@finweek finweek finweekmagazine finweek^ 15 August 2019^47In April, Nissan announced an investment of R3bn into its
Rosslyn plant for the production of the Navara locally. The
decision is expected to create around 1 200 jobs at Nissan’s
Rosslyn facility in Pretoria and across the local supply chain.
Manufacturing of the next-generation Navara is expected to commence in 2020
and grow the plant’s current production output by more than 50%.
The Navara’s arrival will add 30 000 units to Rosslyn’s current annual
production volume of 35 000 and create the need for a new, second shift at the plant.
That alone will result in the immediate creation of an additional 400 jobs.
Nissan currently produces the NP200 and NP300 locally. This latest investment into
the facility will expand the plant’s role as a light commercial vehicle (LCV) manufacturing
hub for Nissan and augment Rosslyn’s role as an LCV export centre.
The Navara is Nissan’s highest-selling bakkie worldwide and has won multiple awards
globally, including the 2016 International Pickup of the Year. ■Also standard are remote keyless entry,
power windows, heated seats (works a
charm), tilt-adjustable steering column
and a rear sliding window that opens or
closes at the push of a button; perfect for
a cool breeze. Storage offerings include a
sunglasses holder in the overhead console.
Just about anything can be loaded in
this premium bakkie. And with a 3.5-tonne
braked towing capability you can haul just
about anything too.Piloting the Stealth
The Stealth’s side step
makes it easy to enter
this high rider and sink
into its seriously comfy
seats. Notwithstanding
its workhorse ability, it’s
a comfortable journey
both on- and off-road,
the leisure-cab’s suspension tweaked to
offer a more sophisticated ride.
Despite feeling that it lacked just a tad
in the grunt department, power delivery
from the 2.3-litre twin-turbo is gutsy
and gearing from the 7-speed automatic
gearbox is seamless. The Stealth gets a
thumbs-up for its precise power steering
that also provides good road feedback.
On the road this arresting bakkie
is mostly planted. The back end does,
however, have a tendency to be
somewhat twitchy around sharpcorners and rutted road surfaces...
but that’s without a load. Industry
peers, however, convinced me of added
grippiness when laden.
The two-wheel drive Stealth copes
exceedingly well in the rough. The 18-inch
tyres and independent double-wishbone
front suspension, front stabiliser bar and
5-link coil rear suspension absorbs all the
challenges that ungraded gravel roads,
dirt tracks and dongas offer up.
The Stealth’s hill start assist
and hill descent control also
came in handy, aiding traction
when navigating steep rises
and drops.
Even reversing this beefy
high-rider is trouble-free thanks
to the standard reverse camera
and reverse sensors.
The Nissan Navara Stealth
is good to look at. And it’s functional,
versatile and high riding. It’s a tough
bakkie, yet a very comfortable ride and an
enjoyable and easy drive. The many bells
and whistles offered with this premium
vehicle add significantly to its appeal.
Locals love their bakkies, especially
premium double-cabs like the Stealth. That
said, the Stealth has formidable locally built
rivals in the Toyota Hilux, Ford Ranger and
Isuzu D-Max all vying for an increasingly
expanding leisure market. ■
[email protected]on the money motoring
NISSAN INVESTS R3BN LOCALLY
TO PRODUCE THE NAVARA
Pho
tos
:^ Su
ppl
ied
It’s a tough
bakkie, yet a very
comfortable ride
and an enjoyable
and easy drive.
Nissan Navara
Stealth 4x2 AT
Engine: 2.3-litre twin-turbo diesel
Power/Torque: 140kW/450Nm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic
Payload: 961kg
Towing capacity (braked): 3 500kg
Ground clearance: 229mm
Fuel tank: 80 litres
Fuel consumption (claimed combined):
7 litres/100km
CO 2 emissions: 186g/km
Safety: Driver and front passenger front and
side-impact airbags; driver knee airbag, front to
rear curtain airbags
Service plan/warranty: 3 year/90 000km
service plan; 6 year/150 000km warranty
Price: 599 900 (incl. VAT)TESTED: