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Napa Valley, California - As gas inches up towards a dollar a litre, you have to wonder whether the world needs a 300 horsepower full-size SUV. With a name like "Armada" which conjures up images of a large, aggressive invading force, the new Nissan Pathfinder Armada is a not-too-subtle edition to the full-size SUV market which now includes the Ford Expedition, Chevy Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, and Toyota Sequoia.

According to Nissan Canada's Marketing Director, Ian Forsyth, the Pathfinder Armada is targeted at the "Modern Dad" who has "a large house, large yard, large garage, and large BBQ.." Obviously, he needs a large vehicle too. Forsyth says the "modern Dad doesn't mind displaying his success...and doesn't dream of adventure, he does it.." Go Dad!

The Pathfinder Armada - which from now on I will refer to as the Armada since it has nothing in common with the Pathfinder except its AWD system - is based on the new full-size Titan pickup truck platform, but there's one important difference: the Armada has an independent five link rear suspension for improved ride and handling.

The Armada is about 50 mm longer than a Ford Expedition, but its 3130 mm (123.2) inch wheelbase is about 100 mm (4 inches) longer than the Expedition's. Inside, the Armada is very roomy and has the most 1st and 2nd row legroom in it class. Armada's will seat 7 or 8 people in three rows of seats, depending on the seating configurations chosen.
The third row seat folds flat and the second row seatback folds flat, creating a level loading surface and up to 97 cubic feet of storage space. As well, the Armada's front passenger seatback will fold flat, creating a potential 3 metres (10 feet) of load length. In the Armada, the third row seat does not have to be removed from the vehicle - only the Expedition and Navigator have comparable seats in this class. The heavy third row seats in the Sequoia and Tahoe, for example, have to be removed and they weigh about 20 kilograms (44 lb.)

Like the Expedition, the Armada is equipped with rollover sensors that automatically deploy the roof-mounted side impact curtain airbags should the vehicle begin to roll over. These curtain airbags protect the heads of occupants in all three rows. This feature is standard equipment in the Armada. As well, audible rear proximity sensors, which warn of objects behind the vehicle when backing up, is a standard feature.

Under the hood is Nissan's all-new 5.6 litre V8 which develops 305 horsepower @ 4900 rpm and 385 ft-lbs of torque @ 3600 rpm - that's more torque than the GM's 6.0 litre Vortec V8 engine has - giving the Armada the best towing capacity in its class: 4,128 kg (9,100 pounds) in the 1/2 ton class. Chevy 3/4 ton Suburbans will tow up to 12,000 lb. Thankfully, the Armada uses Regular Unleaded gas. A five-speed automatic transmission with a Tow/Haul mode, 18 inch wheels and tires, a tire pressure monitoring system, and an anti-skid "Vehicle Dynamic Control" system, are all standard.

In Canada, all Armadas will have Nissan's all-wheel-drive system which gives the driver the choice of 2WD, 4WD, AWD, and Low Range. This is the same system used in the Pathfinder and in AWD mode, it varies torque anywhere between 0/100 Front/Rear to 50/50 Front/Rear. In the U.S., buyers will also be able to buy 2WD Armadas.

 
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Found more pictures

 
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thats pretty nice...kinda reminds me of transformers

 
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I like the front end but the rear end looks kinda wierd

 
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I work for the local Nissan dealership, use to be a full time detailer but now just whenever they need a little help I help out. I've been waiting to see one of these and can't wait to drive one. But at the same time I still have to wonder if it will sell. The regular Pathfinders haven't been selling quite like they used to and I haven't seen many Muranos on the road either. It seems like everyone wants a Chevy or Ford for their SUV but I wish Nissan the best of luck with this. I have been seeing more Pilots on the road lately so hopefully that is a good sign for the import SUV market.

 
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Geez... another suv destined to become soccer moms' favorite, hogging up the road and what not. And while it protects everything within it, it's 100% gauranteed to crush any car that should find it's way in front of the suv.


it kinda looks like an element and escalade combined. argh... It's too early. Bah time for school.

 
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The front end is really cool looking, as the interior is also. The back of the truck just looks really Awkward.

 
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not that bad... i prefer my parents' Honda Pilot which i drive alot.... hehehe

 
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Now why did they have to make that window look all funky...it does not go well with the rest of the car.

 
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thats exactly what i was thinking, they look misaligned or something, but the front and interior are nice (just remember, nissan doesn't seemt to do well with rears for some reason)

 
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i dunno, got that "element" look

 
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Ick, another big SUV to be driven by some person who cannot drive. For some reason SUV drivers have a nasty penchant for slamming the brakes in the middle of smooth flowing traffic. Fortunately, in N. Cali bay area people are unsympathetic to SUVs, so not many going to be here. One more reason to dread going back to LA.

Looks ok, would rather have a Toyota.

-Aki

 
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Ugly. Nissan seriously needs to fire whoever styles their trucks now.

 
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Who in the h3ll makes up the designs of these cars? People with mental disabilities? Gosh.

First we have the new '03 Expedition out that's even BIGGER than the last generation. Now you're going to add another over-sized "family mobile". Not everybody in the world has 5 or 6 kids, or a freaking $50k boat to pull along. This is crazy..... I'll stick with my 4Runner..one that won't break down and lasts OVER 8 years.

 
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OMG I used to love the pathfinder