We all love the marriage of a potent powertrain with an unusual body type
This ticks both boxes with its turbocharged and variable valve lift SR20 powertrain
The Nissan X-Trail GT is an unusual product.
A unique feature is its engine: the mighty ‘SR20VET’. This motor – as found in the Nissan Silvia, 200SX, and Pulsar GTi-R – is the stuff of legend.
What separates the X-Trail GT’s ‘VET’ engine is its cylinder head equipped with variable valve timing and lift – essentially Nissan VTEC. It’s turbocharged too, producing a meaty 206 kilowatts/308 Newton-meters through a lockable 4×4 driveline.
Amazingly, this seriously potent powertrain was only ever fitted to the X-Trail GT. As Nissan’s first-ever contemporary ‘SUV’, the product itself was developed and produced with great care and consideration.
It is chock-full of interesting and fun designs inside and out. Internally, its carpeting is a washable and durable material that’s overthrown by plush carpet mats. The cargo area – including the back sections of the rear seats – is clad in durable, tough plastic and sports numerous tie-downs, making it easy to carry unusual side loads or potentially go camping.
Externally, this example is fitted with an optional area kit that adds some fun to its exterior design. When you consider the weight and importance of the X-Trail in Nissan’s line-up back in 2001, producing a flagship model becomes something worth doing to draw interest to what’s fresh and new.
And in typical Nissan fashion, they made it fast and brash.
The car pictured – 2005 Nissan X-Trail GT 4×4
This Nissan X-Trail is a GT model that was built in February 2005. We acquired it as a grade 4.0B vehicle from an auction in the Tokyo region of Japan.
It was factory fitted with a 2.0-litre ‘SR20VET’ four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, a four-speed automatic and lockable 4×4. This example was also factory optioned with a ‘Touring’ aero kit, which includes front bumper extensions, side chrome extensions and a rear aero bumper with Nissan sports exhaust.
As an ‘X-Trail GT’ model, it features keyless entry and start, sports interior trim, automatic HID headlights, digital climate control, vehicle dynamics control with advanced traction control, dual airbags, child seat anchorages and multiple cupholders & storage areas.
This example features a full Nissan service history and was also serviced upon arriving in Japan. Its paintwork is in excellent condition and has never been repainted or repaired before. It comes with its logbook service history, original owner’s manual, two keys, a Japanese export certificate with an odometer guarantee, Australian compliance, and NSW registration.
In the past three years, we have only seen one ‘decent’ example go through the car auctions – and this is it!
Quick facts
- ** This vehicle is pending sale **
- 2005 Nissan X-Trail GT
- 206 kilowatt / 309 Nm torque
- ‘Sr20VET’ 2.0-litre turbo four cylinder
- 4×4 / four-speed automatic
- Original, unmodified, never repaired or repainted
- Factory option aero kit & Nissan sports exhaust
- Keyless entry and start
- Stability and traction control
- Heated front windscreen, heated and folding side mirrors
- Full Nissan service history
- Digital climate control
- Power options
- Dual airbags
- Durable and washable interior
- Recently serviced in Australia
- Two keys
- Price includes vehicle compliance
- Price includes three months of NSW registration
- Price includes a NSW roadworthy
Its engine is the world's first turbocharged engine to incorporate a variable valve lift and timing (VVL) system, enabling it to generate 280 PS (206 kW) of power for exhilarating acceleration.Nissan to Release New X-TRAIL Sport-Utility Vehicle, October 19, 2000
