Nissan Armada

Nissan Armada (WA60)
File:Nissan-Armada-2.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer	Nissan
Also called	Nissan Pathfinder Armada (until 2004)
Production	August 14, 2003–present
Model years	2004–present
Assembly	Canton, Mississippi (Nissan USA)
Designer	Toshio Yamashita, Diane Allen, Giovanny Arroba (2001)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size SUV
Body style	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Nissan F-Alpha platform
Related	Infiniti QX56 (2004–2010) Nissan Titan Nissan Frontier Nissan Xterra Nissan Pathfinder (2005–2012)
Powertrain
Engine	5.6 L VK56DE V8
Transmission	5-speed automatic (RE5R05A).
Dimensions
Wheelbase	123.2 in (3129 mm)
Length	2004–2007: 206.9 in (5255 mm) 2008–: 207.7 in (5,276 mm)
Width	2004–2007: 78.8 in (2002 mm) 2008–: 79.3 in (2,014 mm)
Height	2004–2007: 78.7 in (1999 mm) 2008– 2WD: 77.2 in (1,961 mm) 2008– 4WD: 78.0 in (1,981 mm)

The Nissan Armada is Nissan's full-size SUV. It shares its body-on-frame F-Alpha platform with the Nissan Titan pickup truck, Nissan Xterra SUV, Nissan Frontier pickup truck, and Nissan Pathfinder SUV. An upscale version of the Armada was sold as the Infiniti QX56 from 2004 to 2010, when it switched to a platform based on the Nissan Patrol. All Armadas are currently built in Canton, Mississippi.

Vehicle Background

File:2008 Nissan Armada -- NHTSA.jpg

2008 Nissan Armada

File:2012 Nissan Armada Platinum -- 04-09-2012.JPG

2012 Nissan Armada Platinum

The Armada has a 5.6 L, 317 hp (236 kW), 385 lb·ft (522 N·m) torque VK56DE V8 engine, a 5-speed automatic transmission, and a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Originally known as the Pathfinder Armada, the Armada was designed (in 2001 by Diane Allen) for the North American market and introduced in 2003 for the 2004 model year. The switch to the Armada name occurred in 2004, where it received new badges. A face-lift was designed through 2006, being introduced in early 2007 for the 2008 model year.

The rear door handles are installed on the "C" pillar as a Nissan design tradition started with the 1986 Nissan Pathfinder. When the four-door Pathfinder was introduced, Nissan chose to conceal the door handles as a part of the "C" pillar trim to visually make it appear like a two-door truck with a camper shell, with conventional door handles on the front doors.

The latest Nissan Armada Platinum edition features a 9.3GB hard drive for storing music, and a CF (Compact Flash) memory card reader. The Platinum edition also features a power liftgate, and 3rd row seats that fold electronically.

It has a towing capacity of up to 9,000 lb (4,000 kg).

There are some Armadas that are capable of using E85. It was the only Japanese vehicle sold in the U.S. other than the Nissan Titan that can use E85 until the introduction of the E85 capable Toyota UR engine powered Toyota Tundra and Toyota Sequoia in 2009. The 2009 Armada has been updated with more standard features and options.

In 2010, new changes were introduced for the 2011 model year Armada, with two trim levels, SE and Off-Road, dropped from the lineup. The base trim is now known as SV, the middle trim is now SL, and the range topping trim is still Platinum. Prices range from $37,910 for the 2WD SV to $52,890 for the 4WD Platinum. In addition, while the Armada continues to be produced in the United States, it no longer shares the same platform as the Infiniti QX56, which is now produced in Japan.

The 2013 changes include Bluetooth and satellite radio standard on all models. The platinum model will offer a new Platinum reserve package. A new navigation system that has a larger hard disk drive (40 GB), is NavWeather capable, has Zagat Survey, has the ability to stream audio from Bluetooth and a USB port. The Nissan DVD Entertainment System now uses screens mounted in the back of the front head restraints replacing the previous single-screen system.

On August 28, 2013, Nissan announced that the next generation Armada will be based on the next-generation Titan and remain a body-on-frame full-size SUV, but will be streamlined a bit to conform within constricting environmental regulations in order to boost efficiency. It is also hinted that it will feature a hybrid version as well However, on August 18 2015, Nissan announced that it will make a decision on the Armada's future, but did not give out any details, as the 2015 models continues to be sold for the 2016 model year.

Availability

As of 2014 the Nissan Armada is available in the United States (including all US territories), Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East in LHD only.

See also

• Nissan Titan
• Nissan Pathfinder
• List of Nissan vehicles

External links

• Official Nissan Armada website
• Club Armada—Nissan Armada Enthusiasts Homepage
• Russian Club Armada—Russian Nissan Armada Enthusiasts Homepage