-and-nissan-delayed/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/heavy-duty-pickups-by-toyota-and-nissan-delayed/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Both Toyota and Nissan were planning on entering the full-size heavy duty pickup truck market soon, but both automakers have delayed joining the fray for at least a couple years. Nissan had hoped it could build a heavy-duty version of the Titan off of the half-ton's platform, but it's clear that the truck's frame won't be able to meet the minimum payload and towing targets that heavy-duty truck buyers demand.

Though the full-size half-ton Toyota Tundra (shown wearing its work dungarees) will enter production in less than two months, the automaker's plan for a heavy-duty version has been postponed for undisclosed reasons. Toyota may be betting that the market for heavy duty trucks will shrink along with the half-ton market, though analysts are quick to point out what the domestic manufacturers already know, which is that the heavy-duty truck market follows different trends than the market for trucks as a whole. Rather than going up or down in correlation with gas prices, purchasing of heavy-duty trucks is more likely to go up or down with the rate of home construction in the country.

Either way, heavy-duty versions of the Nissan Titan and Toyota Tundra are coming, but it looks like Detroit won't have to worry about them until 2009 at the earliest.

[Source: Automotive News]

Heavy-duty pickups by Toyota and Nissan delayed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 13:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Another year is approaching and, on its impending arrival, Nissan released new figures for its current lineup of pickups and sport utility vehicles.

But before we douse you with the bloated figures that make up anything with optional four-wheel drive, a note about the Versa. Nissan's fuel-miser will get an additional $100 stuck onto its sticker price, due to, well, we don't know why, just because. The 1.8-liter, six-speed equipped "S" model will come in at $12,550, with an automatic tranny setting you back an additional $800. The SL model with a stick comes in at $13,350, while the automatic will have an MSRP of $14,550. Add a CVT to the mix and tack on another grand.

Now, onto the big boys.

Continue reading Nissan announces pricing on 2007 trucks and SUVs

Nissan announces pricing on 2007 trucks and SUVs originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Sep 2006 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>armadafrontiermuranonissanpathfindertitanversaxterraWed, 06 Sep 2006 09:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Heavy-duty Nissan Titan on track for 2009]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/22/heavy-duty-nissan-titan-on-track-for-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/22/heavy-duty-nissan-titan-on-track-for-2009/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/22/heavy-duty-nissan-titan-on-track-for-2009/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Nissan does plan on building a heavy-duty version of its Nissan Titan pickup that will be ready for sale in late 2009. Production of the Quest minivan at the company's Canton, Miss. plant where both models are produces will likely be moved to make room for the bigger pickup. The Detroit News reports the truck would target contractors and trailer haulers, though doesn't comment on whether the new Nissan would gets its own beefy design like Ford's Super Duty line or settle for a pumped up version of the Titan's skin. Nissan sold 99,775 Titans last year, which, considering the market for full-size trucks is either holding steady or falling means that those sales were swiped from Ford, GM and Dodge. Expect this segment to get even more crowded when the new Toyota Tundra arrives.

[Source: WSJ via The Detroit News]

Heavy-duty Nissan Titan on track for 2009 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Jun 2006 10:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>commercialcontractorfull-sizeheavy-dutysuper dutySuperDutyTitantowingThu, 22 Jun 2006 10:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan to build fewer Titans]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/nissan-to-build-fewer-titans/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/nissan-to-build-fewer-titans/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/nissan-to-build-fewer-titans/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nissan North America has decided to cut production of the Nissan Titan, which is pushing a 100-day pileup and is down over 20,000 units and 1.7 percent as compared with last year. Nissan says it would like to lessen the supply to 75 days or less.

The problem is one often experienced by automakers these days -- General Motors and Ford are both cutting production in various areas, while DaimlerChrysler is giving dealers and consumers alike huge incentives to take some models in the DCX lineup.

[Source: TruckBlog]

Nissan to build fewer Titans originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It seems that full-size trucks must first curry the favor of Texans before they can court the rest of this country's citizenry. Dodge introduced its Ram Mega Cab Dually in the state and Ford unleashed its 2007 Expedition on unsuspecting Texans attending this year's Houston Auto Show. Toyota has eschewed any showmanship and will just build its new XXL Tundra in San Antonio.

Nissan has chosen to combat its less than stellar Titan sales by putting on a show in Bridgeport, Texas in order to demonstrate how tough its full-size pickups and SUVs can be. The Japanese company built an off-road course in a rock quarry recently purchased by the town that contained rock climbs, descents, water obstacles, rugged terrain and more. They then gave 80 journalists keys to the Titan and Frontier pickups and Xterra SUV and stood back... way back. We've yet to see any articles emerge from the media event, so we'll have to wait and see how many journalists the company converted.

[Source: Nissan]

Nissan to Texans: "Our trucks are tough, too!" originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Apr 2006 14:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Frontierfull-size truckFull-sizeTruckjournalistsmediaNissanoff-roadrock crawlingRockCrawlingSUVTexasTitanXterraThu, 06 Apr 2006 14:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan Titan to come in commercial versions]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/15/nissan-titan-to-come-in-commercial-versions/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/15/nissan-titan-to-come-in-commercial-versions/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/15/nissan-titan-to-come-in-commercial-versions/#commentsFiled under: ,

Chevy Silverado 2500 and Ford F-250, look out. Nissan is a-comin' your way with new commercial models of its Titan pickup. Scheduled to debut as a 2009 model, the commercialized Titan will be based on the upgraded pickup chassis Nissan is developing, and will offer a diesel engine and other heavy-duty equipment. So far, there's no word on whether a model will come out to compete with the F-350-level pickups, but the addition to its lineup will likely give Nissan a greater foothold in the pickup market.


[Source: AutoWeek]

Nissan Titan to come in commercial versions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Mar 2006 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chevy silveradoChevySilveradof-150f-250nissanpickuptitanWed, 15 Mar 2006 08:00:00 EST