Nissan has unveiled what they’re touting is the next generation of light commercial vehicle: the all-new Townstar. The Townstar will be available with both a petrol ICE engine, as well as an all-electric BEV option The Japanese manufacturer has also updated their LCV nomenclature, with the Primastar and Interstar nameplates being introduced, replacing the “NV” line, with light updates to what were the NV300 and NV400. Nissan calls the Townstar the most comprehensive LCV offering to date, replacing the NV200 and e-NV200. The new van will be available in both a commercial and “combi” passenger-spec version.
The petrol-powered variant will feature a Euro-6d compliant 1.3-liter engine with 130 hp and 240 Nm of torque. The EV version will feature a similarly-rated 122 hp motor with 245 Nm of torque. Nissan claims that the Townstar EV will have a range of 283 km, although these figures are pending certification. The Townstar is built on the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi Alliance’s CMF-C platform, with a clean-sheet design. Nissan claims that both quality and functionality have been kept in mind, as the new van is a key player in their “NEXT” transformation plan.
Although the NV200 it replaces was also designed on similar car-based underpinnings (a modified version of Nissan’s B-platform), the Townstar brings with it renewed focus on safety and infotainment. The Townstar features advanced driver assistance features such as Side Wind Assist and Trailer Sway Assis, as well as intelligent emergency braking with the detection of pedestrians and cyclists.
But convenience features such as hands-free parking, adaptive cruise control, and 360-degree parking cameras are said to put the Townstar at the forefront of its category. The EV version of the van will also feature Nissan’s semi-autonomous ProPILOT feature, which, when activated, automatically slows the vehicle to a complete stop while also centering it in the lane while on the highway. The petrol version of the Townstar will feature an 8-inch touchscreen, while the EV models get upgraded to a 10-inch unit. Android Auto and Apple CarPlay feature across the range, as well as wireless phone charging, but the electric van is said to support “further enhanced Connected Services.”
With 4.3 cubic meters of load space, the Townstar features a larger load area than the 3.4 cubic meters offered by the NV200 LCV. Loads up to 800 kg can be transported while towing is rated at 1,500 kg. The cargo area is accessed via dual sliding side doors or 60/40-split French doors at the rear.
Although prices have not yet been announced, Nissan offers a pan-European five-year, 100,000-mile (160,000 km) warranty for all vehicles in their refreshed LCV range. The Townstar EV will feature an additional eight-year, 100,000-mile (160,000 km) warranty on the battery.
