2005 Nissan Zaroot - AllCarIndex

Original name: ニッサン ザルート

HIGHLIGHTS OF NISSAN'S EXHIBITS AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW 2005

- World debut of Zaroot SUV concept car

- European debut of Navara, Nissan's new powerful pick up

- Sales of the Pathfinder SUV begin in Europe

- 350Z Roadster arrives in Europe in time for the summer

Zaroot Concept Car

Being shown for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show, the Zaroot is Nissan's vision of how sporty SUVs could look in the future. It combines traditional SUV values - and a serious off-road ability - with futuristic, sporty styling that marks it out as something different.

Retaining the traditional design cues of an SUV, the Zaroot's appearance is squared-off, solid and tough looking. It implies strength and security - yet combines these familiar themes with something a little different - a pair of gullwing doors.

The doors dominate Zaroot's profile, extending from the A-pillar to the rear of the passenger compartment, effectively where the C-pillar would be in a conventional vehicle. There is no B-pillar.

If the pentagonal doors define the character of Zaroot, the 'arch graphic' roof line continues a design theme that has featured on virtually all recent Nissan's design concepts. Together they bring increased sporting prowess to an area of the market which hitherto has been seen as little more than utilitarian.

Front and rear styling also adds a futuristic twist to a conventional shape. Zaroot's bluff nose ensures minimum front overhangs and incorporates Nissan's now familiar angle strut grille, though the unusual vertical headlamp cluster brings an almost technical feel to Zaroot's 'face'.

Navara

Europe's growing market for pick up trucks has a brand new contender - the Nissan Navara Double Cab. Being given its European debut at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show, Navara has a tough act to follow: the market-leading Nissan Pickup.

The new Navara brings passenger car qualities to the utility market. It shares much of its mechanical layout with Nissan's new SUV, the Pathfinder. It also adopts many of the comfort features found in Nissan's latest SUV and is built side-by-side with the SUV at Nissan's NMISA plant in Barcelona, Spain.

And, like its predecessor, it benefits from a tried and trusted four-wheel drive system to ensure grip under all conditions: little wonder that the Pickup was such a favourite with the farming and construction industries.

While those traditional Pickup buyers are expected to appreciate Navara's 'go anywhere, do anything' qualities, the newcomer's higher levels of comfort, quality and refinement is expected to attract leisure users who can use the combination of four-wheel drive and a versatile load area to go skiing or snowboarding in the winter and sailing or windsurfing in the summer.

Like Pathfinder, Navara features a rugged ladder-frame chassis onto which the body is securely fixed. Navara has a refined independent front suspension system featuring double wishbones and coil springs. This is teamed with a rigid axle and over slung leaf springs at the rear, designed to provide the best possible payload levels without adversely affecting handling or comfort.

Like Pathfinder, Navara's power comes from Nissan's respected 2.5-litre YD series four-cylinder turbo diesel engine, which has been extensively modified for the new models. It now features second-generation common rail technology for lower emissions, a variable nozzle turbocharger providing more power and lower emissions and there's a new balancer system for greater refinement.

For Navara, it is available in two different states of tune. The most potent develops 174PS and, more significantly, an impressive 403Nm of torque. The lesser powered Navara still has 145PS and 356Nm of torque.

Navara's four-wheel drive system uses Nissan's proven part-time 4WD system which provides drive to the rear wheels under normal conditions or a 50/50 torque split to all four wheels when 4WD mode is engaged.

"During its time on sale, the Nissan Pickup earned itself a strong reputation as an honest, hard working vehicle. Navara builds on Pickup's strengths and adds new levels of ability, refinement and fun," says Brian Carolin, Senior Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Nissan Europe. "We are confident that Navara will appeal to an ever wider customer base than Pickup achieved. It is just as happy as a hard-working, tough load carrier, or as a means to pursue leisure activities."

Pathfinder

European sales of Nissan's new 4x4 SUV, the Pathfinder, will coincide with the Geneva Motor Show and it will strengthen Nissan's position as a leader in the 4x4 market. It is built in Nissan's factory in Barcelona, Spain.

Powered by a 2.5-litre high output turbo diesel which produces 128kW (174PS) and 403Nm of torque, the Pathfinder allows active people the opportunity to pursue their hobbies and busy lifestyles. Its interior combines extreme practicality with roomy convenience. There are 64 different seating configurations, thanks to three rows of seats which can be individually folded flat to accommodate loads up to 280cm long. There are many different storage areas and even with the third row of seats in place, luggage space is impressive.

The Pathfinder employs an enhanced version of the electronically controlled ALL MODE 4x4 system found on the X-TRAIL, giving the driver 2WD, Auto, 4Hi Lock and 4LO modes to cope with the prevailing levels of traction.

Pathfinder will be available with many features which are usually found on highly specified passenger cars. Among those available, there are Intelligent Key, Xenon headlamps, satellite navigation with Traffic Management Channel, Blue Tooth telephone system with voice recognition, leather upholstery, dual zone climate control in the front and air conditioning in the rear, an opening tailgate window and even an automatically dipping rear view mirror and rain sensing windscreen wipers.

350Z Roadster

Deliveries of the 350Z Roadster will begin in Europe in March, which is good news for enthusiasts looking to combine the enjoyment of Nissan's highly acclaimed 350Z with the added sensation and emotion only available from a soft top.

The Roadster will provide its owner with the thrills and sensations that can only come from driving a performance convertible.

With the roof open, the driver and passenger are treated to a stimulation of the senses. They will enjoy hearing the sporty sound of the engine intake and the exhaust, both of which have been tuned for aural pleasure. These sounds enhance the feeling of acceleration, while the wind-in-the-hair feeling also adds to the overall experience.

Nissan has engineered the Roadster to ensure the structural rigidity of the Coupe is carried over. The bracing cross strut that features in the luggage area of the CoupE for example, remains on the Roadster, albeit largely hidden between the roof storage area and the boot.

It promises driving enjoyment, which has always been central to the Z philosophy, with the added bonus of fresh air fun: the best of both worlds.

SOURCE: Nissan