2008 Nissan XTerra news, pictures, and information

2008 Nissan Xterra Continues to Set Standard As Tough and Essential Gear For Serious Adventure

Xterra signature exterior styling features include large flared fenders, a versatile roof rack wîth latchable lid and a rear bumper design wîth side steps for easy access to the roof rack. It also offers a large, powerful hood and headlights and Nissan SÚV-style angled strut grille.

Xterra features a long wheelbase for a smooth ride and ample interior room, yet overall length is highly manageable due to short front overhang – enhancing maneuverability in off-road hill climbing and trail situations.

Xterra's flexible interior is spacious enough for four adults and their gear, wîth ample leg room, head room and cargo room. A standard 60/40 split folding stadium-style rear seat wîth removable seat bottom cushions and an available fold-down front passenger seat SE and Off-Road models) create added utility for hauling long recreational gear. Additional storage is provided by a double-deck glove compartment wîth a lock, lamp and damper. The Xterra Off-Road model includes unique blue or charcoal seat fabric and a leather-wrapped §teering wheel.

The cargo area is highlighted by an available Easy Clean cargo area surface and a total of 10 cargo area utility hooks – six on the floor/sides and four on the ceiling (floor hooks can carry up to 110 pounds). There's also an available built-in first-aid kit and space to securely carry jugs up to a one-gallon size.

Securing bike racks and other accessories or gear is made easier wîth an available adjustable channel system in the cargo floor, similar in design to the Útili-track system offered on the Nissan Titan and Frontier pickups. The 2008 Xterra, while remaining true to its off-road adventure authenticity, also offers a few necessary amenities, including an available premium 300-watt Rockford Fosgate®-powered audio system wîth eight speakers and subwoofer, §teering wheel-mounted audio controls, mp3 capability plus mp3 player-capable aux-in jack and available XM® Satellite Radio (requires XM® subscription, sold separately) – offered in the new Technology Package (Off-Road grade only, standard on SE).

A Rugged, Truck-Based Platform

The 2008 Xterra features a modified version of the F-Alpha platform developed for use wîth the full-size Nissan Titan and Armada SÚV – a credential that adds to Xterra's proven off-road capabilities. Every Xterra starts wîth a fully boxed, all-steel ladder frame and adds a steel double-wishbone front suspension wîth stabilizer bar and solid axle leaf spring rear suspension. Xterra Off-Road models feature Bilstein high-performance gas shocks, a rear tire deflector and skids plats covering the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case (4WD only).

Powering Xterra is a standard 4.0-liter DOHC V6, rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft torque. The engine is an increased displacement version of Nissan's VQ engine series found in the 350Z, Maxima and Altima. It features a longer stroke (than the 3.5-liter version) and has been specifically tuned for SÚV and truck applications. Like others in the VQ family, the 4.0-liter version includes such advanced design features as lightweight aluminum block and cylinder heads, Continuous Valve Timing Control (CVTCS), Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), silent timing chain and microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces.

Other engine features include Teflon®-coated pistons, resin intake manifold, digital knock control system, 105,000-mile spark plugs and high capacity muffler. The engines' Electronic Throttle Control system includes secondary mapping in 4LO (4WD models). Two advanced transmissions are offered wîth the 2008 Xterra. An available electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission, based on the transmission used in the both the Titan and Armada (with an emphasis on acceleration, fuel economy and shift quality), or a 6-speed manual transmission based on the 350Z design but tuned for driving performance and fuel economy. Again in 2008, Xterra is offered in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations, both wîth standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC). Xterra 4x4 models feature a part-time 4WD system wîth 2WD/4HI/4LO modes and electronically controlled transfer case. Xterra Off-Road models include two advanced off-road technologies – Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Start Assist (HSA) – as well as an electronic locking rear differential.

Other driveline components include engine speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion §teering and 4-wheel disc brakes wîth Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) wîth Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD).

Wheel and tire packages include 16-inch wheels on the X and S models wîth 265/70R16 tires, special off-road grad 16-inch wheels and rugged 265/75R16 tires on Off-Road models, and 17-inch wheels wîth 265/65R17 tires on SE models.

Advanced Safety Systems

Xterra's list of safety features and equipment includes Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), which includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags wîth seat belt sensors and a front occupant classification sensor, and 3-point front seat belts wîth pretensioners, load limiters and Zone Body construction wîth front and rear crumple zones. Other standard equipment includes 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including the center rear position, and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system.

Also available are supplemental front-seat side-impact air bags, and available roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover protection for all outboard passengers.

Available 2008 Models and Packages

The 2008 Xterra is offered in four models – X, S, Off-Road and SE. The Off-Road model is available in 4-wheel drive, while the X, S and SE are offered in both 2WD and 4WD configurations. Xterra SE comes wîth a 5-speed automatic transmission only, wîth X, S, and Off Road offering a choice of 6-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic.

The entry-level Xterra X grade offers a long list of standard features, including Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), 4-wheel disc brakes wîth Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), power windows, locks and mirrors, Remote Keyless Entry, cruise control, engine speed sensitive power-assisted rack and pinion §teering, 60/40 split fold-flat 2nd row seats and Nissan Advanced Airbag System (AABS).

Standard features for Xterra S include step rails, first aid kit, cargo net aluminum alloy wheels, driver's seat lumbar support, roof rack cross bars, gear basket, unique seat fabric, Easy Clean Cargo surface and C-Channel cargo floor wîth four moveable hooks.

Xterra Off-Road models feature fog lamps, black bodyside molding, fold-flat front passenger seat, unique blue cloth seat fabric, sunglass holder and leather §teering wheel. Únique Xterra Off-Road model performance equipment includes 265/75R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A off road tires, rugged 16-inch wheels, Hill Descent Control and Hill Assist, electronic locking rear differential, high performance Bilstein gas-filled shocks and oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case skid plates.

The top-line Xterra SE features standard 5-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels wîth 265/65R17 BF Goodrich Long Trail tires, trip computer, step rails, body-colored outside mirrors, fog lamps, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately) and a Rockford Fosgate audio system featuring a 6-disc in-dash CD changer, 8 speakers plus subwoofer, §teering wheel audio controls, speed-sensitive volume, and mp3 playback capability plus aux-in jack for iPod accessory.

Two optional packages are available for 2008 – a Side/Curtain Air Bag Package and a Technology Package (Xterra Off-Road model only) wîth Rockford Fosgate®-powered audio system wîth an in-dash 6 CD changer, 8 speakers, §teering wheel audio controls, XM® Satellite Radio pre-wiring (manual transmission models) or XM® Satellite Radio receiver and black antenna (automatic transmission models) (XM® subscription required, sold separately), auxiliary input, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and auto-dimming inside rearview mirror wîth compass.