The Nissan NV400, devised as part of the marque’s alliance with Renault, is one hell of a machine. Trust me: I drove it last Friday, the first time I’d driven a Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) that felt anything but light – and that’s not a criticism!

With gross vehicle weights varying from 2.8 tonnes to 4.5, the NV400 is, if such a thing is possible for a motor of its considerable girth, an enjoyable driving experience.

Its six-speed gearbox is easily manipulated, including a lever on the gearstick which one engages when reversing, while moving through the gears into sixth on a flat expanse of motorway is a breeze.

On such a road, which a vehicle of this type will do a great deal of its business on, any driver wants a feeling of solidity and security.

That I happened to be driving the NV400 on a blustery Friday afternoon, which I could note only by the whistling wind outside, said it all. This is one solid hulk of a van, fully equipped with headlamps, integrated running lights, a distinctive bonnet, grille and an imposing front bumper.

The vantage point from a driving perspective is positively panoramic, essential when behind the wheel of such a van.

That the cabin is also longer than previous Nissan incarnations is also a significant string in the NV400′s bow.

With wider seats and additional leg room, this is surely as comfortable as LCV driving can get, and comes with twin front airbags as standard (with side airbags optionally available).

An electronic stability programme (ESP) is standard on all rear-wheel NV400s and is optional on the front-wheel drive option. Anti-lock brakes come as standard on all grades.

“The bold Nissan look helps us differentiate the NV400 from its competitors and gives us a distinctive face in the market,” said Nissan LCV Vice-President Sergio Alcaraz.

“And with the NV200 and NV400, there is no doubt that Nissan means attractive functionality and great choice in the LCV market.” And how right Senor Alcaraz is.

He added: “NV400 is very versatile and offers a solution to each need in the heavy van sector. It is much more than a replacement for Interstar and takes us into a much wider market segment thanks to the great breadth and depth of the range.”

Available in three wheelbase versions, coming in four different lengths and three different heights and capable of cargo volumes ranging between 8m3 and 17m3, the NV400 is the epitome of versatility. This is a vehicle destined to make significant inroads in its market segment and with good cause.

For the first time, the NV400 provides Nissan drivers with the option of a front or rear- wheel drive – with the front-wheel option offering the potential to carry greater cargo-loads and improved fuel economy.

Meanwhile, the rear-wheel drive provides more scope for chassis cab conversions and with a higher rear-axle, it’s more suited to what industry types describe as “medium duty applications”

In terms of its engine, the 2.3 litre NV400 possesses a direct injection, four-cylinder, 16-valve turbo diesel model, courtesy of Renault.

Offering improved torque, this Euro 5 compliant engine requires a major service every 40,000 kilometres (roughly once every two years) – representing a genuine value for money innovation.

With an audible sensor provided when reversing within proximity of other vehicles/objects, it’s difficult to think of something which the Nissan NV400 lacks.

And given the variety of versions it’s available in, it’s readily evident that this is a new vehicle destined to make a considerable impact in a competitive segment of the market.

THE Micra is your typical loyal and faithful servant. It has served the Nissan brand well, and for nearly three decades now it has been a firm favourite with a loyal customer base for a whole variety of reasons.

A reputation for reliability has always been high on the Micra’s CV. There may be things the Micra can’t do or doesn’t offer, but one thing it won’t do is let you down.

How do you know? Well, nothing in the Micra’s genes or background has ever been proven to be what could be classed as an Achilles heel, a potential fault line.

The latest, fourth generation of the range was developed by more or less picking all the best pieces from Micra’s past and blending them with fresh new ideas to make it a motor of today, to cater for the demands of the discerning customers of today.

Talked to customers

When developing the latest Micra, Nissan did a massive amount of research and sought customer feedback to help plan the road to production. At the Nissan Global Production Engineering Centre the engineers worked to make Micra more fuel efficient, easier to service and more cost effective to produce by reducing the number of components and so on.

The fruit of their labours is a fresh looking body shape the company suggests is gender free in design, meaning it could be a car for the ladies or men.

The Micra range is simple to follow. There is one engine, a 1.2-litre long stroke three-cylinder unit that produces 80bhp. It offers one 5-door body style while there is a choice between a 5-speed manual gearbox and a continuously variable (CVT) transmission.

The Micra offers impressive features like ABS (with brake assist), ESP (with traction control system), driver, passenger and side airbags, CD player with MP3 jack, Bluetooth and four speakers, steering column height adjustment plus automatic air conditioning.

Against hot competition

The Micra is in the arena with excellent cars like the Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris, VW Polo and Kia Rio so it would need to be good. It is!

Of course, Micra is a city specialist, easy to drive with light steering and easy clutch. It is a car that is easy to manoeuvre and park not only because of its compact dimensions, but also because of a commanding driving position, smashing all round vision and at 4.65 metres it has the shortest turning radius in the class.

The compact exterior dimensions and upright body offer a surprising amount of room in the cabin. The rear head and leg room is especially good, and there is very good stowage space in the cabin, including large, double decker glove box and holders for drinks.

The Micra is a good, safe buy and looking way down the road, as a sell on motor you couldn’t ask for better.

Nissan Micra 1.2-litre petrol 5-dr €13, 295 (ex- works).

Engine: 1198cc, 3-cylinders in line, 4-valves per cylinder, 80bhp at 6,000rpm, 110Nm of torque at 4,000rpm.

Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox. Fuel consumption: 6.1 litre/lOOkm (urban); 4.3 (extra urban); 5.0 (combined).

Maximum speed: 170kph; 0 to l00kph in 13.7 seconds.

C02 emissions: 115b/km.

Annual road tax: 160 Euro.

When the Nissan Juke arrived in 2010, it brought with it a sense of adventure to the car market. It had unique styling that wasn’t going to be everyones cup of tea. It was after all designed to grab the attention of a younger audience. I wasn’t sure that I liked the look of it myself at first, but in a short time, that changed – it grew on me. And most important, it brought some very refreshing qualities with it. It was light and nimble, yet
giving the driver feel of a bigger car.

The Juke offers generous ground clearance, big wheels and tyres and a broad shoulder line, the bottom ‘half’ of the car appears to be pure SUV.

Inside, the attention to detail is evident. Chrome fittings and high quality materials are used throughout while the interior colours – red or gun-metal grey for the central console are available depending on the trim level.

The seats are shaped to be comfortable and supportive, and are trimmed in high quality materials, reflecting what Nissan describes as the premium tastes of Juke customers.
Despite its overall compact dimensions, the roomy interior offers competitive levels of space inside for five people, with front head room and rear knee room also being good in the Juke.

Following on from the now legendary Qashqai, the Juke offered something entirely new to the lower sized traditional B-segment vehicles. Winning the 2011 Continental Irish Car of the Year certainly proved that it had wide appeal. And the Juke has cemented
Nissan’s reputation as a car maker prepared to do something different.

At the launch in 2010, Nissan actually described it as a compact SUV crossed with a sports car to create the junior crossover. I thought that idea a bit weird at the time but you know, it was spot on the money. The Juke was designed and engineered in both Europe and Japan and is also built in both, from where it is sold globally.

Available in two-wheel drive only, with power coming from a choice of a 1.6 litre turbo-charged direct-injection (117 bhp) petrol engine or the now infamous 1.5 dCi (110 bhp) diesel. The XTronic CVT (transmission) is an optional extra with SV and Sport models.

Prices start with the Juke 1.6 XE petrol at €19,045 ex-works with the entry level diesel being the 1.5 dCi XE at €21,045 ex-works.

Standard equipment across all grades (XE, SV, Sport) includes six airbags, ESP, air conditioning and 16” alloy wheels. On the higher SV grade equipment includes full climate control, Bluetooth integrated phone system, USB socket as well as a new innovation, the Nissan Dynamic Control System, which gives the driver the change to optimise the car’s dynamic functions to suit their needs. The Sport grade adds 17” alloy
wheels, Premium embossed grey suede-like seat fabric with red accented mesh, and privacy glass.

The Nissan Connect advanced information system is available on SV and Sport models for €700 extra.

Juke is the world’s first baby crossover, and follows in the tracks of Murano, which was the world’s first crossover – , as well as the amazingly successful Qashqai & Qashqai+2.
Together the quartet put Nissan right up at the top table when it comes to crossovers. 

What is Nissan LEAF?

LEAF is an intelligently designed 5 seater electric family car with regenerative braking, ultra-smooth aerodynamics and even low energy headlights. 

• A car with no oil, no petrol tank, no transmission, no exhaust pipe.
• A car that runs on 10% electricity, an energy source that can be made cheaply and ecologically.
• A car powered by compact lithium-ion batteries with a range of approx 175km (NEDC cycle).
• A car that charges while you sleep, while you shop, while you work.

See how much you could save…

Come along to see and test drive the Nissan LEAF for yourself at the following Roadshow locations

DATE                                                         VENUE

Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd January:    Blanchardstown Shopping Centre

Friday 27th – Sunday 29th January:     Dundrum Town Centre

Friday 10th – Sunday 12th February:    Mahon Point Shopping Centre, Cork

Friday 17th – Sunday 19th February:    Liffey Valley Shopping Centre, Dublin

Friday 24th – Sunday 26th February:    Tralee

Friday 2nd – Sunday 4th March:            Limerick

Friday 9th – Sunday 11th March:           Galway

Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th March:         Kilkenny

Friday 30th March - Sunday 1st April:   Waterford

Friday 13th – Sunday 15th April:            Wexford

Friday 20th – Sunday 22nd April:           Arklow

How?　 Well, simply avail of the Nissan Twice is Nice Deal and you could get two new cars for the price of one!!

You simply pay the full RRP of a new 2012 Nissan Micra, Note, Juke, Qashqai or Qashqai +2 now and one year later, we’ll exchange it for a brand new 2013 model absolutely free!

So, what are the benefits to you & how does it work?

By paying the full RRP of the first car, you are entitled to change your car again one year later –completely free of charge – you can even choose a different colour in 2013 if you want!!

You have to agree to keep the car in a reasonable condition and agree a mileage limit with the selling dealer and then off you go!!

While you do not get any discount on the first car in the deal, there are many benefits if you choose to go for this offer, which offers much more value to the customer, including:

• It provides a unique opportunity to buy two cars in the one deal
• Your 2012 car incurs no depreciation during the year
• You’ll get a better price for your trade-in car now rather than in a years’ time
• You’ll have a more valuable younger car when you go to trade it again in a few year’s time – So in 4 years’ time you end up with a 3 year old car !
• Twice is Nice removes all uncertainty in relation to possible price increases in 2013
• You get 4 years’ manufacturer’s warranty and Roadside Assistance – this helps reduce your Maintenance costs

Call into your local Nissan dealer and ask whether the Twice is Nice deal is suitable for you – two new cars for one car price.  Or simply fill in the contact form below to send a message to your nearest Nissan dealer.

Terms and conditions apply click here for details

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You may think that 4x4s are too expensive, but the Nissan Qashqai Diesel is now available as a 4×4.  It is only €1,600 more expensive than the regular front wheel drive Qashqai Diesel – and with Band B road tax of only €225 – snow, ice or road tax will never stop you in your tracks again.

Click here for further details on the Qashqai 4×4

Micra 1.2

CO2 emissions 115g/km
Tax Band A
Annual Road Tax €160

And the price? A very low €13,295*.

Now that is low for such a high-spec car.

So make sure to drop into your local Nissan dealer to take a test-drive

For further details about the Nissan Micra click here

*Price quoted excludes dealer delivery and related charges.

]]> http://www.nissan.ie/offers/book-gold-standard-service/feed/ 0 http://www.nissan.ie/reviews/juke-special/ http://www.nissan.ie/reviews/juke-special/#comments Wed, 05 Oct 2011 15:37:25 +0000 admin http://http://www.nissan.ie/?p=289 As Nissan Ireland’s all-new Micra hits showrooms just ahead of the arrival of its innovative Leaf, the world’s first mass-market production electric vehicle, the company reports demand outstripping supply in the case of both its big selling Qashqai and current Continental Car of the Year winner Juke.

The good news is there are fresh supplies on the way.

And keen interest in the Nissan Leaf, which arrives on March 1, has so far brought 500 advance orders with up to 1,000 sales projected by the end of 2011, while the new fourth generation Micra – there are around 46,000 currently on Irish roads – is expected to find 2,000 new Irish owners this year.

Boasting breakthrough packaging and small-car engineering, Nissan’s five-door city car – which is slightly bigger with increased leg, shoulder and head room, and lighter than the outgoing car – not only has the distinction of being the first model to use the company’s new V-Platform but also the first to be powered by a new fuel-efficient (5.0L/100kms), low-emission, three cylinder 80hp 1.2 litre petrol engine (CO2 115g/m, Band A).

The new car also offers better handling and braking as well as ESP as standard and the lowest turning radius of 4.65mm on the market.  The new Micra arrives with an entry level price of €14,195.

There are three trims, the entry-level XE and the SV and SVE which have higher spec and also “flip and fold” their rear seats for increased luggage carrying capacity.

There is also a choice of two transmissions – five-speed manual and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission – the cheapest in the market place).

Now to the ever-so quirky, youthful and daring Juke.

Nissan’s unusual looking but cleverly styled smaller brother of the hugely successful Qashqai, is a mini five-door crossover that appeals to younger buyers eager to set themselves apart from the crowd.  Already a major success in its own right the current Continental Car of the Year has exceeded sales expectations in Japan, Europe and the US since its launch in 2010.

It’s controversial yet innovative exterior design, blending supermini with SUV, is a tale of two halves.

From its SUV-style pumped-up wheel arches, masculine haunches, extended ground clearance, large wheels and wide stance lower half to its sports car-like top section with its couple-like falling roofline, high waistline and concealed rear door handles.

All of which is further enhanced by an expressive frontal treatment and boomerang-shaped tail-lights.

The funkiness continues inside with a motorcycle inspired interior together with plenty of colour coded highlights around the snug cabin.  Space inside is good and will suit a small family well.

The high roof line ensures ample headroom upfront – the driver sits in a slightly elevated driving position – but rear space is a little restricted  by the steeply raked rear hatch.

Legroom all round is good with a decent amount of room in the rear to stretch the legs.

The Juke also has a flat load floor but space available is no more than a small hatch.

This, however, expands to 1,017 litres of space with the 60/40 split rear bench folded down.  In addition there is a useful storage well under the floor.

Standard features on our “Sport” version included remote central locking with speed sensitive door locking, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, driver and passenger front airbags, side front airbags, side curtain airbags (front and rear) 2 Points Child seat ISOFIX, front and rear electric windows, electric adjustable door mirrors, CD radio, 6 speakers, electric speed sensitive power steering, air con, 17-inch Sport alloys, “Premium” embossed grey suede-like seat fabric with red accented mesh, privacy glass etc.

POWER:  This is a delightfully fun vehicle to look at and to drive.  The 117bhp 1.6 litre petrol engine is not only clean and economical, sitting in Tax Band B, but is also a fairly smooth and decent performer although short gearing means frequent changes.  It takes 11 seconds from rest to reach 100km/h and has a top speed of 178km/h.  We averaged 42mpg.