Photo: Nissan
You may remember Nissan’s rather snazzy-looking crossover concept, the Hi-Cross, as it was first shown at the Geneva motor show, earlier this year, in March. There, Nissan officials touted it as a preview for the next X-Trail, as the current model is rather old, now, and will need replacing within the next two years.
Keep in mind that the X-Trail is not sold in the US, where the Rogue crossover is its closest equivalent in the Nissan range - it is only sold in Europe and Japan. So, why have they brought it to the 2012 Los Angeles International Auto Show?
Well, According to Al Castignetti, VP and general manager of Nissan North America partially answers the question: "Nissan established crossover design leadership from the introduction of the highly original Nissan Murano by exploring new ideas and concepts and implementing them on a production vehicle."
He goes on to say that: "The Hi-Cross Concept stretches the compact SUV envelope in design and technology, while remaining pure to Nissan's family adventure vehicle spirit." What this suggests is the possibility that Nissan may replace both the US-market Rogue and the Euro X-Trail with a single vehicle, common for both markets.
Ford has started doing this with their ‘One Ford’ philosophy, so other manufacturers may follow suit - Nissan may be one of them. If this turns out to be more than mere speculation, then the US-spec vehicle would be offered with a variation of the concept’s hybrid drivetrain, while the European version would get an array of Renault-sourced fuel-sippling diesels.
Well, According to Al Castignetti, VP and general manager of Nissan North America partially answers the question: "Nissan established crossover design leadership from the introduction of the highly original Nissan Murano by exploring new ideas and concepts and implementing them on a production vehicle."
He goes on to say that: "The Hi-Cross Concept stretches the compact SUV envelope in design and technology, while remaining pure to Nissan's family adventure vehicle spirit." What this suggests is the possibility that Nissan may replace both the US-market Rogue and the Euro X-Trail with a single vehicle, common for both markets.
Ford has started doing this with their ‘One Ford’ philosophy, so other manufacturers may follow suit - Nissan may be one of them. If this turns out to be more than mere speculation, then the US-spec vehicle would be offered with a variation of the concept’s hybrid drivetrain, while the European version would get an array of Renault-sourced fuel-sippling diesels.
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