2016 Nissan Titan Spied Testing ISV Cummins Turbo Diesel

Even though it fared well in terms of sales for nearly six years since it was launched in 2003, 2008 saw Titan sales plummet in the United States. Moreover, the full-size pickup truck from Nissan was never a full-fledged rival to the offerings of what we refer as the Big Three Detroit Trucks. That's the reason the Japanese brand carefully thinked things through, deciding to make the rough and ready Titan better than before with the second generation, which will come as a 2016 model year.

The current model in range-topping specification is offered with an Endurance 5.6-liter DOHC V8 gasoline-fed rated a hefty 317 horsepower and 375 lb-ft (508 Nm) of torque. However, the new one is going to add another eight-cylinder option - the much-talked-about 5-liter ISV Cummins turbo diesel V8 powerplant.

So what is so special about this new pig iron oil burner? While rumors indicate 300+ horsepower and over 550 lb-ft (745 Nm), this engine's party piece is a trick sequential twin-turbo system dubbed Holset M2 Two-Stage, a contraption that employs Rotary Turbine Control.

Technically not a real twin-turbo setup due to the chargers' difference in size, the Rotary Turbine Control thingy is the real party piece of the 5-liter engine.

According to its creators, the small turbo + big turbo layout features “a single electrically controlled rotary valve that directs the exhaust flow to either of the two turbochargers or a wastegate depending on the engine load and rpm.” That translates to a valve that "acts as a throttle in the exhaust stream, raising the back pressure to act as an exhaust brake when the driver lifts off the accelerator.”

Smooth transitions between the turbos, better channeling of hot exhaust gases toward the particulate filter, this bad boy pushes the envelope in terms of pickup truck technology. Even though it wears zebra stripes, the prototype 2016 Nissan Titan seems to be the Crew Cab variant with the extra spacious long bed option.

Crew and extended cabs will also be offered by fall 2015, when the second-gen Titan will start production

With this engine, the 2016 Nissan Titan is slotted somewhere between a light-duty 1500 (half-ton) truck and a heavy-duty 2500 (three-quarter-ton) pickup truck, making it a pretty capable beast for towing stuff.

In terms of aesthetics, the new model is far more bold in its exterior design, with great emphasis on the front fascia. Take as a prime example of the visual add-ons the bigger radiator opening that features three very large cheese grater-style cross bars. The other significat exterior detail is a pair of vertical headlight clusters, along with chromed adjustable towing mirrors.

If the ISV-engined 2016 Nissan Titan will be cheaper than $31,140, which is the price of a 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, then the Cummins-powered Titan has this one in the bag. Too bad that has slim chances of happening due to the inexplicable way the Japanese overprice their products, be them hatchbacks or trucks.