If you had to combine a car for your family and your work site, Nissan’s all-new Navara should fit perfectly into your scheme.

Packed with completely new standards in toughness, performance, styling and advanced features, the new model for the Middle East was launched at the rugged Pyrenees Mountains of Barcelona, Spain, where Nissan showcased the off-road capabilities of the vehicle.

The Navara has already been named International Pick-up of the Year 2016 in Europe. It builds on Nissan’s 80-year heritage with 14 million pickups sold in over 170 countries through 12 generations.

According to Samir Cherfan, managing director, Nissan Middle East: “The all-new Nissan pick-up Navara concept merges the previous Navara modernity with the Nissan Pick-up’s toughness which has made it one of the best-selling pick-ups in the GCC over decades. With segment leadership across so many areas in the all-new Nissan pick-up Navara, we anticipate our sales in GCC market will increase by 41 per cent over the next three years.”

The Navara today has a market share of 12 per cent by volume in its category in the Gulf region. Saudi Arabia has a major chunk of this share (70-75 per cent) and the rest is divided mainly between the UAE and Oman and others. Cherfan says the Saudi market is the prime focus and over the coming months, they will reach out to every potential business.

In line with Nissan’s promise of “Innovation that Excites”, the Navara introduces an array of new features and in-car technology to a segment that has traditionally been slow to adopt the very latest in comfort and safety while delivering unmatched fuel efficiency and the lowest maintenance costs for its class. Many of these features set the benchmark for this segment and provide customers with more advanced levels of technology than ever seen in a pick-up.

With one engine size of 2.5 litres (diesel and gasoline), Navara is already a segment leader in power and torque, offering the highest horse power in its class of 168 Hp and 403 Nm of torque (in the 2.5 and 2.7 litre engines range).

The vehicle offers a seven-speed automatic transmission and is also the only Japanese pick-up that comes with six-speed manual transmission in any pick-up class, making it uniquely appealing to both types of drivers.   

The new Navara is offered with a choice of petrol and diesel engines in eight grade/levels and two body types – narrow and wide.

Alaa Tayeb, the product manager - LCV segment, told Gulf Construction magazine that the company plans to sell more of the narrow body types since that is where most of the commercial segment (around 75 per cent) clientele lies.

He says the running cost has been significantly improved in the new Navara which makes it attractive for users in the construction sector. Another factor is its full boxed frame, which delivers improved stiffness and durability that is usually reserved for full-size trucks. This has boosted the Navara’s payload to one tonne, says Tayeb.

The new Navara is as capable off-road as it is on-road. The four-wheel drive system builds on the strengths of the previous generation model to deliver surefooted traction over rough terrain. The system is engaged and disengaged electronically via a rotary button located on the dashboard. For best economy and handling drivers can stay in 2WD mode on the road, while for off-road conditions drivers can select the 4HI mode while driving up to 100 kmph.

From looks, the Navara has an advanced design that encompasses many unique design features as standard including signature LED headlamps, electric folding side mirrors, roof rails, side steps, 16-inch alloy wheels and chrome exterior accents to complement its exciting, modern look. Moreover its double cab bed size of 2.5 sq m makes it a segment leader.   

The strikingly designed interior brings new levels of luxury and refinement to the segment, too, with a leather steering wheel and a five-inch central infotainment screen providing a premium look and feel.

Nissan has a proven track record in the SUV segment and has brought much of that design influence to the fore with this new pick-up. The all-new interior has been designed for comfort and modernity, and is packed with SUV-like technologies that come as standard including a 5-inch color display with rear-view reverse camera, Bluetooth connectivity, parking sensors, dual zone air-conditioning, smart key entry with push-button starter, cruise control and audio switch controls on the steering wheel.

“Improving refinement and delivering a SUV-style driving experience was a key element of the model's development. To help achieve this without compromising the vehicle's acclaimed off-road ability, Nissan designed an all-new rigid leaf suspension system, providing significantly improved ride comfort and improved handling,” says a spokesman.

Furthermore, its unmatched fuel efficiency and very low maintenance costs for its class make it a clear choice, he says.

In terms of safety, the Navara comes equipped with advanced features as standard such as ABS brakes and traction control; SUV-like features that include Limited Slip Differential (LSD); Hill Start Assist, which prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards when starting up a steep ascent; as well as Hill Decent Assist to limit downhill speeds without using the brakes.

“In our market,” says Cherfan, “we face unique challenges and any vehicle that is used for work as well as play needs to be built with integrity if it’s to last. The all-new pick-up Navara takes that philosophy and shows what is possible when Nissan brings its wealth of experience in building a tough and reliable, yet stylish and comfortable vehicle.”

The new Navara is being produced at Nissan’s Barcelona factory, which also currently produces the Pulsar, e-NV200 and NV200. It has in the past produced the Patrol, Vanette, Terrano II, Serena, Almera Tino, Pathfinder and the previous Navara models.

“The Barcelona factory in 1983 rolled out the first-ever Japanese vehicle to be built in Europe which was a Nissan Patrol,” says Yolande Pineda, director, corporate communications, Nissan Middle East.

Opened in 1966, the factory initially manufactured tractors and trucks under the Ebro brand. Nissan acquired the factory in 1980 and today it employs 3,700 people and produces 21 units per hour. Some 85 per cent of its production is exported to 55 markets. The Barcelona facility also houses the Nissan Technical Centre, one of two in Europe that develop diesel engines.

The new Navara is priced between $18,232 and $27,967 in the GCC. Customers can also choose between eight body colours. - TradeArabia News Service