The New Nissan Navara Pick-Up Is Launched In Kenya.
Crown Motors Group yesterday launched the latest iteration of the Nissan Navara pick-up in Kenya. The latest Navara lin-up builds on the success of its predecessors with enhanced safety, comfort and driving capabilities with the same levels of the durability, reliability and versatility that customers have become accustomed to.
The Nissan Navara model lineup comes in the XE, LE, or the Pro 4X. My personal first impressions are that the latest Nissan Navara looks awesome. The front-end in particular looks aggressive and muscular as it clearly emphasises the strength of this pick-up range. You can definitely see the same design language from the latest Nissan Patrol evident in the Navara which just looks really good with sharp and curvy angles to the grill, headlamps, etc. It also includes standard side steps, roof rails, distinctive 17 to 18’’ alloy wheels for a tougher look, c-shaped daytime running lights and quad-LED projector headlamps, tailgate assist, and rear bumper with an integrated step.
The latest Nissan Navara comes with many best-in-class technologies, including an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features and safety systems, making it the most advanced Navara yet in Kenya. It comes with a 2.5l turbo diesel engine that has proven reliable and meets the performance, economy and durability requirements for customers in Kenya. The Navara’s engine is available in two levels of output — High Output on LE and PRO-4X Grades, 140 kW power, 450 Nm torque: Mid Output on XE and SE Grades with 120 kW power, 403 Nm torque. 188 hp and 450 NM of torque. Fuel capacity of 80 litres. Fuel consumption is approximately 13km to a litre.
The Navara, in its latest incarnation, also comes with a strengthened rear axle and improved truck bed volume that make it a competent work partner that can take on any on-road and off-road terrain with great comfort for its driver and passengers. In four-wheel drive mode, the Navara has Active Brake Limited Slip Differential system (ABLS), which manages power delivery and wheel braking between the front and rear axles and between the left and right of the vehicle, depending on traction and speed. The Navara also comes with a quick-shifting 7-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual transmission.
The Navara’s ABLS also works with its Vehicle Dynamic Control system (VDC) and Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS) that improve drivers confidence when towing large payloads and driving through challenging terrain with reduced acceleration and brake operation. It also comes with Hill Start-Assist that prevents rollback when starting up again when parked on an incline. Navara drivers can also change pedals easily from the brake to the accelerator and carry out a safer hill starts. Other safety features include dual front, side, curtain, and knee airbags, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist. That’s a lot of safety!
The interior of the Navara is super quiet thanks to the increased insulation, as well as laminated windshield and front windows. Its cockpit is also more convenient and driver-orientated with a new Nissan steering wheel and improved styling of the instrumentation panel that features a 8-inch navigation screen and a 7-inch higher resolution TFT screen. This seems to becoming the norm across all new Nissan range as seen in Magnite that was also launched in Kenya last week. The rear seats in the Navara have been made more comfortable with upgrades to seat cushions and back shapes as well as the new rear armrest with built-in cup holders to store beverages and/or smartphones.
The Navara, as expected, also comes with Nissan Intelligent Mobility which features a 360-degree safety shield that helps protect the driver and passengers from potential risks on and off the road. In further enhancing safety, the Navara also features Intelligent Around View Monitor (Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection), which uses four mounted cameras to help drivers notice people and cars surrounding and approaching the vehicle. This enables easier manoeuvring when performing tasks such as parallel parking and positioning of the vehicle during trailer hitching. It also has an off-road monitor that confirms surrounding obstacles at low speeds when in four-wheel drive.
To meet the needs of our increasingly ‘connected’ lifestyles as digital-first consumers, the Navara comes equipped with the NissanConnect infotainment system. Navara customers can seamlessly connect their smartphones or bluetooth streaming audio, as well as voice recognition and navigation. The same system also supports Apple Car Play and Android Auto meaning that whatever kind of smartphone you use you can connect it to your Navara. It also features climate control, tilt, power steering column, keyless ignition, 6 speakers, cruise control, and automatic air conditioning.
In terms of pricing, the Nissan Navara starts from what seems to be a relatively competitive Kes. 4,900,000 with 2 years or 50,000 kms service plan and a manufacturer’s warranty of 3 years or 100,000 kms. This is a rugged and well equipped pick-up that also features the latest technologies and creature comforts that many customers in Kenya will come to appreciate. I am seriously looking forward to taking it for a spin in the coming week(s) to get a better sense of what a state-of-the art pick-up like the Nissan Navara looks and feels like, on and off the road!
