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D lthough the pickup market isn't
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the biggest sector in terms of vehicles sold, it's still a tough and competitive area. Nissan's standing in the field is definitely improving but, like everyone else, it is playing catch up with Mitsubishi who was the forerunner in exploiting the 'lifestyle' phenomenon. So does the Outlaw have what it takes to make a dramatic impact in the pickup sector?
By aiming at traditional customers—farmers, domestic and countryside landscapers, emergency services, architects, vets, and just about everyone who needs 4x4 back up—as well as the luxury and leisure markets (as an alternative to the traditional company car with benefit-in-kind taxation benefits), Nissan has developed a trident-style sales approach.
Nissan has, in one form or another, been involved in the one-tonne pickup sector since 1986, promoting two and four-wheel drive vehicles. The petrol 2.o-litre 2.5-tonne version lasted until 1993, while the diesel continued until 1998 before being replaced by the 2.5litre version with a slightly heavier GVW.
In 1999, it introduced the 'lifestyle' Navara concept at the London Motor Show, with double cab and added extras like air conditioning, electric windows and alloy wheels alongside the standard 2.5-litre ro2hp turbo-diesel engine.
The Outlaw arrived in all its glory at the 2001 CV Show at the NEC, and this was followed by upgraded engines last year, when Nissan introduced the powerful 2.5-litre turbodiesel with the available rated horsepower improved by 28% compared with the outgoing model. Maximum torque is increased by 24%, making it easily the most powerful pickup on the market, and Nissan claimed at the time that the extra horses meant fuel consumption was improved by 15%.
Product profile
The Nissan pickup range has two basic models and two Navara specifications. The standard 4302 has a single three-seater cab and runs on r5in steel wheels. The 44 also has a single cab as well as King and Double Cab options, and runs on 16in steel wheels.
Topping the range is the Navara Outlaw, a variation on the Double Cab with r7in alloys, the extra Jo for the Outlaw tag getting you roof rails, unique interior trim, body-coloured styling bar, body-coloured door handles and chrome tubular side steps.
The driveline features one engine for all the variants, the previously mentioned 2.5-litre direct-injection diesel, which produces f3ilip peak power at 4,000rpm and 3o4Nm maximum torque from 2,000rpm.
Transmission is a five-speeder, with the 4x2 option getting 3.9:1 final drive as it doesn't have a transfer box. All the 4x4 versions get 4.63:1 in high drive with a 2.02:1 reduction in low for the tricky off-road action. Finally, the Navara option includes four-sensor ABS as standard.
Kerbweights vary from 1,5rolcg for the 4x2 pickup with a 2,6304 GVW and 1,120kg payload, to 1,805kg for the Navara Double cab at 2,860kg GVW making i,o5ckg net payload. It's worth remembering that all these net measurements are without a driver or optional extras.
The 1.94m2 load space is accessed by a onehand release tailgate. The GCW is where the Navara Outlaw shows a real benefit as it can haul a three-tonne braked trailer, ideal as a commercial vehicle or for hauling the kids' ponies from stable to showground and back again.
August's Cap Monitor sees the Outlaw's residual value competitive against the Ford Ranger XLT, but noticeably down compared with the Toyota Hilux VX pickup
ipand Mitsubishi Warrior double cab. Nissan's warranty gives threeyear/ Go , oo o mile Europeanwide cover, with six-year antiperforation and three-year paint warranty, with a rather outdated 6,000-mile service interval for 4x4 models.
Productivity
The 2.5-litre seems to be the industry standard for pickups but it's only the Nissan product that stands out with extra horsepower here, which helped it to achieve 31.8mpg. Gold medal at :
OUTLAW
n the pumps goes to the Toyota Hilux, which recorded 33.1mpg. However the Outlaw outguns both the Ford Ranger Super Cab and Mitsubishi 1.20 0.
In terms of on-board net payload, the Outlaw breaks the tax-friendly one-tonne barrier and is able to outdo the Hilux and L200 but in comparative tests it's the Ford Ranger, which has a heavier kerbweight, that claims the prize with its 1,135kg payload.
The stronger engine also wins in terms of average speed, as the driver of the Outlaw would be reading the paper and enjoying a coffee at the BP Station at Sutton while the rest complete the CM Kent test route.
Test weather was very good, with clear skies and temperatures breaking 2o°C and a slight southerly wind on our tails on the route back to Reed Towers. Only the Ma 5 held us up en route.
On the road
With 'Outlaw' emblazoned down the side of the 4x4, tinted windows, chrome pipes, roof bars, and a quality CD player, the overall impression is all-American.
And if this isn't enough then it's the high road position that finally gives you an air of authority on the road. Unfortunately, it's the road (normally the M25) that eventually levels the playing field with its heavy traffic and delays.
The engine is extremely powerful on the road and while it bubbled away quietly on the flat, it rose easily to the challenge of its first real hill climb on the M2 o before settling back down again. Even Titsey Hill failed to provide a stern test, and only the recently installed roundabout at the top forced us to ease back. Maybe we need to look at even sterner challenges?
The five-speed overdrive gearbox can be a little jumpy and uncoordinated at times due to its flexible mountings and a pretty sharp accelerator response under foot. The throw is quite long and not always as accurate as we would like.
The Navara has such a well sound-proofed cab—or it could have been us playing Billy Ray Cyrus' Achy Breaky Heart at full volume— that it can be difficult to hear what the driveline is doing without continually glancing at the dials.
The unladen ride can be a little bouncy with the strong suspension, a common enough trait for 4x45, and there is evidence of body roll into sweeping bends. The rear end has practically no weight on it when empty so if the road is slippery, or covered in mud as we found on an A3 roundabout, traction in twowheel-drive will falter—another feature of the breed.
However, if these are the only criticisms we can find then it's fair to say that overall the driving experience impressed us. It can more than keep up with traffic, the ride is relaxing, and only the choice of music left something to be desired.
Cab comfort
The "unique" interior is essentially the Navara Double Cab with some subtle changes but, having said that, Nissan hasn't missed a trick here. Although a six-disc multi-changer CD system would have let us add Johnny Cash, Barbara Streisand and Christina Aguilera to the mix, there is always a limit to how much American culture one can absorb.
Standard Outlaw features include leather steering wheel and gear lever gaiters, heated electric wing mirrors, electric windows and twin cup holders.
From behind the steering wheel the driver can see all—except the end of the bonnet and objects close to the vehicle. For example, parking in Safeway's means travelling to the furthest part where no one else parks for fear of damaging the sides, front or rear by trying to squeeze it in a limited space. It's something that you would get used to, but there are still sizeable blind spot areas at the extremities of the vehicle. The main reason for these blind spots is the low car-like seating position in the cab. While it offers impressive legroom for the front occupants, even the tallest person in the highest possible seat position struggles to look out over the door.
Another drawback of the low seating is that it reduces the legroom for rear seat passengers. But all five-seater double cab pickups suffer in this department to some extent. Owners who drive pickups for a living normally spec the bigger interiors, like the double cab, for storing equipment and belongings inside rather than because they regularly travel with a full complement of passengers.
The dashboard is black with white dials, although there is a faux-metal centre console that breaks it all up nicely. It's not so functional in appearance as to put off the parents doing the school run, and neither does it smack of a 'lifestyle' vehicle, which would adversely affect VAT-registered customers.
The dials are clear and easy to read with a quick glance, and the electrics on the door for wing minors and windows are simple to use.
Internal storage facilities in pickups are normally quite minimal, as there probably isn't much an owner would need to carry bar site equipment, packed lunch, maps and some paperwork. But in the double cab there is plenty of space, with nooks and crannies around the steering wheel and dash and wide side pockets. There is also a glove compartment, and plenty of space behind on the unoccupied rear seats.
Summary
While the Navara Outlaw is an eye-catching product which would be equally at home on a ranch or a farm, it also delivers the goods commercially speaking. With a powerful and responsive engine and strong fuel figure, the Navara Outlaw won't cost you any more at the pumps that the pickup it'll be replacing.
If you are looking at trading up from a company car or van to pickup, then make sure you compensate for the little bit of extra fuel you might need to run it. It's comfortable to drive, quiet, comes with air-conditioning, and the addition of the word 'Outlaw' on the side means you'll never lose it in a car park.
IIII by Kevin Svrallaw