2013 Nissan NV200 hauls itself into McCormick Place
Thu, 07 Feb 2013
At that price, the NV200 costs thousands less than lead competitors like the Ford Transit Connect and the Ram C/V Tradesman, although it does deliver less cargo volume than both as well. Despite its longer body, the NV200's 122.7 cubic feet of volume comes in just under the 129.6 cu-ft for the Ford and well under the Ram's 155.5 cu-ft cargo capacity. The split rear doors and dual side sliding side doors will give plenty of access to the NV200's cargo area, however, and Nissan says the van is wide enough to accommodate a standard pallet.
The NV200 was designed as much to be a mobile office as it is a hauler, so Nissan made the cabin as such. The passenger seat back can fold down creating a flat space for a laptop, and the center console has been specifically designed for hanging file folders. The base NV200S includes power windows, a two-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system and a 12-volt power outlet, while the NV200 SV (starting at $20,980) adds features such as cruise control, six floor-mounted cargo tie downs, power mirrors and door locks and remote keyless entry. Options include the $950 Technology Package (available on SV only and adds navigation, backup camera and satellite radio), $250 for Bluetooth and $190 for glass added to the rear cargo doors.
Under the NV200's short hood sits a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder producing 131 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, which is good for 24 miles per gallon in the city and 25 mpg on the highway, matching the combined 24-mpg rating of the Transit Connect. The only transmission available is Nissan's Xtronic CVT, and the NV200 comes with 15-inch steel wheels, front disc and rear drum brakes, and rear leaf springs.
Scroll down for the official specs and info from Nissan.
2013 NISSAN NV200 COMPACT CARGO VAN JOINS INNOVATIVE NISSAN COMMERCIAL VEHICLE LINEUP
- Nissan enters emerging North American compact cargo van segment with bold new "right size" NV200 design
- Offers efficient packaging with a large 122.7 cubic foot cargo space within a small overall exterior footprint
- Combines innovative ease-of-use features and smart design while minimizing cost of ownership – including the lowest starting MSRP* in segment of $19,990 USD and best-in-class** 24 mpg combined fuel economy (City / Highway)
- On sale April 2013 at 300-plus Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers nationwide
The all-new 2013 Nissan NV200 Compact Cargo Van adds a new dimension to the Nissan Commercial Vehicle lineup – compact. More than 4.5 feet shorter in length and 2.5 feet lower in height compared to the Nissan NV 2500/3500 High Roof Cargo Van, the new NV200 is designed to be the "right size" for a growing number of small business owners and fleet operators wanting smaller, more efficient work vans. It is also ideal for business owners coming from passenger vehicles, thanks to the NV200's cargo size optimization and functionality.
Joe Castelli, vice president, Nissan Commercial Vehicles and Fleet said: "For many years businesses have bought large vans simply because that's what was available. The 2013 Nissan NV200 offers a great new alternative – a commercial quality vehicle that optimizes cargo space while offering the best possible fuel economy and an affordable price. We're now able to offer vehicles for nearly every business need, the compact NV200, the full-size NV 1500/2500/3500 Cargo Standard Roof, the 4-row/12-person NV 3500 Passenger and the extra-large NV 2500/3500 Cargo High Roof."
Maximizing Cargo Efficiency
Built on Nissan's proven compact commercial platform, the NV200 offers high cargo volume capacity in a small exterior package. Unique for North America, the NV200 body has been extended 7.9 inches versus the models sold in other global markets.
This longer body length offers additional cargo carrying capability for North American customers.
The combination of a 115.2-inch wheelbase with a 186.3-inch overall length, along with a compact drivetrain and rear suspension, provides an 82.8-inch cargo length, 54.8-inch cargo width (48.0 inches between the wheelwells) and 53.0-inch cargo area height. Along with its low cargo floor height (19.5 inches) and tall roofline, the NV200 a large cargo capacity of 122.7 cubic feet. Payload is estimated at 1,500 pounds (S model).
Said Castelli: "As the next 'innovation for business,' the new NV200 is designed to be highly maneuverable in traffic or when negotiating city parking spaces, with a 36.7-foot curb-to-curb turning diameter. Yet it is every inch a business workhorse with its wide-opening doors and its ability to carry standard U.S. 40x48-inch pallets enhancing its exceptional utility."
The tall rear French doors are a 40/60-split design, with the 60-percent side on the right (curb) side for easy access from a sidewalk. The 40-percent left side door is shorter, reducing its potential intrusion into the street when open, helping lower the risk of accidents due to passing vehicles. Both rear doors feature dual opening positions of 90º and 180º. The standard sliding side doors are designed for low effort. All doors are solid (no windows) to accommodate advertising or business signage, with available privacy door glass.
Added commercial flexibility is provided by the standard integrated mounting points, which allow installation of racks and shelves without drilling into the sidewalls, and six available floor mounted cargo hooks in the cargo area.
The new NV200's exterior design features a Nissan signature front grille, aerodynamic front-end design and functional cabin design. Other exterior features include halogen headlights, durable black front and rear bumpers and outside mirrors with wide-angle spotter mirrors and available heated function. Body-colored bumpers, door handles and outside mirrors are also offered. A selection of five exterior colors is offered: Blue Onyx, Brilliant Silver, Super Black, Red Brick and Fresh Powder.
A Driver-Focused Cockpit
The driver-focused cockpit includes both comfort and functional features. The driver's seat is mounted in a high "commanding" position that is easy to get in and out of and provides a good view of the road and surrounding environment. The 6-way adjustable seat with manual lumbar and armrest is designed for durability with outboard vinyl wear patches. The passenger's seat is a 4-way adjustable design. Height-adjustable front seat head restraints and front door map pockets are also standard.
The Nissan NV200 offers "Mobile Office" functionality with a center console featuring laptop/hanging file folder storage, pen/pencil tray, CD holder and dual cupholders. Recessed storage areas are provided on the upper instrument panel for folders and documents. In addition, the passenger seat folds down to serve as a worktop or lunch table, or it extends the cargo space for hauling longer items such as pipe or lumber. Passenger seat slide travel is nearly 9.5 inches. The durable 15x13-inch tray built into the seatback can fit most laptops and includes a penholder for use as desk.
Power windows with auto up/down are standard, as is the 12-volt power outlet on the instrument panel. An additional 12-volt power point in rear of center console is also available. There is also a passenger-side underseat storage tray, drive computer, battery saver feature, AM/FM/CD with auxiliary input and two front door mounted speakers.
Available technology includes Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), RearView Monitor, and telematics pre-wiring (Nissan Fleet Tracker).
The available NissanConnectSM with Navigation system includes 5.8-inch touch screen display, Nissan Voice Recognition for audio and navigation, NavTraffic and NavWeather (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), POIs powered by Google®, Google® Send-to-Car, Pandora® radio capability (iPhone® only), Streaming audio via Bluetooth® and Hands-free Text Messaging Assistant.
"Business today runs on technology and the NV200 offers a range of available features including RearView Monitor and our advanced NissanConnectSM with Navigation system with Hands-free Text Messaging to help keep drivers connected to the office or home," added Castelli.
Standard safety features include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), roof-mounted curtain side impact supplemental air bags for front occupant head protection, front seat mounted driver and passenger side impact supplemental air bags, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), and Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS).
Efficiency and Affordability
The 2013 Nissan NV200 is built on Nissan's proven compact commercial platform and features an efficient 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC 4-cylinder engine rated at 131 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. The engine is matched with a responsive and efficient Xtronic CVT® transmission. Fuel economy is rated at 24 mpg City, 25 mpg Highway and 24 mpg Combined.
The NV200 suspension utilizes independent struts and stabilizer bar in front and a leaf spring design in the rear. Front disc/rear drum brakes with Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist are standard, along with electric power-assisted steering and 15-inch steel wheels mounted with 185/60R15 high-load all-season tires.
Two Well-Equipped Models
The 2013 Nissan NV200 is available in two well-equipped models, NV200 S and NV200 SV in a choice of five exterior colors, matched with a gray cloth interior.
In addition to the long list of standard features on the NV200 S, the SV model adds power heated outside mirrors, power door locks with auto-locking feature, remote keyless entry with two key fobs, cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls, additional 12V power point in the rear of the center console, six floor-mounted cargo hooks in the cargo area and full wheel covers.
Several option packages are available, including Back Door Glass Package; Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System; Cruise Control Package; and an Exterior Appearance Package with body-color bumpers, door handles and outside mirrors and chrome grille. The Technology Package includes the NissanConnectSM with Navigation system, RearView Monitor and SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately).
Said Castelli: "Built into the NV200 from the earliest planning, is low total cost of ownership. The 2013 Nissan NV200 offers a competitive price, excellent fuel efficiency and reduced upfitting costs due to the standard integrated mounting points, all of which will provide business owners with a low total cost of ownership."
A Global Award Winner
While new to North America, the Nissan NV200 compact van is in use in more than 40 countries around the world, receiving acclaim from both users and media alike for its optimal functionality and smart design. It won the 2010 International Van of the Year award in Europe, the 2010 Commercial Delivery Van (CDV) of the Year in China, and the 2011 Universal Design Award from Universal Design GMbH, a German organization dedicated to promoting the convergence of design and the emerging importance of customer needs. NV200 has also established a presence as the strong segment leader in Japan with a wide-ranging lineup that includes a taxi version – and will soon be seen on the streets of New York City as the designated taxi design.
"Our global success provides a great foundation for the North American version, which we know will become an essential tool for business," concluded Castelli.
The new Nissan NV200 will be assembled in Cuernavaca, Mexico and available through a select network of certified Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers nationwide.
For more information on the complete line of Nissan Commercial Vehicles, please go to www.nissancommercialvehicles.com.
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* MSRP for 2013 Nissan NV200, excluding tax, title, license, options and destination. Dealer sets actual price.
** Ward's segmentation: Light Vehicle Small Van. '13 Nissan NV200 v. '12 and '13 competitors. EPA fuel economy estimate 24 MPG City. Actual mileage may vary with driving conditions. Use for comparison only.
By Jeffrey N. Ross
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