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‘THE
cure for the common truck!”
This was
how Elizabeth Lee, the executive vice president of
Universal Motors Corp. (UMC), beamingly described the
Nissan Frontier Navara during its grandiose launch on
Monday at the Rizal Ballroom of the Makati Shangri-La.
“With
the all-new Nissan Frontier Navara, we have upped the
ante and raised the stake. We are taking you to the next
level—with an evolution in design, and a revolution
under the hood and under the skin. No holds barred. No
off-limits. No detail overlooked in creating these new
commanding and aggressive breed of trucks,” added Lee,
who is also the president of the Chamber of Automotive
Manufacturers of the
Philippines
(Campi).
Already
reaping various awards internationally, the Navara is
the latest and technologically equipped version of the
vaunted Frontier.
“With
the only pickup truck to have had a No. 1 position for
four years in a row, the Nissan Frontier has always been
one of Nissan’s strongest brands. It is also at the root
of what we stand for as a company—strong, reliable,
durable and built for the long haul,” Lee added, as the
power-cast guests expressed awe and admiration to the
elegant style of the newly launched vehicle that night.
The new
Navara is loaded with new innovative features that will
certainly impress the local buyers. First, it is the
first pickup to feature a six-speed manual transmission.
Both the 4x2 and the 4x4 versions are equipped with the
six-speed manual transmission, while the automatics come
with 5-speed gearboxes. Mated to a second-generation
common-rail system, the unique configuration “promises
smooth shifting and quick acceleration, as well as
improved fuel efficiency.” It also has an electronically
controlled 4WD system with “shift-on-the-fly function
that enables one to shift between the 2WD and the 4WD
with the use of a dial without bothering to stop.
Its
YD25DDTi 2.5-liter, inline-four, DOHC, 16-valve turbo
intercooler diesel engine is considered the most
powerful in its class. It can deliver maximum horsepower
of 174 ps at 4,000 rpm and maximum torque of 403 Nm at
2,000 rpm, while giving better fuel efficiency and
reduced emissions.
Inside,
the Navara has a fully redesigned dashboard and spacious
rear bench replete with amenities found in many luxury
vehicles. It sits on a longer wheelbase, allowing for a
larger cabin, as well as a longer, wider and deeper bed.
Also underneath is a unique ladder-type chassis with an
eight-cross member frame that is unique to the Navara.
Added cross members means a sturdier chassis and the
reinforced cargo bed allows the Navara’s exceptional
cargo-hauling capability.
The
Navara combines active and passive components into its
exclusive safety system. It is built in accordance with
the Zone Body Concept. Its front crumple zone is
designed to absorb energy in a crash while a reinforced
safety zone shields occupants from harm. Side-impact
beams further strengthen door panels to minimize
intrusion in the event of a broadside crash. Active
hazard avoidance is provided by several features, such
as the electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) that
balances the braking effort between the front and the
back of the vehicle for maximum braking efficiency;
antilock braking system (ABS) prevents the wheels from
locking while keeping the driver in control of the
vehicle; the limited slip differential transfers engine
power to the wheels with most traction; and a third
brake lamp located high up on the vehicle provides early
warning to following vehicles.
One
significant Nissan honcho present that night was Thierry
Viadieu, corporate vice president of Nissan’s Asean 4
GOM and president of Siam Nissan Automobile Co. Ltd. in
Thailand.
“For the
Philippines we expect the Frontier Navara to increase
Nissan’s sales and market share in the pickup truck and
4x4 vehicle segments. Like its predecessor, the
Frontier, we are optimistic that the Frontier Navara
will set a new and higher benchmark in performance,
design, innovation and quality standards for pickup
trucks. I take this opportunity to congratulate UMC for
bringing this popular and well-awarded vehicle to our
Filipino consumers,” said Viadieu, who added that the
Navara was recently honored by Autobild Indonesia as the
Best Double Cab Pickup Truck during its Car of the Year
Awards ceremony.
“The
legendary Nissan Frontier trucks had once proved to be
the benchmark. Soon, it will take an encore to prove it
once again. The all-new Navara breaks the norm and sets
the new standard. Let us all explore the next. Shift
your way of thinking and leap into the future!” Lee
exclaimed, as she was met with thunderous applause and
the rambling and blazing sound signaling the start of
the elaborate launch that night. |
