COMMERCAL SENSE (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_nissannv300_2017

By Jonathan Crouch

Nissan's Primastar is a mid-sized van that offers a very complete all-round package. Jonathan Crouch checks out the latest version.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 61

Nissan's medium-sized van is the Primastar, the Japanese brand's version of a design also shared with Renault. It's very competitive in terms of efficiency and carriage capacity and differentiates itself from its rivals by offering a unique-in-segment five year / 100,000 mile warranty. Now, buyers get sharper looks to go with the sophisticated 2.0-litre diesel engines and the smart, well-connected cabin.

Backgroundword count: 187

If your business is searching for a medium-sized light van, then you're certainly not short of choice. Volkswagen's Transporter and Mercedes' Vito may both be options that spring to mind, though in truth, these two stand-alone models account for a relatively small slice of the European market for mid-range LCVs of this kind. Ford's Transit Custom dominates this sector of the market in the UK but in Europe, the biggest sales in this segment are also spread across two main designs shared by a variety of manufacturers. First there's the model badged variously as either a Citroen Dispatch, a Peugeot Expert, a Toyota Proace, a Fiat Scudo or a Vauxhall Vivaro. And up against it is the design that takes nearly 30% of the European market in this segment, the vehicle we're looking at here, badged as either a Renault Trafic or, as in this case, a Nissan Primastar. The Nissan is less familiar than its two design stablemates on British roads, despite the fact that it's priced sharply and offers a longer warranty. How much else has it to offer today's demanding operators? Let's find out.

Driving Experienceword count: 218

Improved 2.0-litre, turbocharged dCi engines and the availability of a six-speed DCT (Dual Clutch) automatic transmission ensure this Primastar LCV is better suited to the needs of business customers. All engines comply with Euro 6d-TEMP standards and, with a variable geometry turbocharger, achieve useful power outputs: think 110, 130, 150 or 170hp with a 6-speed manual gearbox. Torque outputs range between 300 and 380Nm across the range. The 150 and 170hp versions can alternatively be specified with that six-speed DCT automatic we mentioned, which optimises economy and allows smoother, faster gear shifting. Nissan reckons that this Primastar will feel pretty much like a large MPV to drive and the driving position's as commanding as you would expect. Big door mirrors with convex surfacing on their lower and outer edges are present and correct to help with manoeuvring that can be aided by the neat wide angle mirror fitted to the back of the passenger sunvisor. Further embellishments intended to help you avoid urban scrapes include options like parking sensors and two kinds of rear view camera. This Primastar should prove to be a tough workhorse whatever its working conditions. Maybe that'll involve towing. If so, this vehicle's able, when equipped with a towing hitch, to pull a 750kg unbraked trailer and up to 2,500kg for a braked unit.

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