(autoinsidenews) - Nissan today unveiled the automaker's first entry into the small crossover SUV market, the 2008 Rogue, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Rogue will take on vehicles like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, which saw healthy sales in 2006, driven by high fuel prices.
With Rogue, we've targeted drivers in their early 30s, whose responsibilities and functional needs have changed but who don't want to leave behind the person they've always been вЂ" someone who enjoys driving, who values style and design, and who wants to retain his or her individuality, said Bill Bosley, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, reports Trend.
The 2008 Nissan Rogue is built on Nissan's C platform, which also underpins the all-new 2007 Sentra, and is powered by 2.5L 4-cylinder rated at 170-hp and 175 lb-ft of torque mated to a standard Xtronic CVT. The CVT is available with paddle shifters for sporties performance. The Rogue is also available with an all-new all-wheel drive system with yaw rate control. The Rogue comes standard with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) with Traction Control System (TCS), a responsive Electric Power-assisted Steering (EPS) system and 4-wheel disc brakes that feature an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA).
Inside, to help appeal to the target market, the Rogue offers available leather-appointed seating, front heated seats and mirrors and steering wheel-mounted Bluetooth Hands-Free Phone System and audio controls. Front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain supplemental air bags (for front and rear outboard occupant head protection) with rollover detection are also standard.
The 2008 Nissan Rogue is expected to be priced starting around $20,000 when it goes on sale in fall 2007.