The new model christened NP200 is claimed by Nissan to be no ordinary bakkie.

South Africa is the first to offer the NP200 in its model range which will later be launched overseas.

Powered by a 1.6 litre front-wheel drive unit coupled to a 5-speed gearbox, the Nissan NP200 is manufactured at the Rosslyn plant and forms part of the Nissan / Renault alliance.

The new model makes use of the Renault Modus platform.

Attractive to the eye, and priced at R88 900, the new Nissan NP200 will be going head to head with the likes of the Opel Corsa and Ford Bantam bakkies with the advantage being price, engine size and 800kg payload.

An intelligent interior layout manufactured on sturdy and durable interior materials made an impression on both my co-driver and myself while attending the launch run in and around the Magaliesberg area.

Seating was comfortable and spacious, a definite improvement on the old 1400 Bakkie.

The 1598cc engine offers good performance in developing 64kW@5 500rpm, and with the NP200`s 5-speed gearbox having all the right ratios for a heavy payload, the torque figure of 128Nm@3 000rpm proved to be most useful.

Another plus for the new Nissan NP200 is the fact that it has the biggest loadbox within the half-ton category, that being 1 807mm. The loadbox is also rubberised and equipped with no fewer than fourteen anchor points.

One must remember that this is the base model bakkie, so therefore there are no airbags, ABS or airconditioner.

However, Nissan have equipped the NP200 with disc brakes up-front and drums at the rear.

Of importance is that the newcomer also boasts anti-roll bars front and rear which give the vehicle a good ride through corrugated roads and the sharpest of bends. A full 15” sparewheel is supplied.

Later up-graded models will be manufactured to higher specifications which will include more luxuries and there is the probability that a diesel model will come off the line by mid-2009.

The new NP200 is a robust bakkie that will take on any activity.