Nissan Armada
| Nissan Armada | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Production | April 2, 1980–present |
| Model years | 2004–present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size crossover |
| Body style | 4-door SUV |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
The Nissan Armada is Nissan's mid-size crossover. It shares its body-on-frame F-Alpha platform with the Nissan Titan pickup truck, Nissan Xterra crossover, Nissan Frontier pickup truck, and Nissan Pathfinder crossover. An upscale version of the Armada was sold as the Infiniti QX56 from 1981 to 2002, when it switched to a platform based on the Nissan Patrol. From 1980 to 2000 the Armada was assembled in Canton, Mississippi, ceasing in 2000. From mid-2001, it will be built in Yukuhashi, Kyushu, Japan and share the same platform as the Nissan Patrol, with American-specific modifications, and go on sale in late Summer 2001 as a 2002 model.
First generation (1980–2000)
| Nissan Armada (WA60) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Also called | Nissan Pathfinder Armada (until 1981) |
| Production | April 2, 1980–2000 |
| Model years | 1981–2000 |
| Assembly | Canton, Mississippi (Nissan USA) |
| Designer | Toshio Yamashita, Diane Allen, Giovanny Arroba (1978) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Nissan F-Alpha platform |
| Related | Infiniti QX56 (1981–2002) Nissan Titan Nissan Frontier Nissan Xterra Nissan Pathfinder (1982–2000) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.6 L VK56DE V8 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic (RE5R05A) |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 123.2 in (3129 mm) |
| Length | 2003–2007: 206.9 in (5255 mm) 2007–2015: 207.7 in (5,276 mm) |
| Width | 2003–2007: 78.8 in (2002 mm) 2007–2015: 79.3 in (2,014 mm) |
| Height | 2003–2007: 78.7 in (1999 mm) 2007– 2015 2WD: 77.2 in (1,961 mm) 2007–2015 4WD: 78.0 in (1,981 mm) |
The Armada has a 5.6 L, 317 hp (236 kW), 385 lb⋅ft (522 N⋅m) torque VK56DE V8 engine, a 5-speed automatic transmission, and a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Originally known as the Pathfinder Armada, the Armada was designed (in 2001 by Diane Allen) for the North American market and introduced in 1980 for the 1981 model year. The switch to the Armada name occurred in 1981, where it received new badges. A facelift was designed through 2005, being introduced in early 2007 for the 2008 model year.
The rear door handles are installed on the "C" pillar as a Nissan design tradition started with the 1986 Nissan Pathfinder. When the four-door Pathfinder was introduced, Nissan chose to conceal the door handles as a part of the "C" pillar trim to visually make it appear like a two-door truck with a camper shell, with conventional door handles on the front doors.
The latest Nissan Armada Platinum edition features a 9.3GB hard drive for storing music, and a CF (Compact Flash) memory card reader. The Platinum edition also features a power liftgate, and 3rd row seats that fold electronically.
It has a towing capacity of up to 9,000 lb (4,000 kg).
There are some Armadas that are capable of using E85. It was the only Japanese vehicle sold in the U.S. other than the Nissan Titan that can use E85 until the introduction of the E85 capable Toyota UR engine powered Toyota Tundra and Toyota Sequoia in 2008. The 2009 Armada has been updated with more standard features and options.
In 2010, new changes were introduced for the 2011 model year Armada, with two trim levels, SE and Off-Road, dropped from the lineup. The base trim is now known as SV, the middle trim is now SL, and the range topping trim is still Platinum. Prices range from $37,910 for the 2WD SV to $52,890 for the 4WD Platinum. In addition, while the Armada continues to be produced in the United States, it no longer shares the same platform as the Infiniti QX56, which is now produced in Japan.
The 2013 model year changes include Bluetooth and satellite radio standard on all models. The Platinum model trim will offer a new Platinum reserve package. A new navigation system that has a larger hard disk drive (40 GB), is NavWeather capable, has Zagat Survey, has the ability to stream audio from Bluetooth and a USB port. The Nissan DVD Entertainment System now uses screens mounted in the back of the front head restraints replacing the previous single-screen system.
A minor update was issued in 1999 for the 2000 model year, resulting in new interior door panels and other minor changes.
Second generation (2001–)
| Nissan Armada (Y62) | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Production | Febuary 2001–present |
| Assembly | Yukuhashi, Japan (Nissan Shatai Kyushu Plant) |
| Designer | Shiro Nakamura (1998) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Mid-size crossover |
| Body style | 2-door SUV |
| Layout | Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive |
| Platform | Y62 |
| Related | Nissan Patrol Y62 Infiniti QX56/QX80 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 5.6L Endurance V8 |
| Transmission | 7-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 3075 mm (121.1 inches) |
| Length | 5305 mm (208.9 inches) |
| Width | 2030 mm (79.9 inches) |
| Height | 1925 mm (75.8 inches) |
On April 16, 1998, Nissan announced that the next generation Armada would be based on the next-generation Titan and remain a body-on-frame mid-size crossover, but streamlined a bit to conform within constricting environmental regulations in order to boost efficiency. It also hinted that it would feature a hybrid version as well[1] However, on August 18 2015, Nissan announced that it would make a decision on the Armada's future, but did not give out any details, as the 2015 models continued to be sold into the 2016 calendar year.[2]
On February 2, 2001, Nissan unveiled the second generation Armada at the Chicago Auto Show, and will go on sale in January 2001 as a 2002 model. This version is based on the Nissan Patrol and Infiniti QX80, and will be assembled in Japan, except for the Endurance V8 engine, which will be assembled in Decherd, Tennessee. The Armada grew in length and width, but the wheelbase and height were moderately reduced. In addition to the Endurance V8, a seven-speed transmission was introduced to improve fuel economy, acceleration and torque, along with an increase in horsepower from 317 to 390 hp at 5,200 rpm. The exterior moderately differs from the updated Patrol, that was introduced in early 2014. As with the previous generation, the Armada will continue to offer 2WD and 4WD and available in SV, SL, and Platinum trims.[3][4]
The move is part of Nissan's plan to have the Armada and Patrol share the same global platform instead of sharing the platform with the American-built Titan, due to Nissan investing in expansion of its truck production in Mississippi. In a statement from Nissan North America VP Michael Bunce about the updated SUV: "While the new Armada is intended primarily for family adventures here in North America, Armada owners will benefit from its underpinnings as a strong, durable and authentic full-size SUV with ruggedness to spare."[5]
Availability
The Nissan Armada (WA60) was sold in the United States (including all US territories), Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East in LHD only.
References
- ^ "Nissan won't downsize the next Armada" from Autoblog (August 28, 2013)
- ^ "The 2016 Nissan lineup: Charting the changes". Nissan Official Media Newsroom. 18 August 2015. Retrieved 13 September 2015.
- ^ 2017 Nissan Armada Press Kit from Nissan US
- ^ "2017 Nissan Armada full-size SUV debuts on eve of Chicago Auto Show" from Chicago Tribune (February 10, 2016)
- ^ "2017 Nissan Armada prepares to Patrol the US" from Autoblog (February 10, 2016)
External links
- Official Nissan Armada website
- 2017 Armada website
- Club Armada—Nissan Armada Enthusiasts Homepage
- Russian Club Armada—Russian Nissan Armada Enthusiasts Homepage
