SUNWHEELS starts 2017 with the new NP200 ICE, and boy – what a toy!
This small bakkie is showing that even utility cars can look great and still do all the hard work.
And the NP200 ICE workhorse looks really good.
Many people starting up businesses in townships offer services like hiring tents, stoves, catering and tables and chairs.
Now imagine a person coming to install or deliver something to your wedding or house in a car like this ICE! You’ll most definitely be impressed.
That is what this bakkie is all about – style, beauty and a little bit of leisure. Nissan’s NP200 has won many hearts in Mzansi, and this one might win even more.
SunWheels drove a bright silver metalic model, but the starling blue version is as appealing.
The ICE’s aluminium nudge bar and custom-designed 15-inch alloy wheels is what makes this car looks different from other bakkies, in and outside the Nissan stall.
Standard items include daytime running lights, brushed alloy finish two-piece roll bar, colour coded radiator grille outer frame, rubberised load box, ICE branding and decals.
Enough about the design and looks alone – let’s look at driving performance.
We decided to put it on the N3 to Durban but made a turn in Ladysmith, about three hours away from Joburg.
All we can say is that it’s true that dynamite comes in small packages.
When you look at the car you might think it just looks good but will not give you as good performance because it is quite small.
But it surprised not only myself but many other drivers who thought because it is a bakkie, it must make way for them.
It moves as if gliding on ice, especially on an open downward slope.
While we drove the diesel engine, a petrol one is also available.
The diesel model uses 1,5-litre turbodiesel engine with 63 kW and 200 Nm of torque and is not heavy on fuel.
Fuel consumption of 5,3 litres per 100 km is not bad, unless you are really stingy.
The interior is also never boring, with eco combination leather upholstery and rubber carpets.
Bluetooth functionality and a USB port for charging and connecting your mobile devices also makes the bakkie user-friendly.
It would have been nice to have an electronic lock system because having to go around to lock the passenger door manually was quite tedious, but that is the least of your worries.
Prices:
Nissan NP200 ICE 1.6 Petrol – R191 900
Nissan NP200 ICE 1.5 turbodiesel –
R204 900
