New Navara - upmarket double-cab from Nissan

The Nissan Navara double-cab bakkie, released in South Africa this week, is intended to complement the existing Hardbody range, not replace it.

Nissan SA says it fills the gap between workhorse bakkies and (very expensive) lifestyle vehicles such as its Pathfinder, with SUV features in a big pick-up - including the ability to seat five adults in comfort.

It's built in Spain on the same production line as the Pathfinder and has the same platform but with a wheelbase 35mm longer. It will be available initially with petrol or diesel power and a six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. A five-speed auto and electronically controlled all-wheel drive with locking differentials will be added to the range early in 2006.

The petrol engine is a bored and stroked, four-litre version of the VQ quad-cam V6 first seen in the 350Z and more recently in the Pathfinder. In this application it's been remapped and tuned to deliver 198kW at 5600rpm and 385Nm at 4000rpm.

It stills thrives on revs, though, pulling strongest between 4000 and 6000rpm, accompanied by a muted but authoritative V6 howl from the air box.

The diesel is a 2.5-litre, DOHC, turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder with second-generation common-rail injection capable of 106kW and 356Nm. An uprated version with a variable-nozzle turbocharger, for which Nissan quotes 128kW and 403Nm, will be used on diesel 4x4 models.

The diesel has balancing shafts; the only time you can tell it's a diesel is on start-up - and when you short-shift to stay in its 2500-4000rpm power band.

The six-speed manual box is commendably slick but with a narrower gate (compared to the five-speed in the current Hardbody) that takes a bit of getting used to - nevertheless, with a light touch, very quick shifts can be made.

Nissan quotes fuel consumption of 12.7 litres/10km for the petrol version and 8.4/100km for the diesel - both measured in the combined cycle in Europe. It'll take considerable right-foot discipline to achieve those figures on South Africa's more open roads.

The power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is very light at car-park speeds but tightens up nicely on the freeway. It's the same set-up on both versions but feels totally different due to the considerable extra weight of the diesel's cast-iron block compared to the all-aluminium petrol V6.

The steering on the diesel is firm and very precise but with little or no feedback and little tendency to oversteer under power but the petrol, with less weight on the front wheels, is more lively and can be provoked into spectacular oversteer on loose surfaces, thanks to all that extra power!

Nissan staffers say the more manageable diesel is actually quicker over their rally test course.

The front suspension is as on the Pathfinder - independent double wishbones with coil-over shock absorbers - while the rear rides on a live axle with variable rate leaf springs - still the best for heavy loads and towing.

Handsome vehicle

The 2005 Navara is a big, handsome vehicle with flared wheel arches - integral with the steel side panels rather than plastic add-ons - short front and rear overhangs and the Nissan signature big chrome V in the grille; 17" alloy rims shod with 255/65 rubber give it 235mm of ground clearance.

The built-in roof rack can carry up to 100kg and has an adjustable centre crossbar to support long loads and prevent them from knocking on the cab roof.

The load box has Utili-track channels - two on the floor and one each along the top inside edges of the load box and the back of the cab - with fixed hooks and sliding cleats so you can tie down securely just about any load that will fit in there, no matter how awkward its shape.

First class cabin

The interior is trimmed in black charcoal and grey with flashes of chrome and brushed aluminium. The seats are upholstered in grey cloth with mesh (leather extra) and in front are adjustable for rake, height and lumbar support.

The six-speaker radio/CD front loader is the same as on the Pathfinder and air-conditioning and cruise control are standard across the range. There are power windows and mirrors, a 12V power plug in the fascia and centre armrest and a headlight levelling system.

The front passenger seat folds forward to provide a flat work surface and every possible nook and cranny has been turned into storage, including an eyewear holder, assorted cup and bottle holders, a large double-deck glove box and a smaller box in the centre of the fascia as well as a six-litre box in the centre console with coin, card and pen trays.

The rear bench seat is split 60/40 and the seat base folds to provide a flat storage area behind the front seats when needed.

There is a three-point seat belt for each of the five occupants with pre-tensioners and load limiters on the front seats; two front crash bags are standard.