Just weeks after the South African launch of the NV200 panel van, Nissan SA has released the seven-seater Combi version - best known as the vehicle that's been chosen as New York City's next official Yellow Taxi.
Which is great for Sarah Jessica Parker, next time she goes on a shoe-shopping spree, but where does the NV200 Combi fit in a local context?
Well, everywhere, according to Nissan, which is pushing the little bus as a real all-rounder, with space for a big family, clients, hotel guests or employees, or big boxes of shoes, thanks to its folding seats that don't have to laboriously removed to convert the Combi into a cargo carrier.
The sharp, angular styling leads into a sliding door on each side for added practicality (and ease of production for world markets) and the Combi runs on smart 14" alloys. The deep plastic front bumper absorbs life's little knocks without transferring the impact to the body shell (making for quicker, cheaper repairs after minor dings) and the cooling system is tucked well out of harm's way.
375 SHOEBOXES
An uncluttered dashboard incorporates the gear lever, off the floor and close to the steering wheel for a more natural driving action, with a simple instrument binnacle housing a big speedometer and two 70mm multi-information LCD display screens displaying fuel range, fuel level, average consumption, instantaneous consumption, a shift-up indicator to increase driving efficiency and an economy meter as well as trip distance and outside temperature.
The driver can scroll through the displays using the keys on the multi-function steering wheel, which also has controls for the audio system and Bluetooth hands-free telephony.
Seats are finished in two-tone grey and blue fabric and there are places to lose things all over the cabin, including a conventional glove compartment, a storage tray on top of the dashboard, smaller trays in the centre console and around the steering wheel, large door pockets and four cup holders.
With the third row of 'peanut gallery' seats folded, the cargo bay can swallow 2.3 cubic metres (or 375 shoeboxes!), which opens up to a cavernous 3.1 cubic metres with the middle row - big enough to take three mountain bikes with their front wheels still attached.
POWER TRAIN
The NV200 Combi comes with a choice of two proven prime movers - a normally-aspirated 1.6-litre petrol engine rated for 81kW at 6000rpm and 153Nm at 4400, and a Renault-based 1.5 dCi credited with 66kW at 4000rpm and 200Nm as low as 1750 rpm.
Each drives the front wheels via a five-speed manual 'box, returning an average 7.3 litres per 100km in petrol format and 5.1 in diesel flavour.
Standard kit includes an electronic stability programme, front and side airbags, IsoFix child-seat anchor points, remote central locking, aircon, radio/CD audio system with aux and USB ports as well as Bluetooth for audio streaming and hands-free telephony, electric front windows and mirrors, and an anti-bacterial gear knob and steering wheel.
PRICES
.6i Visia Combi - R235 800
1.5 dCi Visia Combi - R266 100
All new NV200 Combi models come standard with a three 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty. Service intervals for both petrol and diesel variants are 15 000 km. a