Test drive Nissan X-Trail 2001-2003 SUV

Medicine against boredom

The all -terrain vehicle from Nissan dresses in youth fashion.
To the Lachtinsky springboards
In truth, Finland has only one high -speed highway. More precisely, so far only its segment is more than a hundred kilometers, which leads from Helsinki north to the handsome of the skiing of the Olympic ski center Lahti. On all other roads, our northern neighbors limit the speed of 80 km/h. And very diligently observe this rule. That is why I really wanted to start checking the high -speed capabilities of the machine. After all, the creators intended it for young, active people to whom large jeeps seem too heavy, clumsy, expensive and voracious.
X-Trail, according to the official version, means an active, invigorating image. X is not only from extreme, but also from unknown, secret, but plus a transparent hint of a 4 x 4 wheel formula. The word trail (trace) in this case means the path, difficult road and off -road. So, while there is time before Lahti, we will check how active and peppy character of this dandy.
However, the Japanese keep their word! At the entrance to the highway, the X-trail easily fits into the stream, not allowing the driver and for a moment to feel flawed. It is not for nothing that Nissan engineers boasted a new 4-cylinder gasoline engine QR20DE, claiming that in terms of balance and power characteristics, he will not give in to six. This unit will become basic for Alter and Tino passenger models. However, such a heart allows you to breathe full breasts.
However, even with a less powerful YD22 turbodiesel, Nissan for a long time steadily holds 160-165 km/h. At the same time, the noise insulation of the salon adequately copes with its task, allowing you to enjoy the music of the built -in radio. The only reminder of the speed mode remains a muffled roar of the motor and the rustle of tires.
Outside and inside
Last but not least, such silence in the cabin is possible is explained by a very good air resistance coefficient. SC is only 0.37 - an impressive indicator for a car with a high box body, large road clearance and universal tires.
The creators of the car at generally worked hard over the body. And outwardly - smoothing as much as possible faces and thereby increasing the speed, reducing the noise, improving the fuel efficiency - and internally. To compete with such serious competitors as Honda-CR-V, Toyota-Rav4, Lend Rover-Frilander, Nissan needed not only a fresh, fashionable appearance, but also a light and hard body.
Having scrupulously worked out a power model on the computer, Japanese designers managed to achieve their goal. With a bearing body of high-strength steel, the X-trail was easier than Frilender and CR-V, yielding only to Toyota.
However, for us, consumers, it is much more important that with modest dimensions of the car, not only the driver and the front passenger (even very tall), but also those who are located in the back seat, feel quite comfortable. What is a lot of seats comparable in size to those that are installed on large sedans Cedric.
The sprayers of the thresholds are hidden under the bottom of the carrier body. Therefore, the floor of the salon, with the exception of the front console, was made flat, ensuring the convenience of landing-planting and the trouble-free removal of the mud on the salon after off-road adventure. Flat plastic floor of the luggage compartment with special molded runners (it can be removed and simply washed with a stream of water - the solution is original and very practical) and folding in the proportion of 40/60 the back of the rear seat, coupled on the roof, allow the owner to choose the best option for placing passengers and the necessary attributes of an active lifestyle (skis, surfer, fishing tackle, etc.). Increased tightness of the body is guaranteed thoroughly verified gaps of doorways and reinforced rubber seals. And the smoothness and softness of closing, opening the doors can envy another business class car. Circle salon is inexpensive, but very solid synthetic materials of pleasant colors. The presence of climate control, hatch (the largest class in its class, proudly noted the creators of the X-trail), two nests in the front panel for cooling cans of drinking water and individual drawers, two duffel boxes for the driver and passenger, in addition to traditional door pockets, Almost a complete electric package with a central lock is a brief list of what is designed to provide comfortable conditions even on a long journey.
  The sprayers of the thresholds are hidden under the bottom of the carrier body. Therefore, the floor of the salon, with the exception of the front console, was made flat, ensuring the convenience of landing-planting and the trouble-free removal of the mud on the salon after off-road adventure. Flat plastic floor of the luggage compartment with special molded runners (it can be removed and simply washed with a stream of water - the solution is original and very practical) and folding in the proportion of 40/60 the back of the rear seat, coupled on the roof, allow the owner to choose the best option for placing passengers and the necessary attributes of an active lifestyle (skis, surfer, fishing tackle, etc.). Increased tightness of the body is guaranteed thoroughly verified gaps of doorways and reinforced rubber seals. And the smoothness and softness of closing, opening the doors can envy another business class car. Circle salon is inexpensive, but very solid synthetic materials of pleasant colors. The presence of climate control, hatch (the largest class in its class, proudly noted the creators of the X-trail), two nests in the front panel for cooling cans of drinking water and individual drawers, two duffel boxes for the driver and passenger, in addition to traditional door pockets, Almost a complete electric package with a central lock is a brief list of what is designed to provide comfortable conditions even on a long journey.

The dictatorship of abbreviations
Of course, inviting us to experience their novelty, the Japanese did not expect to arrange a weekly fishing on one of hundreds of thousands of Finnish lakes. Therefore, about all the utilitarian capabilities of the X-trail (for example, about whether the seats are really washed from the dirt, as the guys from Nissan claimed) I can only reason theoretically. Another thing is how good this car is, so to speak, in road communication.
A steering wheel of small diameter, a pedal node in the style of a la sport, seats with pronounced side support and original, but functional inserts on the supporting surfaces, imply the possibility of active movement and not only on roads with a good coating. In general, the X-trail is conceived as a multifunctional car. The consumer for a choice is offered 4 options for decoration of the body and salon: comfort, sports, luxury and elegant.
   
  
And, of course, can you count on the success of youth without drinking a car for outdoor activities with all kinds of electronics? The X-trail movement controls the new ESP+(electronic trajectory stabilization system), ABS anti-lock brake brake system and the TCS contrast system. ABLSD (Active Brake Limited Slip Differential - control of high -friction differential), EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution - ALL Mood 4 X 4 (Full -wheel drive connection) that can work both jointly and regardless From each other.
 
 
The engineers of Nissan spied on Honda-CR-V and Frilender. Its main executive element is the clutch of the rear axle, consisting of a set of leading and driven friction discs, in this case, blocked by an electromagnet. You just need to press one of the three buttons: 2WD (drive to the front axle), Auto (automatic connection of all -wheel drive), Lock (blocking) to select the desired mode. The last two are activated by pressing the accelerator pedal. Further, depending on the signals of the wheel sensors (the same as for ABS), torque is redistributed between the front and rear axle in the maximum ratio of 57:43, as well as between the axle wheels and wheels located under the best conditions of adhesion to the supporting surface.

We moved out of the highway
Finally! Agree, it is curious to check the temperament of the alternate on the asphalt, but it is much more interesting to find out whether the alternate is actually, turning into the forest. And then I realized how carefully the place to get acquainted with the X trail was selected.
As soon as you find yourself on a secondary road, you immediately understand why Finland is famous for motorbells, and the rally of 1000 lakes is as popular in Europe as it is difficult. A person from a young age even just traveling along such roads cannot travel badly. The asphalt is replaced by gravel, then - just a lane and again asphalt. Ideal conditions for assessing stability and controllability.
I must admit, the X-trail has largely confirmed its sporting character. Obediently and accurately accurately performing the driver’s commands to turn the steering wheel, spurring the accelerator with the pedal and upsetting the brake, he allowed to accelerate very dynamically and slow down on short straight lines, smoothly and confidently move in the limiting corners even when side slides occurred.
To a large extent, the possibility of such a car’s behavior is facilitated by adjustment of the suspension. With a relatively high location of the center of the masses (after all, it is an all-terrain vehicle) the body rolls are small, there was no lateral, nor vertical or diagonal swing. Only on a small grader comb there were increased noise and vibration from tires, and perhaps the transfers of the 6-speed box of diesel did not clearly turn on. And the most interesting was waiting ahead.

The road is over
As an off -road training ground, a specially prepared old quarry awaited us. And to my surprise, despite his involvement in the Parquet Cars for Rest, the X-trail showed himself well. He confidently took steep climbs and descents, transverse logs and longitudinal roles, rocky track, etc.
Special impressions remained from overcoming sections of the highway with maximum corners (by eye - about 40 degrees) in lateral stability and movement by irregularities with diagonal hanging of the right and left wheels at the full course of suspensions. Here they proved their need for all -wheel drive and blocking.
All the races passed well, but sometimes I caught myself thinking that in some difficult situations I would like to move slower. Alas, the reducing transmission to the X-traile is not provided. Apparently, therefore, the diesel option was preferable in this conditions.

We have found each other
You always expect meetings with a new car with impatience and some anxiety - well, how will the next creation of design thought turn out to be not what the creators wanted to see it? I was lucky with the new Nissan. As promised, Japanese engineers managed to give such, in essence, a utilitarian vehicle, like an all -around, is a cheerful, sports character, while dressing in a fashionable dress of youth cut. Dynamic, practical and comfortable at the same time - such a combination will surely become an insurmountable temptation for those who consider an active lifestyle to be the best remedy for boredom.
 
Gearbox lever is not only convenient, but also original designed

The central instrument shield allows the passenger to become an active controller of movement modes
      
 
Windows control panel and locks

The luggage compartment landfill is able to accommodate the luggage of any configuration
      
 

 
Nissan X-Trail
general information
 
Body
5-seater station wagon
 
Equipped mass, kg
1400
 
Complete mass, kg
2050
 
Length x width x height, mm
4510 x 1765 x 1750
 
Base, mm
2625
 
Track, mm
1530
 
Maximum speed, km/h
177
 
Acceleration time, 0-100 km/h, with
11.3
 
Fuel consumption, l/100 km
7.7/12
 
Fuel supply, l
60
 
Engine
 
Location
Front transversely
 
Design
 
4-cylinder, in order, in order
from aluminum alloy
with two upper distributions
 
The number of valves per cylinder
4
 
Cylinder diameter /piston stroke, mm
89/80.3
 
Working volume, SMZ
1998
 
Compression ratio
9.9: 1
 
Power, L.S. (kW) at rpm
140/6000
 
Torque, kgsm (nm) at rpm
19.6/4000
 
Chassis
 
Transmission
front wheel drive with rear bridge connected
 
Transmission
5-speed, mechanical
 
Suspension:
 
independent with the reptile stabilizer,
telescopic shock absorbers and spiral springs
 
front
on the racks of McExeson and transverse levers
 
behind
on double transverse and longitudinal levers
 
Brakes:
disk, ventilated, ABS
 
The size of the tires
215/70 R15 (215/65 R16)
 
 
Anatoly Karpenkov, photo Nissan
 

A source: Magazine "Limousine" [06/01]