Nissan NV200 van and MPV 2009

What's Good

Nissan NV200 GX 'Vanette' and Nissan NV200 16S MPV launched at Geneva Motor Show, March 2009. 4,400mm long. Sliding side doors for ease of entry. 4.1m3 of loading space in van version. Economical petrol and diesel engines. Low cost of ownership. 'Family' version is a seven seat people carrier.

Designed to be both a commercial and a passenger vehicle. Nissan NV200 available in three different versions: a van with the largest load space in its class and two seven-seat variants – the functional Combi version for loads and passengers, and a more plush passenger car version.

Nissan 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 (2,040mm). 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.

Generous interior dimensions of NV200 also translate into ample passenger space in the Combi version. The seats in the Combi stay inside 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 is optionally 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 is also 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 car 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. The petrol version is 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 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 an optional rear view parking camera, a first for a van in this segment, while the cabin is full of storage spaces, pockets and cup/bottle holders. There is also a secret storage space large enough to hide a camera, mobile phones or vital documents within the upper portion of the glovebox.

Other 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.

NISSAN RELEASES ALL-NEW GLOBAL VAN – NV200 VANETTE

April 2 2009. Nissan Motor Co., Ltd (NML) announced the start of the pre-launch sales for the all-new NV200 van in Japan, with deliveries from May 2009.

The wagon is a seven-seater people carrier offering a more spacious interior with car-like comfort and features.

Powered by the 1.6L HR16DE petrol engine, the van also offers excellent driving performance without compromising fuel efficiency, for a low total cost of ownership.

(The name NV200 is derived from New generation for N, Vehicle for V, and 200 for its Van classification. Inheriting the current Vanette heritage, the name expresses the concept of the car which is a new-generation LCV that is designed for the needs of modern business.)