Nissan Armada

Nissan Armada
Overview
Manufacturer	Nissan
Production	August 14, 2003–present
Model years	2004–present
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size SUV
Body style	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive

The Nissan Armada is a full-size SUV. An upscale version of the Armada is sold as the Infiniti QX80. From 2003 to 2015 the Armada was assembled in Canton, Mississippi based on the Nissan Titan. From mid-2016 onwards, the Armada has been built in Yukuhashi, Kyushu, Japan and shares the same platform as the Nissan Patrol, with American-specific modifications, and went on sale in late Summer 2016 as a 2017 model.

First generation (2003–2016)

Nissan Armada (WA60)
2008 Nissan Armada
Overview
Also called	Nissan Pathfinder Armada (until 2004)
Production	August 14, 2003–2016
Model years	2004–2016
Assembly	Canton, Mississippi (Nissan USA)
Designer	Toshio Yamashita, Diane Allen, Giovanny Arroba (2001)
Body and chassis
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Nissan F-Alpha platform
Related	Infiniti QX56 (2004–2010) Nissan Titan Nissan Frontier Nissan Xterra Nissan Pathfinder (2005–2012)
Powertrain
Engine	5.6 L VK56DE V8
Transmission	5-speed automatic (RE5R05A)
Dimensions
Wheelbase	123.2 in (3129 mm)
Length	2003–2007: 206.9 in (5255 mm) 2007–2015: 207.7 in (5,276 mm)
Width	2003–2007: 78.8 in (2002 mm) 2007–2015: 79.3 in (2,014 mm)
Height	2003–2007: 78.7 in (1999 mm) 2007– 2015 2WD: 77.2 in (1,961 mm) 2007–2015 4WD: 78.0 in (1,981 mm)

Developed under Carlos Ghosn's NRP (Nissan Revival plan), using the platform code WA60, from September 1999 to 2003 under lead designers Shiro Nakamura and Diane Allen and chief engineers Yuzo Sakita and Larry Dominique, the 2004 model Pathfinder Armada was unveiled on April 17, 2003 at the New York Auto Show. In January 2001, a final exterior design by Giovanny Arroba was approved by Sakita, Allen, Nakamura, and Nissan executive management, with the final design freeze being completed in July 2001 alongside. Prototypes based on the Y61 Patrol were hand-assembled as mules from 2001, with the first WA60-specific prototypes being completed and sent to testing in early 2002. Design patents were filed in 2003, with production starting on August 14, 2003 and going on sale on October 1, 2003.^[1][2][3] The Armada had a 5.6 L, 317 hp (236 kW), 385 lb⋅ft (522 N⋅m) torque VK56DE V8 engine, a 5-speed automatic transmission, and a choice of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. The switch to the Armada name occurred in September 2004, where it received new badges. A facelift was designed through 2005, being introduced in early 2007 for the 2008 model year.

The rear door handles are installed on the "C" pillar as a Nissan design tradition started with the 1986 Nissan Pathfinder. When the four-door Pathfinder was introduced, Nissan chose to conceal the door handles as a part of the "C" pillar trim to visually make it appear like a two-door truck with a camper shell, with conventional door handles on the front doors.

The latest Nissan Armada Platinum edition features a 9.3GB hard drive for storing music, and a CF (Compact Flash) memory card reader. The Platinum edition also features a power liftgate, and 3rd row seats that fold electronically.

It has a towing capacity of up to 9,000 lb (4,000 kg).

Some Armadas that are capable of using E85.

The 2011 model year Armada removed SE and Off-Road trim levels and moved to a tiers SV (base trim), SL (middle trim) and Platinum (top trim). MSRP ranged from $37,910 for the 2WD SV to $52,890 for the 4WD Platinum. Also Nissan discontinued use of Armada platform for the luxury-based Infiniti QX56 produced in Japan.

The 2013 model year added Bluetooth and satellite radio standard on all models and a Platinum Reserve trim package. Navigation added NavWeather capability, Zagat Survey, Bluetooth audio streaming, one USB port and a 40 GB disk drive. The Nissan DVD Entertainment System mounted screens in the back of the front head restraints.

The 2015 model year updated interior door panels.

The Nissan Armada (WA60) was sold in the United States (including all US territories), Canada, Mexico, and the Middle East in left-hand-drive only.

Second generation (2016–present)

Nissan Armada (Y62)
2017 Nissan Armada in platinum trim
Overview
Manufacturer	Nissan
Production	June 2016–present
Assembly	Yukuhashi, Japan (Nissan Shatai Kyushu Plant)
Designer	Taisuke Nakamura, Shinya Momokawa, Minoru Yoshida, Sugita Akihiro (2013)
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size SUV
Body style	4-door SUV
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
Platform	Y62/Nissan F-Alpha platform
Related	Nissan Patrol Y62 Infiniti QX56/QX80 Nissan Titan (second generation) Nissan NV
Powertrain
Engine	5.6 L VK56VD V8
Transmission	7-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	3075 mm (121.1 inches)
Length	5305 mm (208.9 inches)
Width	2030 mm (79.9 inches)
Height	1925 mm (75.8 inches)

On August 28, 2013, Nissan announced that the next generation Armada would be based on the next-generation Titan and remain a body-on-frame full-size SUV.^[4] By 2015, Nissan announced that the 2015 models would be continued to be sold into the 2016 calendar year.^[5]

Rear view

On February 10, 2016, Nissan unveiled the second generation Armada at the Chicago Auto Show, and went on sale in August 2016 as a 2017 model. This version is based on the Nissan Patrol and Infiniti QX80, and is assembled in Japan, except for the Endurance V8 engine, which is assembled in Decherd, Tennessee. The Armada grew in length and width, but the wheelbase and height were moderately reduced. In addition to the Endurance V8, a seven-speed transmission was introduced to improve fuel economy, acceleration and torque, along with an increase in horsepower from 317 to 390 hp at 5,200 rpm. The exterior moderately differs from the updated Patrol, that was introduced in early 2014. As with the previous generation, the Armada continued to offer 2WD and 4WD and available in SV, SL, and Platinum trims.^[6][7]

The move is part of Nissan's plan to have the Armada and Patrol share the same global platform instead of sharing the platform with the American-built Titan, due to Nissan investing in expansion of its truck production in Mississippi. ^[8]

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nissan Armada.

• Official Nissan Armada website