Terra is the Nissan PPV we’ve been waiting for

[rooster59]

Terra is the Nissan PPV we’ve been waiting for

By Kingsley Wijayasinha 
The Nation Weekend

 

 

Based on the Navara pickup, the late-arriving Terra ppv offers extras to attract interest

 

It took Nissan many years, but the Japanese automaker has finally come up with a pickup passenger vehicle (PPV) based on its Navara pickup truck.

 

The Terra is the latest member in Thailand’s PPV market, which also includes the Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu Mu-X, Ford Everest, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport. It’s a fast-growing market, with Thai consumers attracted to the SUV-like qualities as well as the generous interior space offered by the concept.

 

Since the Navara was launched several years ago, I’ve been asking Nissan executives every year about launching a PPV version. But the answer was always no, and I eventually gave up asking.

 

But then last year Nissan finally introduced the Terra, first in China in April, and then the next month in the Philippines, where the Asean launch was later held. It will also be sold in Indonesia, Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

 

In Thailand, the Terra was officially launched in August, and helped Nissan expand its product portfolio.

 

The X-Trail SUV, despite being a pretty attractive SUV with a hybrid powertrain available, was not very successful here. The Terra is expected to do a better job at winning customers.

 

While the X-Trail appeals to city-dwellers who aren’t into genuine heavy off-roading, the frame-based Terra is designed to offer the toughness and capability that would allow it to conquer more adventurous terrain.

 

The Terra banks on the front design of the Navara with its V-shaped chrome grille/boomerang LED headlamps. It looks pretty intimidating with its large wheel fenders housing the 18-inch alloy wheels wearing 255/60 tires. It also features seven seats, with the second row offering a full-flat folding feature through the One-Touch Remote fold button on the console or manually via the lever.

 

The Terra is powered by a new twin-turbo 2.3-litre diesel engine with direct fuel injection. The two turbochargers team up to provide quicker torque delivery than the previous 2.5-litre turbo engine (which is still used in the Terra sold in the Philippines and also offering 190hp and 450Nm) and better fuel economy. The Thai version gets 190hp and 450Nm of torque at 1,500-2,500rpm, compared to 2,000rpm for the 2.5-litre unit.

 

The engine is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, with the extra ratio helping maintain an average fuel economy of 13.1km/litre. Still, despite the large amount of torque, don’t expect the Terra to accelerate like a sports car. The first-gear ratio has been tailored for good off-road performance rather than speed, and it’s when the second gear shifts in that you feel the Terra start accelerating more comfortably.

 

The steering (offering a turning circle of 11.4 metres, is pretty heavy and would be cumbersome for less muscular drivers, especially during parking situations. I felt that it was good exercise for my arms during the week I had the Terra with me.

 

I borrowed the 2.3VL 4WD version, which came with an electronic rear locking differential and shift-on-the-fly for 2WD and 4WD, plus a low range for demanding off-road conditions like sand or rocks. It has a ground clearance of 225mm (best-in-class) which helps lower the chance of damaging the underbody.

 

Being the last player to enter the market, the Terra needed to have something that others don’t. Nissan has put in advanced features like the Intelligent Rear View Mirror – basically an LCD screen that solves the problem of rear passengers or luggage blocking the rear view (since the camera is located at the rear of the vehicle). As well, an Intelligent Around View Monitor provides a bird’s eye view from above to make parking the 4.8-metre PPV easy.

 

There are also Moving Object Detection, Intelligent Blind Sport Intervention (audio and light alerts, no steering wheel vibration) and Intelligent Lane Intervention (70km/h and above). Vehicle Dynamic Control, Traction Control System, Hill Start Assistance and Hill Descent Control are also included in the Terra’s outstanding driver assist package.

 

Inside the Terra, there are three-point seatbelts for all seven occupants and a total of six airbags. Apart from general information, the dashboard monitor also has an Off-road Meter that tells the driver about the tilt angle. There’s also a Tire Pressure Monitoring system that ensures safety and full tire lifespan.

 

The entertainment system has a 7-inch touchscreen that also doubles as navigation. There are air vents for all three rows of seats, and cupholders too.

 

While the 4WD model is priced at Bt1.427 million, those who don’t need 4WD could consider the 2WD versions are priced at Bt1.316 million to Bt1.349 million. By the way, Nissan says pricing of the Terra will be raised by Bt50,000 starting next month, so those who are interested should hurry.

 

Nissan Terra 2.3 VL 4WD specs

 

Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbocharged commonrail diesel

 

Displacement: 2,298cc

 

Bore and stroke: 85.0x101.3mm

 

Compression ratio: 15.4:1

 

Max power: 190ps/3,750rpm

 

Max torque: 450Nm/1,500-2,500rpm

 

Transmission: 7-speed automatic

 

Ratios: 4.886/3.169/2.027/1.411/1.000/0.864/0.774

 

Final drive ratio: 3.357

 

0-100 kmh: n/a

 

Top speed: n/a

 

Fuel economy (city): 10.7km/litre

 

Fuel economy (highway): 15.3km/litre

 

Fuel economy (average): 13.1km/litre

 

Average CO2: 200g/km

 

Suspension (f/r): double wishbone/multi-link

 

Steering: powered rack-and-pinion

 

Turning circle: 11.4 metres

 

Brakes (f/r): vented disc/drum

 

Dimensions (mm)

 

Length: 4,885

 

Width: 1,865

 

Height: 1,835

 

Wheelbase: 2,850

 

Track (f/r): n/a

 

Ground clearance: 225mm

 

Wheels: 18-in alloys

 

Tyres: 255/60 R18

 

Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres

 

Price: Bt1.427 million

 

Distributor: Nissan Motor Thailand Co Ltd

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Auto_ADO/30360922

 

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-22

[Lungstib]

"We"? Seen the smog reports for Bangkok and Chiang Mai recently? Another big diesel engined SUV is maybe not the perfect introduction at our time of climate crisis.

[Deli]

Looks good to me but the price tag will keep me off.

 

[hansnl]

2 hours ago, Lungstib said:

"We"? Seen the smog reports for Bangkok and Chiang Mai recently? Another big diesel engined SUV is maybe not the perfect introduction at our time of climate crisis.

Did you also read that industry is the biggest spoiler of the air, and that traffic is just a small player in that field.

And which climate crisis do you mean?

Is there a climate crisis?

And how do you explain the climate change 20,000 years ago?

The only thing the so-called climate change deliveres is more taxes, huge Investments in new technologies paid for by taxes, and with no substantial influence in anything.

By the way, do you know how many aircraft are spoiling the air, so many that traffic is just peanuts.

Do you also know that diesel engines, modern ones with particle filter, are cleaner as petrol engines, and have less impact on the environment thanks electric and hybrid cars?

Everything humans do has a tiny impact on the world, don't believe everything that is fed to us.

[sweatalot]

good experience with Navarra already

interesting - Have been considering the similar Lexus

Will have to compare

[sawadee1947]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

Average CO2: 200g/km

It's embarrassing for a brand new  car. 

Far away from innovation 

[DavisH]

7 hours ago, sweatalot said:

good experience with Navarra already

interesting - Have been considering the similar Lexus

Will have to compare

The negatives I have gleaned from reports and someone who has reviewed it, is that the steering is like that of a 20 year old pickup truck (the biggest negative, as stated in the article it is very heavy); rear drums (all the competition has rear discs now); the dash is straight from the navara (they could have done better there). On the positive side, it accelerates better than all the competition (bar the discontinued 200 hp trailblazer) and also tops fuel economy too. The ride quality approaches that of the everest also. I don't see any new info on the ford everest fuel economy or acceleration though. 

[superal]

15 hours ago, DavisH said:

The negatives I have gleaned from reports and someone who has reviewed it, is that the steering is like that of a 20 year old pickup truck (the biggest negative, as stated in the article it is very heavy); rear drums (all the competition has rear discs now); the dash is straight from the navara (they could have done better there). On the positive side, it accelerates better than all the competition (bar the discontinued 200 hp trailblazer) and also tops fuel economy too. The ride quality approaches that of the everest also. I don't see any new info on the ford everest fuel economy or acceleration though. 

What is the view on the Nissan customer service ? I ask that because a couple of days ago I went into their showroom site . There were several new signs/posters hung around the place which looked like a promotion but all in Thai , in fact no English writing anywhere . So I walked around for 15 minutes and was not approached by sale staff . They were too busy chatting to each other or on their phones  . Not a good first impression so I left rather disappointed . It may have been that they do not speak English so did not want to get involved . Having said that I bought a new Mitsubishi Attrage for my lady and their staff really tried to communicate . Their new look Triton is now in my list of interest .