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C1 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, April 26,2000 In a league of its own By Malcolm Gunn SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER o, you think all SUV's are basically the same? Nissan's '01 Pathfinder will help remove that notion -- in a big hurry. The world is awash in fourdoor sport utility vehicles that can haul your family and all their assorted assets where mere ordinary cars and trucks fear to tread. And the list keeps expanding with models that fill every conceivable socio-economic niche. Nissan has been no shrinking SUV violet on this front, adding the youthful, yet feature-laden Xterra to its lineup. Now the com pany has refocused its attention to the popular Pathfinder, bringing out a 2001 model well ahead of the traditional fall new-car launch window. So why all the fuss about delivering this m id-year update to Nissan's stable of vehicles? In a word, power. Gobs o f hard-charging, earth-m oving, m ega-force horsepower have been added to the 2001 Pathfinder. In place of the double-zero's 3.3litre, 12-valve SOHC V6 unit, there's an all-new 3.5-litre 24valve DOHC V6 perched under the hood. The result is a significant 47-per-cent bulge in horse power, which jum ps to 250 from 170 with the five-speed manual, or 240 with the fourspeed autom atic. Similarly, torque has increased to 240 ft.-lbs from 200. According to Nissan, the '01 Pathfinder will spring to 100 km-h from a dead stop in S 8.8 seconds, 2.1 fewer than last year. Amazing still, this punchi er Pathfinder delivers identi cal fuel consumption ratings as the previous version. Talk about having your cake and devouring it, too. Among the engine's fea tures are variable valve tim ing, a variable intake system that increases air flow at high er RPM , lightw eight alu minum pistons and numerous internal revisions. The 3.5's alum inum engine block shaves 16 kilograms off the heft delivered by the old castiron block. There is simply nothing else in the Pathfinder's class that ventures close. In fact, there are several larger and pricier SUVs offering less pow er than N issan's latest sport brute. Last year's revisions to the Pathfinder's bodywork carry over unchanged for 2001. Inside, however, th ere's a restyled instrument panel and floor console, along with a 2001 Pathfinder * Four-door sport utility vehicle available in XE, SE and LE versions. * 3.5-litre DOHC V6, producing 250 horsepower (240 with automatic trans mission). * Five-speed manual, or optional fourspeed automatic (except LE). * Shift-on-the-fly two-speed transfer case, or automatic all-wheel drive (opt. on SE, standard on LE). * A huge gain in horsepower compared to the 2000 model. * Attractive front-end styling makes the Pathfinder pleasing to the eye. * All models come well with plenty of standard features. * More power without paying a penalty in fuel consumption. * Base price: $34,700 standard six-speaker AM/FM/cassette/CD player. As before, the Pathfinder comes with a two-speed trans fer case and shift-on-the-fly capability. However, optional on the SE (standard on the LE) is N issan's no-brainer autom atic all-w heel drive setup that, when engaged, dis tributes pow er to all four wheels as required. There are no changes in Pathfinder model designations for 2001. The base XE is not a bargain-basem ent sport ute, arriving with air conditioning, power windows, heated out side mirrors and locks, tilt steering, cruise control and 16-inch alloy wheels. The SE adds a distinctive `egg-crate' grille, along with tubular-shaped step rails, fender flares and upgraded seat coverings. The LE adds true luxury in the form of automatic climate control, Bose audio system with in-dash six-disc CD changer and steering-wheel controls, titanium-tinted run ning boards and chrome alloy wheels. The LE also includes the automatic transmission as part o f the package. Depending on the model, the Pathfinder can be optioned with items such as a power sunroof and leather seats that are heated in front. Selecting the latter also gets you sideimpact airbags. With the 2001 Pathfinder, Nissan has not only created a force with which to be reck oned, but a new standard in SUV performance and refine ment that is sure to leave prac tically everyone else gasping and wheezing in the dusty wake. PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE PUBLIC NOTICE Ya say your old car's so flimsy they have to set the car wash on delicate before you go through? Well, cheer up. Nissan Enjoy the Savings Event continues and now includes our iew 2001 models! ALL NEW PUBLIC 2001 SENTRA 2 5 o -h p 2 0 0 1 PATHFINDER! 2 0 0 0 ALTIMA GXE 2000 MAXIMA GXE c S rl NOTICE Sentra SE model shown Pathfinder LE 1 model shown PUBLIC · 126-HP 1.8-litre engine · Air conditioning · 4-speaker AM/FM with audio system · Colour-keyed body side mouldings and door handles · 8-way adjustable driver's seat · Centre console armrest · Vanity mirrors, and more... Sentra XE starts at $15,298 Sentra XE with Value Option Package only OR Power changes everything · 250-hp 3 .5-irtre dohc engine · 4 speed automatic transmission with overdrive · 265 ft-ib torque @ 3,200 RPM · All mode 4-wheel drive (automatic 4-wheel drive selector dial) · Fuel tank skid plate · 16" alloy wheels · Air conditioning · Bose® acoustically tuned audio system · Upgrade 6 disc irvdash CD autochanger · Power sliding glass sunroof · And much more... 1 155-HP 2.4-litre engine · 100-watt AM/FM/CD audio system · 4-speed automatic transmission · Air conditioning · Remote keyless entry system with panic alarm · Dual airbags · Power windows, mirrors, door locks, trunk release, and more... · 222-HP 3.0-litre V6 engine · Automatic transmission · 6 -speaker 120-watt AM/FM/CD with cassette audio system · Automatic dimate-control air conditioning · Anti-theft system · Heated power driver's seat · Remote entry system, and more... Lease for only for only 48 months only $1,500 down *198/mo. '16,398 Pathfinder XE starts at $34,700 Pathfinder SE automatic only Lease for only O R *40,200 for only 48 months only $4,000 down $ 488/mo. 2.8* OR financing get LOW LEASE RATES special cash O R purchase price *21,498 financing 2.8* get new low lease rate of OR *368/m o. for 48 months with $4,500 Altlma: "Best Entry Midsize Car In In itia l Quality In the U.S., 3 out o f the last 4 years"' - J.D. Power and Associates "2000 Maxima GXE: Car o f the Year Award Winner for Best New Family Car" (more than $25.000)_______________________ " 2 00 0 Maxima S£; Car o f the Year Award Winner fo r Best New Sports SedakOt o m o b i l e J o u r n a l i s t s A s s o c i a t i o n o f C a n a d a NOTICE Month End Clearance! Target Must Be Met! f Come in now for the best deals! Catch the savings before they're all gone at www.smile-event.com DRIVEN. PUBLIC Smart people always read the fine print. And they always wear their seat belts. Limited-time offer on 2001 Sentra XE with value option package (C4LG51 BK00); 2001 Pathfinder SE Automatic (5CSG71AE00); 2000 Maxima GXE (U4RG70-CK00 CK10) 48-month lease: 6.8%/7.8%/7.8% AIR, down payment or equivalent trade of $l,500/$4,000,4,500 Leases based on maxi mum of 80,000 km/96,000 km/96,000 km with excess km charged at $0.10/$0.10/$0.08/km. All offers are O.A.C.. and exclude destination and delivery (Sentra $857/Pathfinder $972/Altima $915, Maxima $966), license, insurance and taxes. |2.8% financing available on Altimas. based on $23,798 MSRR Maximas for terms up to 36 months. 'Financing examples: $30,000 at 2.8% per annum equals $869.79 per month for 36 months. COB is $1,312.44 for an obligation total of $31312.44. $30,000 at 8.6% per annum equals $948.42 per month for 36 months. COB is $4,143.12 for an obligation total of 34,143.12. ··Financing examples: $20,000 at 2.8% per annum equals $579.86 per month for 36 months. COB is $874.96 for an obligation total of $20,874.96. $20,000 at 8.6% equals $632.28 per month for 36 months. COB is $2,762.08 for an obligation total of $22,762.08. See your Nissan Dealership for details. tThe Nissan Altima was the highest-ranked entry mid-sized car in J.D. Power and Associates 1996-97 and 1999 U.S. Initial Quality Studies 2 ." 1999 study based on a total of 41,004 consumer responses indicating owner reported problems during the first 90 days of ownership. Driven and the Nissan logo are Nissan trademarks. Pathfinder 4-Speed automatic comes equipped with 240 H R OAKVILLE NISSAN UBLIC NOTICE LTD. 1450 Speers Road, Oakville 827-1177 PUBLIC NOTICE ESHSESm I LA KESH O R E RD. PUBLIC NOTICE