Nissan(Tan Chong) To Release New Vannete
Tan Chong has been rather quiet this last year on the possible replacement of the super popular Nissan Vanette that drove the small business market for some 30 years. It has been the best selling small van/pickup/passenger van for years and was produced in Malaysia for the longest time and offered small Malaysian business a reliable well built product that almost never failed. Now comes a replacement that offers more room and features and will probably see very long service until the competition wakes up.
This is the NV200…..Nissan Vanette replacement. The NV200 uses innovative packaging ideas to create the largest and most practical cargo area in its class. Although a little under 4.4m in overall length, the van version of the NV200 has a load bay that’s more than 2m long (2040mm). With front-wheel drive and the adoption of a highly compact rear suspension system, the NV200 can house two standard Euro pallets in the cargo area at a time. At 1.84m high NV200 is no taller than its rivals, while at 520mm from ground level, the floor itself is the lowest in the class to ease loading, helping to boost the cargo volume to 4.1m3. Maximum payload is 771kg.
A large cargo area is a vital attribute for a van, of course, but the generous interior dimensions of NV200 also translate into ample passenger space in the Combi version. Unlike some other manufacturers that fit removable seats – which are invariably heavy to lift and need to be stored elsewhere when not in use – the seats in the Combi stay with the vehicle at all times. The middle row backrest has a 60/40 split to increase versatility and the entire assembly tumbles forward to fold flat against the front seats, while the rear pair fold individually to either side of the load area. While the van optionally is available with a side window it, differs from the passenger versions at the rear where it has twin side hinged “French” doors. Both seven-seaters have a fully glazed top hinged tailgate – though the Combi will be available with French doors – while the windows on both side doors have a sliding section for extra ventilation.
Built on a modified version of Nissan’s B Platform, NV200 has fully independent strut type front suspension mounted on a separate subframe and a compact and lightweight yet robust wide leaf spring rear axle. Performance comes from a choice of two engines, one petrol and one diesel. The petrol version will be powered by Nissan’s renowned all aluminium 1.6-litre HR16 engine, as found in Micra, Note and Qashqai. Displacing 1,598cc, the 16-valve unit develops 79kW (108PS) and 153Nm of torque and is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The diesel, also found on Note and Micra, is Alliance partner Renault’s acclaimed 8-valve 1.5 dCi (K9K) 1,461cc engine. Developing 200 Nm of torque and 63kW (86PS), it offers an ideal blend of performance, refinement and fuel economy. Power is transmitted through a five-speed gearbox.
To create more space in the cockpit, the gearlever extends not from the floor but from the two-tone wrap around centre console. Above the gearlever, the centre section houses the heating and ventilation controls and the double DIN radio slot. Heating and ventilation extends to all three rows of seats. The NV200 is available with car-like items of standard or optional equipment include features such as Nissan’s Intelligent Key, power windows and ESP. Safety equipment includes anti-lock brakes with brake assist (BA) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) as standard. Driver and passenger airbags are also standard with side bags available as an option. Pedestrian safety has also been considered with extra crash absorbing material in the bonnet and the adoption of an energy-absorbing bonnet.
Cost of ownership is projected to be among the lowest in the class thanks in part to the low running costs and high efficiency of the engines and drivetrains, but also thanks to the safety structure which helps to minimise crash damage to vulnerable under bonnet parts such as the radiator.
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