For those that either can’t afford a new vehicle or don’t want to swallow the inevitable depreciation, buying a clean pre-owned model will still get you a ride that’s new to you. Evidently, Nissan sees this as a viable strategy retain a foothold, no matter how tenuous in the full-size SUV segment. After more than a dozen years on the market, Nissan is finally replacing the slow-selling Armada with a sort-of new edition for the 2017 model year.
There’s no arguing the fact that the Armada and the first-generation Titan pickup that it was based on didn’t set the world on fire. Even compared to Toyota’s efforts in the full-size SUV and pickup segments, the Nissans have been laggards. Nonetheless, Nissan clearly sees an opportunity to make some money in these segments and is pressing on.
Interestingly, while Nissan has developed an all-new Titan pickup that recently went on sale, it has opted not to leverage that platform for the Armada replacement. Instead, it has decided adapt the QX80 from its premium Infiniti brand, thus bringing that story full circle. Prior to adopting its current naming scheme in 2014, the full-size Infiniti utility was called QX56 and the first-generation QX56 was an upscale version of the original Armada.
The second-generation QX80 debuted as a 2011 model based off the sixth-generation Nissan Patrol, an SUV that has been on sale outside of North America since the early 1950s. So that makes the new Armada a twice-rebadged version of an already six-year-old model.
Despite having demonstrated again that marketers can continuously find ways to twist language such as all-new into meaninglessness, the 2017 Armada isn’t obsolete or outdated by any means. Like the Patrol and QX80, the Armada will have a double-wishbone suspension layout at each of the four corners for better ride quality. As a three-row utility, the independent rear suspension is particularly important because it enables a lower floor and far more room for the passengers in the back of the bus.
If Nissan had opted to use the redesigned Titan platform, it would have had to choose between sticking with a live-axle layout or significantly re-engineering the platform for independent rear suspension for what is unlikely to be a high-volume model. The former option would have severely compromised third-row seating room like the GM full-size SUVs and the latter wouldn't make financial sense. Thus the Patrol platform was the best option.
Like the Infiniti, the Armada will be propelled by a direct injected version of Nissan’s quad-camshaft 5.6-liter gasoline V8 with variable valve timing and lift. The updated powerplant which has been dubbed Endurance, should give the Armada a significant boost with performance with power jumping from 317-horsepower to 390-hp and torque increasing from 385 lb.-ft. for 401. That’s a bit shy of the 400-hp and 413 lb.-ft. available in the QX80, but the Nissan can run on regular unleaded while the Infiniti requires premium fuel. . The Endurance V8 will also be used as the third engine option in the Titan along with the Cummins diesel V8 and a base V6.
The only transmission offered will be a seven-speed automatic and both rear and four-wheel-drive will be available. With the maximum towing package, either Armada is expected to have an 8,500-pound tow rating.
As a nominally new offering for model year 2017, the Armada would be expected to include all of the latest technology and it doesn’t disappoint. Like other recently introduced Nissans, the Armada is available with a radar-based adaptive cruise control that includes predictive forward collision warning. This system uses radar bounced off road under the the vehicle directly ahead to detect what the vehicle in front of that one is doing and respond proactively with alerts or automatic braking if needed. The increasingly typical array of radar, ultrasonic and camera sensors around the Armada provide lane departure warning and prevention, parking assist, and blindspot monitoring. While these features are always handy, they are particularly useful in big, high-riding vehicles like the Armada where visibility immediately around the perimeter can be limited.
While it’s not exactly new, the Armada should be a more able competitor in the big utility segment and with gas prices expected to remain low for the foreseeable future, there could be a good opportunity here for Nissan to pad its coffers with a high-margin SUV.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/samabuelsamid/2016/02/10/nissan-introduces-sort-of-new-to-america-2017-armada-suv/
2016-02-10T00:00:00+00:00