Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid Makes Electric Debut in New York

HYANNIS, Mass., April 10, 2013 — Families put plenty of miles on their vehicles, whether it is from commuting to work, running errands or heading to the kids' events on weekends, and all that driving can quickly add up at the gas pump. Nissan is working to help make daily driving a little easier on the pocketbook with its all-new 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid, which debuted at the New York International Auto Show late last month.

Arriving at dealerships late this summer, the Pathfinder Hybrid will be powered by a supercharged 2.5-liter gas engine and an electric motor paired with a lithium-ion battery pack. The first-ever hybrid Pathfinder will offer similar performance to its gas-only brother, producing a combined 250 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. Despite that impressive output, fuel economy will increase by 24 percent over the conventional model, with the Pathfinder Hybrid earning a manufacturer-estimated 26 mpg in combined driving.

"Families need to squeeze every dollar they can out of a gallon of gas, and the Pathfinder Hybrid allows them to do that without getting squeezed for space," said Michael Ferraro, general manager of Balise Nissan of Cape Cod, a Nissan dealer in Massachusetts. "Buyers won't be penny-wise and pound-foolish with the Pathfinder Hybrid because they still get great capability and performance without the inflated gas bill."

The redesigned gas-powered Pathfinder, which was released last fall for the 2013 model year, also boasts improved fuel economy over the previous generation, thanks to a new lightweight unibody chassis. By switching from a body-on-frame structure, Nissan dropped the Pathfinder's curb weight by 500 pounds, but a 3.5-liter V6 engine still provides impressive power under the hood with 260 horsepower. Inside, three rows of seating provide ample space for family members, especially with the sliding second-row bench that allows easy access to the third row of seats.

Buyers appear to be drawn to the newest generation of Pathfinder, as the nameplate's sales have risen by 172 percent so far in 2013 compared to the same period last year. The SUV set a new March sales record last month, moving 9,071 units for a 177 percent increase year-over-year. That strong performance, along with a March record for the Nissan Versa and best-ever monthly sales for the Nissan LEAF, helped the auto brand mark its best overall sales month ever with 126,623 models sold across the lineup.

"Since the new Pathfinder arrived at our dealership, people have really responded to its unique mix of performance, efficiency and versatility," added Ferraro. "While the switch from a body-on-frame chassis to a unibody structure improved fuel economy tremendously, families still have all the capability they need for towing boats to the beach or taking gear to the campsite."

About Balise Nissan of Cape Cod:
Balise Nissan of Cape Cod is dedicated to providing Nissan customers on the Cape and South Shore with the most satisfying automotive experience possible at their brand-new, state-of-the-art Hyannis dealership. From the popular Altima sedan to the versatile Rogue crossover, Balise Nissan maintains an extensive inventory of vehicles so that buyers can find a trim and price that meets their needs. Their expert team of technicians also performs a broad range of detailed Nissan service. Visit their dealership at 322 Falmouth Rd. in Hyannis, Mass., call their team at 508-815-4010 or browse their inventory at www.balisenissancapecod.com. They can also be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BaliseNissanCapeCod.