ALMOST a month ago, Antonio “Toti” Zara, president and managing director of Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI), the official distributor of Nissan vehicles in the country, made a bold statement. He challenged his fellow manufacturers to bring forward their newest and best pickup trucks. It’s no secret, though, that the Japanese carmaker beat them to the gun by revealing its Nissan Navara on February 2.
After unveiling the much anticipated all-new Nissan NP300 Navara, Zara together with the NPI team, issued a challenge: “Let the truck wars begin.”
“We challenge ourselves to make good products, even better. Trucks are definitely tough, that is a given, but what sets us apart is that we redefined ‘tough’ and equipped it with innovation that makes it smart. The all-new NP300 Navara is the truck that will make you proud no matter what the situation, be it a rough road drive or a relaxed cruise in the city,” Zara said.
“Nissan pickups are not just vehicles, they are the lifeblood of communities, and we are catering to that need by improving the much-loved pickup. With 80 years of heritage, providing technologies comes as natural as possible. Nissan lives on the promise of providing innovation that excites and that’s what we have been doing,” Zara added.
Tough and smart truck
Filipinos love pickup trucks. We use it for many reasons, such as for taking our loved ones around and for business. That’s why when you talk about innovation, reliability and quality in the pickup segment, Nissan is not a newcomer.
In fact, the brand built its first pickup in 1933 with over 14 million customers across the globe buying the truck to transport their families and cargo, even in the toughest of circumstances. Produced in Thailand, the all-new NP300 Navara continues the legacy of Nissan’s long pickup history and, like all Nissan models, the NP300 Navara delivers excitement through innovation.
For 2015 the Nissan NP300 Navara has distinct signature features like the boomerang-shaped LED daytime running headlamps and “V-motion” motif that flows from the grille and into the hood, extending through the front fender.
Along its sides run a smooth silhouette of a high beltline and blacked B-pillar accentuating its prominent stance. The doors, on the other hand, have dynamic convex and concave surfaces coupled with a rear spoiler for enhanced aerodynamics which exudes a bold and robust look in any angle.
Inside, the dashboard has been styled to feature a gentle sweep from the center panel to the door side with three-dimensional rich sections offering a feeling of spaciousness.
The dashboard is furnished with convenient and functional trays that serve as storage spaces for personal belongings and electronic devices. In its smart cockpit is the Instrument Cluster Panel that displays easy-to-read vehicle information without losing focus on driving thanks to the Fine vision technology.
On to its feature-packed steering wheel, exciting convenient features like Audio controls, Bluetooth connectivity and Cruise Control can be operated with so much ease. The Audio System also comes with six-speaker, CD, MP3, iPod connectivity and also serves as a convenient visual monitor for the rear camera when backing up.
Ready for challenges
Engine-wise, the 2.5-liter DOHC in-line four-cylinder Variable Geometry System diesel engine, brings out a beast of power having the highest power output per displacement in its segment, not to mention best in class fuel efficiency and emission ratings. Meanwhile, the 4×4 variant boasts of 190 pferdestarke (PS) of power and 450 Newton meter of torque, while the 4×2 variant punches in 163 ps of power and 403Nm of torque.
Revving up this smart pickup truck is another first-in segment feature, like the seven-speed automatic sport transmission, which contributed to low fuel consumption at low speeds, as well as better acceleration, expanded gear ratios for a wider range of speeds and smooth acceleration and shifting. The same transmission is also used in Nissan sport models like the 370Z sports coupe, among others.
On the other hand, the six-speed manual transmission features enhanced fuel efficiency, while its optimized shift stroke makes for quick and effortless gear changes.
Another first in its class feature is the Push Button Ignition that offers unparalleled convenience for on-the go entrepreneurs and thrill-seeking adventurers alike.
Ensuring a comfortable ride, the NP300 Navara’s Nasa-inspired Zero Gravity Seats reduce fatigue during long drives by sufficiently distributing body pressure on the seating surface.
The all-new Nissan NP300 Navara starts at P898,000 for the 4×2 six-speed (base model) and P 1.490 million for the 4×4 seven-speed (top-of-the-line).