Designed to inspire and facilitate outdoor enthusiasts' activities wherever they go, the Nissan Xterra returns in 2011 as the same tough, rugged and essential gear that has made it so popular with adventure enthusiasts since its arrival. With only minor revisions in the models ("Off-Road' becomes "PRO-4X" and "SE" becomes "SV") colours and badging for 2011, Xterra will continue to be a trusted partner to all those driven to adventure.
"Since inception, Xterra has represented an authentic expression of adventure-focused design, both in aesthetic appeal and real-world functionality. For 2011, Xterra continues its proud tradition of not only meeting, but exceeding both the needs and wants of its active sports enthusiast owners," said Mark McDade, Director, Marketing, Nissan Canada Inc.
Once again in 2011, the U.S.-built Xterra offers outstanding quality and reliability, along with strong on-road and off-road performance credentials. All 2011 Xterra models feature an advanced 4.0-litre DOHC V6 engine, rated at 261 horsepower and 281 lb-ft of torque, along with a rugged "F-Alpha" truck platform for adventure-ready performance. The "F-Alpha" platform is shared with the full-size Nissan Titan pickup and Armada SUV. Off-road performance is personified in the PRO-4X model with standard BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires, locking rear differential, high performance Bilstein shocks and available Hill Decent Control (HDC) and Hill Start Assist (HAS) in the PRO-4X automatic transmission model. Xterra S and PRO-4X models are available with a choice of 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmissions with part-time 4-wheel drive.
Everything You Need, and Nothing You Don't
After both interior and exterior refinements in 2009, the Xterra returns unchanged in 2011 and stays true to the original Xterra design concept of offering drivers "everything you need, and nothing you don't."
Xterra's signature exterior styling features include large flared fenders, a versatile roof rack with latchable lid, aluminum side step rails and a rear bumper design with side steps for easy access to the roof rack. It also offers a large, powerful looking hood and headlights and Nissan SUV-style angled strut grille. The 2011 Xterra also offers Roof-Mounted Off-Road Lights built into the roof rack air dam as a standard feature for PRO-4X models.
Xterra features a long wheelbase for a smooth ride and ample interior room, yet overall length is highly manageable due to the short front overhang - helping to enhance maneuverability in off-road hill climbing and trail situations.
Inside, Xterra's flexible interior is spacious enough for up to five adults and their gear, with ample leg room, headroom and cargo room. A standard 60/40 split folding stadium-style rear seat with removable seat bottom cushions and an available fold-down front passenger seat (PRO-4X and SV models) create added utility for hauling long recreational gear.
Standard interior features also include sporty reclining front bucket seats, footrest, dual front and rear 491 ml cupholders, dual vanity mirrors with extenders, three 12v power outlets, remote keyless entry, power windows, power locks, power heated outside mirrors, , air-conditioningand cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls.
Xterra's versatile cargo area is highlighted by a standard EZ-Clean cargo floor surface and a total of 10 cargo area utility hooks - six on the floor/sides and four on the ceiling (floor hooks are movable and can carry up to50 kilograms). There's also space to securely carry jugs up to a 3.8 L size. Securing bike racks and other accessories or gear is made easier with the standard adjustable channel system in the cargo floor, similar in design to the Utili-TrackÔ system offered on the Nissan Titan and Frontier pickups.
While maintaining its off-road adventure authenticity, the 2011 Xterra also offers a few necessary amenities, including an available premium 300-watt Rockford Fosgate®-powered audio system with eight speakers and subwoofer, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, MP3/WMA capability plus auxinput jack, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and XM® Satellite Radio (A/T models only, XM® subscription required, sold separately after initial 3 month trial period).
A Rugged, Truck-Based Platform
Underneath its unique exterior design, every 2011 Xterra features a fully boxed, all-steel ladder frame and a rugged suspension featuring a steel double-wishbone front suspension and solid axle leaf spring rear suspension, with stabilizer bars front and rear. Xterra PRO-4X models feature Bilstein high-performance gas shocks, a rear tire deflector and skid plates covering the oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case
Powering Xterra is a standard 4.0-litre 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 370Z, Maxima and Altima. It features a longer stroke (than the 3.5-litre version) and has been specifically tuned for SUV and truck applications.
Like others in the VQ family, the 4.0-litre 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.
Two advanced transmissions are offered with the 2011 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 370Z design but tuned for driving performance and fuel economy.
Xterra is offered in a 4x4 configuration and features a part-time 4WD system with 2WD/4HI/4LO modes and electronically controlled transfer case. Xterra PRO-4X models with automatic transmission include two advanced off-road technologies - Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist - as well as an electronic locking rear differential.
Other driveline components include engine speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Limited Slip Differential (ABLS).
Wheel and tire packages include 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with P265/70R16 BF Goodrich Long Trail tires on Xterra S models. Xterra PRO-4X models feature 6-spoke 16-inch machine-finished aluminum-alloy wheels with P265/75R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A tires. 17-inch aluminum alloy wheels with P265/65R17 BF Goodrich Long Trail tires are standard on Xterra SV.
Advanced Safety Systems
Xterra's list of safety features and equipment includes Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt and occupant classification sensors, driver and front passenger side-impact supplemental air bags and 3-point front/rear seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors. All Xterras also come with standard roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.
Other standard equipment includes the LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren), Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control (TCS) and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Available Models and Packages
The 2011 Xterra is offered in three models - S, PRO-4X and SV -all available in 4-wheel drive only. Xterra SV comes standard with a 5-speed automatic transmission only while the S and PRO-4X offer a choice of 6-speed manual transmission or 5-speed automatic.
The entry-level Xterra S grade offers a long list of standard features, including Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control (TCS), 4-wheel disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and Limited Slip Differential (ABLS), 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with BF Goodrich Long Trail tires, Sandblast Aluminum step rails, remote keyless entry, power windows, locks and mirrors, , cruise control, engine speed sensitive power-assisted rack and pinion steering, driver's seat lumbar support, 60/40 split fold-flat 2nd row seat, EZ-Clean Cargo floor, Nissan Advanced Airbag System (AABS) and Utili-Track™ C-Channel cargo floor with four moveable hooks and front tow hook (4x4).
2011 Xterra PRO-4X models feature Roof-Mounted Off-Road Lights in air dam, silver headlight inner colour, black bodyside molding, fold-flat front passenger seat with backboard, unique cloth seat fabric (red/graphite combination), 'PRO-4X' embroidered carpet floor mats, white face gauges, PRO-4X badge on lower front doors, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass and leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter with red contrast stitching.
Unique Xterra PRO-4X model performance equipment includes 265/75R16 BF Goodrich Rugged Trail T/A off-road tires, rugged 16-inch wheels, Hill Descent Control and Hill Start Assist (A/T only), electronic locking rear differential, high performance Bilstein gas-filled shocks and oil pan, fuel tank and transfer case skid plates.
The top-line Xterra SV features standard 5-speed automatic transmission, 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 265/65R17 BF Goodrich Long Trail tires, silver headlight inner colour, trip computer, sunglasses holder, step rails, body-coloured outside mirrors, door handles and bodyside molding, XM® Satellite Radio with antenna (XM® subscription required, sold separately after initial 3 month trial period), fold-flat passenger seat with backboard, auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
Two optional automatic transmission packages are available for 2011 - a 5-speed Automatic Transmission Package (Xterra S model only) with 5-speed automatic transmission and transmission cooler and an PRO-4X 5-Speed Automatic Transmission Package with 5-speed automatic transmission, transmission cooler, Hill Descent Control, Hill Start Assist and XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required, sold separately after initial 3 month trial period).
The 2011 Xterra is available in seven exterior colours - Lava Red (until January 2011), Trail Green (January - August, 2011), Silver Mist, Knight Armour, Ebony, Carmine, Arctic White and three interior colours - Steel, Steel/Graphite, and Graphite.
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