The Nissan Armada, originally the Pathfinder Armada, is a full-size SUV built for the North American market since 2003 for the 2004 model year. The first generation was assembled at Canton, Mississippi on the Titan platform; from mid-2016 the second generation has been built in Kanda, Kyushu, Japan and shares its platform with the Nissan Patrol.
Nissan Armada at a glance
| Production | since 2003 |
|---|---|
| First generation | TA60, 2004–2015, Canton, Mississippi |
| Second generation | Y62, from 2017, Kanda, Kyushu |
| First-generation engine | 5.6-litre VK56DE V8, 305 hp |
| Second-generation engine | 5.6-litre VK56VD V8, 390 hp |
| Gearbox | five-speed automatic; seven-speed from 2017 |
| Drive | rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive |
| Towing | up to 9,000 lb, 9,100 lb from 2008 |
| Trims | SV, SL, Platinum |
| Luxury version | Infiniti QX56, later QX80 |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan Armada.
History of the Nissan Armada
TA60 (2003–2015)
The 2004 Pathfinder Armada was unveiled at the New York International Auto Show on 17 April 2003. It was developed under Carlos Ghosn’s Nissan Revival Plan from September 1999, with lead designers Shiro Nakamura and Diane Allen and chief engineers Yuzo Sakita and Larry Dominique; the final exterior by Giovanny Arroba was approved in January 2001 and frozen in July 2001. Prototypes were hand-built on Y61 Patrol mules from 2001. Production started on 14 August 2003 and sales on 1 October 2003. The 5.6-litre VK56DE V8 made 305 hp with a five-speed automatic, rear- or four-wheel drive and a towing capacity of up to 9,000 lb. The rear door handles sit in the C-pillar, a Nissan habit begun with the 1986 Pathfinder.
Changes
The name lost “Pathfinder” in September 2004 for the 2005 model year, which also brought a reversing camera. A 2008 refresh raised power to 317 hp, improved towing to 9,100 lb with the towing package and added an 8-inch infotainment screen, a new front and rear, an Intelligent Key with twist knob and electrically folding third-row seats. For 2011 the SE and Off-Road trims went and the range became SV, SL and Platinum. The 2013 model year made Bluetooth and satellite radio standard and added the Platinum Reserve package; 2015 brought new interior door panels.
Y62 (from 2017)
The second generation was unveiled at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show and went on sale in August 2016 as a 2017 model. Basing it on the Patrol instead of the Titan saved considerable development cost. It grew in length and width, and the VK56VD Endurance V8 went from 317 to 390 hp with a seven-speed automatic. A December 2020 update brought a larger grille, C-shaped LED headlights and tail lights, a wider screen with wireless Apple CarPlay, and Safety Shield 360 as standard.
Design and features
- VK56 V8: 305 hp at launch, 390 hp in the second generation.
- Big towing capacity: up to 9,100 lb with the towing package.
- Hidden rear handles: door handles set into the C-pillar.
- Patrol platform: shared with the global Patrol and Infiniti QX80 from 2017.
Nissan Armada versions
- Pathfinder Armada (2004): the original name.
- Armada TA60 (2005–2015): first generation, Canton-built.
- Armada Y62 (2017–): Patrol-based second generation.
- Armada Platinum Reserve (2013–): the top trim.
- Infiniti QX80: the luxury version, originally QX56.
The Armada shares its second-generation platform with the Patrol and sits above the Pathfinder. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Video: In Depth Look At The All New 2013 Nissan Armada Platinum
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Nissan Armada, English Wikipedia: development, generations, engines, updates, trims
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