Nissan has a new priority these days and it isn't making cars. Japan's second biggest motor company sees bigger business in the burgeoning 4x4 world. In Europe demand for 4x4s outstrips volume cars such as the Primera and Almera - and prices and profits are higher.
Enter Nissan's latest all-wheel-drive initiative. The Pathfinder expands the 4x4 range to six models that also include the new Murano crossover SUV, a revised Patrol, the X-Trail compact SUV, Navara pick-up and the Terrano. A seventh is on the way - the Qashqai concept starts production in Sunderland from December 2006.
So what's special about Pathfinder in this mix? Nissan press material goes for lifestyle . . . "the ideal solution for adventurous, active families with outdoor hobbies such as sailing, mountain biking, rock climbing, trekking, paragliding, riding or simply walking." Buyers of Toyota's Land Cruiser obviously share these passions because Nissan sees it as Pathfinder's main rival.
Land Cruiser is also being challenged by Pathfinder in Ireland but on a somewhat humbler level, selling in commercial workhorse form. Paul O'Sullivan, Nissan Ireland's marketing director felt it would still look smart enough, given that the rear area will come with a blackened glass effect. "Certainly the impression will not be of a van."
He expects 750 sales from next month (when it goes on sale) to the end of the year with around 80 per cent being commercial. Buyers are likely to be small businessmen and independent tradespeople.
Pathfinder, new to Europe, arrived in the US market in 1986 and the latest version is series three. Power comes from a four-cylinder 2.5 litre turbodiesel developing 175bhp. Like most diesels these days, it's strong on pulling power at low speeds. Nissan also claims strong towing prowess, saying it's capable of pulling up to three tonnes.
The all-mode 4x4 system is an enhanced version of that found in the X-Trail, adding a low ratio mode for serious work. The driver just picks one of four modes on an easy rotary dashboard control. On some very steep slopes in Portugal last week it worked swimmingly and the laws of gravity were defied.
Pathfinder drives with car-like refinement on the road but less refined was the five-speed automatic with a manual shift function that never seemed to be at ease with itself. Nissan promises another look at the ratio selection. Much more appealing is the slick six-speed manual which will come with virtually all Irish-registered vehicles.
As a luxury family wagon, Pathfinder has a roomy seven-seat interior reminiscent of bigger MPVs. The middle row of seats fold and flip forwards out of the way, making for easy access to the rearmost area.
Access is also helped by rear side doors opening to an unusually wide 85 degrees. The rear and middle row of seats can be folded in just three movements for a flat load area. Nissan claims no fewer than 64 possible seat and cargo configurations.
Other features include a rear-view parking camera with colour screen and an intelligent key, allowing the doors to be unlocked and the engine started without having to insert the key into a lock.
O'Sullivan expects a €36,000 tag for the Pathfinder commercial with the XE specification. On passenger versions, the top-of-the-range LE with satellite navigation and many other luxuries is likely to sell at €70,000 while the SE is likely to be somewhere above €60,000.
Nissan attached a bit of glamour to the Pathfinder launch by also presenting journalists with their latest sports offering, the 350Z roadster. Almost similar in power and performance to its 3.5 V6 coupé counterpart, it's distinguished by an electronically powered hood of cotton and PVC that gets into topless mode in 20 seconds. Chassis stiffening and other mechanisms have added 110 kg in weight but probably a bigger disadvantage is a boot of only 130 litres, enough for one large suitcase or a set of golf clubs.
About 10 350Z roadsters are likely to go on Irish roads this year, presumably most in time for lazy and hazy summer days. The Irish price is €58,495 compared to €54,995 for the existing coupé.