Page 32 - Waterfall Issue 8 2021

Waterfall motoring

nissAn nAVARA

sA LAUnCH

By Alan Rosenmeyer

Big, bold and imposing,

the new generation

Nissan Navara revealed

to the media recently

is now proudly built in

South Africa.

L aunch events have changed drastically because of the

COvID pandemic, so driving time is now much shorter than
what we are used to. In spite of this, the Nissan team gave
us the opportunity to experience tar, dirt roads and some
4x4 driving up a (small) mountain in the Hartebeespoort area.

In the future, Nissan will be rolling out a full range of both single and
double cab Navara variants. As the NP300 is no longer being built,
the Navara range has to cover the full spectrum from entry, through
working bakkies up to the full luxury, lifestyle bakkies that SA buyers
love. Only two engine variants will be available - in the base versions,
a 2.5l petrol model, and an updated version of
the familiar 2.5 diesel in the rest of the range.
Mid-range vehicles will offer 120kW and 403Nm
with the top variants offering 140kW and 430Nm.

The vehicles available at the launch were double
cabs in LE spec with the 140kW motor. Pro2 and Pro4
models will be added as the top of the range, but the
test cars certainly were not lacking in specification.

One of the biggest changes on the new model is
to the rear suspension. A 5-link system provides
superb comfort and control, yet also allows a
load capacity in excess of 1 ton. I can confirm
that the vehicles are very stable on a dirt road
and the low range ability enabled us to go up
and down the mountain with consummate ease. Nissan has ensured that pricing will be competitive against
Downhill descent control adds to the ease of operation all opposition at all levels with the LE as driven priced at
and wheel articulation over rocks is excellent. approximately R650 000 in 7-speed automatic form.

The LE spec adds Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) Based on the launch experience, I think that the new
safety features with items like lane departure warning, Navara can put Nissan back into a much stronger
active braking and many other safety aspects. Pro position in the bakkie market. The SA-built vehicles
models will add rear cross traffic warning as well. will also be exported throughout Africa.

30 Waterfall Issue 8 2021