Each year, Nissan produces more than a million V6 engines, making the company the most prolific V6 producer in the world. The VQ series of petrol V6 engines fitted on vehicles such as the Murano, 370Z, Pathfinder and Navara have won many accolades and fans over the years. Nissan’s new twin-turbo 3.8l V6 fitted to the Nissan GT-R is one of the world’s most performance-oriented powertrains, as it has outperformed most sports cars on the Nürburgring racetrack, with an astonishing 7m29s lap time.
And now… the new V9X V6 diesel engine employs a technologically advanced, high-displacement multi-valve V-configuration powertrain to deliver the same high levels of performance and driving pleasure.
The V9X is at the heart of Nissan’s two latest flagships, the Navara and Pathfinder 3.0 V6 dCi. The V9X 3.0-litre V6 is a clean-sheet design based on lessons learnt in development of the celebrated 2.0-litre dCi motor in Nissan’s popular diesel Qashqai. From the start of development, the new unit was created to answer Nissan’s demands for a powerful but exceptionally refined diesel, quiet enough in use to match the high standards set by the VQ 4.0-litre V6 petrol engine.
The key element of the new V6 – with an unusual vee angle of 65 degrees – is the material chosen for the engine block. After exhaustive evaluation, Compacted Graphite Iron (CGI) was selected for its ability to deliver all the strengths of cast iron, including high levels of stiffness and excellent noise absorption qualities, without the significant weight penalty of this more traditionally-accepted construction method. Engineers were able to reduce the compression to 16:1 to benefit not just economy and emissions but also noise, vibration and harshness (NVH). Internal engine friction is reduced by the use of ultra-smooth components, such as a micro-finished forged steel crankshaft.
A class-leading 550 Nm of torque is delivered thanks to the fitment of a large single turbocharger, mounted within that 65-degree vee of the engine, an intercooler, and the use of the latest generation of Bosch common-rail fuel injection, which incorporates 7-hole piezo injectors and operates at 1800 bar. V9X delivers 170 kW of power in addition to that headline-grabbing 550 Nm of torque, positioning it as a clear class leader in terms of pure power. Peak torque is achieved from as low as 1 700 r/min and is available all the way to 2 500 r/min, while as much as 500 Nm is available from a mere 1 500 r/min. Idle speed is an exceptionally low 650 r/min with none of the harsh vibrations or intrusive noise usually associated with a diesel.
Although the new V9X engine is undoubtedly a highlight of the two new 3.0 V6 dCi packages available from Nissan SA, the company has matched the more powerful and sophisticated engine with a revised front end and markedly enhanced interior design.
The exterior is lifted by the bold new grille design and a smoother, better-integrated bumper. The bonnet is also new, and helps contribute to a lower coefficient of drag.
Inside, both models have been made even more appealing thanks to the use of higher quality materials all around, which includes new switchgear on the centre console; optional Nissan Premium Connect infotainment system with a high-quality Bose stereo upgrade; a new instrument cluster that’s ‘cleaner’ and more legible in all lighting conditions.
Occupant safety in Navara and Pathfinder 3.0 V6 dCi models is comprehensive. Front, side and curtain airbags for both front passengers are standard. Anti-lock braking (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), continues to provide directional control even under extreme emergency braking conditions, while Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and the fitment of an Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS) ensure that stability and traction is controlled and maintained as far as physics can allow.
This electronic assistance complements the Intelligent Driving Control 4WD setup, which allows the driver to manually select between 2WD, 4WD HI, and 4WD LO modes. The Pathfinder adds a further level of comfort with an Auto mode which relegates this decision to the myriad of sensors positioned around the vehicle and a high-speed, dedicated microprocessor.
The V9X engine establishes the Pathfinder and Navara as titans in their respective classes. The new engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission and endows the vehicles with a 0 – 100 km/h sprint time of 9.3 seconds and a top speed of 195 km/h. Nissan claims fuel consumption is 9.5 l/100km on average and CO2 emissions are 250 g/km.
| Prices | |
| Navara 3.0 V6 dCi 7-speed A/T | R508 400 |
| Navara 3.0 V6 dCi 7-speed A/T (with Nissan Premium Connect) |
533 400 |
| Pathfinder 3.0 V6 dCi 7-speed A/T | R619 900 |
| Pathfinder3.0 V6 dCi 7–speed A/T (with Nissan Premium Connect) |
R644 900 |
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