Nissan may launch 2014 X-Trail SUV in India next year

Nissan may launch the 2014 X-Trail for the Indian market next year. It was unveiled globally at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show and is the first of many vehicles that will be underpinned by the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s CMF (Common Module Family) platform. They claim that this newly developed CMF engineering architecture will help them reduce almost 30 per cent of production costs.

The new X-Trail is significantly different from its predecessor; the rather square shape of the current X-Trail has been replaced with a sleek curvy design more in line with Nissan’s other new launches like the Qashqai and Murano. The big news however, is that Nissan plans to assemble the new X-trail locally in many of the markets where it is sold thereby reducing the cost even further. That means it is almost certain that they will assemble it at the Chennai plant resulting in a lower priced offering.   

The new X-Trail will be powered by the existing 2.0-litre diesel engine along with an upgraded 1.6-litre diesel engine. Globally, the X-trail is available in both all-wheel-drive as well as front wheel drive modes and both options are likely to be made available in India this time around.

There are three rows of seats in the new X-Trail, making it a spacious seven-seater and changing its dynamic with regard to the competition. The car comes with a sliding second row of seats to make the cabin space more flexible. The X-trail will also feature Nissan`s newly developed Active Ride Control, which adjusts the suspension after scanning the road. The interiors of the X-Trail are more stylish than the existing one with a black piano finish on the center console.

The X-Trail seems to be an exciting prospect, all with the CMF technology and local assembly, Nissan could bring in a game changer with an attractive price. When launched, the X-Trail will compete with the Honda CR-V, Renault Koleos and the Ssangyong Rexton.