Nissan releases Navara swansong

Nissan has released upgraded versions of its popular Navara ST dual-cab, in what is likely to be the final change for the D40 ute before it’s replaced by an all-new model late this year or early next.

There are no mechanical changes and pricing also remains unchanged, at $36,990 plus on-road costs for Navara ST 4x2 manual ($39,190 auto) and $47,290 plus ORCs for the 4x4 ($49,590 auto).

For the same money, however, the Series 7 Navara ST twin-cab comes with a seven-inch colour touch-screen with reversing camera (with Predictive Path for 4x4s only), hard-disc satellite-navigation with 3D maps, DVD player, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive, DVD player and six-speaker Bose sound with subwoofer.

This is in addition to carryover standard features including 17-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone climate-control, power windows/mirrors, remote central locking, Bluetooth hands-free and an alloy sports bar.

Standard safety equipment continue to include six airbags, electronic traction/stability control, anti-lock brakes and electronic brake-force distribution.

All ST 4x2s retain their 120kW/403Nm 2.5-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel, 2000kg towing capacity and 8.3L/100km fuel consumption, while 4x4 models still deliver 140kW/450Nm, tow 3000kg and consume 8.5L/100km.

The Series 7 D40 Navara ST dual-cab 4x2 and 4x4 will be available in five exterior paint colours, including three solid hues (Polar White, Midnight Black and Flame Red) and two metallics -- Silver Lightning and Blue Velvet, which cost $495 extra.

Despite a sales slump of more than 45 per cent to March this year, the Navara 4x4 remains Australia’s third best selling 4x4 ute, behind Toyota’s HiLux and Ford’s Ranger but narrowly ahead of the Holden Colorado, Mitsubishi Triton, Mazda BT-50, Isuzu D-MAX and Volkswagen Amarok.