Nissan Terra becomes Dongfeng Paladin in China

Dongfeng has announced a new car named Paladin, which is technically a revised Nissan Terra for the local market (see video).

The Zhengzhou-Nissan joint enterprise had been churning out this body-on-frame SUV for five years, but they were all sold under the Nissan badge. This changes now that Dongfeng has the production rights.

The makeover spreads farther than the badges, though – the cabin and the engine are new, too. Nissan’s 2.5-liter naturally aspirated mill rated at 193 PS (190 hp / 142 kW) makes room in the engine bay for a 2.0-liter Mitsubishi turbo four-pot capable of 228 PS (225 hp / 168 kW). The new engine is made in China and hooks up with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

According to reports, the official premiere is mere days away.