Review: Nissan Hardbody 2000i SSW; 3000 TD 4X4 double-cab
The new Nissan Hardbody range is here and all 15 models — except for the naturally aspirated 2,7 litre diesel workhorse — use brand new engines
There’s a new three-litre turbocharged double-overhead-camshaft 16 valve diesel engine, producing 105kW and 314Nm; a 3,3 litre V6 single- overhead-camshaft petrol-burning V6 that’s good for 125kW and 265Nm; there’s a 110kW 2,4 litre four cylinder petrol engine; and, the last of the new units, an entry-level two-litre fuel- injected four cylinder petrol engine that offers 92kW.
There’s also the faithful, if unexciting, old 64kW 2,7 litre naturally aspirated diesel engine — great for workhorse purposes, but not much fun for anybody who’s habitually in a rush.
The Hardbody comes in single- and double-cab formats, with two or four-wheel drive. Nissan’s reintroduced its Hi-Rider concept that gives 4×2 pickups the same attitude and stance as their four-wheel-drive stablemates, without the drag penalties and drive-train mass of a true 4×4. After all, if you don’t really need it, why pay for it? Besides the look, you get a fair degree of the functionality of a true off-roader, thanks to the electronic differential lock that comes with the Hi-Rider package.
Trim levels vary considerably from model to model. All offer car-like instrumentation with a digital clock, low fuel warning light, headlamp-on warning buzzer, driver’s footrest, lockable glovebox, headrests, immobiliser, tinted glass and mudflaps.
Splash out on an SL version and you get a higher spec level, including power steering, a diff lock, a sliding rear window and a rev counter. Move further up the ladder to an SE and you’ll be the proud owner of a bakkie equipped with airconditioning, electric windows, central locking, bucket seats, a centre console, a radio/CD player, cup holders and map lights. The SE range also offers a roll bar, a nudge bar, styled rear bumpers, 16″ alloy wheels, body colour overfenders and front bumper, front fog-lights and a chrome grille.
The upmarket double cab SEL comes with dual air bags, a four-spoke leather steering wheel, a tonneau cover, a very stylish roof carrier, and — for the range topping 3000 TD and 3300 double-cab 4x4s — anti-lock braking.
At the launch we drove single and double-cab versions of the new bakkie with the three litre turbodiesel, the 3,3 litre petrol V6 and the 2,4 litre petrol engines.
After covering about 240km on tar we retired into the forests near Dullstroom, where the vehicles were loaded to give us a taste of their capacity for hard work. Performance, heavily laden on farm roads, was impressive.
From there it was a relatively short hop to the 4×4 trail prepared by rally star Hannes Grobler, who, incidentally, gave me an opportunity to measure the impressive acceleration of the 3,3 litre petrol version from 10 to 80kph. Why test it through such an unusual speed range? Because the bastard wired up a locomotive foghorn and placed it in the bushes right next to where we had to cross a train line. When I came up to the crossing there was no traffic of any description in sight, so I puttered along through the crossing. Until the siren went off.
Off-road the four-wheel-drive vehicles performed well. Ground-clearance was healthy, approach and departure angles proved to be more than adequate, and traction was an easy match for the tough conditions. Nissan has stuck with a solid rear axle with variable-rate leaf springs, which is great off-road as well as super-tough, while the independent double-wishbone front suspension looks after the front, and gives superior comfort and handling on road.
The new Nissan Hardbody is streets ahead of the old, which was itself a good, serviceable vehicle but getting long in the tooth. Each derivative of the new model is smoother, quicker, quieter, better looking and much more comfortable than the model it replaces. We believe that Nissan can now fairly compete against the products that have outsold theirs so comprehensively for the last year or two. And best of all, prices have remained competitive, ranging from R109 399 (VAT inc) for the 2000 I SWW workhorse to R286 990 for the full-house 3000 TD 4×4 double-cab with ABS.