Nissan expands D40 Navara range

Nissan has enhanced the D40 Navara range, with single-cab and 'King Cab' body styles joining the existing dual cab variants.

The single cab Navara is an uncompromising variant for traditional commercial and offroad purposes. More upmarket than the single cab Navara, the Navara King Cab joins other extended cab models from Ford and Mazda in providing access to rear 'jump' seats via rear-hinged 'suicide doors'.

Buyers can opt for three different 4x4 variants of the Navara King Cab, all powered by the same 2.5-litre turbodiesel -- already introduced with the dual cab models -- driving through either a six-speed manual transmission or the optional five-speed automatic.

Peak power for this engine is 126kW at 4000rpm and maximum torque of 403Nm occurs at 2000rpm. Fuel consumption, according to ADR 81/01 combined cycle testing is 9.8L/100km for manual King Cab variants and 10.5L/100km for the auto models. Nissan claims a 3000kg (braked) towing capacity for the new Navara models.

The Navara RX King Cab Chassis is priced at $38,160 and the automatic version costs $40,410. Moving up a level, the ST-X King Cab is available either in cab chassis form ($41,160 manual and $43,410 for the automatic) or as a utility ($42,660 for the manual, $44,910 for the auto).

Being the workhorse of the range, the D40 Navara single cab is only available in the one ('RX') grade and one body style (cab chassis), priced at $33,660. Power comes from a 2.5-litre common-rail turbodiesel developing 106kW power at 4000rpm and 356Nm torque at 2000rpm and the lower engine output (relative to King Cab and dual cab Navaras) results in a combined cycle fuel consumption of 9.3L/100km. Drive is channelled via a six-speed manual transmission and braking is handled by ventilated front discs and rear drums.

Seating in the King Cab Navara comprises two front and two fold-up seats in the rear, striking a compromise by allowing whilst occasional seating in the rear (with the option of extra storage space with the seats folded flat) and a longer load bed than the dual cab Navara. The single cab features a two-passenger bench and one bucket for the driver.

Standard features fitted to the Navara RX King Cab include: Limited slip differential, part-time 4WD, dual-range transfer, 16-inch alloy wheels, ABS, Brake Assist, dual front airbags, air conditioning, 12-Volt auxiliary power socket, cloth trim and a body-coloured front bumper with chrome grille.

In addition to the RX variant's specification, the ST-X cab chassis adds: Side steps, cruise control, remote central locking, electric windows/mirrors and an MP3-compatible six-disc CD audio system. Over that, the ST-X utility features: an integrated tub liner, a sports bar, rear chrome step bumper and remote fuel release.

For the single cab Navara, the standard features are: 16-inch alloy wheels, a limited slip differential, part-time 4WD, air-conditioning, dual airbags, cloth trim, a lockable glove box, power steering, CD audio system and a 12-Volt auxiliary power outlet.

"The D40 Navara Dual Cab has been a very big seller for Nissan Australia since its launch here, and is often in the top ten of all models in, according to VFACTS," says Dan Thompson, CEO of Nissan Australia.

"We see the King Cab models entering a growing market segment, where the need to balance a large load with the ability to carry four in safety and comfort, if only occasionally, will be greatly appreciated by our customers.

"We also believe that the availability of an automatic transmission across the King Cab range will appeal to many of our customers. This gives us a distinct advantage against our competitors."

Unlike the dual cab Navara, which is built in Spain -- and is Nissan's single most popular model in Australia -- the King Cab and single-cab Navara models are built in Thailand. Thailand is a popular place to build light commercial vehicles for export to Australia. It's one of just two countries in the world sharing a free trade agreement with Australia, so the landed cost of Thai-built vehicles is lower than would be the case of vehicles built in other parts of the world.

This time last year (more here), Nissan was selling as many of the D40 dual cabs as the company could obtain for the local market, but the Spanish factory was flat-out building the Navara just as a dual cab model, let alone in other body styles.

The two new body styles should add substantially to the tally for the importer, with commercial vehicle sales also supported by the older generation D22 Navara, which remains on sale in Australia.

Nissan put sales of the D22 Navara on hold for several months, until the older vehicle could be upgraded to comply with new Australian emissions legislation. The hiatus has not helped sales of the D22 model

"It came back in April," says Ross Booth, Nissan's General Manager Marketing, "and it's taking a little longer than what we had hoped to gain traction and get customers back -- because we were out of market for about nine months."

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