Nissan's all-new X-Trail revealed

The all-new Nissan X-Trail has been revealed at the Frankfurt motor show.

The new car has been given much clearer positioning within the Nissan line-up. When the next-generation Qashqai arrives early next year, there will be no seven-seat version, so the X-Trail will be Nissan’s sole offering in the seven-seat SUV segment.

The firm closely previewed the new X-Trail with its stylish Hi-Cross concept at the 2012 Geneva motor show. The new X-Trail promises more road-biased ride and handling than the outgoing car. But the added style and dynamic improvements has not come at the expense of off-road ability, claim insiders. They say the new X-Trail is just as capable as the current car off-road when equipped with the optional four-wheel drive system.

Front-wheel drive is tipped to be offered as standard to help make the economy better than the current car’s. The core engine will be a significantly updated version of the current X-Trail’s 2.0-litre diesel engine, optionally mated to a newly-developed Xtronic CVT gearbox.

The interior, also previewed by the Hi-Cross concept, is set to be significantly improved both in terms of design and quality over the current X-Trail’s. Standard equipment levels will also increase.