Nissan NP300 Hardbody – Tough as Nails
South Africans know, Hardbody is a coveted, royal title, truly earned by the Nissan NP300. A title founded and passed down since 1986, a title South Africans swear by – and for good reason. When you’re behind the wheel of your very own NP300, you are the king (or queen) of your own castle.
Built on the bedrock foundation of a ladder frame chassis, the NP300 is buttressed by side-door intrusion bars and gated with front crumple zones. All but the base models also fly the flags of driver- and passenger side airbags as well as ABS.
At the heart of this legendary construction lies a powerful, life-giving hearth: a range of time-tested engines to suit every manner of monarch and mode of rule. The agile 2.0 litre petrol engine model sports the smallest turning circle without giving up any of its massive 2220mm by 1466mm load bed.
The long range powerhouse 2.5 litre diesel engine boasts a staggering fuel economy of 8 litres per 100km (only slightly increased for the heavier double cab). It also drums up a staggering 304Nm of torque at the low-low of 2000rpms, ensuring that you don’t have to put your foot down to conquer your obstacles. The fleet-footed 2.4 litre petrol engine, in turn, can crank out an astounding 105kW at the high end of 5600rpms.
The latter two models also come in single- or double cab variants and offers the choice between two-wheel- and four-wheel drive trains. In every case, the driver commits to keeping things under their thumb with a 5-speed manual transmission. The NP300 four-by-four variants are underscored by limited slip differentials to ensure you climb ever upward.
Perhaps the most valuable and comforting feature about the NP300 is its sense of longevity. The 6-year / 150 000km warranty is exactly that: a guarantee that here is a construction that will stand for the ages. The extended 15 000km service intervals are a declaration of Nissan’s confidence in its creation and the range of optional service plans on offer ensures that everything keeps running smoothly, even when the road gets bumpy.
The Nissan NP300 Hardbody was built tough and South Africa knows tough when we see it. If you’ve ever ruled from the high seat of a Hardbody before, you know what we’re talking about. If not, come down to your local dealer and draw the sword from the stone for yourself or talk to one of our fleet experts to bring these warriors into your clan.
