January 6, 2004

All-new 2005 Pathfinder is bigger, roomier

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Detroit, Michigan - Everything's changed but the name on the new 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Now with a new body-on-frame chassis derived from the full-size Pathfinder Armada chassis, the bigger, roomier 2005 Pathfinder features a new 250 horsepower 4.0 litre V6 engine (derived from the VQ 3.5 litre V6), standard 5-speed automatic transmission, three rows of seats, and an independent front and rear suspension. The Pathfinder is available as a 4x2, or 4x4 with an off-road traction system.

Though the 2005 Pathfinder is bigger than the 2004 model, it's not anywhere as big as the full-size Pathfinder Armada which is 20 inches longer and 6 inches wider than the 2005 Pathfinder.

"The 2005 Pathfinder, with its body-on-frame construction and enhanced utility and performance, is designed to offer a higher level of an authentic, rugged off-road performance than the typical SUVs in its class," said Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.

Utilizing the Pathfinder Armada's new "F-Alpha" platform as a basis, the Pathfinder features a fully boxed, all-steel ladder frame and adds an all-steel double-wishbone front suspension with stabilizer bar and independent rear double-wishbone suspension with stabilizer bar. Performance shocks are also available with the Pathfinder Off-Road model.

Like other engines in the VQ series, the new 4.0-liter version includes Electronic Throttle Control with secondary mapping in 4LO (4x4 models), Continuous Valve Timing Control (C-VTC), Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), silent timing chain, microfinished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces, molybdenum-coated pistons, digital knock control system, high capacity muffler, lightweight aluminum block and platinum-tipped spark plugs.

The Pathfinder's advanced All-Mode four-wheel drive system includes 2WD/AUTO/4H/4LO modes and electronically controlled transfer case. A Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system is also available, along with an advanced off-road traction system.

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The addition of a standard 3rd row seat gives the new Pathfinder 7-passenger seating, along with increased passenger/cargo flexibility. The split fold-down 2nd and 3rd row seats can be folded down individually, combining with the fold-down front passenger seat to provide 64 different seating/cargo configurations.

Safety features include stronger body construction, Nissan's Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), and optional roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover protection to outboard passengers in all three rows.

Assembly of the new Pathfinder will be moved from Japan to Nissan's manufacturing facility in Smyrna, Tennessee. The 2005 Pathfinder is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in Fall, 2004.

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