Page 32 - Waterfall Issue 8 2021
P. 32

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.


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