New Bakkie, New Rules

By thinking outside the box, Nissan is set to stir the pot with its all-new Navara.

 

A twin-turbo diesel engine, coil springs and seven gears means that their latest premium pick-up, the D23, may be the one to beat.

At its launch in Morocco, we were given an opportunity to put it properly through its paces, enabling us to gauge ride comfort, off-road ability and much more over a range of challenging terrains. 

What's new?

When compared to the old Navara (D22), everything is new — from the chassis to the engine, gearbox and the interior. Nothing has been carried over from the previous model, and it boasts some unique features... for a contemporary bakkie, that is.

As we know, the international launch for the D23 Navara was back in 2014; but, for South African conditions, the Navara gets a 25mm suspension lift and the option of both 18-inch and 16-inch wheels to suit your off-road needs. 

Coil springs in a bakkie?

The new Navara takes cues from the ladder-frame SUV segment and fits coils to the rear end in a five-link setup. The benefits of this combination include a reduction in lateral movement of the rear axle, improved wheel articulation, and a softer ride when unladen.

By replacing leaves with coils, Nissan has removed the friction that occurs as leaves slide over each other. The reduced friction makes a huge difference over small, high-frequency bumps like corrugations or ridges in the road. In fact, the ride quality is so good, and the handling characteristics so SUV-like, that you very quickly forget that you're driving a pick-up. Gone is the jittery-rear-end feeling and the fast rebound that we've become used to in double cabs; the new system is compliant and soft. It's also quiet, with no trace of the incessant squeaking that often plagues leaf-sprung vehicles. A class-leading ride? Absolutely.