DRIVINGCOMPILED

NISSAN NAVARA anthony@ramsaymedia.co.za

The first indication that things were going to be a little out of the ordinary (okay, make that a lot) was the warning that proceedings would start at 5 am.

The second out-of-the-ordinary thing: as I started out for the launch venue, the rain began falling gently. Then it began teeming. Then it started going horizontal. Bear in mind that this was midsummer, in the throes of a parched Cape’s lingering drought.

So we were a little edgy about Leg 1 of our one-day 500-kilometre adventure, a bumpy switchbacked track leading to the summit of Kanonkop Hill in Durbanville, northeast of Cape Town. On a clear day, you can see almost forever, but on this pitch-dark morning in driving rain and low cloud with visibility down more or less to the vehicle ahead, we were thankful for the Navara’s surefootedness on what was rapidly becoming a challenging, slithery scramble. Plus, we really didn’t need to see the steep drop-off that ended, basically, down in the valley.

The new Navara has been a long time coming. And it makes a bold statement of intent with a rear-end layout that’s unique in the pick-up segment: independent 5-link coil suspension, chosen specifically for the local market. But is it tough enough for South Africa’s demanding conditions, and demanding owners? Hell yeah, says Nissan SA boss Xavier Gobille. No stranger to shaking up local beliefs – previously, he revitalised Alliance partner Renault in this country – Gobille said the year-long delay in bring the new Navara to our market was all because it simply wasn’t good enough, to his way of thinking. So what we have is a bakkie that rides like an SUV, but is able – so Gobille insists – to lug heavy loads without complaining. It is rated for 200 kg more load capacity than the previous model.

Our launch route covered a good mix of well-maintained tar, moderate gravel, rough gravel and dunes. We drove only the auto version on the dunes, where the newest Nissan scampered around effortlessly. It’s quite nimble: the Navara’s wheelbase is 5 cm smaller than the previous model’s and its turning radius is said to be the tightest in its class.

That tiny difference in wheelbase doesn’t seem to have affected accommodation: there’s ample rear legroom, even with tall front-seat passengers (we checked).

In terms of drivetrain, the Navara boasts, according to Nissan, best-in- class fuel economy: 6,5 litres/100 km for the manual and 7,0 for the automatic. Still, the twin-turbo produces a healthy 140 kw at 3750 r/min and 450 N.m from 1 500 to 2 500 r/min.

Prices start at about R450 000 for 4x2 double cab versions and reach up to R565 000 for the 4x4 double cabs.