NISSAN has strengthened the pledge to double its share of Europe's LCV market inside three years with the arrival of the company's new NV400 heavy van.
Nissan’s claim is that the newcomer is one of the most versatile and practical heavy van ranges on the market, with gross vehicle weights ranging from 2.8 to 4.5 tonnes.
And for the first time on a Nissan van, there’s the choice of front or rear-wheel drive versions. Prices are from £18,995.
The NV400 also comes in three wheelbase versions, four different lengths, three heights and as many power options plus six-speed manual and robotised transmissions.
As well as factory-built panel vans and combis, there are crew vans, box-bodies, tippers and dropsides all built in-house, while Nissan will also offer a chassis-cab for specialist body builders.
Sergio Alcaraz, vice president of Nissan’s LCV business unit, said: "The bold Nissan look helps us differentiate NV400 from its competitors and gives us a distinctive face in the market.
"NV400 is very versatile and offers a solution to each need in the heavy van sector. It is much more than a replacement for Interstar and takes us into a much wider market segment thanks to the breadth and depth of the range."
Power comes from a newly developed direct injection 2.3-litre turbodiesel engine that’s smaller than the Interstar's 2.5 dCi unit yet power outputs are the same - 100, 125 and 150bhp - and torque figures have improved.
All are Euro 5 compliant and enjoy lower running costs thanks to improved economy and to major service intervals which have been extended to 25,000 miles or every two years.
Standard or optional equipment reflects passenger car levels and includes air-con, parking sensors, cruise control with speed limiter, trip computer, Bluetooth and USB/iPod playback through the sound system.
A rear view parking camera and Nissan Connect by TomTom are also options.