Motoring reporter
THE launch of the Nissan NV350 Impendulo 16 seater people carrier at Pupkewitz Nissan last week, is building on the legendary reputation of its predecessor – Nissan E20 – a vehicle which still carries strong heritage with local taxi operators almost twenty years after the last E20 was sold.
Designed specifically for Southern Africa road conditions– the new Nissan NV350 Impendulo has been specifically tailored for use by commuters and operators alike. Developed to comply with the market’s world-leading transport industry regulations, a product development team was flown to Japan during the planning phase to ensure the model meets safety regulations and overall market suitability.
Following the design first seen locally on the Nissan NV350 Panel Van launched in 2013, the NV350 Impendulo features sharp, bold and assertive design cues which are harmonised by clean surfaces and an overall ‘fuss-free’ look. The NV350 Impendulo is available exclusively in white.
On the inside, the high-roof body design ensures roominess all-round. The cockpit features a spacious design with strategic attention given to important elements for operators who spend vast amounts of time behind the wheel every day. The single sliding side door opens wide to allow for the best possible ease of access
Behind the two individual front seats, 14 smartly-designed seats make the most of the NV350 Impendulo’s interior space. Featuring six benches and two individual seats with a central ‘passage’ allowing access to the rearmost three rows, ease of access was a key focus during design and development.
The new fuel efficient Nissan NV350 Impendulo is powered by a proven 2.5-litre petrol engine, which produces 108 kW at 5 600 rpm and 213 Nm at 4 400 rpm, mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.
Much like its Panel Van sibling, the NV350 Impendulo features smart standard equipment to make daily use more pleasant. These include easy-to-clean PVC flooring, adjustable power steering wheel, a multi-info trip computer, two cup holders, cleverly-designed sliding rear windows, seatback handles and 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers. A full-size spare wheel is also standard fitment, and a two-speaker audio system is available as an option.
Safety equipment includes driver and front passenger airbags, ABS with Brake Assist, seat belts for all 16 seats, a driver’s seatbelt warning buzzer, an emergency exit escape hatch in the roof and an immobiliser.
The new Nissan NV350 Impendulo is priced at N$310 000, and comes standard with a 3-year/ 100 000 km warranty as well as a three-year unlimited kilometres anti-corrosion warranty. Service intervals are 15 000 km.
Armand Barnard, Sales Manager at Pupkewitz Nissan is very excited about the addition of the Impendulo, as it allows Nissan to penetrate into the market where a gap exists and he said that Nissan will be able to supply and service these customers reliably.