Next generation Nissan X-Trail to be launched in India in 2016

Nissan will launch the next-generation X-Trail SUV for the Indian market in 2016. It debuted at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and went on sale across European markets a few months later. Underpinned by the Renault-Nissan CMF platform, it gets a new design as well as mechanical updates.   

Gone are the square boxy lines and now you have a more rounded shape for the fascia. Prominent elements include the new V-shaped nose, mesh grille and boomerang-shaped headlamps. On the side, we can see a modernised version of the original X-Trail shape. The flared wheel arches have become flowing while the prominent lines and the addition of chrome to the window outline and door handles ups the premium factor. Moving over to the rear we can see wrap around tail lamps, prominent pseudo bash plate element and a chrome strip above the number plate holder.

The new X-Trail is 17mm longer than the previous generation model and has a 76mm longer wheelbase. The new model is also 30mm wider and 5mm lower than the previous car though the ground clearance has been maintained at 210mm.

The cabin of the new X-Trail has inherited the layout of the previous car but now with design updates. The entire dashboard is now curvier and the quality of the materials used appears to be much better. Standard features include climate control, touchscreen infotainment system, rear AC vents and leather trim options for the tops-spec model.

On the engine front, this new X-Trail (for the Indian market) will get a 1.6-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 127bhp and 320Nm of torque with power going to the front wheels via a CVT gearbox. There is a possibility that Nissan may also offer AWD on the top-spec variant.     

The new X-Trail was the first car to be launched by the Japanese automaker when it came to India in the previous decade. However, it discontinued the car last year due to poor demand but now aims to actually get some decent numbers from it.

It will be launched via the CBU route and is expected to be priced in the range of Rs 30 lakh to Rs 35 lakh putting it in competition with the Hyundai Santa Fe, Audi Q3 and the BMW X1.