Test drove the new 70 series

I was wondering how long it would take for you to reply. You obviously havent read my posts about Nissan getting the 4.5L Common Rail diesel, but in V6 configuration. I am not brand biased, I will point out the goods and the bads. Toyota really need the Tundra out here (just as Nissan need the Titan) it's a damn nice looking truck with more power and torque than the 70 series. Toyotas certainly are not the rich mans 4X4 if thats what you were trying to point out, thats why I ordered one for our business - I couldnt argue with the purchase price, it was cheaper than all 4 of it's direct competitors. Last of all, you can't say it's understressed compared to other engines, when you know nothing about it, apart from its cubic cylinder displacement. Eg a 3L diesel with a thick CGI engine block, titanium crank shaft, con rods etc, would be tougher than a 6L V8 diesel with standard iron block, and aluminium crank shaft. extreme example but you get the point. I am sure the 70 series is reliable, I am sure it's capable off-road but be realistic about its good points and bad points. It's underpowered for a 2007 Common Rail V8 diesel! It should be priced around $40,000 in my opinion.

If that's the case well good on them but I still say why play second fiddle? I have also read that the Patrols will get a revised ZD30 4 cylinder across the range so I guess only time will tell who's correct.

I still maintain that they (Nissan) have a bizarre mentality and seem to aim for the 'also ran' titles rather than going for the gold medal. If you're starting again with a clean sheet of paper why would you do this? Because they are aiming for silver which means a corporate mission statement of striving for being the No.1 loser ie: silver medalist. It's true. Aim below the mark.

Anyway, absolutely nothing in the world will convince me otherwise as I am one eyed about this kind of stuff. It's like the Ford XR6, it's just not like having a Boss V8 is it? Who cares what it does on paper, it's the charisma and presence of a good V8 that brings a smile to young and old alike. A 3 tonne 4x4 with a rice boy euro donk doesn't impress your average Aussie. As I said, the crowd pleaser will be the Cruiser by a landslide and it will further enhance its well established place in Aussie folk lore. Do you know that blackfella's call a 4x4 a 'Toyota' in WA. It's a fact, the name has become synonimous with any outback vehicle and that's saying something.

Head vs heart, nerd vs cool, fart vs art. Say it once and I'll say it again, the 'suits' in Nissan's market research have no idea what they're doing and that's a legacy going back to calling their feeble push into the Australian passenger car market with a car called 'Cedric'.

Same old, same old.

You guys didnt send me an invite as I normally get on threads like this. I recon your both right - kind of. The toyo will be reliable thats for sure, and that is the number 1 thing when you own your car. Also economy is important, for example if you have a 10L v12 quad turbo diesel pumping out 100kw, thats fine with me if its never going to break down and uses 7L per 100km. On the other end of the pie chart we have high strung engines that are great when they run and even then arent great economy. Whats the point other than a technical excercise. So we need balance, a reliable engine, good econonmy. I think nissan may find they are the 'ford' of the 4x4's in the early 80's when they advertised in the readers digest (i read it recently at the holiday house - dont you love 20+ year old mags lying around at the holiday house) that the 6cylinder was great on the freeway and better than a v8. Well where are ford now, back making thumping v8's. I think if the aussie market is worth it to nissan they will have to make a low powered large diesel for the people who think that is what they need to be reliable. BTW I dont have a personal agenda as to what I need to achieve what i want. I want fast, powerful, economy, cheap to maintain. If someone gives me that in a 1 cylinder 200cc fine with me, just prove it first, if its an electric 4x4, fine just let me drive it first. I wont force a car company to make a v8 just to sadisfy my need for reliability. The problem is nissan have not proved themselves. the 4 cylinder has blown up a lot and so the proof is in the pudding. If nissan had lots of luck with the 3L then these discussions would not be happening, instead we would all give toyo crap for making crap. So there you go, my point is clear as mud.

The 100 series replacement will be called the 200 series - and yes, twin turbos it will have.

I too do feel that the engine is underpowered for what it is, not that Im knocking it, but I think this is toyotas strategy - they have this awesome turbo intercooled V8 diesel, and as the years go by they will tweak it according to the needs necessitated by the competition out there.

Say for example Nissan brings out this 4.5 V6 common rail diesel as mentioned before with 550 nM of torque, you can bet your bottom dollar toyota's V8 diesel will come out soon after with 600nm!

Toyota has always brought out good technology under powered engines and kept them for a long time, tweaking and developing them until the need arises for a total replacement as it has now.

By they way, I reckon it is crap that the 70 series Wagon only comes with one 90 litre fuel tank as opposed to the twin 90 litres tanks on the cab Chassis?

Im not sure if its optional, but Im guessing it would have something to do with the filler location. Not as if they couldnt have two filler point in one.

anyway, will keep ya updated with any other sort of info that may come my way or anything that I may experience in relation to these nice trucks/wagons.

as far as I know it is the first time this engine has been used, it is totaly brand new design. Im thinking that Toyota has brought this out (that is the 70 series) almost a year before the 200 series to iron out any potential bugs so that the 200 may be bug free. Thats just my take on it.