2013 Nissan Armada Press Kit: Overview
08/06/2012
Nissan
Combining a powerful V8 engine, premium interior comfort and a range of available "innovation for living large" technologies, Nissan Armada continues to stand out in the full-size SUV segment. Armada is again available in SV, SL and Platinum models in 2WD and 4WD drive configurations and, supporting its full-size family adventure credentials, has a towing capacity of up to 9,000 pounds (when properly equipped).
For 2013, enhancements include the addition of a new Platinum Reserve Package with unique appearance features, including 20-inch dark chrome aluminum-alloy wheels, dark chrome grille and outside mirrors and body-color exterior door handles. Inside, new exclusive equipment ranges from premium-grade two-tone Chocolate/Almond leather-appointed seating with accent stitching to Light Aniegre genuine wood trim and dark satin chrome interior accents.
"Armada has always offered the look and feel of a premium luxury SUV at a more affordable family SUV price," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "The addition of the luxurious new Platinum Reserve Package adds an extra bit of shine to the already finely polished Armada lineup for 2013."
Other changes for the new model year include a revision in the Family Entertainment System to dual 7-inch head restraint-mounted DVD monitors from the previous single 8-inch screen (standard on Platinum, available on SV and SL models) and the addition of standard SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately) and 4-way power-adjustable front passenger seat to SV models. Slide-on-rod sunvisors with mirror and illumination, and USB and VTR jacks are now standard on all models. Also, a Bluetooth(R) Hands-Free Phone System is added as standard on SV models (previously standard SL and Platinum models).
The revised exterior color selection includes five new colors: Midnight Garnet, Graphite Blue, Gun Metallic, Java Metallic and Pearl White (eight colors total).
Armada is again offered with available Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology that allows drivers to use traditional gasoline or E85 Ethanol. All three 2013 Armada models are equipped with a standard 5.6-liter Endurance V8 engine rated at 317 horsepower and 385 lb-ft of torque, along with an advanced 5-speed automatic transmission, heavy-duty fully boxed ladder frame and double-wishbone suspension.
An Expressive Exterior and Roomy, Versatile Interior
Armada's expressive exterior design combines modern styling with traditional Nissan SUV ruggedness. With its wide stance, long 123.2-inch wheelbase and short front and rear overhangs, Armada offers a highly manageable length of just over 17 feet (207.7 inches) - along with exceptional passenger and cargo room.
Armada SL and Platinum models feature chrome grilles (body-color on Armada SV, dark chrome on Platinum Reserve), while all models include chrome front door handles (body color on Platinum Reserve), body-color rear door handles, one-piece type roof rails, side step rails, halogen headlights, and privacy glass on the 2nd and 3rd row windows and rear liftgate. Armada also features two-piece body-color side moldings with chrome insert strips on SL and Platinum models (dark chrome inserts on Platinum Reserve), along with SL, Platinum and "Reserve" badges on the respective models.
Other available equipment includes fog lights, chrome roof rack (standard on SL and Platinum) and chrome tailpipe finisher (standard on Platinum), power-operated flip-out rear quarter windows (Platinum), power-folding outside mirrors with integrated turn signals and puddle lamps (Platinum), power-operated liftgate (SL, Platinum) and power tilt/sliding glass moonroof (optional on SL, standard on Platinum).
Armada is offered in a choice of eight exterior colors, including Brilliant Silver, Espresso Black, Galaxy Black and five new colors: Midnight Garnet, Graphite Blue, Gun Metallic, Java Metallic and Pearl White.
The Armada interior, like the exterior, combines modern style, functionality and versatility for active families. The large, comfortable interior offers ample 2nd row roominess and overhead storage. Seating for eight is standard, with 2nd row Captain's Chairs with 2nd row padded center armrest optional with the Platinum model (providing seven-passenger seating).
Luxurious, leather-appointed seating is standard on Armada SL and Platinum models, with cloth seating on Armada SV. The Platinum Reserve Package adds premium-grade leather-appointed seating with two-tone Chocolate/Almond surfaces and Almond accent stitching on Chocolate surfaces. The front bucket seats feature 8-way power adjustment and manual lumbar support, while the passenger seat is a 4-way power-adjustable design. A gated floor-mounted shifter adds a sporty appearance and enhanced shift control.
Heated 2nd row seats, heated steering wheel, padded center front armrest and Platinum logo embroidered front seats are offered on Platinum models. Armada's highly functional front center console includes specialized storage areas for pens, tissues, CDs, HVAC vents, two cupholders and a 12-volt power outlet at the rear of the console. The overhead console features multiple storage bins, six overhead dome lights and rear HVAC controls. The 2nd row offers a fold flat 40/20/40 split bench seat while the elevated 3rd row 60/40-split folding bench seat (folds flat into floor) includes a standard power-folding feature on SL and Platinum. Every Armada also offers up to 14 cupholders and dual-zone automatic climate control.
Armada is available with an AM/FM/MP3/CD with 8 speakers (SV 4x2) and standard SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately). All other models feature a premium Bose(R) audio system with AM/FM/MP3/CD with 11 speakers plus subwoofer. The system is optionally available in the SV 4x2. The Platinum model takes it a step further with standard Nissan Navigation System with NavTraffic and NavWeather information (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately). Wood grain interior trim is also standard on SL and Platinum models, along with Nissan Intelligent Key(R), RearView Monitor and HomeLink(R) Universal Transceiver. All 2013 Armada models now offer standard Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System (previously offered on SL and Platinum only).
Helping keep rear passengers occupied on trips of any length is an available DVD Family Entertainment System (standard on Platinum, optional on SV and SL) with dual 7.0-inch head restraint-mounted DVD monitors, VTR jacks, two USB ports, two wireless headphones and a remote controller.
The 2013 Armada is offered in two interior colors, Almond and Charcoal, with the special two-tone Chocolate/Almond combination featured in the Platinum Reserve Package.
An Adventure-Ready Driveline
Along with its highly flexible interior, every Armada features the maximum versatility provided by its advanced drivetrain and available all-wheel drive. Standard on every 2013 Armada is Nissan's rugged F-Alpha fully boxed frame, 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension and a refined 5.6-liter DOHC V8 engine, producing 317 horsepower @ 5,200 rpm and 385 lb-ft of torque @ 3,400 rpm.
The engine includes an aluminum block with cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, microfinished crankshaft and camshafts, graphite-coated pistons, 6-bolt main bearing caps, single-stage timing chain and an electronic "drive-by-wire" throttle. Available Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology allows for the use of E85 Ethanol.
Also standard is a reinforced, electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul modes for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency. A unique gear set, variable lock-up torque converter and advanced A/T management are utilized for improved shifting and economy.
Armada is offered in two-wheel drive or with an available All-Mode 4-wheel drive system with Auto/2WD/4H/4LO modes, electronically controlled part-time transfer case and 3.35:1 4LO crawl gear ratio. Under normal driving conditions, the system operates in two-wheel drive mode, but it can distribute torque to all four wheels when road conditions warrant (up to 50 percent of torque can go to the front wheels on demand).
Responsive braking is provided by a 4-wheel disc brake system with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist. Also standard are 2-wheel or 4-wheel limited-slip (ABLS) and a Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system (which includes a deactivation switch). Steering is provided by an engine-speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering system.
Along with the responsive independent suspension, SL and Platinum models offer an automatic self-leveling rear air suspension, which helps provide a level ride when towing or carrying heavy cargo. Armada offers a 9,000-pound maximum towing capacity for SL and Platinum 4x4, 8,200 for 4x2 SV, SL and Platinum, and 6,500 for 4x4 SV models (when properly equipped).
Four wheel and tire combinations are offered, depending on model: Armada SV features 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 265/70R18 tires; 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 275/60R20 tires are offered on SL; Platinum models feature 20-inch chrome-clad aluminum-alloy wheels with 275/60R20 tires; and the new Platinum Reserve Package features 20-inch dark chrome-clad aluminum-alloy wheels with 275/60R20 tires.
A Focus on Safety and Security
Armada's safety features includes Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage front supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and front occupant classification sensor; roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags for side impact and rollover head protection for outboard positions in all three rows; front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags; and front seat Active Head Restraints.
Also standard are 3-point front seat belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters 3-point seat belts for all rear seat occupants, including center position; LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) child seat anchor system; child safety rear door locks; Zone Body construction with front and rear crumple zones; engine immobilizer; and Vehicle Security System. A Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) is also included, with a warning lamp in the gauge cluster or a warning display in the navigation system (Platinum).
A Choice of Well-Equipped Models
The 2013 Armada lineup includes three models - SV, SL and Platinum - each offered in 4WD and 2WD drive configurations. In addition to the long list of standard equipment offered on the Armada SV, the SL model includes a power liftgate, heated front seats, Nissan Intelligent Key(R), leather-appointed seating, RearView Monitor, a premium Bose(R) audio system with 11 speakers, power folding 3rd row 60/40-split seat, auto-leveling rear air suspension, 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and more.
The Platinum model adds heated 2nd row seats, heated steering wheel, moonroof, DVD Family Entertainment System and Nissan Navigation system with NavTrafficÒ system with Real-Time Traffic Information (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately). It also includes chrome-clad 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, Front Sonar System, power folding outside mirrors and more.
Six option packages are offered, starting with the new Platinum Reserve Package. Also available are the Driver Package (SV 4x2 only), which features fog lights, RearView Monitor, a premium Bose(R) audio system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), a power liftgate and an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink(R); the SV Tow Package (SV 4x2 only), which adds a receiver hitch and a 7-pin wiring harness plug; and the 2nd Row Captain's Seat Package (Platinum only), which replaces the 2nd row bench seat with 2nd row Captain's Chairs and 2nd row center console with padded armrest. The Moonroof Package (SL) adds power tilt and glide moonroof, while the DVD Family Entertainment System Package (SL, optional on SV and SL) offers dual 7-inch head restraint-mounted DVD display monitors, a video port in the center console, DVD changer, USB ports (two), remote controller and two wireless headphones.
The 2013 Armada is assembled by Nissan North America manufacturing in Canton, Mississippi.