“These are working utes for people with heavy, dirty gear they need to get to job sites and the wide variety of places our primary industries operate in,” says Nissan New Zealand managing director John Manley.
“And we have reintroduced a king cab well-side model to the Navara RX range for those people who need cab storage space, but prefer the longer tray.”
The Navara RX is available as a king cab chassis, allowing buyers to personalise the rear of the ute to their needs, as well as a king cab well-side and double cab.
The Navara RX models have gone on sale from $39,900 for the 2WD double cab and from $46,490 for the 4WD king cab chassis. There are eight RX models available, as all four variants come with either a 6-speed manual gearbox or a 5-speed automatic transmission.
The two rear wheel drive models have the 106 kW and 356 Nm of torque version of Nissan’s 2.5L 4-cylinder turbo diesel motor, while the six 4WD models get 126 kWs and 403 Nm. And while the RX is easy to keep clean with its vinyl floor covering and heavy duty upholstery it has not totally scrimped on features. There is air conditioning, cruise control, power windows, keyless entry and a four speaker sound system.
For utes expected to earn their keep, there is a rear limited slip differential, anti lock brakes and an electronic safety programme also known as vehicle dynamics control.
The RX models can be distinguished by their steel wheels – all other Navara D40s have alloys -- no rear bumper and manually operated door mirrors.
“We’ve obviously had to leave out some equipment to make the RX more attractive to farmers, rural and forestry contractors,” says Manley. “But all the important technical features are still there that a working ute needs to perform to expectations.”
The 2WD RX models have a towing capacity of 2000kg and the 4WDs, three tonnes.
Above the RX models, Nissan offers four different mid range ST double cab models with 2WD and 4WD. They add carpeted cabins, 16 inch alloy wheels, side steps and a chromed rear bumper among other features and have the same engine and transmission options as the RX.
The higher specification STX models – again all double cabs – have 120 kWs 2WD and 140 kWs 4WD power trains, with 17 inch alloys, an active brake limited slip differential, dual zone climate control, and Nissan’s tie-down system at the rear.
