Nissan’s NP300 Hardbody has received a few changes for the 2008 model year, and, now available in South Africa, Nissan claims that it offers “an even better value for money prospect with increased comfort specification, safety features and performance”.“The NP300 nomenclature is new to the South African market,” says Chris Schell, General Manager Commercial Sales and Marketing at Nissan South Africa. “Globally the Hardbody is known as the NP300 and we decided to therefore introduce the upgraded model range as the NP300 Hardbody. The ‘N’ stands for Nissan and the ‘P’ for Pickup, while the ‘300’ is the series number in the commercial line-up.”
Both the Workhorse and Hi-Rider configurations are available in South Africa in single- and double-cab derivatives. The Workhorse models come in Short and Long Wheel Base configurations and are powered by five petrol and five diesel units, with some of this diesel power set to be introduced later in the year.
The NP300 Hardbody features Nissan’s new 2,5-litre common rail diesel engine. This unit is capable of producing 98 kW at 3 600 r/min and 304 N.m at 2 000 r/min. The petrol units available include the 2,0-litre unit that has an output of 84 kW at 5 600 r/min and 169 N.m at 3 200 r/min. The second petrol powerplant is a 2,4-litre unit that develops 105 kW at 5 600 r/min and 205 N.m at 3 600 r/min.
Nissan has added aircon as standard on some models in this range, and, on the Workhorse range, the company has included a new dashboard layout, vinyl floor covering, a new four spoke steering wheel, door panel storage pockets and warning lamps for water, fuel and temperature. Entertainment in the Hi-Rider Double Cab is a six CD changer.
Safety features in the NP300 Hardbody include driver and passenger airbags as standard in certain models, halogen headlamps and side headlamp reflectors are now available on the entire workhorse line-up, collapsible steering columns, side impact protections bars, integrated front crumple zones and integrated nudge bars and roll bars on all Hi-Rider Single and double cab models.
The front end of the Workhorse models have received a new front end, and the “S” and “SE” specification models have been added to this range. The “S” models come equipped with 15-inch wheels, differential lock and tubular rear bumper as standard. The “SE” models now feature driver and passenger airbags, air conditioner, 15-inch wheels, differential lock and tubular rear bumper as standard. The Hi-Rider models all feature body colour over fenders and colour coded front bumpers.
Prices:
Petrol-NP300
2000i 16V SWB S/Cab R109 950
2000i 16V LWB S/Cab R129 950
2000i 16V LWB S/Cab “S” R135 950
2000i 16V LWB S/Cab “SE” R149 950
2400i 16V Hi-Rider LWB S/Cab 177 950
All models includes a 3-year/90 000 km service plan except the 2,0-litre SWB
Diesel-NP300
2,5TDi LWB S/Cab2.5 R149 950
Double Cab-NP300
2400i 16V Hi-Rider D/Cab R230 950
These prices include a 3-year/90 000 km service plan.
