2011 Nissan NV Workhorse Designed To Please Plumbers
- Nissan introduced its 2011 NV commercial vehicle this week.
- The van debuted at the 2010 NTEA Work Truck Show in St. Louis.
- NV lineup includes a choice of two body styles and two engine options.
ST. LOUIS — Saying that “commercial van owners are among the least satisfied” of any auto buyers, Nissan on Wednesday rolled out the 2011 NV at the 2010 NTEA Work Truck Show. The NV is a beefy commercial vehicle set to launch in late 2010. The NV spearheads Nissan’s new offensive into the commercial-vehicle market in North America.
Nissan says the workhorse truck is aimed at plumbers, electricians and other hands-on entrepreneurs. Yet to be revealed are such critical details as pricing, fuel economy numbers and horsepower on the NV’s two engines. Nissan said a pricing announcement is planned for fall.
The NV comes in two body configurations: a standard-roof model and a high-roof model. It rides on a 146.1-inch wheelbase and has an overall length of 240.9 inches, as well as a 10-foot cargo floor. The standard roof height on the NV 2500 is 83.9 inches, while the high roof on the NV 2500 is 105.0 inches. Nissan is describing the NV as the “first-ever body-on-frame high-roof van” and says the high-roof version offers enough clearance for people to stand up straight and work in the cargo area.
The NV comes with a choice of two engines, a 4.0-liter V6 or a 5.6-liter V8. Both are linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. The truck will be offered in three models: the NV 1500, NV 2500 HD and NV 3500 HD.
Safety features include optional front side airbags and side curtain airbags.
The cabin gets a center console and overhead storage bins on high-roof models. Bluetooth and rearview monitors are optional.
While the earlier NV2500 concept was based on the same F-Alpha platform as the Nissan Titan pickup, the company says the production NV has been almost completely re-engineered, and the NV and Titan platforms now have little in common.
Joe Castelli, Nissan’s vice president of commercial vehicles and fleet, said “commercial van owners are among the least satisfied” of any auto buyers. He said they complain about “aging designs and little innovation.”
“The last thing a plumber needs is to feel more cramped on his drive back to the shop,” Castelli said.
Inside Line says: Nissan aims to please some van owners who have been largely ignored by other manufacturers. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent