Car Brief: Nissan Titan Onyx Concept

Somebody’s feeling defensive. At the time of this writing, Toyota hasn’t yet unveiled its totally redesigned Tundra, but word is that it’s coming tomorrow, the second day of the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. Thoughts of a Toyota truck that’s bigger and more powerful have competitors a little on edge, soon to be longing for the days when the Tundra was a little too small and a little too wimpy. Over at the Nissan booth, the nervous anticipation was only thinly veiled. Under show lights was the Nissan Titan Onyx concept truck, with shiny 20-inch chrome alloy wheels, chrome running boards, a tweaked grille, and a modified front fascia. Other Onyx exclusives include special floor mats, piano black interior trim, and aluminum pedals. Hardly a concept in car show terms, but that’s what Nissan’s calling it. However, what was more interesting was the talk related to Titan in general, much of which consisted of gentle “reminders” about Nissan being the first import manufacturer to market with a true full-size truck (translation: if tomorrow’s Tundra is cool, just remember the Titan…did it first), the standard 305-horsepower V8 engine, and a 2005 sales increase of four percent. That’s all great news, as is the report of a diesel engine and more special edition models to be added to the Titan lineup. Yet, even so, Nissan execs sounded like they were responding with “Yeah, but the Titan…” to what is expected to be a formidable new competitor.

Photo by Ron Perry