Titan

Make
Nissan
Segment
Sports Car

It's been too long since Nissan properly updated its full-size Titan pickup truck. But now the totally redesigned 2016 Titan XD has made its official debut here at Detroit. Set to compete directly against the likes of the Ford F-150 and Chevy Silverado, the 2016 Titan XD has something those other two lack: a diesel V8. Specifically a Titan XD-only 5.0-liter Cummins turbo diesel that produces 310 horsepower and 555 lb-ft of torque. Paired exclusively to a six-speed automatic gearbox, the Titan XD can tow up to 12,000 pounds and has a payload capacity of 2,000 pounds.

At some point both V6 and V8 gasoline options will be on offer. However, the truck revealed today is the Titan XD. Don't think of it as a trim level but a unique version of the regular Titan, which will have nearly the same design and be revealed at a later date. The Titan XD is somewhere between the Ford F-150 and F-250. Nissan VP Fred Diaz claims that the Titan XD is "a new class of truck (which also) demands a new class of engine. Like the Titan XD itself, the new Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel fills the space between more expensive big bore diesels and less capable smaller displacement diesels." The Titan XD you see here is the Crew Cab model, and both King and Single Cab body styles will also be available along with three bed lengths.

The exterior design, in our humble opinion, looks great. It's both tough-looking and modern. The front end is complemented with optional LED headlamps and LED running lamps. Nissan describes the interior as multi-functional with an added focus on utility, driver control and storage space, which has been increased by 33 percent. All switches are now grouped by function type and location is based on frequency of use. The center console can hold a computer tablet or a 15-inch laptop. Overall, interior material quality is top-notch and even the seats have been designed to help maximize posture positioning for long-distance driving. Production will take place in Mississippi.