Doing more than carrying Anti-Anticraft Guns
A whole raft of " 1 Tonne Pickup Trucks" have been released. This article on the new Nissan Navara NP300 sums up many. For the Navara it works out for the Diesel 6.2litre/100km or close to 38 miles to the U.S. gallon
Based on a carryover ladder frame with modified frontal crash structure, the NP300 is the first mainstream dual-cab ute to come with a coil-sprung five-link rear suspension, bringing big improvements in ride quality compared to the previous leaf-spring Navaras.
Payload remains competitive, however, at a minimum of 880kg for the entry-level DX 4x2, 930kg for the flagship ST-X 4x4, 986kg for the mid-range ST 4x4 and more than 1000kg for all other models, with the RX 4x2 manual topping the range at 1112kg.
All new Navaras come with daytime running lights (LED for ST and ST-X), auto headlights, cruise control, front step lamps, Bluetooth hands-free telephony, trip computer, air-conditioning with rear outlets, flip-up rear seats, a multifunction steering wheel, no fewer than 10 cup/bottle holders, four power windows, anti-dazzle interior mirror and, in the base DX, a six-speaker CD/AM/FM audio system with USB/AUX input.
RX, ST and ST-X king-cab and dual-cab models receive a rear power sliding window, the ST adds rear parking sensors and both ST and ST-X also gain new LED projector headlights, fog lights, side steps, alloy sports bar and a rear differential lock, and the top-shelf ST-X scores keyless entry and starting, leather-accented seating, seat heating, dual-zone climate-control, a 7.0-inch touch-screen with sat-nav, sunroof, 18-inch alloys, heated exterior mirrors with LED indicators, a tub liner and two-channel Utili-Track tie-down system.
On the safety front, all models will also come standard with seven airbags including a driver's knee airbag, stability control (VDC) with brake limited-slip differential (ABLS), traction control (TCS), anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), brake assist (BA) and five three-point seat belts including front seat belt load limiters and pre-tensioners.
However, only ST and ST-X models come standard with a reversing camera, which will be standard across the new HiLux range, no models are fitted with a centre rear head restraint or reach-adjustable steering wheel (as seen in the new Triton and VW Amarok), and only the ST-X receives hill start assist (HSA) and hill descent control (HDC).
Nor is there any sign of the facelifted Ranger's advanced safety technologies, including Lane Keeping Alert and Lane Keeping Aid, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Alert, Tyre Pressure Monitoring, Driver Impairment Monitoring and Emergency Assistance. Toyota Australia is yet to reveal safety specifications of its new HiLux, which could also feature automatic emergency braking.
The new Navara is yet to be assessed by the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP), but Nissan expects it to improve on the four-star result of its predecessor and join the growing number of five-star utes.
Nissan has given the Navara diesels a 3500kg towing capacity, and claims it will be able to carry 930kg of payload (including passengers and accessories) at this top figure
(Combined 4,400kg or 9680lb)
