ASEAN NCAP has released a safety rating for the new Nissan Magnite, the Japanese firm’s new small crossover that is due to arrive in South Africa soon.
Based on its crash-test evaluation of the Indian-built 1,0-litre variant in Indonesian specification (with two airbags, electronic stability control, Isofix anchors and a seatbelt reminder system), the safety organisation awarded the new Magnite four stars.
In ASEAN NCAP’s frontal impact test, data from the dummies showed there was an “injury risk” to the driver’s chest, while the front passenger’s chest and lower legs received “adequate protection”. Perhaps most importantly, the crossover’s compartment was rated as “stable” in the frontal offset test. In addition, data showed the driver’s chest had “adequate” protection during the side impact test.
Ultimately, the Magnite scored 39,02 points for adult occupant protection, 16,31 points for child occupant protection and 15,28 points for its safety assistance technology, for a total of 70,61 points (equating to four stars).
Revealed in October 2020, the new Magnite is scheduled to launch in South Africa in the first quarter of 2021. It will be offered locally with a turbocharged 1,0-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels via either a five-speed manual gearbox or the Japanese firm’s X-Tronic continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The three-pot offers a peak power output of 74 kW at 5 000 r/min. In manual guise, peak torque of 160 N.m is on tap from 2 800 to 3 600 r/min, while the CVT version’s maximum twisting force is listed as a slightly lower 152 N.m (though is available over a broader spread of the rev range, from 2 200 to 4 400 r/min).
The new Magnite measures 3 994 mm from nose to tail, with a wheelbase of 2 500 mm, ground clearance of around 210 mm and claimed luggage capacity of 336 litres. It employs disc brakes up front and drums at the rear.
Watch the crash-test footage below…
