Scoop info: New Nissan Champ

A poster child for the Renault-Nissan alliance, the new NP200, as the model range will be known, is in fact a Dacia Logan pick-up (pictured right) which has been rebadged as a Nissan for the local market. Dacia is a Renault subsidiary.

Models produced for South Africa will look slightly different, with a neater colour-coded front end being the most evident change.

The outgoing model continues to register strong sales in its run-out phase and close to 2 000 units have been sold since the start of 2008.

NP200's engine details remain virtually unknown, but a Nissan source has hazarded that power could be sourced from the 1.6-litre currently seen in the Livina MPV, or the 1.4-litre lifted from the Micra.

Entry level models are likely to be sold with air-conditioning and power steering as standard.

The new NP200 goes on sale in the third quarter of this year.