Just moments ago, it was Toyota that teased its upcoming NS4 Concept car, and now it’s Nissan’s turn to peel some layers off its next Pathfinder before its world debut at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show that begins (for the press) on January 9th.
Following the release of a single darkened image of the Pathfinder concept’s profile in the third week of December, Nissan issued two new photos that reveal the crossover’s face and rear end.
Even though the Japanese company insists on calling it a concept, it’s evident from these photos the Pathfinder that we’ll see in Detroit won’t differ much if not at all from the production model set to go on sale in North America next fall. And let’s not forget that Nissan’s luxury arm Infiniti did the same thing with the JX crossover last year.
The pictures disclose a more modern but also a softer and much less rugged look than the current model.
If you’re wondering why, Nissan says that the new 7-seater model “takes all of Pathfinder’s traditional SUV hallmarks and wraps them in a new platform and dramatic new aerodynamic design,” which means the Japanese company has abandoned the current model’s body-on-frame construction for a unibody design turning the Pathfinder into a crossover.
Nissan has not offered any additional information, but expect the Pathfinder to be powered by the firm’s VQ series V6 linked to a CVT with all-wheel drive being optional.
We’ll bring you more details and pictures on the Pathfinder as soon as we have it.
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