Even without another truck for comparison, the Navara’s proportions make it clear that it is big
Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) announced the introduction of its all-new Premium Sports Utility Truck the Nissan Navara yesterday, 5 NOV.
Nissan’s all new Navara is fully imported as a completely built-up unit from Thailand. Three metallic colour options are offered: Supreme Black, Tungsten Silver & Twilight Gray. The on-the-road price (inclusive of insurance, road tax, registration fee and ownership claim fee) valid for Peninsular Malaysia for the 2.5 liter automatic model will start from RM103,721.90 while Sabah and Sarawak prices are both RM104,800.00.The Navara comes with a 3-year or 100,000 km (whichever comes first) warranty.
The all-new Nissan Navara delivers a compelling combination of powerful performance, bold styling and new levels of innovation to the pick-up truck market and offers innovative features designed to enhance its flexible utility, whether for work or leisure.
Dashboard design is very car-like, and the beige interior colour shows comfort is its main focus here
INSIDE
The Navara combines the comfort and command seating of an SUV with technology more associated with a luxury sedan. With the longest wheelbase in the segment (3200mm), it offers the flexibility of a genuine five-seater with heaps of interior space. It also features an appealing comfortable leather interior with exceptional quietness, ride feel and handling.
The most powerful, with its 2.5 liter Nissan engine producing 174 PS at 4,000rpm and 403Nm of torque at 2,000rpm
THE ENGINE
The engine is the most powerful variant of the Nissan YD series, the YD25DDTI (High Power) and like most current pick-ups, there is an air-to-air intercooler and it also has a 2nd generation common-rail fuel delivery system (32-bit ECCS). While this provides the boost in output, also a significant contributor is a variable-nozzle turbocharger (VNT) or what other companies call a variable-geometry (VGT).
The variable nozzle refers to varying of the rotation of the impeller (which spins the turbine) depending on driving conditions and engine speed. Vanes on the impeller change their angle to create more or less resistance to the gas flow, thereby making the turbine spin faster or slower, always at an optimum speed.
One advantage of this feature is to eliminate ‘turbo lag’ which, though not so severe these days with smaller turbochargers, is still evident. As is well know, low-end torque is superior in diesels and the VNT allows a higher output for an extended rpm range. Depending on the engine tuning, the extended range could be useful for those who spend more time cruising on highways – which is probably what many Navara owners would be doing.
Another highlight of the Navara drivetrain is a 5-speed automatic transmission, a first in the Malaysian pick-up segment (although the SsangYong Acton Sports’ automatic transmission does have 6 speeds now). The 5-speeder for the Navara is the same one that you’ll find in the 350Z which suggests it’s a very robust unit. Of course, it’s not exactly the same since the engine it is mated to has different characteristics and certain areas have been beefed up while the ratios are obviously different. 1st gear starts off at 3.827 and then progresses to 2.368, 1.52 and 1:1 in 4th before going into the rev-lowering, fuel-saving 0.834 overdrive top gear. The final drive ratio is 2.613:1.
The 4×4 electrically-controlled system isn’t full-time, like most pick-ups but is driver-selectable. When rear-wheel drive is not enough (usually in the muddiest off-road conditions or a very steep jungle track), the driver can turn a dial on the lower part of the centre console to get the transfer case to start sending torque to the front wheels as well. And as long as the speed is not more than 100 km/h, there’s no need to stop moving because you can ‘shift on the fly’, as they term it. But that’s only for the HIGH range; you would have to stop to select LOW range which drastically lowers the ratios. Since use of the LOW range would probably be needed in some very extremely difficult conditions, chances are the Navara would be moving slowly anyway.
The Navara features “Shift-on-the-Fly” 4WD system which is electronically-controlled and a Limited Slip Differential (LSD). This system enables shifting between 2WD and 4WD with the use of a dial without having to stop the vehicle as long as the vehicle is traveling at less than 100km/h. The LSD optimizes the torque balance between the left and right wheels which improves drivability and stability during cornering and on slippery terrains. The Navara also features the same durable concept frame as the US’s Nissan Titan, full-size truck.
SAFETY
With safety in mind, the Navara is always prepared for the unexpected. The Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) balances the braking effort between the front and the rear for maximum braking efficiency. At the same time, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) optimises braking performance by electronically preventing wheel lock-up to enable the driver to maintain directional control even in emergency braking situations. The Zone Body construction and SRS dual front airbags protect the driver and passengers in the event of collision. In addition, the Navara is the only pick-up truck to offer Xenon headlamps (JPJ compliant) to ensure the best possible driving vision in the dark hours.For more information, please visit www.navara.com.my
SPECIFICATIONS
Engine: 4-cylinder inline DOHC, Variable Nozzle Turbo with intercooler
Max power: 172hp @ 4,000rpm
Max torque: 403Nm @ 2,000rpm
Transmission: 5-speed auto
Safety features: ABS, EBD, dual airbags
Fuel tank size: 80 liter
Gross weight: 2,780kg
Wheelbase: 3,200mm
Hi gent,
I like this truck. She’s gorgeous and love to have one of these truck for a country ride.
Cheers
Frank