Driven: Special-edition Nissan Navaras arrive
BY ROBBIE WALLIS | 27th Sep 2018
NISSAN Australia is expecting its two new special-edition Navaras, the Black Edition and Silverline, to add incremental volume to the pick-up range which has seen a 6.9 per cent dip in 4x4 sales so far this year.
Speaking to GoAuto at the launch of the Black Edition, Nissan Australia managing director Stephen Lester said the decision to introduce special-edition Navaras was due to customer demand.
“I think when we look at what consumers are demanding in the ute segment, it’s very clear that they are looking for something special, something unique, something personalised, and so we hope the Black Edition speaks to that in terms of the unique fitment of the accessories (and) that it speaks to how consumers are wanting to accessories their utes in this market,” he said.
“There’s no doubt any time you use a special-edition vehicle in a range as broad as Navara that it helps increase exposure for the model overall, so I have no doubt that that will have a knock-on effect throughout the rest of the range.
“I think that it is a hyper-competitive segment and market, and we need to make sure from a communications standpoint that at all times we are delivering a new story to attract new consumers.”
Pricing for the two variants starts at $39,490 driveaway for the Silverline manual, while opting for the seven-speed auto increases the asking price by $2600 to $42,090. Meanwhile the Black Edition is priced at $48,690 and $51,190 driveaway for the manual and auto, respectively.
Nissan is also offering discounted driveaway pricing for ABN holders, with the Silverline offered for $37,990 and $40,490 and the Black Edition for $46,990 and $49,490.
The pricing of the Silverline and Black Edition means both are more affordable than their donor models, respectively the SL ($43,990-$46,490 plus on-road costs) and ST ($47,190-$49,690). Both will be available in a limited run of 900 units.
Black Edition and Silverline were born from customer feedback following the release of the top-spec ST-X-based Black Edition last year, with potential buyers keen for more mid-spec special editions.
As its name suggests, the Black Edition, based on the ST dual-cab 4x4 pick-up, adds a number of dark features including 18-inch black alloy wheels with General Grabber all-terrain tyres, black sports bar, black wheelarch flares, black nudge bar, black front grille, black mirror caps, black foglamp surrounds, smoked bonnet protector and black body decals.
It also gains an LED light bar, soft tonneau cover, protective tubliner, and mobile phone holder.
Five exterior hues are available on the Black Edition, including Polar White, Brilliant Silver, Cosmic Black, Slate Grey and Burning Red.
Meanwhile, the SL-based Silverline adds 16-inch alloys in place of the standard steel rims, polished alloy sports bar, mobile phone holder and ‘Silverline’ tailgate badging. It is offered with the same colour palette as the Black Edition, without the Slate Grey hue.
The extra features add to standard specification including a reversing camera, auto-dimming rearview mirror, electronic rear differential lock, LED headlights and daytime running lights, Bluetooth and cruise control.
Black Editions also come with a 7.0-inch colour touchscreen (5.0-inch for Silverline) with sat-nav, and a leather-accented steering wheel.
No changes have been made to either model’s driveline, which still features a 2.3-litre twin-turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine, outputting 140kW at 3750rpm and 450Nm between 1500-2500rpm.
Braked towing capacity remains at 3500kg, while safety features include seven airbags, vehicle dynamic control, brake limited slip differential, active brake limited slip and brake assist.
Mr Lester added that the car-maker would be open to introducing additional special editions in the future.
So far in 2018, Nissan has sold 8359 examples of the Navara 4x4, representing a 6.9 per cent slide in a segment which has increased 6.4 per cent year-on-year.
It sits sixth in the 4x4 pick-up segment behind the Toyota HiLux (25,104), Ford Ranger (24,899), Mitsubishi Triton (14,914), Holden Colorado (11,032) and Isuzu D-Max (8484).
2018 Nissan Navara special edition pricing*
| Silverline | $39,490 |
| Silverline (a) | $42,090 |
| Black Edition | $48,690 |
| Black Edition (a) | $51,190 |
*Driveaway
