TOUGHER than the rest is how Nissan describes its best-selling Navara pick-up and SUV sibling the Pathfinder – and the pair have been given a mid-term boost with a number of enhancements designed to keep them at the top.
Among the changes are the arrival of an advanced new three-litre V6 diesel engine; important improvements to the popular 2.5-litre dCi diesel; greater levels of passive safety; new equipment including the availability of Nissan Connect Premium touch-screen satellite navigation system, a premium Bose sound system and a rear view camera.
Launched at the Geneva Motor Show, the revised Navara and Pathfinder models are due on sale across Europe in April and will be followed two months later by the new three-litre V6 diesel flagship models.
The existing 2.5 dCi four cylinder engine hasn’t been forgotten, however, and significant improvements are likely to cement its position as the most popular unit in the range with better refinement and performance.
Retuning has seen a useful 11 per cent rise in both power – up 19PS to 190PS - and torque, which increases by 47 Nm to 450 Nm. And the changes also see improvements in fuel economy and lower emissions.
The revised models have been given a new look front and rear to differentiate them from their predecessors. Changes at the front include a new bonnet, revised grille and a new bumper assembly plus a new headlamp design, while changes at the rear of Pathfinder include a new bumper design with squared off edges to give a larger and lower mass for a more stable, tougher appearance.
The existing colour palette is changed to include two new metallic shades for Navara – Electric Blue and Blue Grey – while Blue Grey is added to the Pathfinder’s portfolio.