After several teases – and an unfortunate leak – Nissan has officially unveiled its next-gen Navara bakkie.
The Nissan design team apparently focused on delivering a sportier and more emotional expression on the new Navara, while maintaining Nissan’s distinctive design DNA. The view from the side is marked by the smooth silhouette thanks to the high beltline and blacked B-pillar, which lends the Navara a unique character. The door section with dynamic convex and concave surface boldly expresses its energetic and dependable appearance along with the massively sculpted fenders. Nissan’s signature “V-motion” motif flows from the grille and into the hood through to the front fender, giving a smooth and dynamic character line.
The visual appeal of the Navara is also enhanced thanks to the boomerang shaped lighting signature created with LED daytime running lights that gives a prominent and distinctive impression. Additional visual spice comes from chrome waist line moldings and turn indicators mounted in the door mirrors.
Life on board has also been upgraded. Here the designers have styled the dashboard featuring a gentle sweep from the center panel to the door side with 3-dimensional rich sections in order to offer a feeling of spaciousness. In addition, the Nissan designers have styled the interior to represent a new quality benchmark in the segment, with finely designed meters and a tactile steering wheel, as well as the use of an aluminum-like finish on the center cluster and console as well as the finely crafted stitches on the seat.
The dashboard sports multiple easy-to-read dials, plus a large center console with a full array of intuitive features that combine with steering wheel controls to enable easy and safe use while driving. Included are high-resolution color TFT instrument displays with access to compass and turn-by-turn navigation support, fuel economy indicator and audio track and radio content. Customization features provide driver assistance in a variety of languages, as well as alerts, maintenance reminders and more.
The Navara’s powertrain boasts improved performance, with reduced fuel consumption and emissions, as well as a dynamic control braking system that makes for a leader in segment performance. Engine options have been developed for best in class fuel efficiency and emissions ratings, yet with impressive power output and acceleration. Models come equipped with improved versions of Nissan’s 2.5-liter DOHC in-line 4-cylinder Diesel engine or 2.5-liter in-line 4-cylinder Gasoline engine. The new 2.5-liter DOHC in-line 4-cylinder Diesel engine features maximum power of 140kW and 120kW at 3600rpm, maximum torque of 450Nm and 403Nm at 2000rpm, and higher boost from a turbocharger with electrical actuator. Fuel economy has been improved by as much as 11% over the previous model.
Shift-on-the-fly 4×4 driving can be engaged while the vehicle is in motion. The VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) system helps improve 4×4 driving performance and safety, along with ABLS (Active Brake Limited Slip), HSA (Hill Start Assist) and HDC (Hill Descent Control).
The Navara’s transmission options include a seven-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmission. The seven-speed automatic provides for low fuel consumption at slow speeds as well as better acceleration, expanded gear ratio for wider range of speeds, and smooth acceleration and shifting. The six-speed manual features enhanced fuel efficiency from low to high gear, while its optimized shift stroke makes for quick and effortless gear changes.