Nissan North America will offer its Titan XD pickup with a 5.6-liter Endurance gasoline-fueled V-8 that will also power the revised 2016 regular Titan that will go on sale by spring of next year. 

The gasoline option for the XD joins the Cummins ISV5.0L Turbo Diesel V-8 that’s already been released and shown to press reporters early this month (read a Road Test of the diesel-powered XD here).

The new engine, assembled in Decherd, Tenn., features four valves per cylinder, variable valve timing and direct fuel injection, and is rated at 390 hp at 5,800 rpm and 401 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm.

The gasoline V-8 will become available in early spring 2016. It rounds out the engine offerings for the new XD pickup, whose beefed-up chassis claims a unique position in the segment between traditional heavy-duty and light-duty trucks. 

"With this new engine, Nissan Titan XD customers will have the opportunity to make the choice that is best for their towing and hauling needs – either the all-new Endurance V-8 or the Cummins diesel – two offerings that you won't find on any other truck on the market today," said Rich Miller, chief product specialist for the Titan. "It's going to be a tough decision for Titan XD customers between these two very durable, capable engines."

While the new Endurance V-8 shares its 5.6L (342-cubic-inch) displacement with the previous-generation V-8, it is much advanced with 73 more horsepower and 16 more pound-feet of torque, Miller said.

Nissan's VVEL, for Variable Valve Event & Lift, combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake and exhaust sides to provide high performance and crisp response.

Throttle response is enhanced by directly controlling the intake valve, rather than using the traditional method of controlling intake with a throttle valve, and valve timing and opening with non-variable camshafts.

A Direct Injection Gas (DIG) system provides better wide-open throttle performance and improved fuel economy and emissions performance compared to an indirect-injection system. DIG reduces engine knock, improving combustion stability and offering precise injection control.

An 11.2 to 1 compression ratio, compared to the previous engine’s 9.8 to 1, aids overall engine efficiency and performance. And a Multi Control Valve (MCV) assists in managing the engine's thermal efficiency better than a traditional thermostat.

Titan XD models equipped with the Endurance V-8 will be outfitted with a new 7-speed automatic transmission that features Adaptive Shift Control and Downshift Rev Matching, Miller said. More information on the gasoline powertrain will be released closer to its early spring on-sale date.