New Nissan Titan pickup to sport Cummins turbo diesel engine
by Dan Ilika
Next-generation full-size Titan will be available with 5.0-litre Cummins turbo diesel V8 powerplant
IRVINE, Calif.—Testing is already underway for the launch of a Cummins turbo diesel-powered Nissan Titan full-size pickup, the automaker’s first light-duty truck available with a diesel engine in North America.
According to Nissan, the next generation of its Titan pickup will be available with a Cummins 5.0-litre turbo diesel engine as it looks to win over Canadian and American full-size truck buyers.
“Truck owners told us there’s a demand for the performance and torque of a diesel in a capable truck that doesn’t require the jump up to a heavy-duty commercial pickup,” Nissan’s Fred Diaz said in a statement about the truck.
Nissan made the announcement at the kickoff of Nissan 360, an industry showcase of of the Japanese automaker’s global product and technology portfolio.
With a torque rating around 550 lb.-ft. and more than 300-horsepower, Nissan said it hopes the turbo diesel offering will provide enough towing capacity and fuel mileage to win buyers over in the highly competitive light-duty segment.
“We are very excited to partner with Nissan on the introduction of the Cummins 5.0L V8 turbo diesel to the North American pickup truck market,” Cummins engines vice-president Dave Crompton said.
“This new engine will offer the right balance of power, performance and fuel economy while delivering the dependability that customers expect of a Cummins engine. This will be a great package.”
While few details are being released about design or availability, Nissan confirmed Cummins-powered Titans are already out on public roads undergoing “extensive” performance and durability testing.
A spokesperson for Nissan Canada confirmed to CanadianManufacturing.com the Titan will be the first V8 turbo diesel half-ton pickup on the Canadian market.
The 5.0L Cummins engine will be built at the company’s Columbus Engine Plant in Columbus, Ind., where the powerplant maker is headquartered.
The next-generation Titan will be built at Nissan’s Canton, Miss., assembly plant, and its gasoline engines will be cast, forged and assembled at its Decherd, Tenn., powertrain plant.
“There is no question that the new Titan will turn heads, and with the available Cummins 5.0L V8 turbo diesel, we expect to win new fans and attract buyers looking for this unique configuration,” Nissan’s Diaz said.
