Prime property

Universal Motors Corporation launched last Feb. 19, 2002 the all-new Nissan Urvan Estate. The Urvan Estate is the latest entry in the passenger van segment of the Commercial Vehicle market, and includes features and styling that seek to raise the standards for the class a notch or two. Externally, the Urvan’s redesigned body is as inconspicuous as ever, though the chiseled edges of the front fascia’s headlamps and bumper give it some character.

Priced at P1,140,000 for the regular variant and P1,150,000 for one with a two-tone paint job, most of the Urvan buyer’s money goes into a thoughtfully and tastefully designed interior and substantial hardware. The driver’s cabin features white-on-black meter gauges and ergonomically placed switches and buttons, and plenty of cubbyholes and trays in a softly rounded dashboard. The rather horizontally placed steering wheel is not adjustable for tilt, but Nissan claims that the power steering has been improved from the previous model for enhanced responsiveness. As with most modern vans, the shifter for the 5-speed manual transmission (no automatic is available) is thankfully placed on the floor and not mounted on the steering column.

Nissan is proud to point out that the Urvan Estate is a very comfortable van to ride in. The foremost bench seat (beside the driver) includes a foldable seatback with cup holders and a console lid that can be used as a writing surface while on the go. This also opens to accept A4-sized documents. The Urvan can seat up to 12 when the foldable jump seats for the 2nd row and over the right rear wheel well are used. The three main benches at back can be reclined, and are clothed in plush fabric materials. Individual aircon vents run along the left side of the headliner up to the rearmost bench seat.

Power is provided by the ZD30DD direct injection, twin cam, 4-cylinder diesel engine. It is the same as that found in the Patrol SUV, but without the turbocharger. It makes 105 horsepower at 3,800 rpm and 21.3 kg-m of torque at 2,000 rpm; strong figures for the class. The Urvan rides on 15" tires and a suspension comprising front independent double wishbones with torsion bars, and a rear rigid axle with leaf springs.

There is no anti-lock braking system to supplement the 15" front discs and rear drums, but at least a load-sensing valve optimizes brake balance between the front and rear brakes under varying conditions. Safety features include side-impact beams and a front crush zone to safely absorb and disperse impact energy away from occupants. Seatbelts are provided for all passengers except those who must use the jump seats.

Welcome the XUV

Meanwhile, Isuzu’s newest Hi-Lander variant seeks to further give some flair to the hot AUV segment with its new "Crosswind XUV". The taller, wider XUV (for EXtreme Utility Vehicle") stands head to head with its big brother Trooper SUV courtesy of fender flares, full body cladding, a bumper overrider, tailgate-mounted spare tire carrier, anodized aluminum roof rails, 235/70-series 15" Michelins, and lift-up suspension work. Compared to the normal XTO variant, the XUV stands 126 millimeters taller.

Several bright color choices are available, such as "Copper Orange" and "Sonic Yellow" aside from the more somber black, white, and green options.

Leather upholstery is standard for the seats, shifter, parking brake handle, and steering wheel. Sporty, color-keyed stitching and perforations add some more character, a styling trick first introduced by Isuzu for the Fuego Sport pickup truck. Other features are a single in-dash CD/Tuner with a splashy "organic electro luminescent" display and six speakers, fog lamps, gold emblems, and multi-reflector rear lamp clusters.

The turbocharged XUV comes standard with a 4-speed automatic transmission, and the direct injection diesel produces 85 PS at 3,900 rpm and 18.9 kg-m of torque at 2,000 rpm. The normally aspirated XUV comes with a 5-speed manual transmission, and power is rated at 81 PS at 3,900 rpm and 17 kg-m of torque at 2,300 rpm.

As with standard Crosswinds, the XUV rides on front double wishbones and rear leaf springs. Brakes are ventilated disks in front and drums in back. Side impact beams are standard, and seatbelts are included for front and 2nd row passengers.

The automatic is priced at P849,000, the manual at P809,000. Isuzu expects the XUV release to coincide with some analysts’ expectations of economic recovery this year, and hopes to sell at least 400 units a month.