The second, and probably most important, element of its success is the inclusion of a V8 engine. Of course Nissan's engineers didn't need to look any further than their premium Infiniti brand to locate a suitable V8, but would a high-revving 340-hp 4.5-L luxury car engine really have done the trick? They obviously didn't think so. While the Infiniti engine's basic architecture was maintained the 5.6-L Nissan Endurance V8 sports an all-new aluminum block, cast iron cylinder liners, forged steel crankshaft, the last of which is also microfinished like the camshaft. The engine also boasts molybdenum-coated pistons, 6-bolt main bearing caps and a Super Silent single-stage time chain. The 300-hp powerhouse, with an equally brutish 375 lb-ft of trailer towing torque, is mated to a specially engineered 5-speed automatic transmission, complete with sequential manual shift mode. The transmission is available in either a console mounted gated shifter or a traditional column shifter, the latter when a front bench seat is ordered.
Four-wheel drive models get Nissan's shift-on-the-fly 4WD system incorporating 2WD, 4H and 4LO settings, joined to an electronically controlled part-time transfer case. The Titan will also be available with an off-road package that features a lower ratio Dana 44 axle, switch operated electronically controlled locking rear differential, raised Rancho gas shocks, fog lights and skid plates for the lower radiator, transfer case and fuel tank. The off-road package also includes 18 x 8.0 inch alloy wheels wrapped in 265/70R18 all-terrain tires - 17 x 7.5 inch alloys with 245/75R17 tires are standard.