Nissan's new Navara here next month

NISSAN kicks off a whopping 27-variant Navara line-up next month with the dual-cab body-style to arrive on Australian soil first, with a number of transmissions and engines, priced from $26,490 before on-road costs or $29,977 driveaway.

With the all-new 2015 version, the Japanese car-maker has fleshed out the range with choices of single-cab, dual-cab and king-cab, pick-up and cab-chassis, while drivetrains are a combination of two- and four-wheel drive with manual gearbox or automatic transmissions.

Depending on the configuration, a choice of one petrol and two 2.3-litre diesels will be available, including a 140kW/450Nm twin-turbo diesel powering top-of-the-range ST and ST-X versions.

Codenamed NP300, the full range will progressively roll out by the third quarter of the year, Nissan is offering 14 dual-cab options, starting with the petrol-powered, two-wheel drive DX with a six-speed manual gearbox.

Entry-level versions get a five-link rear suspension system, body-coloured bumpers, 15-inch steel wheels, cruise control, Bluetooth, daytime running lamps, dual front, curtain and driver's knee airbags as standard, while a seven-speed automatic transmission ups the price to $28,990 plus on-roads.

The base dual-cab is a new addition to the range and DX spec versions were previously only available in the seriously ageing single-cab D22 shape with a diesel engine priced from $24,490 or $33,490.

The DX is only available with two-wheel drive and the petrol engine.

Moving up, the RX replaces the normally aspirated petrol with a single turbo 120kW/403Nm diesel and adds chrome accents, larger 16-inch wheels and privacy glass to the outside, keyless entry and alarm, while carpets replace the DX vinyl floors.

Priced at $32,990 BOCs, the new RX is $1600 more expensive than the outgoing D40 equivalent version. Slotting in an auto takes the price up to $35,490.

RX Navaras can also be ordered with four-wheel drive which adds $7000 to both auto and manual versions.

Above the RX are the ST and ST-X versions which get the most powerful twin-turbocharged four-cylinder engine and more equipment.

In addition to the RX kit, ST Navaras get electric folding and heated mirrors, self-dimming rear-view mirror, LED headlights and daytime running lights, higher quality interior furnishings, Advanced Drive-Assist Display, alloy wheels, a fatter bodykit and a differential lock for 4WD versions.

2WD ST spec versions have crept up by $2000 over the previous version with the manual 2WD costing $38,990 or $45,990 for the 4WD – and increase of $1200.

Sitting at the top of the Navara mountain is the ST-X flagship, which is also available as a manual or auto, with two- and four-wheel drive transmissions.

Regardless of the drivetrain, all ST-Xs take the ST equipment and add door mirror indicator repeaters, keyless entry and start, part-leather seats with power adjustment for the driver and heaters in both front spots, boosted interior lighting, a greater use of soft-touch interior materials, dual-zone air-conditioning and satellite-navigation.

Off-road ability also gets a boost with 4WD versions getting Active Brake Limited Slip, hill descent control and hill-start assistance.

Flagship Navara pricing starts from $44,990 for the manual 2WD, rising to $54,490 for the automatic 4WD equivalent.

The ST-X was not previously available in two-wheel drive but the outgoing 4WD version cost $3500 more than the new version, although the superseded ST-X had a larger 3.0-litre diesel engine.

For now, the ST-R and 3.0-litre ST-X 550 variants have not made a return, but may be resurrected as the range rolls out in the coming months.

Nissan will announce the rest of the range, including exact specification for the single-cab and king-cab in the coming weeks, with more performance figures for the other engines.

Nissan Navara pricing*

2WD DX petrol dual cab	$26,490
2WD DX petrol dual cab (a)	$28,990
2WD RX diesel dual cab	$32,990
2WD RX diesel dual cab (a)	$35,490
2WD ST diesel dual cab	$38,990
2WD ST diesel dual cab (a)	$41,490
2WD ST-X diesel dual cab	$44,990
2WD ST-X diesel dual cab (a)	$47,490
4WD RX diesel dual cab	$39,990
4WD RX diesel dual cab (a)	$42,490
4WD ST diesel dual cab	$45,990
4WD ST diesel dual cab (a)	$48,490
4WD ST-X diesel dual cab	$51,990
4WD ST-X diesel dual cab (a)	$54,490

*Excludes on-road costs.