Pick-up trucks, or "utes" as they are called over here, have been on a gradual arms race for more power, to try to oust the ubiquitous Toyota HiLux from number 1 in the sales charts.
Nissan used to rule the roost with 450NM torque from their own diesel powerplant. Up stepped Mazda and Ford with new models to beat Nissan a few months ago. Now Nissan have just launched a Navara with a 3-litre V6 turbodiesel sourced from Renault: 550NM of torque and mated to an autobox!
Just wondering what on earth Renault do with this powerplant in other parts of the world? Nobody buys a 3l V6 Renault diesel car do they..?!
Aside, I also hear that the Renault 1.5DCI is a good French engine also widely adopted by Nissan. What to Nissan bring to Renault in return..?!
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>> What to Nissan bring to Renault in return..?!
A slim chance of avoiding bankruptcy?
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Before the Renault-Nissan alliance was formed, Nissan were deeply in debt through trying to compete, and beat, Toyota in all markets (they failed). Renault was at the time relatively cash rich.
The situation has changed drastically - with Renault being the weaker partner, amidst failing profits and sales.
In the UK, in the first quarter of 2012 Renault trimmed their dealer network by 30%, stopped importing some models (including Laguna, Wind, Modus, Kangoo car), and introduced a four year warranty/servicing/finance package to try to halt their sales decline.
Renaut used Nissan's four wheel drive technology for the Kangoo and Koleos 4wd's (the Koleos being built by Renault-Samsung in Korea).
The K13 Micra uses the new Nissan/Renault platform that will also be shared with the next Clio. Some versions of the K13 Micra are badged as Renaults in some markets.
Wouldn't be surprised if the Nissan NV200 van gets badged as a Renault in some markets - the taxi version of this vehicle got the contract to replace New York taxis in 2011.
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That engine is used in top line lagunas and was in the old Vel Satis. Renault small cars are great but the company has a poor rep for quality and reliability and an even worse one for customer service.
Their CEO has made a big mistake with backing full electric cars (rather than hybrids or with engine backup) before a good infrastructure for batteries is available. Sales of the Nissan Leaf are plummeting.
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and this lump was offered in the Espace. Its been knocking around a while.
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Awesome engine that! Drove the auto double-cab Navara last year. Superb vehicle, but hardly cheap.
I'll dig out my notes later.
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We've had the V6 pickup here for a year or so now. Very expensive mind, as it only comes in the posh version with auto. But the engine is also available in the Traffic van. Not sure if it's related to the previous (troublesome) V6 that came from Isuzu.
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Hope they've done something with the rear axle, many failures with the 2.5 4 pot.
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Nissan Navara d40 - new Renault V6 turbodiesel - Lygonos
