Nissan Stresses New Navara Pickup’s Affordability

MADRID – Nissan prepares to launch an entry-level version of its Navara pickup truck, targeting businesses seeking affordable transportation in economically turbulent Europe.

The FE Double Cab version of the new Navara reaches showrooms this month, followed in early 2013 by the FE King Cab model.

The sixth model in the Navara range features a lower-powered version of Nissan’s 2.5L dCi 4-cyl. common-rail diesel engine, producing 144 hp and 258 lb.-ft. (350 Nm) of torque.

The engine’s top speed is 104 mph (168 km/h) and achieves 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) in 13.1 seconds, compared with the 111 mph (180 km/h) and 11.1 seconds offered by the original 190-hp engine. In both cases, fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions will be identical: 28 mpg (8.4 L/100 km) combined city/highway and 222 g/km of CO2.

Two body styles are offered for the new, less-expensive version of the Navara. The 4-door FE Double Cab has room for five people, while the FE King Cab model features rear-hinged half-doors behind the main doors and two forward-facing rear seats that can be folded up against the rear bulkhead for increased load space.

Although Nissan touts the new pickup’s affordability, the FE Double Cab is priced at €25,200 ($30,840), just 4.5% less than the €26,350 ($32,250) for the existing XE model. Pricing for the FE King Cab will be announced closer to launch.

Available equipment in the new FE models includes part-time, all-wheel drive, manual air conditioning, power locks, six airbags, compact disc player and Bluetooth connectivity. The new pickups retain the C-Channel load tethering system in the load bay.

Nissan engineers have worked to lower manufacturing costs of the new, business-oriented Navara and pass along the savings to customers.

For example, the front bumper’s color matches the body paint rather than have a 2-tone element; the grille struts are painted rather than chromed; and conventional wiper blades are used in place of the flat blades found on higher-specification versions.

"These are small changes, but all together make a significant contribution to lowering the build price, helping to make the Navara an even more attractive proposition," says Christian Meola, Nissan Europe product manager-sales and marketing.

The new Navara has a 127-in. (323-cm) wheelbase and an overall length of 209 in. (531 cm). In the Double Cab version this makes way for a 25.8 sq. ft. (2.4 sq. m) load bed. The payload reaches 1,870 lbs. (850 kg) and the towing capacity is 6,600 lbs. (3,000 kg).

All Navara models marketed in Europe are built at Nissan's dedicated plant in Barcelona.