SYDNEY: Japanese multinational automobile manufacturer, Nissan has at last detailed Australian pricing and specifications for its new D23 ‘NP300’ Navara pickup, first unveiled in June last year.
Due in Australian showrooms next month, the new Navara range will launch from $26,490 and top out at $54,490 plus on-roads for the initial dual-cab pickup range.
The new D23 NP300 Navara will be offered with DX, RX, ST and ST-X models, along with a range of three engines, rear- and four-wheel-drive, three cab and two chassis styles, and two transmissions.
In all, there’s 27 variants on offer.
The tubbed dual-cab Navara models will be available from May, while the single-cab (cab chassis), king-cab (pick-up utility and cab chassis) and dual-cab (cab chassis) grades will land in the third quarter.
Pricing for those upcoming models will be revealed closer to launch.
The new Navara will face-off a familiar spread of rivals: the popular Toyota Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton (both due for replacement soon, the latter in May), along with the Ford Ranger, Mazda BT-50, Isuzu D-Max, Holden Colorado and Volkswagen Amarok.
Cheaper rivals include Great Wall’s V200, SsangYong’s Actyon Sports, the Foton Tunland and the JMC Vigus.
The new Navara is sourced from Thailand, where Nissan has built a new facility in Samut Prakarn with a production capacity of around 75,000 units per year. Nissan’s existing Thailand facilities increase that number to around 370,000 per year.
POWERTRAINS
Engine options in the new Navara range will include two diesels and one petrol option.
The range opens with a 122kW/238Nm 2.5 litre four-cylinder petrol engine in the DX, matched to a rear-wheel-drive layout and six-speed manual transmission. A seven-speed auto can be optioned at a $2500 premium.
Nissan’s new 2.3 litre diesel drives the rest of the line-up, with the YS23DDT single-turbo RX offering 120kW and 403Nm, while the YS23DDTT twin-turbo ST and ST-X models deliver a meaner 140kW and 450Nm of torque.
Nissan has dropped the powerful 170kW/550Nm V6 turbodiesel for this generation, as it can no longer satisfy tightening emissions regulations.
Likewise, the 2.5 litre diesel for some overseas markets won’t make it to Australia – it’s now only for markets requiring Euro IV compliance.
Fuel figures are still to be confirmed, although Nissan claims the switch to a smaller diesel will result in fuel consumption savings of around 11 percent for the lower-output unit, while the more powerful twin-turbo will return savings of up to 19 percent.
RX, ST and ST-X models can be had in 4×2 and 4×4 configurations, along with six-speed manual and seven-speed auto transmissions.
Dual-cab pickup models feature a five-link rear suspension setup, while others in the range continue with a leaf spring arrangement.
Braked towing capacity is listed at 3500kg for all diesel models, while petrol models list a lower 1588kg.
Payload capacity ranges from 880 to 1112kg, depending on the model and configuration.
FEATURES
Key features of the new Navara, depending on specification, include a seven-inch touch display screen with reversing camera, Bluetooth, sunroof, adjustable tie-downs in the tub and rear air-conditioning vents in dual-cab models.
ST and ST-X models get LED headlights and NissanConnect infotainment, while the ST-X adds Nissan Intelligent Key and push-button engine start.
Standard safety features include seven airbags, active brake limited slip, hill-start assist and hill descent control
