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Nissan in race for LCV top spot
Page 9
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CM EXCLUSIVE
By Cohn Barnett NISSAN AIMS to be the leading light CV manufacturer in the world by 2013. And with global sales that have almost quadrupled in seven years, its ambitions don't sound unrealistic. Key to the master plan is a new range of products, to appear at the rate of two a year from now until 2013. A new light van is particularly significant; Nissan global product planning vice-president Andy Palmer describes it as "the most important product we've ever launched'?
After a period of teasing us with images of its NV200 concept van, Nissan has unveiled the real thing (above and right).To be sold under its codename, the newcomer is aimed at a new position that Nissan says was defined by customer needs rather than existing segments. It will be available as a panel van, Eve-seater Combi van and a plusher seven-seater passenger version. Although inevitably sharing synergies with other NissaniRenault alliance products. including the Renault driveline and a modified Nissan "B" platform common to the Micra and Cube, the rest of the van is a clean-sheet design.
The Nissan Technical Centre Europe at Cranfield and the London design studio have played crucial roles in the process.
Volume has been a high priority in the design, with its sub-4,400mm overall length providing a load bay 2,040mm long and 1,220mm wide between wheelarehes, with a 4.1m3 volume. Intended as a global
product, its overall width is within the 1,700min required by the Japanese market, but it will still carry two euro-pallets. Maximum payload is 771kg with a GVW of 2,000kg on the diesel version. keeping it in the car speed limit.
Although a 1.6-litre, 106hp petrol engine is included, it's the diesel version that will appeal to most UK buyers, powered by the eight-valve 1.5dCi engine from cousin Renault,and delivering its 85hp and 200Nm through a five-speed manual gearbox.
The cabin is new, with a high level of equipment and plenty of storage facilities. A relatively upright driving position is a factor in its generous cargo area.
The NV200 van will be launched in Japan in spring, with Europe following in the autumn. Sharing RHD with Japan means the UK is likely to be at the forefront.