The facelifted Nissan Navara has been revealed, with the Japanese firm also rolling out a fresh Pro-4X trim level.

Unveiled in Thailand, the updated bakkie will also be produced in South Africa, with production expected to commence at Rosslyn in 2021.

So, what has Nissan changed? Well, the company says the facelifted D23-generation Navara delivers an “enhanced level of safety, comfort and driving pleasure”. Indeed, it claims the bakkie offers “many best-in-class technologies, including an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features and safety systems”.

The list of safety features set to be available in the upgraded Navara (dependent on the market, of course) includes intelligent forward collision warning, intelligent emergency braking and Nissan’s four-camera intelligent around view monitor. There’s also a fresh off-road monitor, which keeps tabs on obstacles at low speeds when four-wheel-drive is engaged.

Nissan says the facelifted Navara has gained a “strengthened” rear axle, an increased payload capacity, additional load bed volume and a new integrated step in the rear bumper. The company has furthermore added an upgraded steering rack to “enhance maneuverability at low speeds” and steering response “across the speed range”.

In addition, the Japanese firm says a “significant decrease of vibration and improved noise isolation” has resulted in a “quiet and comfortable ride”. From what we can tell, the cabin has gained a fresh steering wheel and a redesigned instrument cluster.

Nissan makes no mention of powertrain changes in its international media material so we suspect the Navara will stick with its twin-turbodiesel 2,3-litre, four-cylinder engine here in South Africa, offering unchanged peak outputs of 140 kW and 450 N.m.

So, what about that new Pro-4X trim level? Well, Nissan describes it as a “style package aimed at adventure lovers and travellers”. The Pro-4X grade features a black emblem and an orange-accented front bumper, along with a black finish for the grille, door handles, roof racks and running boards. The 17-inch black alloy wheels, meanwhile, are wrapped in all-terrain rubber.

As mentioned above, the company plans to start building the updated bakkie right here in South Africa in 2021. In April 2019, Nissan SA announced it would begin producing the Navara bakkie for local and export markets at its Rosslyn plant in Pretoria.

The R3-billion investment will see the Navara added to the production line alongside the NP300 Hardbody and half-tonne NP200, with more volume likely coming South Africa’s way thanks to Nissan's decision to close its Barcelona plant (which also builds the Navara) in the near future. That also means we can expect a broader range of Navara body styles to be offered locally, from single- to double-cab variants.

Original article from Car