Pickup goes three ways
Page 18
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by Charles Young • Nissan's all-new pickup range made its debut at the RAE show in Amsterdam last week with three body styles and three engines.
The range consists of a Single Cab, Double Cab and King Cab with twowheel drive or four-wheel drive. The engines are a 2.5-litre diesel for the 4x2 and a 2.5-litre chargecooled diesel for the 4x4.
Both are derived from the previous 021's power unit but refinements have been carried out as well as the addition of turbocharger and a charge-cooler. Service intervals are likely to be every 6,000 miles.
There is also a 2.4-litre petrol engine in the range, but not for the UK.
The main models for the UK will be the 4x2 Single Cab in June followed by the 4x-1 Double Cab and King Cab in August, if Nissan can sort out the tax implications—will it count as a passenger car? All have a three-year/ 60,000 mile warranty.
The pickups have separate steel chassis. Front suspension is independent with double wishbones, lower link torsion bars and heavy-duty telescopic dampers-4x4 models also have stabiliser bars. The rear suspension uses multi-leaf springs with two telescopic dampers.
An uprated five-speed gearbox has double-cone synchromesh on second and third gears. Four-wheel drive can be selected on the move in normal ratio; there is also a low ratio. 102511 Four, in line Eight 22.31 2,494cc 103(77)/4,000 242(178)/2.000 Payload Load Area In four-wheel drive, free running hubs can be locked automatically as standard.
A limited-slip rear differential is standard on the 4x4 and optional with the 4x2. Steering is by recirculating ball with power assistance as standard on 4x4s and optional with 4x2s.
All models use ventilated front discs and rear drums. Nissan expects to sell 1,000 pickups a year with the King Cab taking 50% of sales: the Single Cab should take 20% and the Double 30%. A high-spec leisure model called the Mavara might also be imported.