The big news for Nissan in the 2022 model year is the redesigned Pathfinder three-row SUV. The overdue family hauler overshadows a brand in transition, like much of the automotive industry. On one end of the product spectrum, Nissan honours its motorsports past with a return of the Z sports coupe, and on the other end, Nissan points to the future with the 2023 Nissan Ariya electric crossover SUV.
Other changes to volume models such as the brand's bestseller, the Nissan X-Trail, and the long-awaited redesign of the 2022 Nissan Navara mid-size bakkie reflect a strange sequence that encapsulates this strange automotive year. Specifically, Nissan installed a new engine in the Navara, then that engine carried over for one year into the newly redesigned model. Alternatively, Nissan carried over the X-Trail's engine into the redesigned 2021 model, then one year later swapped the old engine out for a smaller but more powerful—and more efficient—variable-compression ratio turbocharged three-cylinder. Why not put the new engines in the new cars for all the all-new marketing potential?
- Five-seat electric crossover SUV sized like the Tesla Model Y will start around $40,000 and goes on sale abroad in autumn of 2022.
- Base model Venture+ uses an 87 kWh battery pack and single motor to power the front wheels; output is 177 kW, range is estimated at 483 km.
- Top Platinum+ grade costs more than $60,000 and comes with a dual-motor all-wheel-drive system with an output of 216 kW and 600 Nm; range is estimated at 426 km.
- Standard features include a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa.
- Redesigned sports coupe evolve from the 370Z with a twin-turbo 3.0-litre V-6 making 298 kW and 475 Nm; a 6-speed manual or 9-speed automatic power the rear wheels.
- The Performance model with the 6-speed manual features launch control, a mechanical limited-slip differential, larger 35.5cm front and 35 cm rear rotors, and 19-inch alloy wheels with Bridgestone Potenza tires.
- Double wishbone front suspension with strut tower braces and larger shock absorbers on the multi-link rear suspension damp harsh impacts for a more controlled ride, according to Nissan.
- Interior features include available red or blue upholstery, a standard12.3-digital gauge cluster, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and three performance gauges on the top of the dash.
- Redesigned three-row crossover SUV seats up to eight passengers or seven with available captain's chairs in the second row.
- A 212 kW 3.5-liter V-6 with a towing capacity of up to 2722 kg now comes with a 9-speed automatic instead of a CVT; front-wheel drive is standard, but all-wheel drive is available.
- Standard features include an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, keyless entry, satellite radio, front and rear automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitors, and automatic high beams.
- Pushbutton second-row seats and a removable console ease access to the third row.
- Redesigned mid-size pickup truck comes with extended or crew cab styles with two-bed sizes; it's 11.4 cm longer than its predecessor, but that extra length mostly comes in the nose, not inside the cabin.
- Carrying over from last year is the 3.8-liter V-6 that makes 231 kW and 381 Nm, with a 9-speed automatic, powering the rear wheels. It can tow 3048 kg, or it can be had with a part-time four-wheel-drive system.
- New cab mounts and larger stabilizer bars reduce roll and noise and vibration for the smoothest Navara yet.
- Off-road-oriented Pro-4X models get a Dana rear axle, electronic locking rear differential, Bilstein off-road shocks, and three skid plates covering the front, transfer case, and fuel tank.
- Standard features include power locks and windows, four USB ports, an 8.0-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, a standard 7.0-inch vehicle info display, and automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection.
2022 Nissan X-Trail
- Redesigned for 2021, the compact crossover gets a new variable-compression 1.5-litre turbo-3 for 2022. It replaces the 2.5-litre inline-4 used in the 2021 X-Trail, and output improves from 135 kW and 245 Nm in the outgoing, larger engine to 201 hp and 305 Nm in the smaller turbo-3.
The above is based on the Nissan models they’ve been working on, but we don’t know if any or all of these model updates and releases will be relevant in South Africa, as yet.
Article from https://wheelsgalore.postach.io/post/what-s-expected-from-nissan-for-2022
