MANILA, Philippines - Since its inception in Japan in 1973, the Nissan Urvan has undergone five iterations ever since. Here in the Philippines, the Urvan made its presence felt, both for family use and in the public transport sector.
“Shuttle operators preferred the Urvan for its proven reliability, passenger comfort and strong air-conditioning system, flexible loading and seating capacity for both cargo and passenger,” said Antonio Zara, president and managing director of Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI).
Designed to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, shuttle operators, and family users, the 5th generatation NV350 Urvan sports an overhaul to its design and key features, making this vehicle a strong contender in the commercial van class.
Nissan upgraded its engine into a powerful 2.5-L engine, based on the same engine platform used for the all-new NP300 Navara pickup truck. This means that drivers now can rely on a powerful engine that can effortlessly pull loads of cargo and passengers even on steep, uphill climbs, like on a family weekend trip to Tagaytay or Baguio.
With the advanced technologies applied to the all-new NV350 Urvan, one can expect a much improved fuel efficiency. A shift indicator on the dashboard gives visual cues to the driver when to shift, thereby maximizing the power of the drive train without wasting a drop of fuel.
Passengers in the rear cabin of the all-new NV350 Urvan can enjoy the vaunted Nissan cool air experience via the individual vents mounted on twelve points off-center on the van’s ceiling.
Looking at the dashboard, the multi-faceted display clearly show all the driving stats at a glance. The shift selector’s move onto the instrument panel board makes it easier for the driver to reach to when changing gears while at the same time, freeing up the floor area to create more space to stow bags in. The steering wheel features a moveable range for tilt, while the driver’s seat allows him to adjust the extent of the slide distance, for maximum driving comfort.
With the all-new NV350 Urvan, both the front and sides are protected via the zone body impact zones. In cases of collision, the energy is absorbed and dissipated, lessening the effects on the passengers. Supplementing this are seatbelts and airbag provisioning for the driver and front passengers; a high-mounted stop lamp LED that is mounted over the rear cargo door as additional visual warning; a load-sensing valve that provides reliable braking power whether the van is full or empty; and child-safety locks installed as standard features.
Form-wise, the all-new NV350 also sports a clean and modern form, with a shortened overhang and an aerodynamic side view with the removal of the side roof drip channel.
Owners of the all-new NV350 Urvan will get an array of services and privileges offered by the Nissan Customer Assistance Center (NCAC) that can be reached through its hotline 407-65-93. With the “Alagang Nissan program,” owners can avail of affordable parts servicing of their all-new NV350 Urvan in dedicated dealerships nationwide. Those who will use the all-new NV350 Urvan for utility purposes and will be registered as PUV will get to enjoy three years manufacturer’s warranty with no additional cost. “We’re proud to announce that this is a first in the local automotive industry, to provide warranty coverage for vans used for UV purposes,” Zara added.
The all-new NV350 Urvan is available in colors of Brilliant Silver and Alpine White. Special colors such as Precision Grey, Black Obsidian and Tiger Eye Brown can also be arranged for delivery, with a three-month lead time.