Nissan TERRANO VAN RANGE
Not Many UK Businesses Actually Need A Genuine Offroad-Capable 4x4 Van But Those That Do Will Find Themselves On Safe Ground If They Choose To Splash Out On Nissans Terrano. Steve Walker Takes A Look
A niche market seems to be the thing to find in the wider automotive industry at present. The big names have been probing the marketplace with a succession of models that seem oddly styled or ill-conceived at first glance. Many of these prove to be exactly that but some manufacturers are rewarded for their bravery, in taking the motoring equivalent of a shot in the dark, with unexpected sales success and credit for forging a groundbreaking, profitable new sector. Nissans Terrano is a good example of this, a compact van with off-road pedigree and sales figures that belie its specialist make-up.
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The Terrano first hit the showrooms back in 1998, a time when most farmers, tree surgeons, forest rangers, bog snorkelers and other people who needed to lug weighty loads across slippery terrain, were probably employing the services of a
Land Rover Defender or, perhaps, an
Isuzu Trooper. The Terrano was wieldier than a Trooper and more comfortable than a Defender, so it sold strongly and its success spawned a succession of imitators. Land Rovers Freelander commercial and Mitsubishis Shogun CVs were the most notable challengers but through a process of frequent revision, the Terrano has held its own to the point where sales levels are firmly on the up. Things could get even better too.
in recent times weve seen the introduction of an up-spec SE trim-level to appeal to the burgeoning lifestyle-orientated, outdoor sports sector and standard equipment has been increased to include ABS as well as a CD Player. Since its launch, the Terrano has been driven relentlessly onward by a 2.7-litre turbo diesel engine. It serves its owner with a brawny 125bhp at 3,600rpm and 205lbs/ft of torque at 2,000rpm.
Theres plenty of power down low in the rev-range where seasoned off-road drivers will like it and the unit has proved eminently reliable in a different guise, its used to power London taxis. Rest to 60mph and maximum speed figures arent really what the Terranos all about but here they are anyway: youll get to 60mph in 15.2 seconds from a standing start and reach 100mph all ends up. Combined fuel consumption of 28.8mpg is within reach.
"both engines have got real guts. They transform a functional CV in to something thats actually reasonably engaging to drive."
A more recent addition to the Terrano range is a 3.0-litre normally aspirated oil burner that puts out a whopping 156bhp. Its priced £850 higher than the 2.7 and it substantially enhances the vehicles performance both on and off road.
The 0-60mph time is lowered to 13.3 seconds and fuel consumption reaches new heights of 32.1mpg on the combined cycle. Towing capacity is also upped from 2,800kg with the 2.
7-litre to 3,000kg. Both engines are mated to a selectable low or high range transmission system. There is a pair of trim levels available with the Terrano: one isnt deemed important enough to have a name and the other is known, to its friends, as SE. The 2.7-litre engine is offered with either the nameless standard trim level or with the luxury of SE, while 3.0-litre Power is the sole preserve of SE buyers.
A standard Terrano is quite well equipped with power steering, twin front airbags, engine immobiliser, CD player, ABS brakes with EBD and central locking worthy of a mention: Meanwhile the SE provides a healthy collection of tempting add-ons for only £1,225 extra. These include air-conditioning, 17" alloys, aluminium side steps, body coloured bumpers, metallic paint and side airbags. The SE is designed for the growing band of commercial vehicle users who want a van for work that will also provide comfortable leisure transport on weekends. With a entry-level 2.7-litre costing £14,125 and the 3.
0-litre SE costing £16,245, prices seem sensibly set. When it comes to actually driving the Terrano, whichever powerplant it may be equipped with, you wont be wowed by the accuracy of the steering or the quality of the ride. The vehicle is built as an offroad workhorse first and foremost and its ability when traversing muddy tracks or rocky outcrops necessitates the sacrifice of some tarmac fluidity. That said, the Terrano stands up well to comparison with its peers in the drivability stakes none of which can seriously lay claim to
Rolls-Royce ride or refinement.
It even manages to subdue the noise of those rumbling diesel engines to a respectable extent no mean feat for a vehicle with a big empty metal box at the back to act as an ideal breeding-ground for noise, vibration and harshness. The driving position is comfortable, theres a nice purposeful feel to the gear-change and both engines have got real guts. They transform a functional CV in to something thats actually reasonably engaging to drive. The Terrano van is, of course, based on the Terrano car and so the load space is created by the removal of the rear seats rather than being designed as such from the start.
There is, however, a surprising amount of room inside equating to 1.65 cubic meters of space and a 1.3-square meter flat load floor. Its all accessed via a side-hinged read door with the spare wheel mounted on the back in time-honoured 4x4 style.
The opening comes close to equalling the dimensions of the loadspace itself, so its easy to slide things in without interference from awkward protruding edges. The maximum payload is 785kg roughly equivalent to what youd get in a large hi-cube van. Most hi-cubes will offer more cargo space but try taking one along anything more testing than a gravel track and youll soon be wishing you hadnt. The Terrano, on the other hand, will eat some pretty mean obstacles for breakfast - a 450mm wading depth, 210mm ground clearance and a 39-degree accent gradient feature amongst its formidable credentials.
If you really need to haul bulky items across unforgiving terrain or if youd just like your neighbours to think that you do, the Terrano is a fine product. Theres no getting away from the fact that the numbers of people who have a similar set of requirements in this country are small but that hasnt stopped the Terrano from being a strong niche-market seller for
Nissan. High-points include the excellent diesel engines and the generous specification of the SE models. Its a brave or foolish customer who buys a vehicle of this type without checking-out the Nissan Terrano.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
VAN: Nissan Terrano van range
PRICES: £14,125 - £16,245 ENGINE: 125bhp 2.7-litre TD / 156bhp 3.0-litre Di MAX PAYLOAD: 785Kg
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