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NP200 now safest compact bakkie

Nissan's SA-built NP200 has received an upgrade, making it the safest range of compact bakkies around.

When the NP200 was launched back in 2008 most customers were impressed by its car-like dynamics and 800kg load capacity but an issue was the absence of comprehensive crash protection on the entry-level models.

Nissan has now addressed this by extending its comfort and safety features to the NP200’s lower-rung models.

OPTIONS TO UPGRADE

The 1.6, eight-valve base model can now be ordered with aircon only (R7 500) or as part of combined package that adds two front airbags and anti-lock braking (with electronic brake force distribution at all four wheels) for a premium of R13 100.

Nissan says it is the only brand retailing two airbags and anti-lock brakes on an entry level derivative in the compact bakkie segment. If one peruses the specification sheets of Chevrolet’s Corsa utility, Ford’s Bantam and Fiat’s Strada, well, it would appear the Japanese manufacturer has a point.

It's not only the petrol NP200 bakkies that have benefited from these 2011 upgrades.

Nissan’s popular 1.5-litre turbodiesel is now only available with the full suite of upgrades optional for its entry-level petrol powered sibling, bumping retail to R163 500.

MAKE A NOISE ABOUT IT: ABS-modulated brakes are now an option to slow even the base models when carrying 800kg…

Beyond the optional safety features now available on its entry-level offerings, Nissan’s upgraded the specification of its mid-range NP200 bakkies too.

The 1.6-litre S now has two airbags as standard, an improvement from the previous driver-only configuration.

Compact bakkie drivers and passengers, who often travel through high-risk accident areas, will no doubt feel a little safer due to the NP200 range’s feature upgrades.

The ABS option should prove particularly appealing to Gauteng owners, especially when carrying the full 800kg that Nissan claims for the NP200 and having to engage the brakes at full force during a typical summer thunderstorm.

Nissan’s NP200 is backed by a six-year or 150 000km warranty To some it will never be a Champ but to many others the best-value compact bakkie has just become a little bit better.

PRICES

1.6 8V Base - R109 400
1.6 8V Base - R116 900 (a/c)
1.6 8V Base - R122 500 (airbags, a/c, ABS, EBD)
1.6 16V Mid-spec “S” -  R137 600
1.6 16V High-spec “SE” - R158 400
1.5 dCi Base - R163 500 (airbags, a/c, ABS, EBD)
1.5 dCi High-spec SE -  R183 800
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