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Nissan Pathfinder in new style fortified by a rush of power
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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VALLEY OF FIRE, Nev. -- With a whoosh and whomp and the whip-whip work of an active suspension, Nissan's souped-up Pathfinder sport-utility wagon surges over whoop-de-do pavement bumps on a roller-coaster route tracking through red sandstone canyons at Valley of Fire state park in the Nevada desert near Las Vegas.
Springs and shocks float and contract and float again in a bouncy rhythm like a jackrabbit bounding over tumbleweed, while the engine puts such a kick in the throttle that a driver spends as much energy reining horses as he does hanging on to steer.
But hang on you must: Pathfinder's finally fired up.
Stylists at Nissan's North American design studio in California worked up a sharp new body treatment for the Pathfinder to dress up a 1996 generational platform for models of year 2000, yet a muscular new powertrain for the revised wagon was not ready for the roll-out.
It comes now as the 2001 Pathfinder with either manual or automatic transmission and choices of rear-wheel-drive or a part-time four-wheel-drive mechanism for the three trim versions of entry XE, a well-equipped SE and deluxe LE.
The engine, an expansion of the sophisticated aluminum 3.0-liter V6 that powers Nissan's Maxima flagship sedan, displaces 3.5-liters with dual overhead cams and multi-valve technology applied, along with a continuous valve timing control system that boosts torque at lower engine speeds.
Output of this new plant exceeds the Pathfinder's former single-cam 3.3-liter engine by as much as 70 points. It produces 250 hp at 6000 rpm when teamed with a manual transmission, or 240 hp with the automatic.
Such thrust allows the Pathfinder to leapfrog over mid-size competitor wagons with lesser V6 engines.
It forges a new robust personality for Pathfinder, which looked sharp and packed comfy features but, due to tepid output from the former engine, moved like a slug.
Also, the force of this new plant when coupled to the four-wheel-drive system enables Pathfinder to hammer a path over off-road terrain.
The optional four-wheel traction device uses a transfer case for switching from rear-wheel to four-wheel high-gear mode while underway at speeds up to 50 mph. From 4-Hi you must stop the vehicle before shifting down to 4-Lo, which is handy for crawling over trail obstacles.
On smooth pavement, the rear-wheel-drive version delivers a comfortable ride quality, and the powertrain enables a rather hefty wagon to charge around a slower vehicle when passing or bound down a freeway fast lane, as our tester Pathfinder proved on the I-15 slab into Vegas.
In effect, Pathfinder now acts as strong as it looks.
The exterior package, aided by computer modeling in the design process, presents bold and athletic sheetmetal contours prefaced by a high hood and chin-forward face.
In front, a thick fascia with integrated air vents and foglamps underlines the narrow grille and flanking multi-parabola headlamps.
Side panels are scored by rolled shoulders and low cladding, forming strong horizontal lines near the ground between flared wheelwells.
At the rear, the bumper and combination taillamps merge with a top-hinged liftgate and its flip-out window.
Pathfinder's original model, a savvy three-door sport-utility vehicle built on the chassis of a pickup truck, became one of the first concepts from Nissan's California design facility. Market preferences for five-door wagons eventually prompted a five-door Pathfinder that hid rear door handles in the C pillars so it still looked like a sporty three-door wagon.
Overhauling the five-door Pathfinder in 1996 led to the present platform with an expanded wheel track and longer wheelbase that set up a larger package and stabilized the ride quality.
Traces of the original five-door Pathfinder design are still apparent in the latest edition because the forward-canted C pillars conceal the rear door handles.
A monoframe for Pathfinder unites frame, floor and body into a stiff unibody structure that resists a wagon's natural tendency to bend torsionally.
The unibody framework not only reduces stress between components to tame rattles and squeaks, particularly when maneuvering off-road, but it sets up a far more stable platform to mount suspension components.
The suspension consists of a heavy-duty independent strut design up front and five-link rigid rear axle, with stabilizer bars pinned fore and aft.
Anti-lock brakes hitched to all wheels serve as a primary safety system for all Pathfinder models, with big disc brakes installed in front of rear self-adjusting drums. All also tote a power-assisted rack and pinion steering system.
Other safety elements range from frontal air bags for front seat passengers to structural crumple zones and body reinforcements, an energy-absorbing steering column and child-proof rear door locks.
Side-impact air bags for front seats are also available in a package of leather seats for the two top trims.
Pathfinder's interior arrangement fits like a glove.
The layout applies twin torso-sculptured front bucket seats and a rear bench for three with seatback split in 60-40 ratio to expand the rear cargo area.
A new cluster of white-faced electroluminiscent analog gauges in the revamped instrument panel, lifted from the Maxima sedan, makes the dials easy to read. All editions provide a tachometer and gauges for coolant temperature and fuel level, by the way, plus a low fuel warning light and digital clock.
The substantial list of standard appointments includes air conditioning and cruise control, power windows with one-touch up/down movement, power door locks and power external mirrors with heat element, tilting steering column, three DC-power electrical outlets, four large cupholders, multiple concealed storage bins, intermittent windshield wipers front and rear, and an audio system with six speakers and cassette plus CD decks.
Pathfinder SE adds the manual five-speed transmission with a limited-slip differential, tubular step rails, dark titanium bumpers and fender flares, and two-tone Luxsuede seat fabrics. Top trim LE goes further with an automatic climate system, Bose audio kit with six-disc CD changer in the dash, and halogen foglamps.
Pricing of the new issues with enthused power extends through a range of figures from about $28,000 to $35,000.
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| Vehicle Specifications: |
| 2001 NISSAN PATHFINDER Specs |
| Description: |
5-door mid-size SUV wagon
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| Model Options: |
5-door mid-size SUV wagon
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| Wheelbase: |
106.3 inches
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| Overall Length: |
182.7 inches
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| Engine Size: |
DOHC 3.5-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Manual/5, Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Rear 2WD, part-time 4WD
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| Braking: |
Power disc/drum/ABS
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| Airbags: |
2 (front) + opt. 2 (side)
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| Gas Mileage: |
2WD M/5: 17/19 mpg
2WD A/4: 16/19 mpg
4WD M/5: 16/18 mpg
4WD A/4: 15/19 mpg
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| Price: |
$ 28,000 to $ 35,000 |
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