Nissan has made a statement of its intent in Japan, showcasing the next-generation X-Trail mid-size SUV and Juke light SUV, and confirming a new Xterra off-road SUV and a reborn Skyline sports car.
At the launch of the two new SUV models, Nissan CEO Ivan Espinosa was clear that the business needs to be sensible in its strategy moving forward.
“We must be honest about where Nissan stands today,” he said. “Our portfolio aged faster than the market.”
The clear approach from Nissan on a global scale is one of ‘right-sizing’. The brand has confirmed it will cull model lines and downsize its presence to profitable sectors only.
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“[Nissan will determine] where to lead, where to partner, and where to stop,” said Mr Espinosa.
“We will streamline our model range from 56 to 45 models, exiting low-performing products and focusing on growth,” he said.
Even so, the boss of Nissan confirmed the Japanese automaker will revive model ranges such as the Xterra SUV in the US market, with body-on-frame construction and a V6 petrol-electric hybrid engine sourced from a partnership.
And he confirmed there’ll be a new-generation Skyline, with its hot-plate style tail-lights teased to gathered media, but little else has been revealed about the model – apart from confirming that it will fall into the “Heartbeat Model” category for the business.
Nissan not only confirmed a new version of its Skyline, but also a separate resurrection of the iconic GT-R.
The brand’s executives remained tight-lipped on how those two models will coexist, but company sources confirmed the GT-R will return as a halo supercar, with the Skyline expected to offer a premium sports car experience, alongside the Nissan Z.
Of the four model streams the brand discussed, the Heartbeat Model line includes the Leaf, Patrol and Z models, while Core Models include X-Trail, Qashqai and models such as the Sylphy, Roox and Note.
Growth Models include the China-sourced NX8 electric SUV, N7 electric sedan and Frontier Pro plug-in hybrid pickup truck, and those also fall into the Partner Models range along with the new electric Micra (a Renault-sourced small car).
In Australia, Nissan has only recently introduced the mid-life facelift of the X-Trail range, with a revised model lineup offering better standard equipment levels and stronger value.
In the current X-Trail range in Australia, three versions feature the e-Power electrified powertrain, which uses a petrol engine as a generator only instead of sending drive directly to the wheels – despite the SUV not having a plug to recharge.
Those versions are sold alongside petrol models, with front- or all-wheel drive, and five or seven seats.
For the new X-Trail, Nissan appears to be investing heavily in e-Power tech, with no confirmation of any non-electrified powertrains at the unveiling, and e-Power hybrid drivetrains expected to be standard in Australia, where e-4orce all-wheel drive is likely to be standard in all variants too.
The new X-Trail – sold as the Nissan Rogue in markets like North America – brings a bolder appearance with a triangulated grille and lighting signature.
As for the angular and angry-looking new-generation Juke? It’s a “Europe-focused” vehicle, and isn’t likely to be sold beyond those borders anytime soon.
The previous Juke has already been discontinued in Australia, with the UK-built model never finding success in our market.
The compact SUV – previously powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder turbo petrol engine – has received some major changes, with a vastly different look akin more to a pumped up version of the new-gen Micra.
It features rounded headlights in typical Juke fashion – but the sharp lines and prominent plastics make it look like a Toyota C-HR that’s hit the gym a little too hard.
More Nissan news is coming soon, so stay tuned.