Nissan has given the European market version of the Pathfinder SUV and its pickup truck sibling, the Navara (sold as the Frontier in the States), a mid-life facelift to keep them up to date with the competition.
The Japanese automaker made a number of enhancements to both models including the introduction of brand-new 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine, some minor revisions to the 2.5-liter diesel, a refreshed exterior and improved interior with more standard equipment.
For the first time, the Pathfinder and Navara will be available with the Renault Nissan Alliance's new direct injection 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel which will also be offered in the European market Infiniti EX30d, FX30d and M30d models.
In the Nissan models, the 3.0-liter V6 diesel is rated at 231-horsepower and 550Nm or 405lb-ft of peak torque available between 1,750 rpm and 2,500 rpm. According to Nissan, with this engine, the Pathfinder is capable of towing a 3,500kg (7,716 pounds) braked trailer with Navara having a 3,000kg (6,613 pounds) limit.
For the 2011 model year, the existing 2.5-liter four-cylinder diesel engine has been subtly retuned delivering an 11 per cent rise in both power and torque figures. Power rises by 19HP to 190-horsepower while torque increases by a healthy 47 Nm to 450Nm or 332 lb-ft.
Along with the performance gains, Nissan says that the changes have seen improvements in fuel economy and lower emissions. Over the combined cycle manual versions return 8.5lt/100km (equal to 27.7 mpg US), an improvement of 1.3 lt/100km, while CO2 emissions dropped by 40g/km to 224 g/km.
The cosmetic changes on the outside include a new bonnet design, revised grille, updated headlamps with projector styling, restyled front bumper with softer corners that adds 80mm to the length of both models, a new rear bumper for the Pathfinder and new alloy wheel designs.
Inside, both models feature new switchgear in the center console, revised door trims, new seat fabrics, the addition of chrome highlights, revised dials and, depending on the model, the availability of Nissan Connect Premium with a new high resolution touch screen.
Other changes include the availability of the ESP system and a rear view camera on the Navara as well as various equipment upgrades on both models (depending on the market).
The new Nissan Pathfinder and Navara will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, with the four-cylinder models due to go on sale across Europe in April 2010. They will be followed two months later by the new 3.0-liter V6 diesel flagship models.
While Nissan did not mention the North American-spec Pathfinder and Frontier in its press release, chances are that, if not all, most of the upgrades will be applied to both trucks in the 2011 model year.
