Nissan has discussed an updated X-Trail, dubbed 4X4 Platinum edition for its customers in the UK. It bases itself on the Tekna trim distinguished by new front bumpers and side steps plated with chrome. Rearview camera, heated front seats, leather upholstery, satellite navigation with Bluetooth/iPod connectivity and touchscreen infotainment system are new features on the special edition.
The 2.0-liter CRDI diesel engine mated to either a manual or automatic gearbox producing 173PS form the powertrain choices. Only 200 units of the Platinum edition model will be ever see light of day and prices start at 24 lakh rupees.
Auto manufacturers tying up with the entertainment industry to promote their product is not a new habit. Mahindra, Volkswagen and even Tata Motors has done this before. Now, Nissan India has also joined the bandwagon. The company has launched a limited edition X-Trail to commemorate the launch of a new reality adventure show called ‘X-Treme Trail’.
The concept of the show is to showcase the various techniques of off roading through the journey of the 8 contestants on the show. The contestants will battle the rough topography of the dunes of Rajasthan, the dense jungles of Rajaji National Park to the trans-Himalayan ranges in Himachal and Ladhak in a Nissan X-trail.
Coming back to the car, it’s a typical special edition marketing trick – a little add on features, some decals and a slight bump in the price. The features included are:
- Touchscreen GPS Navigation System powered by MapMyIndia
- Rear spoiler
- Door visors
- X-treme Trail decals
- Rear scuff plate
- Cargo drawer
- Kicking plate with LED
- Side mouldings
- Floor mats
- Rear bumper protector
And the price for all this malarkey, you ask. It’s Rs. 22.78 Lakhs Ex-showroom Mumbai. The mechanicals are untouched in this limited edition. It is the same 2-litre CRDI engine with 150 BHP coupled with a 6 speed automatic transmission.
Nissan Teana could go from CBU to CKD in India very soon
Nissan India, which sells Teana (sedan) and X-Trail (sports utility vehicle) as completely built units (CBU) is considering local assembly of these vehicles to bring down the price and gain market share.
Nissan had sold only 200-300 cars last year and during the joint venture press conference in Chennai a couple of weeks back, Carlos Ghosn, CEO Renault-Nissan said he was not surprised as these cars were not locally sourced or manufactured. He also said the high duties levied on imported models did not help one bit.
Gilles Normand, corporate vice-president, Nissan Motor Company (India, Africa and Middle East Region) -
We are considering the possibility of producing or locally assembling Teana and X-Trail in India soon. If we want to increase our share in the market we will have to reduce the price of our products and gain volumes.
DNA Money reports the cost of Teana will come down from Rs 25 lakh at present to Rs 18 lakh if Nissan adopts the CBU route. The X-Trail’s price would come down by up to 28%, the report adds.
click through to view image slideshows of Teana and X-Trail
Sources in Nissan inform us that the revamped X-Trail and Teana are arriving in Indian shores on the second week of September. The company would have a beautiful launch ceremony to welcome the cars into our country.
The second generation X-Trail was displayed at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, while the redesigned Teana was shown at the 2008 Beijing Auto Show.
Nissan hopes these cars would propel the company forward till they start selling the Micra/March next year.
Entry posted on February 13, 2009 by
Vibs;
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Hyundai
After many recent launches like the i20, Sonata Transform and Verna Automatic, Hyundai Motors is getting ready for its next launch. Hyundai plans to bring its successful American SUV, the Santa-Fe to India.
