NISSAN NAVARA NP300 2.5L 4WD

NISSAN NAVARA NP300 2.5L 4WD

Nissan Navara VL Plus, which rolls in as the new range-topping variant in the local Navara line-up. As its name suggests, the VL Plus adds on new equipment and safety features.

The Plus version gets Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM), which is also available on the X-Trail and Serena S-Hybrid. The Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) system utilises four cameras to provide a 360° bird’s-eye view of the vehicle for easier navigation in tight spots and tricky parking situations.

A digital speedometer also finds its way on as part of the Advanced Driver-Assist Display instrument cluster. Safety equipment gets a boost with additional airbags, the VL PLus bringing the count to seven (dual front, side and curtain airbags, as well as driver knee airbag).

Otherwise, no mechanical changes, with the 2.5 litre turbodiesel engine continuing to offer 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque. The mill is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system with on-the-fly mode switching.

The Navara 2.5L VL Plus is priced at RM119,869 on-the-road, zero-rated GST and without insurance. If the idea of a VL Plus in Black Series guise sounds tempting, then all you have to do is fork out a little more, in this case RM123,643, for one.

The package of blacked-out components in the package includes matte headlamp eyelids, front grille, front bumper, side mirror covers, fog lamp surrounds, front and rear overfenders as well as a sport bar.

The new Navara is a handsome-looking thing – the muscled-up design is more aerodynamic than before (0.37 Cd vs 0.43 Cd) and hides the slightly longer, if lower dimensions. It measures 5,255 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,785 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,150 mm. The single cab model gets a longer bed with a built-in side step; the latter is said to be first-in-class and is rated up to 250 kg.
Inside, the pick-up carries an interior design that’s reminiscent of Nissan’s passenger cars, albeit trimmed in hard plastics. Still, all models get nifty touches such as a dash-top tray with its own 12 V power socket, along with a cup holder under the driver’s side air-con vent to keep beverages cool. Double cab models also get the fantastic zero gravity-inspired seats cribbed from the Teana, as well as rear air-con vents.
The single cab model is as basic as it gets, coming with halogen reflector headlights, fog lights, 16-inch steel wheels and black wing mirrors and door handles. Step inside and you’ll find just a double-DIN radio/CD/MP3 head unit with AUX-in, four speakers and vinyl upholstery as creature comforts. The double cab E doesn’t fare much better, but at least it gains a rear spoiler, side steps, fabric seats, a USB port and six speakers.
Stepping up to the SE adds 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome grille and door handles and chrome power-folding wing mirrors with LED indicators. The V model receives i-Key keyless entry, push-button ignition, cruise control, a 5.0 inch central display, Bluetooth, multifunction steering wheel controls and a reverse camera. The manual air-con controls also go from plain dials to a push button array with fan and temperature knobs.
From there, the posh VL variant piles on LED projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, snazzy 18-inch dual-tone alloys, roof rails, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with a digital compass display.
No matter which model you get, under the bonnet resides a revised version of the current Navara’s 2.5 litre YD25DDTi four-cylinder turbodiesel engine. However, only the mill in the top VL trim produces the full 190 PS at 3,600 rpm and 450 Nm at 2,000 rpm; the other variants make do with 163 PS and 403 Nm.
Single cab and double cab E models come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, while V and VL variants are offered solely with a seven-speed automatic with manual override; the SE gets a choice of both. All models come with all-wheel drive, switchable on-the-fly at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Double cab models are fitted with multi-link rear suspension with coil springs, while the single cab soldiers on with leaf springs.
Last but not least, safety – the NP300 Navara comes with dual airbags as standard but, sadly, not ABS. You’d have to punt for the SE to receive it, but at least you’d also get EBD, brake assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), traction control, brake-based Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
The colour palette on double cab models consist of Savanna Orange, Tungsten Silver, Diamond Black and Brilliant White; the last colour is the only option for the single cab model.
Options include a TCAT Multimedia Navigation system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen, combination leather seats and an Elegance Package consisting of sport pedals, stainless steel kick plates, door visors and chrome door handle finishers.

We have seen quite a bit of the all-new Nissan NP300 Navara already. In mid-October, the new ‘Mother Trucker’ was open for bookings with two body styles offered, with single and double cab models available. Now, Edaran Tan Chong Motor has provided the media a preview of the pick-up truck in selected variants.

Under the hood, all NP300 Navara variants adopt the same 2.5 litre YD25DDTi four-cylinder turbodiesel engine. However, only the mill in the double cab VL-spec churns out 190 PS/450 Nm, while the other variants make do with 163 PS/403 Nm.
Transmission-wise, the single cab model along with the double cab SE (MT) variants are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox. Moving up the range, the double cab SE (AT), V and VL variants receive a seven-speed automatic gearbox (with manual override). All NP300 Navara models come with an all-wheel drive system with on-the-fly switching up to 100 km/h.
Beginning with the double cab variants, the manual-only Navara E kicks thing off with automatic halogen headlights with matching (bulb-type) DRLs. Elsewhere on the pick-up, there are side steps, 16-inch steel rims, a rear spoiler, silver front grille and black painted door handles. As the entry-level model, the manual folding side mirrors are finished in black and can be adjusted electrically.

Inside, the Navara SE (MT and AT) introduces chrome elements to the exterior with the front grille and door handles finished in said material. Other additions include power foldable and adjustable side mirrors with integrated LED turn indicators. Also, 16-inch alloys come into the picture.
Continuing on, the automatic-only Navara V packs on additional amenities with an i-Key keyless entry and push start, while the driver benefits from a Fine Vision Meter TFT colour display, a five-inch multimedia display screen linked to a rear view camera, cruise control and steering controls. The air-con is still manual, but is of the push-button variety instead.

At the top of the list is the Navara VL that comes with all the bells and whistles including first-in-class LED headlamps with LED DRLs, roof rails and 18-inch alloys.
The interior also receives a bump in luxury with an eight-way powered seat (plus two-way lumbar) for the driver. There’s leather on the seats, steering wheel and shift knob. Rounding off the VL’s kit list are a dual-zone automatic air-con and an auto dimming rear view mirror that features a compass that indicates the pick-up’s direction of travel.

Finally, the single cab variant, which is available for private registration as well. This workhorse gets a larger flatbed with the omission of the rear passenger cab. The interior is a little sparse by comparison but it does come with a double-DIN radio unit and the dash-top storage tray comes with a 12V power outlet, as per the double cabs.
Keep in mind that all double cab models feature rear multi-link suspension (live axle) setup but the single cab retains a leaf spring configuration instead. The EP300 also rides on a fully boxed ladder frame with 31 degree approach and 25.6 degree departure angles, with a ground clearance of 230 mm.

Safety wise, all variants come with dual front airbags as standard. The SE (MT and AT), V and VL get an expanded safety suite that includes ABS with EBD and BA, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and traction control, Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC).Four colour options – Savanna Orange, Tungsten Silver, Diamond Black, Brilliant White are available for the double cab variants. The single cab model can only be had in Brilliant White. All models are CBU fully imported from Thailand and come with a three-year/100,000 km warranty.