Nissan Speed Run: The Navara on a catapult
By ROY MEDINA, abs-cbnNEWS.com | 11/11/2008 1:17 PM
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Imagine yourself on a turbo-charged but heavily-laden cargo plane, ready for take-off – all buckled up for safety though you’re thinking…how would this monster get off the ground?
Now, imagine yourself on a 4x4 pickup truck, all ready to roll, all buckled up, but here’s the hitch: you’ll have to reach 0-100 kmh in the fastest time possible.
And so you ask yourself, is this really possible?
You bet it is…with the all-new Nissan Navara.
That is what exactly Nissan did on November 6 at the Aseana Power Station along Macapagal Boulevard when it gathered the motoring media to test-drive the Navara on two primary aspects: its 0-100 kmh ability and 100-0 kmh stopping power.
“Normally when you say drag race, you say cars, not trucks,” said Nissan executive vice-president Elizabeth Lee, proud of the history that was being made that day.
The Speed Run was designed to test and show off the sports car in every Navara, Lee added.
And so, half a dozen Navaras ranging from the 4x2 manual transmission model to the 4x4 automatic transmission model were laid out for trials.
Take note that the Navara, unlike any other truck in its class, has a sixth gear that sets it apart from others (Other Navara models have five, still one more than the ordinary mortals).
“We’re only one with six-speed manual transmission. More gears mean more fuel savings, Lee said.
Of course, there’s more. Nissan made history when it showcased the Navara’s 0-100 kmh power, the first of its kind in the Philippine motoring industry.
Most trucks are of the utility brand and that is to say, you only have a 4x2 or a 4x4. But with a Navara, you get to have your truck and a sports car. Sort of having your cake and eating it too.
The Navara was practically tested for stress during the Speed Run to determine its response to a 0-100 kmh scenario. The best result? A time of 11.6 seconds, courtesy of the Daily Tribune’s Bam Olivares.
The feeling? It was like being shot out of a catapult, It’s as if a cargo plane has been catapult-launched from an aircraft carrier that is short of runway.
As for the Navara’s sheer stopping power, the truck’eight cross-member ladder-type frame definitely lived up to expectations to absorb the sudden shock of a 100-0 kmh in a matter of seconds.
Anjo Perez of the Manila Bulletin burned rubber for 45.4 meters before a full stop.
The feeling? It was like your soul went out of your body somewhat. Whoa!
***
After the Speed Run, I got to ask myself, a 4x4 truck, err, Sport Utility Truck, did all of that?
Answer: Yes it did, and more.
Yep, Miss Beth Lee was right.
“You're gonna change what you gonna demand from a truck, you're gonna change what you want from a truck and you're gonna want nothing more than a Nissan Navara.”
Amen to that.
