Nissan trucks for the UK
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• Nissan will enter the UK truck market in the autumn although importer Nissan MMUK has not specified which models it will bring.
The most likely choice is the middleweight L series, spanning the 3.5-8.0-tonne GVW sector which is built at the Nissan Motor Iberica plant in Spain; the L80 7.5-tonner seems the best bet for the UK.
Two engines are offered in the L80: the Nissan B4-40 fourcylinder direct-injection in the L80.09 produces 69kW (94hp) at 2,800rpni and 282Nm (208113ft) of torque at 1,300rpm. The larger six-cylinder Nissan B6-60, fitted to the L80.14, produces 99kW (135hp) at 2,800rpm and 400Nm (295Ibft) of torque at 1,400rpm. Drive is transmitted to the rear axle via a ZF S5-42 five-speed synchromesh gearbox.
Suspension is the same for both models: parabolic leaf springs and anti-roll bar at the front, with semi-elliptic leaf springs, auxiliary springs and an anti-roll bar at the rear. Driveaxle air suspension is an option. Braking is via a dual-circuit air over-hydraulic system with drum brakes front and rear. ZF power steering is used on both models.
Three wheelbase options are offered with each model: 3,200mm, 3,600mm and 3,900mm for the L80.09, and 3,230mm, 3,730mm and 4,230mm for the L80.14. Day and crew-cab options are available on the Continent.
It is not clear how Nissan MMUK will market the vehicles as the company does not have specialist truck dealers in the UK — Nissan's LCV range is sold through its car dealers.
According to Dr Paul Nieuwenhuis, Leyland Dal Commercial Vehicle Fellow at the Centre for Automotive Industry Research in Cardiff, Nissan will probably market the 7.5-tonners through selected car dealers: a pattern established in Belgium and Czechoslovakia: "They will allocate a corner of a dealer site and once the market is cracked, bring in heavier vehicles."
The Motor Iberica plant also produces the M range, which extends up to 14 tonnes GVW. It includes a spinal chassis model suitable for brewery work.