MOTORING NEWS - Given that more people are looking for practical, capable vehicles, Nissan has expanded the Navara range with a 4x2 double cab that's ready for adventure or whatever you choose to throw at it. With 80 years of experience in building bakkies, Nissan knows how to manufacture versatile workhorses that add premium comfort features to rival most luxury SUVs.
The Navara model also benefits from enhanced insulation with further reductions in engine noise, vibration and harshness.
The spacious interior and supportive seats are supplemented with the convenience of Bluetooth audio streaming and navigation as standard across the range, as well as an intelligent key with stop / start button.
RUGGED
Ruggedness is part of the Navara's backbone thanks to the use of a coil rear suspension that ensures superior handling and ride comfort, which earned the vehicle the award of 2016 International Pick-Up of the Year.
It was the first coil-spring five-link rear suspension in a mainstream 1-ton pick-up, fitted to its solid ladder-frame chassis.
The suspension setup offers benefits normally associated with an SUV and these include better road holding, car-like ride comfort and better traction through high-speed corners. Engineers found that the coil rear suspension was sturdier than traditional leaf springs. The Navara also has class-leading payload capacity of more than a ton and can tow a braked trailer up to 3,5 ton.
It includes radio with up to 30 pre-set radio stations, video in DVD/VCD/CD/MP3 or MPEG4 format, USB connectivity and Bluetooth with audio streaming.
The Navara is available with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed automatic gearbox, which features gear ratios selected to specifically optimise the torque delivery of the new twin turbo engine and also offers a manual shifting function.
STANDARD FEATURES
The on-board navigation system with 3D mapping and live traffic updates is standard across the range. It includes radio with up to 30 pre-set radio stations, video in DVD/VCD/CD/MP3 or MPEG4 format, USB connectivity and Bluetooth with audio streaming. All of these can be controlled from the steering wheel.
The Nissan Navara has endured 40 000 rigorous tests over 1-million kilometres in settings all over the world. In addition, the Navara for the African market had to complete a number of local checks at high altitude and in Namibian sand dunes, with enhancements to the suspension and high-speed brakes.
The vehicle also has exceptional levels of safety, comfort and technology.
The Navara 4x2 has a 229mm ground clearance, but the raised suspension setup and smart design have allowed for a 3-degree improvement in the approach (33 degrees), ramp-over (25,2 degrees) and departure angles (27,9 degrees).
COMFORT
There are larger doors for easier access and a 23-degree slanted rear bench for greater comfort, as well as more rear legroom and a host of creature comforts such as the dedicated rear air vents and electrically operated rear cab window.
Other standard luxuries include automatic LED headlights, dual-zone air conditioning, cruise control, three 12V sockets in the cabin, an automatic dimming rear-view mirror and 7 airbags (including an airbag to protect the driver's knees).
The modern twin turbo 2,3-litre inter-cooled engine combines 140kW of power with leading fuel efficiency. It has strong, smooth acceleration and 450Nm of torque available from 1 500rpm.
The engine combines common rail direct injection and both a smaller, high pressure turbo and a larger, low pressure turbo to deliver more linear power throughout the engine speed range.
DETAILS
The Navara 4x2 DC has class-leading load capacity of more than one ton. For peace of mind, Nissan Assured offers a class-leading warranty of 6 years or 150 000km and a three year or 90 000km service plan. There are also several Nissan Approved accessories to suit lifestyle needs.
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