Chicago: 2008 Nissan Armada

UPDATE: More images and the official press release added.


For 2008, Nissan decided to keep things simple, giving a uniformed look to the Titan, Pathfinder and Armada — at least around the front. Otherwise, the new Armada’s massive bulk gets little nipped and tucked besides some new light treatments and a rear-­end adjustment.

There are several new interior features, including a much improved center stack, power-folding third-row seats, an optional heated steering wheel, an intelligent key system, a hard-drive-based entertainment system, Bluetooth hands-free calling and a DVD navigation system with live traffic updates.

[Source: KickingTires]

Follow the jump for additional images and the official press release.











PRESS RELEASE: 2008 Nissan Armada

Improved 2008 Armada Refined and Rugged For On and Off-Road Family Adventures

Nissan Armada powers into 2008 with improvements that add to its appeal as the full-size family SUV. With a more luxurious and refined interior, enhanced technology features, new exterior style, new colors and new option packages, Armada continues its award-winning ways.

The 2008 Armada features a new front fascia, new headlamp and fog lamp designs, new one-piece roof rack design, revised rear fascia, 20-inch wheel and tire package (LE only) and two new exterior colors – Desert Stone and Timberline.

Inside the new SUV offers a 3rd row power folding 60/40 seat (optional LE), new interior colors and fabrics, new gated shifter, new woodgrain accents (LE only), heated steering wheel (LE only), a lockable glove compartment and revised steering wheel and combination meter illumination. New technology enhancements include an Intelligent Key with twist start (standard LE, optional SE), enhanced Bose® sound system with Music Box hard drive and 3rd row speakers and amplifier (standard LE, optional SE), Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System (standard on LE), improved available Nissan Navigation system with a XM® NavTraffic™ system with real-time traffic information (XM contract required) and a larger 8.0-inch screen for the optional DVD Entertainment Package.

"With its enhanced appearance and functionality, the 2008 Armada is more worthy than ever of Nissan's flagship SUV status," said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division.

"Between its exterior style, luxurious interior, utility features, seating for eight, available technology features and environmentally-conscious Flexible Fuel Vehicle option, Armada is the complete package," he continued.
With customer-friendly features like three-row, eight-passenger seating, ample 2nd row leg room, roof-mounted curtain air bags for all three rows and up to 9,100-pound maximum towing capacity, Armada has been awarded the top honors in two customer opinion-based studies - buyer-perceived overall quality by the Strategic Vision research firm in the Large SUV class of its 2006 Total Quality Index, and "Most Appealing Large Premium Multi-Activity Vehicle" by J.D. Power and Associates' 2006 Automotive Performance, Execution, and Layout (APEAL) study.

Armada's strength comes from a 5.6-liter V8 producing 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque, with available Flexible Fuel Vehicle technology (FFV), allowing drivers to use traditional gasoline or an alternative fuel such as E85, a mix containing 85 percent renewable ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.

Distinguished Exterior Image
Armada's distinctive styling mixes modern cues with traditional ruggedness, only enhanced by the aggressive new front fascia styling with new front fog lamps, new halogen headlamp design, new one-piece roof rack design and new front and rear body-color fascias. New 20-inch wheels complete the look (LE model).

With a wide stance, long wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs, Armada expresses its stability, maneuverability and exceptional cargo room with one glance. The headlamp, grille and hood design offer a powerful front look, while the A-, B-, C- and D- pillars offer a tight, polished aspect to the body structure. The new rear fascia and tailgate area, with sturdy bumper design provide a "reinforced" look and project Armada's structural integrity.

Additional exterior features include a large body-color grille (SE, metallic finish on LE), chrome front door handles, chrome dual power-adjustable heated side mirrors (with power folding, puddle lamps and integrated turn signal on LE models), side step rails, privacy glass for the 2nd and 3rd rows and rear tailgate (power tailgate optional on SE, standard on LE), separate tailgate opening glass, manual flip-out rear quarter windows (power-operated on LE models) and new-design full roof rack with cross bars. All models are also offered with a standard rear bumper-mounted rear proximity sensor system (back-up obstacle warning), and a front proximity sensor/sonar system is also available.

A Versatile Interior for Active Lifestyles
Armada's interior is highly functional and ergonomic, without sacrificing style and ruggedness. New interior colors and materials set off the 2008 model, with an available 3rd row power folding seat (LE), heated steering wheel (LE), new steering wheel illuminated controls, revised combination meter colors and designs, new gated shifter design, lockable glove compartment and new wood grain accents (LE). New available technology features include revised audio system with 3rd row audio speakers and amplifier (LE), Intelligent Key with twist start (LE, optional SE), Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System (standard on LE), a larger 8.0-inch screen for the optional DVD Entertainment Package (up from 7.0 inches) and an improved Nissan Navigation system with a XM NavTraffic system with real-time traffic information (XM contract required).

Room and versatility is important to large SUV customers, and Armada delivers ample 2nd row leg room, up to 8-passenger seating, standard fold-flat 2nd and 60/40 split fold-flat 3rd row seats, fold flat front passenger seat with cup holders and recessed work area and large cargo space behind the 3rd row seat. More utility and storage space is offered by a full-length overhead console with six map lights, center console with large storage capacity, multiple pockets and bins throughout the cabin, up to 14 cupholders and four 12-volt power outlets (two in front, one 2nd row, one for cargo area).

In front, a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and available 6-way adjustable front passenger's seat provide comfort and luxury, and Seton leather-appointed seats are available in the 1st and 2nd rows (standard LE, optional SE). 3rd row occupants are placed higher than the 2nd row to facilitate easier conversation and better visibility for the occupants. Other luxury features include standard dual zone climate control, rear air conditioning, remote keyless entry, power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, and AM/FM/6CD audio system with steering wheel controls and mp3 playback capability.

Also available are fold-flat 2nd row captain's chairs with an innovative, removable 2nd row center console and an 11-speaker Bose® audio system with dual media capability, allowing use of radio and CD at the same time (headphones must be used to listen to second audio source) and RearView Monitor.

Full-Size Foundation and Adventure-Ready Driveline
2008 Armada features the rugged F-Alpha fully boxed frame and 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension with coil-over shock absorbers and stabilizer bar, combining on- and off-road comfort with responsive handling characteristics.

The independent rear suspension design, with its minimal intrusion into the interior, maximizes space, and an automatic rear air leveling system (optional SE, standard LE) improves stability and ride comfort when towing or carrying heavy cargo. The system automatically adjusts air pressure in the suspension bladders to maintain a uniform ground clearance and departure angle.

The heart of every Armada is its 317 horsepower 5.6-liter DOHC 32-valve V8 engine with 385 lb-ft of torque. The V8 is tuned to provide nearly 90 percent of the engine's torque below 2,500 rpm – where it's needed for hauling, towing or slow-speed off-road driving. Available Flexible Fuel Vehicle technology allows drivers to use traditional gasoline or an alternative fuel such as E85.

Assembled at Nissan's advanced engine facility in Decherd, Tenn., the Armada's Nissan Endurance V8 includes advanced features such as an aluminum engine block with cast iron cylinder liners, chain-driven dual overhead camshafts with silent single-stage timing chain, and electronic drive-by-wire throttle for precise control. For greater efficiency through reduced friction, the V8 uses graphite-coated pistons, microfinished forged steel crankshaft and microfinished camshafts. When equipped as a Flexible Fuel Vehicle, the 2008 Armada features a common fuel tank designed to run on varying blends of gasoline with ethanol or other fuel, resulting in a reduction of CO2 greenhouse gas and playing a key role in the long-term U.S. energy strategy.

Standard on every 2008 Armada is a reinforced electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode, which revises shift patterns accordingly. The transmission features a unique gear set for use in high torque situations, an advanced torque converter design for improved fuel economy and, for improved shift quality, an advanced powertrain management program. A 28-gallon fuel tank provides excellent driving range.
Tow Package-equipped Armadas (optional SE, standard LE) offer a maximum towing capacity of up to 9,100 pounds (when properly equipped). The Tow Package includes a lower rear axle ratio (to 3.357), heavy duty radiator and battery, 7-pin wiring harness plug, trailer brake pre-wiring, receiver hitch and rear suspension air leveling system.

4-wheel drive Armadas maximize traction on- or off-road with an advanced full-time automatic control system, which under normal driving conditions operates in two-wheel drive mode, but can instantly distribute torque to all four wheels whenever road conditions warrant (up to 50 percent can go to the front wheels on demand). A two-speed electronic transfer case allows the driver to select between auto, full-time 4-wheel drive and 4LO, which provides enhanced low speed driving force and hill descending ability.

Standard on Armada is a 4-wheel, 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), engine speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system.

New for 2008 are machine-finished aluminum-alloy 20x8-inch wheels with P275/60R20 Michelin tires on Armada LE models, while SE models continue with aluminum-alloy 18x8-inch wheels with P265/70R18 Conti-Track tires.

A Focus On Safety and Security
2008 Armadas offer an extensive list of safety features, including standard roof-mounted supplemental curtain air bags for side-impact and rollover head protection for outboard positions in all three rows. The Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and a front occupant classification sensor is standard on all Armadas and front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags are standard on LE and optional on SE.

Also standard on Armada are front seat Active Head Restraints, 3-point front seat belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters, 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants (including center position), the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system and Zone Body construction with front and rear crushable zones.

For additional safety and security, Armada is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and Vehicle Security System (VSS).

Choices of Models and Equipment
For 2008, Armada is offered in SE and LE models, with 2-wheel or advanced 4-wheel drive systems.

All Armadas feature the 317-horsepower 5.6-liter Nissan Endurance V8, 5-speed automatic transmission, 4-wheel independent suspension and fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seats, full-length overhead console, step rails and rear sonar sensors to aid in close parking situations.

Option packages for SE include the Driver Package, with Bose audio system, XM Satellite Radio (subscription required), RearView monitor, power tailgate, front fog lamps and front sonar system; auto-dimming rearview mirror with universal garage door opener and compass; Premium Package, which includes all content in the Driver Package and adds an Intelligent Key with twist start, heated Seton leather-appointed seats with driver memory function and 6-way power adjustable passenger seat; Tow Package; Sunroof Package; rear DVD Entertainment Package with 8-inch screen; and Captains Chairs Package, with 2nd row captains chairs and removable center console replacing the 2nd row split bench seat.

The Armada LE adds a higher level of luxury appointments, including the contents of the Driver, Premium and Tow Packages; a lockable glove compartment; special wood-tone trim; power folding mirrors with heat, power adjust, auto dim and integrated turn signal; metallic-finish grille; power liftgate; and new 20-inch wheel and tire package.

Armada LE packages include the Sunroof Package; Captains Chairs Package; DVD Entertainment Package; and Technology Package, which includes the Nissan Navigation system with a XM NavTraffic system with real-time traffic information (XM contract required), power folding 3rd row seat and Bluetooth® hands-free phone system.
Two new exterior colors are offered for 2008, Desert Stone (tan) and Timberline, adding to the full slate of Blizzard (white), Galaxy Black, Silver Lightning, Smoke (dark silver), Red Brawn and Majestic Blue. Sand and Graphite are the two interior colors available.

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