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jalalski Profile
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Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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posticon TEST DRIVE REPORT- T31 Diesel Automatic


Hi Guys,

Nissan Robinson at Rockdale have extended their generous invitation to me this morning to test drive the brand new T31 Diesel Automatic which they have just received today.

I didn't have a camera with me today, but there isn't much to take photos of, as the exterior is the same, but there are differences in the interior which I will cover-off later in this report.

The xtrail was the TS dCi 2.0LT Diesel-Automatic

Start-up:

The car was started from cold and you can tell straight away that it has a diesel engine from the usual noisy engine start-up. I guess it's no different in this regard than other diesel cars, but there was NO smoke coming from the exhaust pipe as you would normally get with diesel cars when started from cold. I will explain why later and this will be the biggest news to you guys!

Test Drive:

The auto T31 diesel warmed-up pretty fast and I accelerated in it from stand still and straight away got a pedal response and it pulled off with a force and power which I was really surprised by.

No CVT here, but the 6 speed automatic transmission lets you feel what the exy is upto and gives you that nice feeling of being able to press that pedal and get the response you would expect, except the pedal response with this T31 auto diesel is MUCH better than the petrol version and is immediate! Very nice feeling for sure.

The engine was a bit noisy when idling at the lights...actually it was very noisy indeed, but this noise disappears on cruising speed and the exy just cruises along smoothly as normal.

Interior Differences with the T31 Petrol version:

T31 Diesel owners would be glad to know that they have scored a steering wheel with audio and source controls, something that is not available on the T31 petrol version. Obviously this would give existing petrol T31 owners a chance for future modifications in this regard emoticon

The TS which is the equivalent to the ST-L in the T31 petrol has the same seating fabric, but didn't come with a leather steering wheel or handbrake handle. I guess you can't have it all (Nissan thought) and since you get the audio and source controls in the steering, leather has been dropped from the TS Diesel. I know I'd rather have the steering controls emoticon

Robinson Nissan Pricing

Nissan Rockdale will be selling the T31 diesels as follows:

TS - 6 speed Manual $36,990
TS - 6 speed Auto $38,990

TL - 6 speed Manual $39,990
TL - 6 speed Auto $41,990

All prices EXCLUDE dealer delivery and stat. charges (which will be around $2,500)

The Big News!!

To my complete surprise, as I was not expecting that at all and when I opened the bonnet to have a look at that diesel engine, I saw the engine code stamped on the engine block and it read M9R and I said straight away...."WHAT, an M9R engine in the X-TRAIL??!!??"

Do you what that means guys??

It means Australia has got the VERY FIRST batch of Nissan's BRAND NEW CLEAN DIESEL engine which they have only launched in June this year!!

Europe got the M1D diesel engine with their T31's over there and which I have reviwed in a separate thread in the forum.

This brand new diesel engine which has been jointly developed with Renault has received so many positive reviews that you will be blown away just reading what Nissan has managed to achieve with this engine and how it compares to the rest in terms of power output and fuel efficiency, but most importantly, the environmentally friendly aspect of it when it comes to emission.

No wonder the exy felt like a V6 when I took off today, it is because this engine is rated at exactly the same level as the six cylinder 3.5 petrol engine!!

The guys at Rockdale didn't have any technical specs on this little new beauty as yet and will get it in about a week, but if what I have read (and which I'll share with you now) about the M9R engine in the xtrail is correct, then the specs will be as follows:

This engine is rated at 130KW Power and 360Nm Torque at 1,750RPM (for the Manual)

X-CITED???

Well guys, you should be! emoticon

I have never driven an exy that was so powerful as this one and it made me feel like I was driving my very own high powered T30 right from the start emoticon Can you imagine what this little beauty would pump-out with all the extra power mods???? emoticon

Additional Information:

HERE is a video of Renault's M9R engine which you guys will have in your T31 diesel exy.

HERE is Nissan Japan official announcement about the development of the M9R engine.

HERE is the official Nissan Japan report explaining their findings about the new clean diesel engine.

HERE is an article dated in June this year about the launch of the M9R engine with the T31 diesel exy.

So here you guys guys! Australia can now proudly say that we got the Clean Diesel T31 X-Trail Down-under!! emoticon

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Last edited by jalalski, 25/Jul/2008, 8:38 pm


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25/Jul/2008, 7:49 pm Link to this post Send Private Message MSN Blog
 
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Date Registered: 07-2005
Location: central coast nsw
TOTAL POSTS: 1123
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Re: TEST DRIVE REPORT- T31 Diesel Automatic


a good read Jalal, i thought you be impressed by the torque of the diesel!

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25/Jul/2008, 8:13 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message
 
lightbulb Profile
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Date Registered: 06-2008
TOTAL POSTS: 12
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Re: TEST DRIVE REPORT- T31 Diesel Automatic


Great review Jalal & we should be honored to be one of the first countries to get the super clean M9R diesel engine. When you get the chance to drive a manual version Jalal I would like to know your views on how it compares to the auto & what you think is the better option. Personally, I have only ever driven manuals but your review of the auto diesel might change my mind. The power you noticed from the diesel should be an advantage when towing & I think the engine could be economical as well. Overall, great review & I look forward to more information becoming available on this great turbo diesel X-Trail.

Cheers ! emoticon
25/Jul/2008, 8:18 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message
 
Dadd Profile
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Date Registered: 06-2008
Location: New South Wales
TOTAL POSTS: 182
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Re: TEST DRIVE REPORT- T31 Diesel Automatic


I just want one - NOW emoticon
PS Also agree Jalal that loosing the leather bound steering wheel and handbrake is more than compensated for by steering wheel audio controls.

Last edited by Dadd, 25/Jul/2008, 8:47 pm


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Glenn X-889
2008 ST Manual
25/Jul/2008, 8:42 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message ICQ AIM
 
jalalski Profile
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Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: TEST DRIVE REPORT- T31 Diesel Automatic


Hang on Glenn, let me test drive the Manual when Rockdale Nissan gets it, as they have only received one diesel today and waiting for the rest to come in. I reckon the Manual will have even more power than the Auto and will blow me away to a degree that am gonna have to leave my T30 at Rockdale Nissan's yard and do a swap. hahahahaha emoticon

The T31 diesel will be a winner for sure when it comes to towing with all this extra torque!

Forgot to mention that the diesel exy will get a nice engine cover with the Nissan badge, which didn't come with the T31 petrol emoticon

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25/Jul/2008, 8:49 pm Link to this post Send Private Message MSN Blog
 
Dadd Profile
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Date Registered: 06-2008
Location: New South Wales
TOTAL POSTS: 182
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Re: TEST DRIVE REPORT- T31 Diesel Automatic


With regards to towing - when I spoke to the dealer at Blue Mountains Nissan he said the auto would have a reduced towing capacity compared to the CVT in the petrol models. I think he said about 1300kg limit, but I could be wrong with that figure. He said it was to do with the transmission cooling setup used with the six speed auto/diesel combination.
I don't do any towing and would buy the manual anyway but it ( towing capacity ) would affect some.
Glenn.

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Glenn X-889
2008 ST Manual
26/Jul/2008, 10:04 am Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message ICQ AIM
 
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Date Registered: 10-2006
Location: Mona Vale, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
TOTAL POSTS: 6355
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Re: TEST DRIVE REPORT- T31 Diesel Automatic


This would be something for you to ask your Nissan friends Jalal, or Taylor might be able to give us some details.
Maybe an additional tranny cooler might be the first upgrade for the auto diesel ?

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Kev X450(c) T30 Guru
03 Titanium Ti T30 Series 1 **MODIFIED**
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26/Jul/2008, 12:58 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message Blog
 
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Date Registered: 07-2008
Location: Perth, WA
TOTAL POSTS: 476
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Re: TEST DRIVE REPORT- T31 Diesel Automatic


Now you guys know why I signed up the next day for the manual. I was relatively surprised by the 'revability' of the diesel between 2 and 3,000 rpm particularly as diesels produce the optimum torque around 2,000.

For those who drive manual vehicles, in combination with the very good 6 speed gearbox, driving should be a pleasure.

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X-916, VW Golf 90TSi manual, limestone grey, no extras
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26/Jul/2008, 10:50 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message
 
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Date Registered: 03-2008
Location: Kirribilli, Sydney
TOTAL POSTS: 19
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Re: TEST DRIVE REPORT- T31 Diesel Automatic


Hi folks,

Just back from a 45 min test drive of an auto TL. We will most likely go with the petrol CVT Ti. I am seeing some good deals coming up on these now.

Basically, we both found the car hard work compared to the Ti. By this I mean the low-speed performance in an urban setting (Randwick). The auto seemed to be hunting for right ratio and the engine noise was off-putting.

Once up and running at 80 km/h it was ok. Was not amazed by the extra torque. We covered the same route as we did on our Ti test drive back in March, and on one up hill section, from a standing start, I couldn't feel much difference.

The TL has lost the rear-parking sensors, which I'd prefer over wheel-mounted audio controls.

This is the first diesel vehicle I have driven, so the above needs to be viewed with that in mind. The handling was good, ride seemed harsher but probably the tyre pressures.

The people at Randwick Nissan are good value and we'll probably buy from them, depending on the deal.

Cheers,

Ade

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16/Aug/2008, 1:07 pm Link to this post Send Email PM   Send Private Message
 
jalalski Profile
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Date Registered: 02-2004
Location: SUTHERLAND, SYDNEY
TOTAL POSTS: 29100
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Re: TEST DRIVE REPORT- T31 Diesel Automatic


Hi Ade,

Am surprised you didn't notice the extra torque of the diesel, it was VERY noticeable when I test drove it compared to both the manual and CVT T31 and also compared to my own T30.

The take-off from stand still was a good example of that.

The only thing the diesel lost were the parking sensors which can be added as an aftermarket option easily, but the steering control on the other hand are harder to add as a factory option on the petrol T31 (we're exploring that now)

The T31 diesel also has security alarm system, which the petrol variant doesn't have.

I agree with you about the engine being noisy but as we both test driven the diesel for the first time (actually it's my second diesel test driver after the Dodge Nitro), we may find it a bit off-putting for this reason. For someone used to driving diesel it may sound quite normal and acceptable.

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