Nissan Navara - ready to pick up sales

Largest 'bed' in class is the offer of the new four-wheel drive Nissan Navara, also launched last month at the Nissan Motors showroom in Abate Rigord Street, Msida.

According to Joseph Duca, Mizzi Organisation Automotive Ltd's divisional manager Sales, the Navara is capable of mixing work and play in equal measures.

Both drivers and passengers get all the comfort, refinement, quality and performance of an SUV, but without compromising its abilities as a hard-working, rugged pick-up. "The Navara was designed in tandem with the Pathfinder SUV," Mr Duca pointed out, and "as a result, the levels of passenger comfort expected - and found - in the Pathfinder are also present in the Navara."

The Navara features a rugged ladder-frame chassis with refined independent front suspension, featuring double wishbones and coil springs with a rigid axle and over-slung leaf springs at the rear.

There are two versions: King Cab and Double Cab. In both cases overall dimensions have increased, providing the Navara with a more spacious interior than the equivalent outgoing pick-up.

"The Navara's four-wheel drive system uses Nissan's power proven part-time 4WD system, which provides drive to the rear wheels under normal conditions or a 50/50 torque split to all four wheels when 4WD mode is engaged," Mr Duca said. "The system also has both high and low ratio modes."

Power comes from a 2.5-litre direct injection turbocharged diesel in two states of tune: a 144 PS with 356 Nm of torque (pulling power); and a more potent 174 PS with a class-leading 403 Nm of torque.

There is a choice of transmissions: six-speed manual, like that in the Pathfinder, and a five-speed automatic. With such high levels of torque, the Navara is a good towing vehicle, capable of pulling up to three tonnes without complaint.

Standard features include power steering, electric door mirrors, remote central locking, electric windows front and rear, front, side and curtain airbags, climate control air-conditioning, ABS, EBD + ESP, CD radio with four speakers, 16" wheels, adjustable steering, tinted glass and rear window defogger. Starting prices are Lm19,300 for the King Cab and Lm20,200 for the Double Cab.