Nissan launches X-Trail 2WD e-Power and Rock Creek, and a hybrid only New Zealand gets

Nissan has launched front-wheel drive versions of the X-Trail e-Power and two Rock Creek grades in New Zealand, including an e-Power Rock Creek that will not be sold in Australia or any other market.

The new variants were announced in August and are now in dealers. The $6000 launch discount, originally due to end today, has been extended to orders placed by 31 October.

The ST-L 2WD e-Power is $49,990 and the Ti-L 2WD e-Power $55,990 on campaign pricing. Both are $3000 below their all-wheel drive equivalents. Full recommended pricing is $55,990 and $61,990. All prices exclude on-road costs.

The Rock Creek comes in two forms. A seven-seat 2.5-litre petrol all-wheel drive is $50,590 on campaign ($56,590 RRP) and a five-seat e-Power all-wheel drive is $55,590 ($61,590 RRP). Both are based on the ST-L 4WD and carry a $2600 premium over it.

Australia takes the petrol Rock Creek only. Nissan Oceania product manager Aleks Pecanac says the e-Power version was added for New Zealand because the hybrid market here has moved differently.

“We do have a different grade line-up strategy for both markets, as we feel there are different customers,” he says. “We feel the bulk of the sales are still going to come from ICE.”

2WD e-Power

The front-drive e-Power uses the same 1.5-litre turbo petrol generator and 150kW electric drive motor as the all-wheel drive car, minus the rear motor. The wheels are driven by the electric motor only, with the engine charging the battery. There is no gearbox.

“The electric drive motor is the only thing controlling the wheels,” Pecanac says. “The engine is really there to power the battery. Think of it more as a power station which feeds power into the wheels and the battery. It’s really a stepping stone to EV.”

Nissan quotes 5.4L/100km combined, about 11.5 per cent better than the all-wheel drive e-Power, with CO2 of 123g/km. Nissan does not publish a 0-100km/h time for the 2WD, but Pecanac puts it at 7.5 to 8 seconds against 7.0 for the e-Force all-wheel drive. Braked towing capacity is lower than the AWD car. The Ti-L 2WD rides on 19-inch wheels; the Ti-L AWD has 20s.

Pecanac says Nissan’s data shows hybrids overtaking petrol as the top medium SUV powertrain this financial year. “When we look at the split, 51 per cent of buyers are choosing two-wheel drive. This is something we’re not playing in at the minute and we think it’s critical.” The figures are Australian, but Nissan says New Zealand is following the same pattern.

2WD e-Power is available in seven single-tone colours: Scarlet Ember, Everest White, Diamond Black, Gun Metallic, Deep Ocean Blue, Champagne Silver and Ceramic Grey.

Rock Creek

Rock Creek adds styling and equipment. There are no changes to ride height, tyres or drivetrain, and Nissan is not pitching it as an off-road upgrade.

“We’re not talking a full-fledged off-road vehicle,” Pecanac says. “It’s more of a lifestyle vehicle that’s ready for weekend activities, whether it’s mountain biking or hiking or something similar.”

Outside it gets a black V-motion grille with a three-slot horizontal treatment Nissan says is inspired by the D21 ute and current Navara, a unique front lower bumper, black roof rails, gloss black mirrors, exclusive 18-inch alloys and orange accents on the wheels and front and rear badging. The petrol version keeps a full-size spare.

Inside, ballistic nylon seat trim carries Rock Creek embroidery, with orange contrast stitching on the seats and dash and an orange ring around the steering wheel badge. Both Rock Creek grades add the 10.8-inch head-up display and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster from the Ti-L.

Rock Creek is available in Everest White, Diamond Black and Ceramic Grey, plus a new Baja Storm colour exclusive to the grade. Baja Storm comes with a black roof and attracts the $890 two-tone surcharge, which is also available on Everest White and Ceramic Grey.

25 years

X-Trail has been on sale in New Zealand for 25 years. Nissan says 27,779 have been sold since the T30 arrived in November 2001: 2687 first-generation cars, 4119 T31s, 16,068 T32s and 4905 of the current T33 to date. X-Trail is Nissan’s best-selling model here.

Ownership

All MY26 X-Trails come with Nissan’s warranty of up to 10 years or 300,000km, and roadside assistance for the same period, provided the car is serviced at a Nissan dealer. Without Nissan servicing the base cover is five years or 150,000km. Servicing is a flat $499 for each of the first five services, at 15,000km intervals.

We recently put the ST-L e-Power up against the BAIC B30. Driving impressions of the 2WD e-Power and Rock Creek follow next week.

X-Trail campaign pricing (ex ORC)

Campaign pricing on the new grades applies to orders placed by 31 October. Existing-grade campaign pricing was listed to 30 September.