After much anxious waiting, Nissan has put us all out of our quacking and pulled the sheets off the all-new Navara pickup truck. Nissan has been hard at work in improving and refining the robust and dependable nature of their one-tonner. The NP300 has also been reworked on the inside as well, seeing how segment leaders are faring with well-built interiors.
The NP300 is a rather important car for Nissan in these neck of the woods. Yes the GT-R may be the one that gets all the fame and basks in the limelight, but the Navara is one of the brand’s bread and butter models here. Nissan has also taken a leaf out of their other international best-sellers and applied the winning formula here in the hopes of making the Navara more car-like in nature.
Let’s start with the looks of it all. It’s less symmetrical as compared to its predecessor and adopts a more angular and stylish front fascia that is inline with the company’s current design language. It features a fair amount of chromed bits such as the imposing 3D-like grille, fog-light outliners and large side mirrors.
Follow the lines and you’ll stumble upon the side profile that’s a wash full of lines, accentuating the truck’s go-anywhere attitude and capability. From the wheel arches to the roof-railings it all seems to work in perfect design harmony. Then we get to the back end where we encounter more of the Np300’s imposing stance with the 3D embossed tail gate design.
The inside is less utilitarian and more car-like as previously mentioned, and is fully redesigned to deliver first class ride, with every element of the cabin being optimised to provide the best possible comfort, space and practicality for both driver and passengers. Even the redesigned seats that offer improved ergonomics and greater alertness can trace their inspirations to technology inspired by NASA.
Propelling the NP300 along is a new 2.3-litre dCi engine that is up to 24 percent more efficient than the unit it replaces and is the cleanest and most economical mill in its class with 158 hp. For the first time, the range-topper gets a twin turbocharged block that makes out 187 hp. The Navara will be available with a choice of two or four-wheel drive, whereas drivetrain is comprised of the standard six-speed manual or an optional seven-speed automatic gearbox.
With that muscle in mind, the truck is able to manage an impressive towing capacity of 3,500kg. The rear flat bed is able to accommodate over a tonne of goods. The new Double Cab’s load bed is 67mm longer than the previous model, with a sector-best load bed length of 1,578mm.
Nissan previewed the pickup truck at the uber-busy Frankfurt International Motorshow and promised to disclose full information on the Navara soon, including its pricing and launch date. Just when will we get the NP300, then?
IMAGE GALLERY
