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...Ain't that stealthy. This is one of those times when the name is quite ironic, like naming your Pitbull Tinkerbelle or your Chihuahua Zeus. The current Nissan Navara can be many things, but stealthy isn't one of them, especially in this new dark theme. With the way the bakkie market is going, we'll soon be on par with the States where bigger is better, and things are pretty hotly contested. Everyone is trying to think outside of the box to help shift units, and we're starting to see special editions of. many regulars we already know. On that note, while the Stealth is a dressed up Navara LE model, it's set to be a permanent fixture on the list of available options and not just a one-off run. Nice! The Stealth package is available on the 2.3D Stealth 4x2 AT DC as well as the range-topping 2.3D LE 4x4 DC, so the two-wheel and four-wheel needs are covered. The spec levels of these bakkies is really good, and nothing under the hood is fiddled with when going Stealth. The changes that have been made include some new alloys in 18-inches with a black finish, a black grille, black-backed headlights and new accents to match on the front bumper. A black rear roll bar and black roof rails are the last exterior changes, well besides the paint colour. The Stealth can be had in this here gunmetal paint, but also in black and white too. Inside the bakkie it's all very much the same with the exception of an orange accent fabric and leather combination, which will suit all exterior paint options luckily. The Navara Stealth also has Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies in play, like the Intelligent Key System, the Intelligent 4x4 System (that assists drivers in smooth cornering by adjusting power output to the front and rear wheels) and Hill Start Assist. There's also a new Intelligent Around View Monitor that makes use of four cameras positioned the bakkie to give you a 360-degree aerial view of the bakkie and its surrounds. Trust me, this is a very good thing, especially if you're used to driving something like an Opel Corsa. Trying to manoeuvre a comparative behemoth can be quite the mission, and surround camera will save both the bakkie and your surroundings from unwanted parking dings. The Nissan Navara is great to drive, and the one problem I had the last time I drove one, isn't a problem in Stealth guise. It was a silly problem, at my statuesque height when looking out the windscreen I looked straight into the back of the rise in the bonnet, essentially giving me an annoying black spot to look at. It seems that was only when the thing wore orange paint because it wasn't even noticeable in this gunmetal paint. Go figure. So yeah, kicking around the 'hood in a Navara Stealth is brilliant, just brilliant. With a collection of tattoos and different cars all the time, the neighbours already think I'm a drug dealer, and this thing stepped that up a notch. This meant people stayed out of my way, and when I approached an empty parking at the same time as a Mazda BT50 at my local Spar, I simply gave a bit of a stare and the chap motioned me to take the parking. That wouldn't have happened if I was in anything else. This carried through to the highway too, which was most amusing. All you have to do is set the cruise control to 123km/h (screw you Metro!) and steer. Literally EVERYONE moves out of your way, you can sit back and watch your ETA on Waze start shaving off minutes.
This thing is good fun to drive, it's really good option for those wanting a double cab 4x4 (or x2). On board tech is good, engines and transmissions are good and pricing is good. The bakkie market is tough, and choosing one above them all is nigh on impossible, but if Nissan is my choice, it WILL be in Stealth trim.. The Nissan Navara Stealth starts at R591 00 for the 2.3D 4x2 MT DC, hits R608 900 for the 2.3D 4x2 AT DC and finally R669 800 for the 2.3D 4x4 AT DC. All models come with a 3-year/ 90 000km service plan and a 6-year/150 000km warranty. For more, head on over to Nissan's main site. |