The Nissan Armada returns in 2012 with all the attributes that have made it the ideal family adventure vehicle and a little more “sparkle.” Enhancements to the 2012 Armada include padded front and 2nd row centre armrests, and heated 2nd row seats now equipped as standard. . Two new metallic exterior colours – Airstream and Smoke - will replace Hermatite Grey and Silver Mist.
Popular characteristics of the Armada still include a 3rd row power folding 60/40 seat, gated shifter, woodgrain accents, heated steering wheel, a lockable glove compartment and revised steering wheel and combination meter illumination. Interior technology includes the Nissan Intelligent Key® with twist start, enhanced Bose® sound system 3rd row speakers and amplifier, Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, improved available Nissan Navigation System, and an 8.0-inch screen for the standard Nissan DVD Entertainment System.
With customer-friendly features like three-row, seven-passenger seating, ample 2nd row leg room, roof-mounted curtain side impact air bags with rollover protection for all three rows and 9,000-pound maximum towing capacity, Armada has previously been awarded the top honours in two customer opinion-based studies - buyer-perceived overall quality by the Strategic Vision research firm in the Large SUV class of its 2006 Total Quality Index, and “Most Appealing Large Premium Multi-Activity Vehicle” by J.D. Power and Associates’ 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study.
Distinguished Exterior Image
Armada’s distinctive styling mixes modern cues with traditional ruggedness, only enhanced by the aggressive front fascia styling with front fog lamps, halogen headlamp design, one-piece roof rack design and front and rear body-colour fascias. Twenty-inch wheels complete the look.
With a wide stance, long wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs, Armada expresses its stability, manoeuvrability and exceptional cargo room with one glance. The headlamp, grille and hood design offer a powerful front look, while the A-, B-, C- and D- pillars offer a tight, polished aspect to the body structure. The rear fascia and tailgate area, with sturdy bumper design provide a “reinforced” look and project Armada’s structural integrity.
Exterior features include: standard chrome clad wheels, chrome roof rack and tail pipe finisher, a large chrome grille, chrome front door handles with body-colour inserts, chrome dual power-adjustable heated side mirrors with power folding, puddle lamps and integrated turn signal, side step rails, privacy glass for the 2nd and 3rd rows and power rear tailgate, separate tailgate opening glass, power flip-out rear quarter windows and full roof rack with cross bars. All models are also offered with standard front and side bumper-mounted proximity sensor system (obstacle warning).
A Versatile Interior for Active Lifestyles
Armada’s interior is highly functional and ergonomic, without sacrificing style and ruggedness. Standard for 2012 are 3rd row power folding seat, heated steering wheel, steering wheel illuminated controls, gated shifter design, lockable glove compartment and wood grain accents. Standard technology features include revised audio system with 3rd row audio speakers and amplifier, Nissan Intelligent Key® with twist start, Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System, 8.0-inch screen for the Nissan DVD Entertainment System and an available improved Nissan Navigation System.
Room and versatility is important to large SUV customers, and Armada delivers ample 2nd row leg room, standard fold-flat 2nd and 60/40 split fold-flat 3rd row seats and recessed work area and large cargo space behind the 3rd row seat. More utility and storage space is offered by a full-length overhead console with six map lights, centre console with large storage capacity, multiple pockets and bins throughout the cabin, up to 14 cup-holders and four 12-volt power outlets (two in front, one 2nd row, one for cargo area).
In front, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and 4-way adjustable front passenger’s seat provide comfort and luxury, and Seton leather-appointed seats are standard in the 1st and 2nd rows. Third row occupants are placed higher than the 2nd row to facilitate easier conversation and better visibility for the occupants. Other luxury features include standard dual zone climate control, rear air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, and AM/FM/6CD audio system with steering wheel controls and mp3 playback capability.
Also standard are fold-flat 2nd row captain’s chairs with an innovative, removable 2nd row centre console and an 12-speaker Bose® audio system with dual media capability, allowing use of radio and CD at the same time (headphones must be used to listen to second audio source) and RearView Monitor.
Full-Size Foundation and Adventure-Ready Driveline
2012 Armada features the rugged F-Alpha fully boxed frame and 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension with coil-over shock absorbers and stabilizer bar, combining on- and off-road comfort with responsive handling characteristics.
The independent rear suspension design, with its minimal intrusion into the interior, maximizes space, and an automatic rear air leveling system improves stability and ride comfort when towing or carrying heavy cargo. The system automatically adjusts air pressure in the suspension bladders to maintain a uniform ground clearance and departure angle.
The heart of every Armada is its 317 horsepower 5.6-litre DOHC 32-valve V8 engine with 385 lb-ft of torque. The V8 is tuned to provide nearly 90 per cent of the engine's torque below 2,500 rpm – where it's needed for hauling, towing or slow-speed off-road driving.
Assembled at Nissan's advanced engine facility in Decherd, Tenn., the Armada’s Nissan Endurance V8 includes advanced features such as an aluminum engine block with cast iron cylinder liners, chain-driven dual overhead camshafts with silent single-stage timing chain, and electronic drive-by-wire throttle for precise control. For greater efficiency through reduced friction, the V8 uses graphite-coated pistons, microfinished forged steel crankshaft and microfinished camshafts. Standard on every 2012 Armada is a reinforced electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode, which revises shift patterns accordingly. The transmission features a unique gear set for use in high torque situations, an advanced torque converter design for improved fuel economy and, for improved shift quality, an advanced powertrain management program. A 105-litre fuel tank provides excellent driving range. All Armadas offer a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,000 pounds (when properly equipped). The standard Tow Package includes a lower rear axle ratio (to 3.357), heavy duty radiator and battery, 7-pin wiring harness plug, trailer brake pre-wiring, receiver hitch and rear suspension air leveling system.
Armada maximizes traction on- or off-road with an advanced full-time automatic control system, which under normal driving conditions operates in two-wheel drive mode, but can instantly distribute torque to all four wheels whenever road conditions warrant (up to 50 per cent can go to the front wheels on demand). A two-speed electronic transfer case allows the driver to select between auto, full-time 4-wheel drive and 4LO which provides enhanced low speed driving force and hill descending ability.
Standard on Armada is a 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), engine speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.
Standard for 2012 are chrome clad aluminum-alloy 20x8-inch wheels with P275/60R20 Michelin All-season tires.
A Focus On Safety and Security
2012 Armadas offer an extensive list of safety features, including standard roof-mounted supplemental side impact curtain air bags with rollover protection for outboard positions in all three rows. The Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front occupant classification sensor is standard on all Armadas and front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags are standard as well.
Also standard on Armada are front seat Active Head Restraints, 3-point front seat belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters, 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants (including centre position), the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) child seat anchor system and Zone Body construction with front and rear crushable zones.
For additional safety and security, Armada is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Vehicle Security System (VSS).
Choices of Models and Equipment
For 2012, Armada is offered in one well-equipped Platinum Edition with advanced 4-wheel drive system with optional Technology Package and 8-Seat option
Armada features the 317-horsepower 5.6-litre Nissan Endurance V8, 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel independent suspension and fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seats, full-length overhead console, step rails and front sonar sensors to aid in close parking situations.
The available Technology Package includes the Nissan Navigation system, and Compact Flash Slot. An 8-Seat option has also been added to the Platinum Edition with Technology Package. The exterior colours offered for the 2012 Armada are: Nordic White, Galaxy, Airstream , Smoke (dark silver), Sonoma Sunset, Kona Bean and Ocean Wash. The interior colour available on the Armada is charcoal.
