Pathfinder top of the class

July 2005

Pathfinder top of the class

Class leading power and torque and a seven seater cabin are the major features of the all new Nissan Pathfinder.

The medium sized four wheel drive sports utility vehicle (SUV) betters any of its similar sized rivals in the power and torque stakes with both its four litre V6 petrol engine and 2.5 litre turbo charged diesel engine.

In creating the all new Pathfinder, Nissan has used technology from across its model range to build a genuine off-roader that also performs very well on road. And it offers families with active life styles the flexibility to carry all their gear, whatever they do and where ever they want to go.

Pathfinder's rugged good looks emphasize its off road and lifestyle capabilities. The bumpers and lower extremities of the vehicle are designed for off road use with a 33o approach angle and 26 o departure angle possible. It has a 254 mm minimum ground clearance and a maximum wading depth of 450 mm for water crossings! The Pathfinder is not just capable of doing the school bus run. It really can go bush when required! All models in the range offer 7 seats
- three in the middle row. The second and third row seats can be folded flat to extend the cargo capacity in a myriad of different ways.

The fuel injected all alloy four litre V6 engine is a stroked version of the much awarded VQ series motor which is fitted to the Nissan 350Z sports car and the Maxima sedan.

For the Pathfinder it has been tuned to produce 198 kW of power at 5600 rpm and 385 Nm of torque at 4000 rpm.

Alternatively the Pathfinder is available with a 2.5 litre turbocharged and intercooled four cylinder diesel engine which is based on the YD series motor used in the Navara ute.

This engine now has common rail fuel injection and produces 128 kW of power at 4000 rpm and 403 Nm of torque at 2000 rpm. The common rail design significantly reduces noise, exhaust emissions, and improves fuel economy.

In both cases the V6 and diesel motors better the power and torque outputs of their Japanese rivals.

The all new Pathfinder sits on the same platform as the one used for the full size Titan V8 utility in North America. It is 4740 mm long with a 2850 mm wheelbase and is 1850 mm wide with identical front and rear tracks of 1570 mm.

The chassis is a separate classic ladder-frame construction from high tensile steel to handle the off road work the Pathfinder is designed to do. The body is mounted to the chassis via rubber insulators.

The Pathfinder comes in a well equipped ST and luxury Ti model, both of which have a five speed automatic gearbox mated to a 4x4 All Mode transmission. The gearbox features a manual mode for increased control and versatility when needed.

With its electronic controls and integration with the braking system, the 4x4 transmission is similar to that fitted to the legendary Skyline GTR.

The transmission can be set in rear wheel drive, or in auto 4WD which distributes power to the front wheels if the rear wheels lose traction or begin to slide.

Alternatively, the 4WD High or 4WD Low modes can be engaged with the power and torque then distributed equally to the front and rear axles.

When in 4 LOW an active brake limited slip function uses the ABS sensors to detect a loss of traction and then independently brakes the wheel which is beginning to spin or slip. This effectively transfers drive to the other wheels.

The brakes themselves are ventilated discs, with four channel ABS, with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution) to compensate for when weight is distributed differently in the vehicle and BA (brake assist) to increase braking force in emergency stops.

Steering is provided by power assisted rack and pinion, with a good 11.9 m turning circle, given the size of the Pathfinder. The steering column is tilt adjustable.

Independent suspension is used on all four corners, with double wishbones and a coil spring over shock absorber system at the front and a multilink set up with coil springs at the rear.

Both the ST and Ti Pathfinder sit on 17 inch alloy wheels with 255/65 R17 tyres.

Safety equipment includes active head restraints on the front seats, pretensioner front seat belts, steel anti-intrusion beams in the doors and VDC to control brake pressure and power output when the vehicle starts to oversteer or understeer.

The ST model has front air bags and the Ti adds side and curtain air bags.

Standard features on all models include fog lamps, cruise control with the operation switches on the steering wheel, remote keyless central locking, electric windows and mirrors, a drive computer, roof rails, side steps and dual zone climate control air conditioning.

There is also a leather covered steering wheel and gear selection lever, a six stack in dash CD sound system with main controls on the steering wheel and a choice of graphite or desert luxury cloth upholstery.

A compass is mounted in the lower right corner of the Auto dipping interior rear view mirror, variable intermittent wipers, under seat storage in the second row of seats, numerous storage areas throughout the vehicle and three 12 volt outlets are also standard specification.

The Ti model adds leather upholstery in the two colour choices, power adjustable front seats with memory for the driver's seat, heated front seats, an electric tilt and slide sunroof, rear air conditioning, Woodgrain trim, carpeted load area and auto adjusting rear mirrors for reversing.

The Pathfinder has been launched at $61,700 for the ST models and $67,000 for the Ti.

ENDS

Pathfinder at a glance

- Seven seats
- with fold flat capability for 64 different cargo and passenger carrying options.
- 4 litre petrol V6 with 198 kW of power and 385 Nm of torque
- 2.5 litre common rail turbo diesel with 128 KW of power and 403 Nm of torque
- 3000 kgs towing capacity (with braked trailer)
- All Mode 4x4 transmission (similar to Skyline GTR)
- Five speed automatic gearbox with manual mode
- VDC stability control programme
- ABS brakes with BA (brake assist) and EBD (electronic brake force distribution)
- ABLS (active brake limited slip)
- Fog lamps
- Compass

Ti additional standard features

- Curtain and side air bags
- Graphite or desert leather upholstery
- Sunroof
- tilt and slide
- Electric front seat adjustment
- driver with memory
- Heated front seats
- Rear air conditioning
- Woodgrain trim
- Auto adjusting rear-view mirrors for reversing

ST model
- standard equipment

- Choice of engines
- petrol or diesel
- Cruise control
- Twin air bags
- Remote keyless entry
- Electric windows and mirrors
- Drive computer
- 17 inch alloy wheels
- Roof rails
- Side steps
- Dual zone climate air conditioning
- Leather steering wheel and gear selection lever
- 6 stack in dash CD sound system
- Steering wheel mounted audio controls
- Graphite or desert luxury upholstery
- Auto dipping rear view mirror

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