Nissan INTERSTAR VAN RANGE
Nissans Interstar Van Has A Fresh Look With Which To Tempt Buyers Away From The Established Panel Van Candidates. Steve Walker Reports
In commercial vehicle terms,
Nissan remained on the periphery of things until quite recently. Their 4x4 vans and pick-ups had been popular, as had the Cabstar E flat bed truck, but success in the more lucrative mainstream van markets eluded them. The Interstar was the first in a series of vehicles given remit to change all that and its recently been the subject of a thorough upgrade providing the fresh impetus it needs in a competitive marketplace.
The strange pang of déjà vu thats likely to be felt by
Vauxhall and
Renault van drivers when they first clap eyes on the Interstar can be explained away with one simple fact. Beneath all the badging, branding and cosmetic detailing, Vauxhalls Movano, Renaults Master Van and Nissans Interstar are one and the same. Granted, if you must scrutinise the specification lists in detail, you will come across some differences in equipment levels from range to range, but the variations are few. All three models have been on the receiving-end of reasonably far-reaching facelifts so that the latest versions look significantly different while still staying the same if that makes any sense.
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Like the Master and the Movano, the Interstar now sports a bigger, more prominent front end comprised of larger headlights and a deep plastic bumper. The current frontal aspect is significantly dissimilar to the original Interstar, although revised light clusters are the sole differences at the back. The revisions inside the cab are more sweeping. A dash-mounted gearlever, new trim colours and various other alterations have come in to play and the overall effect is a big improvement.
Change has also been afoot in the engine bay, where the 3.0-litre unit based on that found in the Terrano arrives to propel the range-topping models, and under the skin, where the ABS braking system has been upgraded.
"Slide the Interstar into reverse and a short bleep sounds to represent the RPS systems spring into action."
For a sign of just how little there is to choose between the top contenders in the large panel van sector, look no further than Nissans early promotional literature and advertising for the Interstar. In their wisdom, the companys marketing gurus singled out the
Nissan Rear Park System, thats now included as standard on SE models, as the vehicles main selling point. Customarily, its little matters like engines and payload capacities that dominate commercial vehicle buying decisions, thats why they are more actively promoted, but theres not much to separate the top models on these criteria. The Japanese obviously thought that their RPS parking sensor was the best angle of attack to differentiate the Interstar from its ostensibly similar rivals.
It works well too. Slide the Interstar into reverse and a short bleep sounds to represent the RPS systems spring into action. As you proceed backward the bleeps become more frequent to warn you as the proximity of your rear end to potentially fender-bending objects increases. Having dispensed with the high technology, its time to return to more customary commercial vehicle roadtest fare - the engines.
Although, theres quite a bit of hi-tec know-how incorporated here too. All the Interstars engine options run on diesel but theres no need for earplugs or those fetching anti-pollution masks favoured by inner-city cyclists. These are new, direct injected, common rail diesel engines - quieter, cleaner and more powerful than any oil-burner has any right to be. The powerplants are available in 1.
9, 2.5 and 3.0-litre forms producing respective torque figures of 200, 290 and 320Nm. The 2.
5-litre engine is available with 100 or 115PS outputs, while the 1.9-litre offers 82PS and the big 3.0-litre churns out a 136PS maximum. In all cases, delivery of this power starts at low revs, so the Interstar pulls away briskly, even with a large load on board, and handles testing inclines without undue drama.
The Interstars body can be specified in various combinations of three wheelbases and three roof-heights. If you plan on testing the load bays dimensions with extremely long, tall or wide objects, the biggest Interstar is the Long wheelbase/high-roof. It gives 13.9 cubic meters of load volume with access through high rear doors or a sliding side door.
At 5,888mm in length and with unglazed rear doors fitted as standard, you might be glad of that Rear Parking Sensor. The floor is usefully low making access easier still. Interstar operators get disc brakes all-round and independent double wishbone suspension at the front. Rear ride is the responsibility of a rigid axel with single steel leaf springs, designed to handle heavy loads without adversely effecting handling.
The van has a tight turning circle and is controlled through a flatly mounted steering wheel. The driving position is typical of many panel vans with designers refusing to go too far down the road in search of a car-like feel. You sit high with a good view of the road and upright so as to make the hop in and out an easy one. The drivers
seat is adjustable in three ways and using the Interstar on longer journeys isnt an uncomfortable experience.
The vans standard E specification set-up includes remote central locking, drivers airbag, power steering and a radio cassette player amongst other things. Meanwhile, SE models get ABS with EBD, a CD player and electric, heated mirrors. On the options list youll find the likes of air-conditioning, a second sliding side door, a full steel bulkhead and a wooden floor for anyone keen to keep pace with the latest interior design trends. You can, therefore, specify the Interstar with a good degree of luxury by van standards at least.
The Nissan Interstar has all the bits in all the right places for it to be a success. The comprehensive nature of the latest package may be thanks largely to its close association with the equivalent
Renault and
Vauxhall models but when it comes to supplying the public, Nissan retailers will be out on their own. The manufacturer now has the largest and most varied commercial vehicle range on the UK market and the Interstar is amongst the best of the bunch. It looks like yet another example of creative thinking from Nissan.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
VAN: Nissan Interstar Van
PRICE: £14,100 - £22,900 ENGINE: 1.9dCi/2.5dCi/3.0dCi (Common Rail Diesel) GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2.8t, 3.3t, 3.5t
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