I HARDLY get to go to test-drive events, especially out of town, and recently, I was one of the lucky ones to join one. It was one of the most memorable events ever—the all-new NP300 Nissan Navara Ride and Drive. We went to Paoay, Ilocos Norte. After taking a one-hour-flight trip to Laoag, we immediately hopped into our assigned 4×4 unit and drove to Plaza Del Norte Hotel.
The team of Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI), headed by its President and Managing Director Toti Zara together with General Manager for Marketing SJ Huh and Marketing Manager Dax Avenido, planned a day with fun-filled activities that would cover the sights of Ilocos Norte.
Our first stop was the Bangui Wind Farm where one could view the awesome sight of the windmills supplying energy to the surrounding communities. These windmills have been given due recognition by environmental groups worldwide.
This first leg was an economy run wherein our unit managed to consume 13.6 kilometers to a liter with the air-conditioning turned on. Mike Potenciano and his team had the best run averaging 42 km per hour and consuming 32 km per liter in a manual unit with their air-conditioning off.
For lunch, we drove to the Café Herencia, where the old Paoay Church is located.
The afternoon leg brought us to the La Paz Sand Dunes where the Navarra was subjected to a rigid test maneuvering the rough terrain. The motoring journalists, including this writer, got to test the class-leading traction control and limited descending capability of the truck. Its powerful engine made it easy for the NP300 to survive the sand dunes.
“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 said.
The Navara has a sportier style while staying true to Nissan’s design philosophy. With a more pronounced beltline and first-in-its-class, boomerang-shaped LED daytime running headlamps that complement the “V-motion” motif. The truck has a distinct, attention-grabbing look that sets it apart from all others.
The interior seats are finished with premium fabric and come with NASA-inspired Zero Gravity Seats technology that reduces fatigue by evenly distributing body pressure on the seating surface. The Instrument Cluster Panel comes with Fine vision technology so that vehicle information, in whatever lighting condition, will be easy to read.
The vehicle comes with a six-speaker infotainment system that doubles as the monitor for the backup camera. It has CD, MP3 and iPod compatibility along with Bluetooth connectivity for your smartphone. For ease of use, access any of these services along with Cruise Control using buttons found on the steering wheel. Another segment-first is the Push Button Ignition proving that Nissan will do what it takes to provide its customers with unparalleled convenience.
The Navarra is powered by a 2.5L DOHC in-line four-cylinder Variable Geometry System diesel engine, which has the highest power output per displacement in its segment. The 4×4 variant puts out 190 ps and 450 Nm of torque while the 4×2 variant offers 163 ps and 403 Nm of torque.
A segment-exclusive feature on the Navara is the seven-speed automatic gearbox with manual mode. Used as well by the Nissan 370Z sports coupe among others, it offers a wider range of speed with an expanded gear ratio while providing better acceleration, smoother shifting and reduced fuel consumption even at low speeds.
A six-speed manual gearbox is also available for more transmission control and increased fuel efficiency. This powertrain combination gives the NP300 the class leading fuel efficiency and emission ratings.
“The Nissan Navara has always been synonymous with power and performance. It is well-renowned for setting itself to a higher standard and leading the way for other pickups to follow,” Zara added.
By Ricky Alegre