Nissan vows to listen

Nissan has launched its Series 3 Navara ute with a unique local tune of its troublesome rear suspension and confirmed the performance expectations of Australian customers will be incorporated into the earliest stages of advanced planning for future models.

That commitment comes from the very top; Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance light commercial chief Ashwani Gupta, who attended the launch of the new Nissan Navara in Melbourne last week.

"The objective is to have the integration of the Australian customer voice in the advanced stage [of product development] and we will do it," Gupta declared.

This is the second retune of the troublesome five-link coil-spring rear suspension used by D23 Navara dual-cab utes since the Australian launch in 2015.

The original tune was developed for Thailand, from where Australian Navaras are sourced. The 2016 retune swapped to recalibrated rear shock absorbers.

The new tune is destined to roll out into other markets starting with South America, where expectations of load carrying ability and performance are also high.

Gupta, whose responsibilities cover all frame-based SUVs, pick-ups and vans, said the way Australian customers treat their utes made us unique.

"Australia is not a leading market in terms of size, but it is a leading market in terms of aspiration and the way the people use the trucks.

"The truck is used at extreme conditions and tough terrains, which is very unique to Australia.

"When I talk about other countries you have either professional users off the road or you have private useage on the road.

"But in Australia you have lifestyle off the road, which is unique. That's why it's a combination of workers and lifestyle, but the product should be adaptable off the road and on the road and this is unique to Australia.

"That gives us a big challenge."

The Navara's problem has centred on too easily crashing into the bump stops when carrying a load or towing.

Testing began on an upgrade to the dual-rate rear springs and a revised steering ratio in early 2017 in Australia and was signed off when a prototype Series 3 was brought back here last December.

It was back-to-backed against a 2016 Navara and rivals including the Ford Ranger, Toyota HiLux and Holden Colorado.

Testing centred on country roads around the Victorian town of Maldon and included Japanese and Australian engineering and product planning personnel.

The Navara was tested with no load, loads of 500kg and 750kg, and while towing 3.5 tonnes (its maximum braked capacity).

Dual-rate rear springs are designed to provide a more comfortable ride in an unladen state, but also cope better with a higher payload. The Navara rides 25mm higher in an unladen state and 40mm higher than its predecessor when laden. There is also an improvement in approach and departure angles.

A quicker steering gear reduces lock-to-lock turns and is claimed to make manoeuvring easier in tighter spaces. There is no change to the turning circle.

The Navara's fully boxed frame has not been retuned and nor has the double-wishbone front suspension or the leaf-spring rear-end used by single- and king-cab Navaras.

For our initial assessment of the retune, check out our first drive of the 2018 Nissan Navara here.

Nissan Australia's product planning team has traditionally had input into the development of frame-based vehicles, but not at the advanced stage where basic parameters are defined before engineering development begins.

Gaining earlier access to development was one of a number of wins for Nissan Australia to emerge from Gupta's visit.

He also endorsed a study into a Navara-based rival for Ford's Ranger Raptor and said the new Navara-based seven-seat Terra SUV was being strongly considered for Australia.