By Otsile Kadiege

Nissan South Africa has released local pricing and availability information of the updated Nissan Navara. The new Navara has a bold and masculine design thanks to restyled headlights, tail lights, a prominent grille inspired by the Nissan Frontier and a tailgate with Navara lettering.

Improved drivability

To help make more comfortable across Mzansi’s terrain, Nissan has added a combination of a new chassis with revised mountings for less vibration, increased rear height, better shock absorber damping and a new dual-rate 5-link coil suspension. Nissan has reaffirmed that severity-testing of South African roads has been accounted for when fine-tuning the suspension grade.

The refreshed Navara has a switchable 4WD system. For maximum efficiency or shift to 4WD (4H) at speeds up to 100km/h with the Navara’s shift-on-the-fly 4×4 gearbox. Drivers will be able to achieve maximum performance with 4H engaged as this mode constantly monitors conditions and adjusts the balance of power between the front and rear axles to maintain traction, while the Active Brake Limited Slip Differential system (ABLS) manages power delivery and wheel braking between the front and rear axles and between the left and right of the vehicle, depending on traction and speed.

The Navara’s payload is now 100kg bigger, thanks to an increase of 36mm in the front, and 64mm in the rear of the height of the load-box. An added step to the rear bumper for the SE Plus and LE grades, and an easy-lift tailgate and a torsion bar on all DC derivatives, also makes loading and unloading easier.

Should the need to tow a trailer or boat arise, customers will be pleased to know that the Navara comes with Trailer Sway Control (TSC) system, with yaw-rate-monitoring can detect the trailer’s self-oscillation, while the Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC) enables it to handle the brake pressure of the trailer to reduce self-oscillation.

Interior

The Japanese automaker has invested in improving the noise, vibration, and harshness reduction for a very quiet and comfortable drive. Inside, the cabin features a sportier looking steering wheel and an 8-inch touch display with NissanConnect, Android Auto, and Apple CarPlay.

It also features additional safety technology through Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM).

Power

The new Navara single cab 2.5L DDTi Diesel mid-output (XE and SE Grades) are powered by a direct injection 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine with an intercooler and dual overhead camshafts. It develops an exceptional 120 kW and 403 Nm, and it’s mated to either an automatic or manual transmission.

Pricing

Pricing starts at R311,000 for the Navara 2.5 Petrol XE SC, R474,000 for the Navara 2.5D SE MT DC and R552,000 for the Navara 2.5D 4×4 SE MT DC. The updated Nissan Navara is set to roll off of the production line at Nissan’s Rosslyn plant in June 2021.