The Nissan NP200, the three-quarter-ton capacity bakkie, has become the sole competitor in this particular market segment after the Bantam Ford and Chevrolet Utility from the South African market. The Nissan NP200 was launched in 2008 to replace the legendary, small rear-wheel-drive bakkie called the Nissan 1400 (Champ). Despite the sad loss of the Nissan 1400, the NP200 quickly made up for it with its effective payload and became the primary contestant in the three-quarter-ton market.1
The NP200’s major attraction1
The spacious load bay designed for 790 kg and NP200’s roomy cabin have lured many buyers away from the other two competitors, the Ford Bantam and the Opel Corsa Utility. The Bantam vanished from the South African market in 2011, when the entire Ford plant in Silverton, Pretoria, was redesigned to manufacture the Ranger.
NP200 reigns in its segment1
Left without any competitors, Nissan took the opportunity to increase production at its Rosslyn plant to meet higher demand. At present, about 1400 to 1700 units are sold each month. Although competitors have vowed to challenge the NP200, nothing has happened so far.
What about the NP200’s powertrain? 1
In 2010, Nissan supplemented the NP200’s original 1.6-litre, 64 kW, 128 Nm, eight-valve petrol engine launched in 2009 with a 1.6-litre 16-valve petrol engine and a 1.5-litre turbodiesel engine. This situation has continued to the present.
The 16-valve version of the 1.6-litre petrol engine1
This version, called the NP200 1.6 16V High, sells in the high-trim form, including cabin improvements and other upgrades and with the engine producing 77 kW and 148 Nm. This version sells at R251 900 (September 2021).
What about the diesel version of NP200? 1
Available as the “Safety Pack” and “High”, the top diesel trim of the two top-of-the-range diesel bakkies is the costliest of the range. Both trims have the same K9K 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel built by Renault, with a power output of 63 kW and 200 Nm of torque.
NP200’s great diesel fuel consumption1
NP200’s diesel engines consume about 25% less fuel than their petrol equivalents. The claimed average consumption of 5.3 litres diesel 100 km, compares well with the petrol 1.6i 8V’s claimed 8.1 L/100 km/h. A claimed 8 L/100 km was produced by the petrol 1.6i 12V. There is a price to pay for this, with the diesel models being more expensive than the petrol equivalents. The lowest-priced diesel-powered NP200 comes at R260 900 (September 2021).
Disclaimer
This article can only serve as information. When buying car insurance, you may have a few important questions so be sure to take professional advice from a certified financial advisor before buying a car insurance product.
Good car insurance cover is essential. If your bakkie is new and financed by a bank, you will have to buy comprehensive car insurance according to legal requirements. This is where Prime South Africa comes into the picture, offering you affordable, comprehensive car insurance with exceptional benefits such as fixed premiums* and reduce to zero excess* T and Cs apply. Please contact us for more information.
Sources:
