In a first for a Japanese carmaker, Nissan announced today that its next generation Titan large pickup truck will be offered with a newly-developed diesel engine.
While Nissan would not share any additional information on the new truck yet, it confirmed that the turbocharged diesel lump will be a 5.0-liter V8 unit supplied by U.S., Indiana-based manufacturer Cummins.
"We have done our homework on the next-generation Titan. Truck owners told us there's a demand for the performance and torque of a diesel in a capable truck that doesn't require the jump up to a heavy-duty commercial pickup," said Fred Diaz, Nissan North America vice president for Sales & Marketing, Service & Parts.
"There is no question that the new Titan will turn heads, and with the available Cummins 5.0L V8 Turbo Diesel, we expect to win new fans and attract buyers looking for this unique configuration," he added.
To be built at Cummins headquarters at the Columbus Engine Plant in Indiana, the V8 turbo diesel will produce more than 300-horsepower and a torque rating in the mid-500s lb-ft (over 700Nm).
The current Titan, which has been in production since 2003, has failed to deliver in sales. This year through August, Nissan sold only 10,020 units, 21.1 percent down over the same period in 2012 (12,707 examples), all while the pickup truck segment in the U.S. recorded more than a 20 percent increase.
