This is the Nissan Navara VL Plus, a new
range-topping variant of the pick-up truck that was announced earlier this
month by Edaran Tan Chong Motor. As its name suggests, it builds on the VL in
terms of spec, adding on new equipment and safety features.
The Navara VL Plus gets the Intelligent Around View
Monitor (I-AVM), a parking aid that’s also available on the X-Trail SUV and
Serena S-Hybrid MPV. The system utilises four cameras to provide a 360-degree
bird’s-eye view of the vehicle for easier navigation in tight spots. A digital
speedometer is now included in the Advanced Driver-Assist Display instrument
cluster.
More importantly, safety equipment gets a boost,
with the VL PLus bringing the total airbag count to seven (dual front, side,
curtain and driver’s knee airbag). The VL gets three airbags (dual front plus
driver’s knee) while the rest of the NP300 range comes with two.
The above three points are what’s new on the VL
Plus, which is priced at RM 119,869 on-the-road, without insurance and GST.
That’s a RM 5,840 premium over the RM 114,029 VL, which already comes with
goodies such as 18-inch alloys, LED headlamps and DRLs, fog lamps, leather
seats and steering wheel, keyless entry with push start, dual-zone auto air con,
cruise control, and a powered driver’s seat.
If the truck looks more macho than usual here, it’s
because of the Black Series styling package, which bumps the price up to
RM 123,643. The pack includes matte black trim on the headlamp eyelids, front
grille, front bumper, side mirror covers, fog lamp surrounds, front/rear
overfenders and sport bar.
No mechanical changes from the VL, which means that
the Plus is powered by a 2.5 litre turbodiesel with 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque
at 2,000 rpm. The VGS Turbo oil burner is mated to a seven-speed automatic
transmission with manual mode and a four-wheel drive system with on-the-fly
mode switching. Grades E to V have a less powerful 2.5L engine with 163 PS/403
Nm.
