THE NEW NISSAN PICKUP

2000/03/31

THE NEW NISSAN PICKUP

Nissan has enhanced its range of 4x2 and 4x4 Pickups.  On sale as of
1 September 1999, the Single, King and Double Cab variants benefit from an enhanced interior, new dashboard and improved trim specification levels.

The Single Cab Pickup gains tilt adjustment on the steering wheel with the King Cab also gaining driver’s airbag and heated rear window.  The major enhancements, however, have been added to the ever-popular Double Cab model, which gains driver’s airbag, tilt adjustable steering wheel and heated rear window plus electric windows front and rear, electrically adjustable door mirrors and key activated central door locking.     

Introduced in February 1999 into the 1-ton pickup market, the new model builds on its predecessor’s strengths of durability and off-road performance, while upgrading power and refinement, load carrying and towing ability, as well as comfort and security features.

New Pickup prices are as follows:

** VAT registered companies eligible for VAT refund offer from Nissan of around £2,700

The new Nissan Pickup at a glance

·         New turbo diesel 2.5 litre, intercooled engine gives class-leading power, performance and towing capacity

·         The new engine offers 39 per cent more power and 50 per cent more torque than previous model. 104PS max. power / 178lb ft max. torque 

·         4x2 models feature an improved version of Nissan’s 2.5 litre normally-aspirated diesel engine which now produces 83PS

·         Available in three body designs (Single Cab, King Cab and Double Cab), two drivetrains (4WD & 2WD) with two engines to give maximum user choice

·         King Cab model has a secure space behind the seats to store valuables and is V.A.T. reclaimable

·         V.A.T. refund available from Nissan for V.A.T registered buyers of Double Cab models

·         Modern, recreational vehicle styling which shares its appearance with the new Patrol GR

·         Wider track improves stability, ride and handling – towards passenger car levels

·         Improved crash protection due to strengthened body

·         Enhanced security features include engine immobiliser as standard for all models

·         Car-like cabin comfort

This is the 16th generation of Nissan Pickup since the model was first introduced more than 60 years ago. The latest version is available in the UK with a choice of three body styles;  Single, King and Double Cabs.  It is available with a choice of two engines; a normally-aspirated 2.5 litre diesel and a class-leading 2.5 litre 104PS turbo diesel with intercooler.  Like its predecessor the latest model comes with either a 4x4 or 4x2 drivetrain.

 
The new Nissan Pickup range

The Single Cab offers a single bench seat for three people and a large cargo area.  Nissan’s unique King Cab version has two individual front seats with a secure space behind the seats to store tools and valuables.  The four-door Double Cab combines passenger and load carrying space, with room for five people.  V.A.T. is reclaimable on the Single and King Cab models.  In response to new V.A.T. legislation, brought in on
1 December 1999, Nissan is currently offering a full V.A.T. refund on Double Cab models to registered buyers.  However plans are underway to introduce a fully compliant model with a payload in excess of 1,000kg in the near future.

Styling

The Pickup’s attractive styling combines toughness with a sporty edge.  The new shape is smoother and more aerodynamic, in line with the recently introduced Patrol GR. On all 4x4 models, wide, moulded wheelarch finishers protect the bodywork and accentuate the stability provided by the wider track.  A neat and sporty scoop on the bonnet provides additional cooling air for the intercooled turbodiesel engine.

Interior

The interior of the new Nissan Pickup is far more sophisticated and comfortable than a traditional commercial vehicle. The seats are all-new, ergonomically shaped for maximum comfort with maximum location, even on rough off-road terrain.  The cushion and seat back angles have been changed to give improved driving posture and a passenger car feel.  The addition of extras, such as tilt adjustable steering wheel (Single Cab), plus driver’s airbag and heated rear window (King Cab) bring the Pickup’s specification to an even higher level.  The Double Cab model, however, benefits from these additions plus electric windows front and rear, electrically adjustable door mirrors and key activated central door locking.    

The Powerful Nissan Turbodiesel

Nissan’s new Pickup features one of the most powerful 2.5 litre turbo diesel engines in class.  It has 25 per cent more power than the normally-aspirated version and offers high engine flexibility at low rpm.  The TD25Ti engine is an in-line four-cylinder unit with two valves per cylinder, operated by pushrods.   The addition of the turbocharger, intercooler and an Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) system give significantly increased power and improved performance while reducing emissions.  Other improvements introduced this year include a modified combustion chamber shape, reshaped piston rings, modified fuel injection characteristics and an upgraded cooling system.

The 4x4 Pickup has a maximum towing capacity of 2300kg, 800kg more than that of the 4x2 model.   The 4x4 King Cab model can carry up to 970kg in the flat load bed, which can be easily accessed by releasing the tailgate.  The cargo area can be divided into separate compartments by adding a board between the designated slats.

The 2.5 litre normally asipirated diesel engine, which powers the two-wheel drive models, has the same engine configuration as the turbodiesel model. It has a capacity of 2494cc and generates 83PS at 4300rpm and 120 lb/ft of torque at 2200rpm.

Pickup Chassis

The Nissan Pickup has a separate steel chassis with independent front suspension and a rigid rear axle.  All models have a stabiliser bar on the front suspension, which uses double wishbones with lower link torsion bars and heavy duty telescopic dampers. The rear suspension has multi-leaf springs with two telescopic dampers.

Power is transmitted through a hydraulically operated single dry plate clutch.  The all-syncromesh five-speed manual gearbox has been modified to accommodate the 50 per cent torque increase of the latest intercooled turbodiesel engine.

The selectable four-wheel drive system offers options very similar to those in Nissan’s Patrol GR and Terrano II off-roaders.  A lever gives the option of high ratio two-wheel drive for everyday road driving, and high or low ratio four-wheel drive to provide optimum traction and towing ability on all surfaces. It is possible to change from two-wheel drive to high ratio four-wheel drive while on the move.  The 4x4 Pickup features standard automatic free running hubs so the driver does not have to exit the vehicle to lock the front wheel hubs for off road driving.  A limited-slip rear differential is also standard on the four-wheel-drive Pickup to provide traction in all road conditions.

Power assisted steering is standard on the new Nissan Pickup.  The wider track, stiffer chassis and retuned spring and damper settings improve steering feel, stability and steering response. Geometry changes maintain the Pickup’s compact turning circle (4x2 11.2m 4x4 12.0m) despite wider wheels and tyres.  On the rear axle, the telescopic dampers are offset ahead of and behind the axle, to reduce torque reactions under acceleration and braking, further improving stability while allowing the springs to be soft enough for comfort.

All models of the new Nissan Pickup use ventilated front disc brakes and rear drum brakes, with large capacity tandem power assistance as standard on all models.

Improved Safety and Security

The Nissan Pickup's safety begins with its strong construction. Both chassis and body shell have been strengthened in a number of areas. Changes to the side frames, including roof front rail and A-pillar reinforcements, improve energy absorption in a front or rear collision. The body shell uses progressively deformable areas to protect a strong safety cage around the cabin. The longer nose means extended crushable structures and there are additional reinforcements in the areas of the door apertures and windscreen pillars. All doors include pressed steel side impact protection bars.

Security features on the new Nissan Pickup include an immobiliser system with a transponder key and anti-scanning as standard on all models.

Target customer

Nissan expect the new Pickup to appeal to two main customers.  Firstly the self-employed owner operator (building sub-contractor, carpenter, gardener, farmer or fisherman).  Owner operators are likely to use their pickups for leisure use as well as for business.  Secondly the company fleet especially construction companies, forestry commission and utility companies.  They have high expectations from their pickup including load and crew carrying, commuting, towing and off-road driving.

Protecting the Environment

The new Pickup’s turbodiesel engine has reduced emissions and noise levels.  Easily recyclable plastic parts are extensively used, with marking for most rubber and resin-based components.  More than 90 per cent of
the vehicle (by weight) is now recyclable.  All friction materials are asbestos-free and Nissan continues to switch from copper materials which use lead, to aluminium materials which do not. 

Heritage

Nissan created its first pickup model almost 64 years ago, with the production of the “13T” in July 1934.  That was followed by the “14T” in February 1935 and the “17T” in March 1938 – before World War II brought production to a halt in December 1943.  In November 1946 there was another new pickup model, the “1121”.  That grew through the “2225” family a year later and with the launch of the “3135” model in January 1949 Nissan began to export its pickups.  The “220” ran from November 1957 to August 1961 and was then replaced by the “320”.

In July 1966 pickup production began in Mexico with other manufacturing operations springing up regularly (Thailand 1977, Philippines 1978, New Zealand 1986 and China 1996).  Pickups became the main output of the Kyushu plant in December 1976 and of U.S. Nissan Motor Production Inc. in June 1983.  By 1988 the total number of pickups exported had passed the four million mark, and in 1990 the cumulative total of domestic production passed six million. 

Today the Nissan Pickup is a truly world vehicle with an impressive heritage.  It is sold in some 110 countries from Japan to Europe, and the USA to the Middle East.

Warranty

The new Pickup, like all Nissan vehicles, is covered by Nissan’s Roadside Assistance, which includes Nissan's comprehensive three-year or 60,000 mile mechanical warranty, three-year paint warranty and six-year perforation corrosion protection.  Twelve months roadside assistance is also included.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nissan Product & Corporate Affairs   01923 899930

Updated April 2000