Expect the 2011 Nissan Titan to not only share platform hardware with the Dodge, but also engine options and transmissions. Yes, if Chrysler President Jim Press is correct, there is a possibility that your Nissan will have a Hemi. There’s no official word yet on whether the upcoming Ram’s two-mode hybrid system will make it into the Nissan but we see no reason why it wouldn’t. On the exterior, as you can see, will be an extension and modernization of the Titan front fascia although we're told since the new truck is still in clay form, it's got all sorts of opportunities for changes. As for the interior, the 2011 Nissan Titan will receive a unique instrument panel and inner door skins although the rest of the interior could be pulled from the ‘09 Ram, namely seats and other items not directly noticeable to the occupants. Pricing and release dates are unknown at this time, but look for the 2011 Nissan Titan to make its debut sometime in late ‘09 and go on sale in early to mid ‘10 as a 2011 model.

Nissan Full-Size Truck

We know that that this upcoming truck will be a replacement for the Nissan Titan that is based on the 2009 Dodge Ram. No decisions have been made regarding the powertrain options, though Nissan VP of Corporate Communications Frederique Le Greves made it clear that Dodge-sourced engines weren't off the table. The hybrid drive system jointly developed by GM/Chrysler/Daimler/BMW is also still on the table, though no decisions have been made on the use of that engine.

The reasons for the change? The company looked at a market for full-sized trucks that dropped from 2.5 million units in 2004 to 2.1 million units this last year. Since it is a rather large market they want to compete but by partnering with Chrysler they save themselves development costs.

There's also no word on whether they're going to keep the truck's current name of Titan, or try something else. However, Le Greves did say that the truck is being called the "next generation Titan" internally.

Chrysler Small Car

There are maddeningly few details regarding Chrysler's new small car other than it'll be built in the Nissan Oppama Plant, which builds most of Nissan's small cars (March, Cube, Cube Cubic, Tilda, Tilda Latio, Note and Bluebird Slyphy). Which platform will they use? On one hand, Nissan is bringing the Cube to the United States and it could make sense to base it on a platform that's going to be utilized here. On the other hand, Dodge is already planning on using a version of the Versa/Tilda platform in South America for sale there next year. In a conference call with Chrysler's Tom LaSorda, he indicated that the car was already designed, which makes us wonder if Chrysler knows what platform it is going to use. At this point there are too many uncertainties to say for sure.

[Thanks to Mike Levine from PickupTruck.com for setting it up.]

Whether or not Toyota's new Tundra turns the pickup market into its, uh, personal assistant, one thing's for sure: Nissan's screwed. Well, not screwed, per se, but most definitely in a bad spot. With sales falling off and questionable customer loyalty, the company's truck program will likely shrink even further into the backfield, barring a radical overhaul. But it won't be this year. As The Car Connection reports, Nissan's new Titan, set for unveiling at the Chicago show next month, is getting a facelift. No details yet, though unless said facelift is accompanied by more power, better mileage, better towing capacity and a larger bed, it'll be like spitting into a headwind. Or an aging cyclops going in for an eye job. Something like that. – Mike Spinelli

Titan Facelift Coming to Chicago Show [The Car Connection]

Related:
Chicago Premiere: Nissan's Titan Onyx Concept [internal]

Nissan showed what it can do when it gets all hopped up on goofballs and drives out to the Tokyo suburbs on cruise night. The company unveiled its Onyx concept, which is a tricked-out version of its Titan pickup, donning a front body kit stolen from a Japanese Transformer van, 20" chrome wheels and other blinghys. Nolo contendre (that's Latin for "ugh").

Related:
Hello Van!: Radical Customs Big in Japan; I Wanna Climb Up Every Mountain on the Moon: Nissan s Terranaut Concept to Bow at Geneva [internal]