Nissan Navara VL Plus is the new top-end trim with added features

KUALA LUMPUR: The Navara is Nissan’s high-performance pickup truck that has been in the Malaysian market for quite some time now. It is available in many trims that varies between single and double cab models. Now there is a new variant of this pickup, called the Navara VL Plus.

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) introduced the new Navara VL Plus. This will be the top-end variant of the Navara range. It comes with a five-year or 150,000 km (whichever comes first) warranty. Like the name suggests, this model has gained a few features that might lure in more customers.

The new Navara has been given Nissan’s Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) feature. It is not brand-new. We have seen it in the past in the X-Trail and Serena S-Hybrid. You also get the Nissan Intelligent Mobility (NIM) system. This means that the new Navara has four cameras located at the front, rear, and on both sides. This feature provides the user with a full 360-degree bird’s eye view of the car. This could really come in handy while maneuvring in city traffic, especially while parking this large pickup.

Stepping inside the cabin of the Navara VL Plus you would notice the addition of a new full digital speedometer on the Advanced Driver-Assist Display instrument cluster. This is a welcome addition and it adds a touch of modernization to the interior. The new Navara also gets a bump in the number of airbags to seven.

As far as the engine is concerned, there are no changes whatsoever. The newest Navara gets powered by the familiar 2.5-litre turbo diesel engine that produces 190 PS of max power and generates a peak torque of 450 Nm. It comes equipped with a 7-speed automatic transmission. Being a pickup, the Navara also gets the four-wheel drive system with on-the-fly mode switching.

The new Navara VL Plus also gets a new Black Series. Various components of this model like matte headlamp eyelids, front grille, front bumper, side mirror covers, fog lamp surround, front and rear over fenders as well as a sport bar, are blacked-out. This gives a more sporty look to the pickup.

If you are interested in buying the Navara VL Plus then you will need to spend RM 119,869 (on-the-road, zero-rated GST, no insurance). And if you are eyeing for the blacked out model, then you have to shell out a bit more as it is priced a bit dearer at RM 123,643.