Nissan Armada test drive since 2009 SUV

Armada is coming

Before this Nissan could appear in its main market in the United States, and it can already be purchased in Russia

It was as if in confirmation of the words of the American correspondent of AI, several pages before the speaker about the Japanese attack on the American market, in the early days of the New Year the editorial office was the latest SUV from the Nissan Pathfinder Armada. Judging by the first impressions, which almost undividedly dominated in a new light with his pickups and full -sized SUV GM and Ford, in fact, you will have to squeeze a little. As for the Russian market, there is always a place for a good car under our sun.

Jeepopotams are returning

Why is it called Armada? Why does the pickup, created on the same platform, has a no less formidable name Titan? Have we missed the announcement of a big war? According to Nissan representatives, the company's engineers faced a difficult task to create an image of a sort of macho. For the only purpose: to convince potential buyers of the machine that this is not an alteration of any existing model, but in the full sense a new SUV, and real, condo. The Armada body rests on a spatial frame, which is quite suitable in order to compete with such leaders in their segment in the US market as Chevrolet Suburban and Tahoe, Ford Expedition, and even with Hummer H2. The only one to whom the new Nissan loses in length is Suburban, which is almost 30 centimeters longer. The remaining competitors are resting. The Armada wheelbase is almost 15 cm larger than that of Tahoe, and 11 cm longer than that of Expections. Well, in general dimensions, this Pathfinder is only a few centimeters below the leader in the Hummer H2 class.

The external greatness of Japanese engineers combined with a very functional layout. For example, three rows of seats are located in the cabin, and the last of them is designed not only for children and easily accept three adult passengers. The middle row can consist of two separate chairs, between which a removable console with a huge armrest is located and, it seems, with a dimensionless mess, or a whole sofa designed for three. So a large SUV can be accommodated from seven to eight people depending on the configuration.

The main feeling in the salon is a feeling of spaciousness (which, however, is natural). In the doorway, real wide window sills on which the windows buttons were installed. And the intra -axial handles of castles, for example, have little in common with small levers on European models. These are impressive long plates that need to be taken not with fingers, but with the whole palm. Perhaps only a dwarf can feel just as freely in an ordinary jeep.

Will we realize the eight?

The second row of seats seems to be worthy comfort and a basketball player in two meters tall. In addition, the sofa of the third row is raised over the floor by an additional 8 cm, so that passengers from the gallery can easily look forward. Entrance to the last row is carried out through very wide rear doors. It is only necessary to fold a simple movement and throw off the chairs of the middle row. When there is no need for a large passenger capacity, the rear sofa folds flush with the floor, making the trunk simply giant. By the way, there is no need to remove the headrest from the back of the headrest, but it's nice! The perfectly even surface of the floor, resulting from the cargo compartment, is slightly spoiled by the protrusions of the front of the cabin. If all the seats are installed in their places, then Armada is a little in terms of trunk, but Tahoe and Expections loses.

Already in the basic version of Nissan is equipped with a cap for trailers. If you, for example, decide to move to a country house at a time, then Armada will easily play the role of a real truck. For those who plan to transport, say, a large yacht, a special package will have to be at the time, which involves a shorter transfer of the differential, increasing the traction capabilities of the car, and the system for maintaining a constant road clearance on the rear axle. Of course, I did not have the opportunity to check the freight abilities of the SUV, but we can say quite definitely that its V8 is ready for such exercises. The engine boasts with double camshafts in each of the two heads, as well as four valves on the cylinder. It was specially designed for Armada and Titan pickupa, so you will not find it on any other model of the company. 5.6 liters of volume are placed inside a completely aluminum cylinder block, which has a cooling system of increased performance. Neither African heat, nor three tons in tow are afraid. As for the characteristics, the motor develops 305 hp. at 4900 rpm and 520 nm of the maximum torque at 3600 rpm. Moreover, 90% traction is available at 2000 rpm. For comparison, I can say that the return of engines of many main competitors below.

Behavior worthy

For Armada, the manufacturer offers a single automatic transmission. Moreover, 5-speed, for the first time in the class of such large cars. At my disposal was a version of the 4x4 SUV, although the US market is also offered a rear -wheel drive option. The central differential of a permanent all -wheel drive system using electrohydraulic clutch can transfer up to 50% traction to the front axle as soon as the electronics recognizes that the rear wheels begin to slip. In life, on the Moscow highway brought by snow, this process takes place very intelligently and imperceptibly for the driver. Armada just starts reliably from the traffic light, regardless of what is under the wheels. By the way, an automatic machine also works equally smoothly, the switching of which becomes slightly tangible only when you come on the gas pedal with all my heart. It is at this moment, by the way, you will experience the most acute sensations. Almost three -ton colossus shoots from a place no worse than real sports models, accelerating to 100 km/h in just 7.2 s! An indicator worthy of respect. Honestly, I did not expect such agility from the giant. Moreover, everything happens under the bass, slightly gurgling noble sound of the eight, which I want to listen to again and again.

The suspension of the SUV is completely independent, with double levers of unequal length. This decision, in particular, helps to deal with the buildup of the body on irregularities and guarantees reliable behavior of the car at high speed. Indeed, I have not yet had to quickly ride a jeep that would so reliably hold the trajectory on a straight line. However, Nissan’s turns are also not a mistake. The successfully selected characteristics of the shock absorbers are actually poured into the American-American body rolls, despite the huge height and mass of the car.

Separately, it is worth noting that for Armada sitting behind the wheel, it does not seem cumbersome. Dimensions are felt after a dozen minutes of communication with the car. Then you begin to praise a rather large angle of rotation of the front wheels, which helps to easily go into the 90-degree turns of the narrow lanes of the center of Moscow, as well as the steering, which is very acute for the SUV, which helps on the highway. There are no complaints about the brakes discount mechanisms installed on all wheels can provide such a rapid slowdown that you can literally hang on seat belts.

Finally, about the shortcomings. True, there are few of them, and the main lining height of the trunk for me personally. The rear bumper, torn high up, may play the image of a macho, but is not functional from the point of view of the loader. Its upper boundary, without any steps passing to the floor, is at the level of a person’s belt. Agree, every time I do not want to remember classes in the gym, opening the luggage compartment. The height also interferes with the layering of the third row of seats, since they cannot reach their handle from the street. The rear window that opens separately from the door also has the same disadvantage, the edge of which is completely raised to almost one and a half meter height. But special thanks to the electric drive, which smoothly lifts and lowers the trunk door to the melodic accompaniment of a warning sound signal.

The second drawback is some pallor of the interior, especially when you consider that the machine costs over $ 80,000. For example, I would like to see it more catchy and rich. Although, with regard to filling with all kinds of equipment, there can be no complaints. A luxurious musical installation, perfect climate control of two air conditioners with deflectors for all eight passengers, an abundance of huge tanks for luggage, a lot of electric drives, a ceiling console, where the video system monitor is built without problems. By the way, the navigation display with which this car is delivered to the US and Canada market is easily reconfigurated and can broadcast the on-board computer and a signal from the DVD player. Which was done for a person who bought the first Armada SUV that arrived in Russia. After the day of communication with the jeep, I can probably say exactly what attracted him in the car. A huge formidable body with an abundance of chrome elements (the front line shines almost entirely), a spacious salon, but the most important powerful engine and a completely unexpected for such a giant machine reliable behavior at high speed. Well, the salon is a matter of taste. Honestly, I will not say that he loses to competitors so much.
Sergey Ilyinsky
Photo by the author and Nissan

Brief technical characteristics of Nissan Pathfinder Armada
Engine volume, cubic meter. See: 5600
The number of valves for the cylinder: 4
Power, l. With. at about./min.: 305/4900
Max. Torque, Nm/at about. min.: 520/3600
Acceleration to 100 km/h, p.: 7.2
Maximum speed, km/h: no data
Average fuel consumption l./100 km.: 16
Dimensions, mm.: 5255x2001x1999
 

Source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 1-2 (48), 2004]