The BIGGEST Car I have Driven !!!

TOR · 18th May 2008, 21:22

Hi All,

Have been spending holidays in the middle east and got an opportunity to exchange my Nissan Altima for my friends NISSAN ARMADA--here is my experience..

P1000639.JPG (272.3 KB)

from a distance itself the enormity of the car strikes you..here are some numbers

5.2 meters long
2.02 meters wide
2.5 tons kerb weight
4 tons hauling capacity
8 seats all electric powered
20" rims running 275 section tyres
275 cm ground clearance..

..how does it compare with other cars/humans...some more pics...
P1000640.JPG (185.3 KB)
DSC04054.JPG (136.1 KB)
..yes next to a vitara 3 door..and here is in relation to the toyota corolla(the new one already launched in the middle east)..
DSC04069.JPG (106.1 KB)
Now the drive...but before that few more numbers about the drive train/mechanicals..

5.6 Liter petrol V8 engine!!
317 BHP
522 Nm of torque
4 wheel drive
0-100kms in 6.8 seconds!!
205 kmph top speed
5 speed automatic gearbox

...this is fast...and the road presence is overwhelming..even Pajeros move over, judging the corners is difficult, but it has rear and side proximity sensors with a 7 inch dash monitor working as a reverse cam.Parking is the best--its an occasion!! The gearbox is really smooth and it never hunts for the gears, the ride however(even with the rear independent suspension) is a bit harsh.The seating position is excellent and i could look into the Landcruiser Prado at a traffic light!!(always wanted to do that

)

Interiors/features...this is what really stunned me..the amount of 'stuff' is mind boggling!!
P1000631.JPG (193.6 KB)

here is a small list..

11 speaker Bose Mp3/DVD sound system with one subwoofer(20GB hard drive) and it plays two sources at the same time..Mp3 for the front and DVD video for the back...
issan_armada_60.JPG (4.8 KB)

Two aircon units...dual zone climate control in each(4 zones)
GPS with satellite radio(live traffic updates!!)on board diagnostics - tyre pressure/all engine sensors/compass etc...
Cruise control/bluetooth handsfree/VDC
electric seats(all 8 seats!!)--with memory/steering adjust/mirrors
full leather/heated seats/steering
6 cabin light
motorized rear hatch
automatic headlight/wipers

safety?

curtain airbags/front airbags with dual stage release/side airbags
ABS/EBD/VDC etc

The Nissan Armada is one of the largest passenger(LMV) cars in production, there are few that are larger!!..like the chevy suburban/cadi escalade/GMC yukon..and to drive the point home here is the Armada near an ESCALADE..(sorry for the shake)..

DSC04066.JPG (85.2 KB)

There are a few more numbers..
fuel economy - 5kmpl
price -19 lakhs!!!

If only this was available here!!

Mods: if there is a similar thread please join this(i couldn't find one)..thanks

sujaylahiri · 19th May 2008, 00:01

Wow that's a nice truck with the 5.6L V8. I also like the torque output on it. Needless to say, it'll be pretty good at towing.

I just realized that it is based on the same platform as the Nissan Titan pickup in North America, which is a very capable truck in itself.

TOR · 19th May 2008, 09:21

thats true sujay it is based on the Titan but the rear suspension and the interiors are totally revamped.This is the largest vehicle that Nissan sells and its also sold as the Q56 Infinity...with still more kit..

abhinav.gupta88 · 19th May 2008, 10:40

man everything on the car is big. Big on safety, big on comfort, big on power, but big on fuel comsumption(actually quite big)

Looks X Trail-ish to me!

HappyWheels · 19th May 2008, 11:39

This is a big one!

So how was the adaptation when you moved suddently from driving an Altima to a Armada?

dins · 19th May 2008, 11:49

The biggest what I have drove MONSTER TRUCK is in my pic on the right,that was in new zealand-on the outskirts of queenstown
u feel like u rule the world when u drive this

rev_hard · 19th May 2008, 11:51

The GC is 275mm i think and not 275cm. It is huge indeed but the Escalade standing next to it is King-Kong huge!!

dhirajs · 19th May 2008, 12:21

The Biggest car ive EVER driven in B'bay for two days

TOR · 19th May 2008, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by HappyWheels

This is a big one!

So how was the adaptation when you moved suddently from driving an Altima to a Armada?

well the Nissan Altima is as big as the Honda Accord here so its not exactly a small car..but the transition to the Armada is a revelation.
This thing is longer than the Ford endeavor by 20 cm and wider and taller, the main problem is judging where the tyres are..the body work is not a problem as it has side facing sonars..which beeps to glory on city streets.The funny thing is that the car climbs the pavements rather than come to a stop and that make one look stupid.One moment on the road and then another and car and all is on the pavement..the 20" wheels play a role i think..reversing is not a problem because of the camera and distance markers..

Quote:

Originally Posted by dins

The biggest what I have drove MONSTER TRUCK is in my pic on the right,that was in new zealand-on the outskirts of queenstown
u feel like u rule the world when u drive this

that must have been a blast please post some pics..

Quote:

Originally Posted by rev_hard

The GC is 275mm i think and not 275cm. It is huge indeed but the Escalade standing next to it is King-Kong huge!!

thanks mate that a typo...yes the escalade is huge but am not sure of the measurements, still i feel the GMC Yukon is the biggest.The Arabs have something called 'Size envy' where their car should be bigger than the neighbors!!, and if they have the same car then they compete on the rim sizes!!..22" wheels anyone...thats norm in the middle east.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhirajs

The Biggest car ive EVER driven in B'bay for two days

That the best man, you must have had a bigger blast as you have driven that behemoth in India!!

highwayblaze · 19th May 2008, 19:34

The biggest car/suv/passenger vehicle I've driven is the Ford Excursion with the International V-8 powerstroke engine. The biggest vehicle i've driven would be a Semi tractor trailer.

iraghava · 19th May 2008, 20:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhirajs

The Biggest car ive EVER driven in B'bay for two days

Bloody show off!!

Nitin · 19th May 2008, 20:10

Nice! I like the Armada.Its huge,its comfortable,and its Japanese!

dhirajs · 19th May 2008, 21:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by iraghava

Bloody show off!!

hehehehe,dude i read the title & the first thing that came to my mind was the rolls. Motae.... Contessa bhi chalai hai,lol!

Elito11 · 19th May 2008, 21:54

Contessa!

P.S. - That Armada reminds me of Sumo Grande!

Elito

TOR · 21st May 2008, 16:38

here is another behemoth, the GMC Yukon. Slightly bigger than the Armada!

yukon.JPG (62.0 KB)

18th May 2008, 21:22	#1
TOR BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 263 Thanked: 21 Times	The BIGGEST Car I have Driven !!! Hi All, Have been spending holidays in the middle east and got an opportunity to exchange my Nissan Altima for my friends NISSAN ARMADA--here is my experience.. P1000639.JPG (272.3 KB) *from a distance* itself the enormity of the car strikes you..here are some numbers 5.2 meters long 2.02 meters wide 2.5 tons kerb weight 4 tons hauling capacity 8 seats all electric powered 20" rims running 275 section tyres 275 cm ground clearance.. ..how does it compare with other cars/humans...some more pics... P1000640.JPG (185.3 KB) DSC04054.JPG (136.1 KB) ..yes next to a vitara 3 door..and here is in relation to the toyota corolla(the new one already launched in the middle east).. DSC04069.JPG (106.1 KB) Now the drive...but before that few more numbers about the drive train/mechanicals.. 5.6 Liter petrol V8 engine!! 317 BHP 522 Nm of torque 4 wheel drive 0-100kms in 6.8 seconds!! 205 kmph top speed 5 speed automatic gearbox ...this is fast...and the road presence is overwhelming..even Pajeros move over, judging the corners is difficult, but it has rear and side proximity sensors with a 7 inch dash monitor working as a reverse cam.Parking is the best--its an occasion!! The gearbox is really smooth and it never hunts for the gears, the ride however(even with the rear independent suspension) is a bit harsh.The seating position is excellent and i could look into the Landcruiser Prado at a traffic light!!(always wanted to do that ) Interiors/features...this is what really stunned me..the amount of 'stuff' is mind boggling!! P1000631.JPG (193.6 KB) here is a small list.. 11 speaker Bose Mp3/DVD sound system with one subwoofer(20GB hard drive) and it plays two sources at the same time..Mp3 for the front and DVD video for the back... issan_armada_60.JPG (4.8 KB) Two aircon units...dual zone climate control in each(4 zones) GPS with satellite radio(live traffic updates!!)on board diagnostics - tyre pressure/all engine sensors/compass etc... Cruise control/bluetooth handsfree/VDC electric seats(all 8 seats!!)--with memory/steering adjust/mirrors full leather/heated seats/steering 6 cabin light motorized rear hatch automatic headlight/wipers safety? curtain airbags/front airbags with dual stage release/side airbags ABS/EBD/VDC etc The Nissan Armada is one of the largest passenger(LMV) cars in production, there are few that are larger!!..like the chevy suburban/cadi escalade/GMC yukon..and to drive the point home here is the Armada near an ESCALADE..(sorry for the shake).. DSC04066.JPG (85.2 KB) There are a few more numbers.. fuel economy - 5kmpl price -19 lakhs!!! If only this was available here!! Mods: if there is a similar thread please join this(i couldn't find one)..thanks Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

19th May 2008, 00:01	#2
sujaylahiri BHPian Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North America Posts: 960 Thanked: 6 Times View My Garage	Wow that's a nice truck with the 5.6L V8. I also like the torque output on it. Needless to say, it'll be pretty good at towing. I just realized that it is based on the same platform as the Nissan Titan pickup in North America, which is a very capable truck in itself.
	() Thanks

19th May 2008, 09:21	#3
TOR BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 263 Thanked: 21 Times	thats true sujay it is based on the Titan but the rear suspension and the interiors are totally revamped.This is the largest vehicle that Nissan sells and its also sold as the Q56 Infinity...with still more kit..
	() Thanks

19th May 2008, 10:40	#4
abhinav.gupta88 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Delhi , India Posts: 4,092 Thanked: 325 Times View My Garage	man everything on the car is big. Big on safety, big on comfort, big on power, but big on fuel comsumption(actually quite big) Looks X Trail-ish to me!
	() Thanks

19th May 2008, 11:39	#5
HappyWheels Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,106 Thanked: 537 Times	This is a big one! So how was the adaptation when you moved suddently from driving an Altima to a Armada?
	() Thanks

19th May 2008, 11:49	#6
dins BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 80 Thanked: 0 Times	helloo The biggest what I have drove MONSTER TRUCK is in my pic on the right,that was in new zealand-on the outskirts of queenstown u feel like u rule the world when u drive this
	() Thanks

19th May 2008, 11:51	#7
rev_hard BHPian Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 361 Thanked: Once	The GC is 275mm i think and not 275cm. It is huge indeed but the Escalade standing next to it is King-Kong huge!!
	() Thanks

19th May 2008, 12:21	#8
dhirajs BHPian Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 144 Thanked: 12 Times	Bigger ;-) The Biggest car ive EVER driven in B'bay for two days Attached Thumbnails Last edited by dhirajs : 19th May 2008 at 12:23.
	() Thanks

19th May 2008, 19:34	#10
highwayblaze BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Chicago/Mumbai/Pune Posts: 771 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	The biggest car/suv/passenger vehicle I've driven is the Ford Excursion with the International V-8 powerstroke engine. The biggest vehicle i've driven would be a Semi tractor trailer.
	() Thanks

19th May 2008, 20:10	#12
Nitin Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Houston, Texas Posts: 3,294 Thanked: 20 Times View My Garage	Nice! I like the Armada.Its huge,its comfortable,and its Japanese!
	() Thanks

19th May 2008, 21:54	#14
Elito11 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Delhi Posts: 509 Thanked: 108 Times	Contessa! P.S. - That Armada reminds me of Sumo Grande! Elito
	() Thanks

21st May 2008, 16:38	#15
TOR BHPian Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Trivandrum Posts: 263 Thanked: 21 Times	here is another behemoth, the GMC Yukon. Slightly bigger than the Armada! yukon.JPG (62.0 KB) Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks