New styling and features deliver superior comfort, cost-savings and productivity

20 September 2006 - The new 2007 Nissan Urvan has arrived in the GCC market boasting new styling and features that promise more comfort, flexibility, convenience, safety and performance. A group of fleet representatives from all over the region witnessed the launch of the new Urvan as part of Nissan's 2007 Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) line up.

With Urvan's 2006 second quarter sales already up by 46 per cent compared to last year, Nissan Middle East is confident the introduction of the 2007 Urvan will further boost sales for the remainder of the year.

"Given the high expectations for transport service quality and delivery in the region's rapidly progressing business environment, the need for a fully flexible, functional and reliable commercial vehicle to transport either people or goods becomes a paramount consideration," said Reza Alavi, LCV Brand Manager at Nissan Middle East. "This is why we incorporated a number of significant innovations in the all-new Nissan Urvan to deliver the kind of performance, comfort and reliability, as well as convenience and safety demanded by the market."

With three available options the all-new Nissan Urvan is the ideal business partner for transporting passengers and cargo, doing so in superior comfort, cost-efficiency and convenience. "The 12-passenger VX is a microbus that assures first-class comfort for all passengers. All main rear seats recline and boast superb legroom to keep passengers comfortable to the end of even the longest journey, making the Urvan a premium choice for fleet managers," added Alavi.

The 15-seater version, meanwhile, has four rows of seats and rear air conditioning featuring individual ventilation for each row to keep passengers cool and comfortable.

The 3-passenger van boasts the same comfort and convenience for front passengers as the microbus, but with a large, spacious cargo area at the back - even larger in the high-roof model that has an extensive, vertically-expanded loading space. This year a new window van has been added to the line up.

The enhancements applied to the 2007 Nissan Urvan allows it to stand out from its competitors with features that complement its fitness as an ideal business solution and a pioneering effort in satisfying end users.

Productive business partner 

The new Urvan comes in a choice of two powerful, fuel-efficient and low-maintenance DOHC 16-valve engines - 3.0 liter diesel or 2.4 liter petrol - producing 110 hp and 148 hp, respectively. Both connect to 5-speed manual transmissions.

Alavi believes that what fleet managers will appreciate most about the 2007 Nissan Urvan is its fuel efficiency: "With a powerful new engine, drivers need not press too much on the accelerator, and with low engine revolutions come cost-savings from fuel efficiency. Plus, improved combustion efficiency lowers oil consumption so there's no need for oil top-ups between oil changes. This gives the Urvan so much more value-added features than its closest competitors, making it the ideal business solution for fleet transport requirements."

Safe and sound 

Behind the Urvan's good looks lie a wealth of advanced features to keep driver and passengers safe. Nissan's class-leading control safety and impact safety technology is built into the whole vehicle and is based on detailed analyses of actual accidents.

The vehicle's huge front crushable zone, for example, is a significant safety improvement. It absorbs impact during frontal collision, protecting passengers from potential damaging situations. Even in a frontal crash test, cabin space is safely ensured and doors are easily opened for a quick exit to safety.

Comforts and conveniences 

The all-new Nissan Urvan offers superior comfort and comes with more passenger head and knee space than its competitors. Its cockpit has a number of exclusive aids to driver convenience, making it a virtual workstation, which includes a pen tray, writing table, and filing space for A4 binders. There is as well a lower centre tray with cooling system that can hold 2-3 500ml bottles. And the rear under-mirror, defogger and wiper give greater convenience - and safety - when reversing.

It also has standard, easy-to-read three-dial layout instrumentation boasts large numerals that glow with soft backlighting at night. Dual-type air conditioner controls offer easy operation without having to take eyes off the road, and power steering ensures effortless maneuverability and keeps fatigue to a minimum even during long drives. Even with a maximum load, steering responds in a crisp and predictable manner for safe, easy driving. 

Versatility in form and function 

Outside, the Nissan Urvan boasts attractive new exterior that has several distinctive features - from a refined front design with head lamp and fog lamp (opt.), new bumper and grille, to new body-stripe on the sides (opt.) and new wheel trims, chrome door finisher at the back, moulded rear under-mirror, resin rear wiper, and rear door that opens to roof height giving an extra 130mm of clearance for easier loading.

Showcasing the versatility of the all-new Nissan Urvan, Alavi explains that special-purpose versions can be produced to meet specific needs. "One example is the Urvan ambulance, designed with all necessary equipment for the safe and speedy transport of up to two patients. And, as with all Urvan application, the spacious interior provides an efficient working environment and helps to make loading and unloading smoother," added Alavi.

Nissan Middle East has once again raised the bar for the automotive industry, further strengthening its position as the region's leading provider of the widest ranges of SUVs, well-designed sedan cars that exceed expectations and now light commercial vehicles -including the Urvan passenger vans, the Civilian buses and its famous single and double-cab Pick Up that deliver ideal business solutions.

-Ends-

For more information you can visit Nissan Media Channel through www.nissan-me.com or contact:
Monal Zeidan
Senior Mqanager
Marketing & Corporate Communications Departments
Nissan Middle East FZE
Tel: + 9714 8817500
Fax + 9714 8819747

Mirna Al-Qassim
TBWA/RAAD Middle East
Tel: + 971 4 222 6667 ext. 233
Fax: + 971 4 222 6566
e-mail: mirnaq@tbwaraad.com

© Press Release 2006