NAVARA GETS DOWN TO BUSINESS
Nissan helps business buyers with an affordable version
of the popular Navara pick-up
- New entry-level Navara aimed at the business market
- Two engine options including new 144PS version
- Two body styles - Double Cab and King Cab
- Robust and practical
- Nissan's trusted four-wheel drive technology
- Built in Europe
Rolle, Switzerland (29 June, 2012) - To help business users across Europe struggling in difficult financial times, Nissan is introducing a new, highly affordable, entry-level version of its popular Navara pick-up.
The Navara has been carefully developed to offer beleaguered operators a practical, robust and capable pick-up at a price that's in tune with the times. The new model introduces a lower powered version of the respected 2.5-litre dCi common-rail diesel four-cylinder engine, producing 144PS and 350Nm of torque.
Based on the existing XE grade, available specification includes part-time four-wheel drive, manual air conditioning, central door locking, six airbags, CD player and Bluetooth connectivity. And it retains the versatile and easy to use C-Channel load tethering system in the load bay.
"By simplifying some of the production processes and introducing a new, lower-powered version, we have been able to create a tough, no-nonsense working vehicle at a highly attractive price," said Christian Meola, Product Manager Sales and Marketing.
"The availability of this new version Navara means we are broadening our pick-up range to help us strengthen our leadership of the LCV sector in Europe. The expanded Navara range, plus the award-winning NV200, the new NV400, plus Primastar, Cabstar and Atleon together give Nissan the widest range of commercial vehicles of any manufacturer in Europe," he added.
For the new business-oriented Navara, Nissan engineers have worked to provide smart savings during the manufacturing processes, with these savings being passed on to customers. None of the changes affect the vehicle's outstanding ability and functionality.
For example, the interior door handles are finished in black. Similarly the front bumper is specified in body colour rather than having a two-tone element, while the grille struts are painted rather than chromed and conventional wiper blades are used in place of the flat blades found on higher specification versions.
"These are small changes but added together they make a significant contribution to lowering the build price, helping to make Navara an even more attractive proposition," said Christian Meola, Product Manager Sales and Marketing.
The arrival of the lower-powered model adds another string to Navara's bow. Based on Nissan's respected YD25 engine line, the DOHC four-cylinder unit displaces 2,488cc and features common rail direct injection. It produces 144PS (106kW) at 3,600 rpm and 350Nm of torque at an impressively low 1,600rpm. Comparative figures for the higher-powered version are 190PS (140kW) at 3,600rpm and 450NM at 2,000rpm.
In both cases the direct injection system operates at 2,000 bar, allowing a finer degree of fuel atomisation for more complete combustion. The cylinder head features parallel ports to increase swirl efficiency while the variable nozzle turbo (VNT) has electric control for quicker responses. Standard equipment also includes Exhaust Gas Recycling (EGR) and a Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF).
When it comes to performance, the 144PS version has a maximum speed of 168km/h while 0-100km/h takes 13.1 sec (190PS: 180 km/h and 11.1 sec respectively). Both versions have identical fuel consumption and CO2 emission figures at 8.4l/100km combined and 222 g/km.
In addition to efficiency, in all other respects the two versions of the new Navara are identical. Performance is aided by a robust part-time four-wheel drive system which provides drive to the rear wheels under normal conditions or a 50/50 torque split to all four wheels when 4WD mode is engaged.
The Navara also features high and low ratio modes, the latter providing outstanding levels of traction over slippery surfaces, especially on tricky hill descents. A rear differential lock - which operates only in low ratio four-wheel drive - provides further help should a rear wheel lose traction.
Underlining its go rugged appeal, under the body there's a rugged ladder-frame chassis and independent front suspension system featuring double wishbones and coil springs. This is teamed with a rigid axle and over slung leaf springs at the rear, designed to provide the best possible payload levels while providing SUV-like ride and handling and comfort.
The four-door Double Cab has a roomy cabin with space for five, while the King Cab version has rear hinged ‘half' doors behind the main doors and two occasional forward facing seats in the back of the cabin. These also fold up against the rear bulkhead for increased load space.
Navara has a 3,200mm wheelbase and an overall length of 5,269mm. In the Double Cab version this makes way for a generous 2.36m2 load bed and a practical internal bed length of 1,511mm. Hard working businesses will also
value the Navara's 850kg payload and 3000kg towing capacity.
The factory-fitted C-Channel load tethering system - unique in the Pick-Up segment - incorporates five rails (one channel on either side of the load floor, plus one on each of the three fixed sides of the pick-up bed) into which self-locking cleats can be placed, providing fixed points for securing ropes and a full range of bespoke accessories designed to work with C-Channel.
The addition of the new business model expands the full Navara range to six models. Greater levels of standard equipment are offered by the SE and recently introduced Platinum models, both powered by the 190PS 2.5-litre dCi unit, while two range-topping LE versions are also available. One is powered by the 190PS unit while the second, also uniquely in the segment, has a potent 3.0-litre direct injection V6 turbodiesel.
Double Cab versions of the new Navara variant reach showrooms from July this year while the King Cab is due to arrive in early 2013. All Navaras for Europe are built at Nissan's dedicated plant in Barcelona, Spain.
Ends
About Nissan in Europe
Nissan has one of the most comprehensive European presences of any overseas manufacturer, employing more than 14,500 staff across locally-based design, research & development, manufacturing, logistics and sales & marketing operations. Last year Nissan plants in the UK, Spain and Russia produced 677,000 vehicles including mini-MPVs, award-winning crossovers, SUVs and commercial vehicles. Nissan now offers 24 diverse and innovative products for sale in Europe today, and is positioned to become the number one Asian brand in Europe.
