Tokyo -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the domestic release of the all-new Safari following the execution of a full model change.
The new-generation Safari has been developed around the concept of
being the "king of the off-roaders that delivers superior off-road
performance." In addition to its distinctive body form befitting an
authentic off-roader and outstanding off-road capabilities, the
Safari also provides a premium-quality interior ambience.
The exterior styling pursues a unique body form exuding an
overwhelming sense of presence and powerful performance. On the
inside, an impression of stellar quality is achieved by the
integrally formed door trim and the two-tone color coordination
scheme, which gives the entire cabin a bright, spacious look. The
instrument panel boasts superlative functionality and operating ease,
and Nissan's new "green" interior comfort package, including an
antibacterial treatment, has been adopted to create an eminently
comfortable interior of impeccable quality.
The engine selection includes the TD42T turbo diesel engine which
has been further improved to provide outstanding acceleration in the
low speed range. Notable features contributing to the Safari's
superior off-road capabilities include a part-time 4WD system that
displays its true merits in off-road jaunts, extra long suspension
travel and excellent ground clearance.
Meticulous care has also been taken to provide high-level safety
performance. In line with Nissan's Triple Safety concept, the Safari
adopts halogen headlamps with an optimized illumination pattern and a
high-strength Zone Body construction that complies with Japan's side
impact standards set to be applied to all new and fully redesigned
models released from October 1998 on. Additionally, all Safari models
come with dual airbag supplemental restraint systems (SRS) for the
driver and front passenger and an antilock braking system (ABS) as
standard safety features.
Moreover, a Nissan Safari Environmental Note is included in every
vehicle to explain to customers the wide-ranging measures taken to
promote environmental protection.
The specific development themes incorporated in the new Safari are
(1) a distinctive body form exuding an overwhelming sense of presence
and powerful performance, (2) a premium-quality interior abounding in
comfort features and functionality, (3) outstanding driving
performance and superior off-road capabilities and (4) high-level
safety and environmental friendliness.
The 4-door Wagon has been designed with a long body form to create
a distinctive styling suggestive of dynamic, powerful performance.
The short body proportions of the 2-door Hardtop, meanwhile, hint at
sporty, lively agility.
At the front, the hood design accentuates the Safari's massive
image befitting its status as an authentic off-roader and combines
with the impressive grille to form an imposing, high-class mien. In
addition, the turned-up design of the front bumper helps to improve
the vehicles capability to overcome obstacles.
The side view is distinguished by a high waistline, imparting
depth to the entire body, and the stable-looking lower body design
providing solid support for the cabin. A feeling of powerful and
dynamic driving performance is conveyed by the wide fenders.
The rear styling projects a dynamic sense of presence, thanks to
the thick back pillars suggestive of strength and rigidity and the
open feeling of the flush-fitting window. Double back doors with a
60:40 split design have been adopted for greater convenience and ease
of use.
The interior features a highly functional design unique to a 4WD
vehicle, together with integrally formed door trim and two-tone
upholstery colors that project a bright, expansive image. The result
is a premium-quality interior ambience worthy of a true
off-roader.
The instrument panel has been designed with thick, expressive
surfaces and appears to be firmly supported at both sides by the
upper door trim, thereby expressing the powerfulness characteristic
of a 4WD vehicle. Handsome plastic materials are used for its
constituent parts to create an integrated, highly functional
design.
Luggage space has been significantly expanded by 205 liters over
that of the previous model for a total storage capacity of 607 liters
as measured by the VDA method. With the third-row seats folded up,
the Safari easily accommodates a mountain bike or three special
A-class size suitcases placed lengthwise. Even with the third-row
seats down, there is ample space for carrying such essential outdoor
gear as a tent or a tarp. Convenience is also substantially enhanced
by the flat-floor design and the thoughtful provision of numerous
hooks in handy places.
The 4-door Wagon allows versatile seating arrangements that can be
used selectively according to the number of passengers or cargo to be
carried. The front seats fold down fully flat, and the second-row
seats have a 50:50 split, forward-folding design. The latter
incorporate a reclining function and a three-stage sliding mechanism
that allows the seats to slide in increments of 50 mm for up to 100
mm of longitudinal travel. The third-row seats have a 50:50 split
design and fold up toward the sides to provide high space utilization
efficiency.
Nissan has been vigorously adopting a wide variety of appointments
designed to provide a more immaculate and comfortable interior
ambience out of concern for passengers' health. These features are
incorporated in a new "green" interior comfort package that is being
extended to all model lines. This unique comfort package has been
created with the threefold objectives of providing clean air,
immaculately clean surroundings, and interior surfaces friendly to
human skin. Among the "green" interior appointments provided as
standard features on all new Safari models are a microfilter built
into the air conditioning system, an antibacterial treatment on the
steering wheel, shift lever knob and 4WD transfer knob, and
green-tinted solar-absorbing glass in the front door windows to block
out ultraviolet solar radiation.
The Safari adopts a part-time 4WD system with a simple yet
fundamental shift-on-the-fly capability. This system will enable
off-road enthusiasts to make full use of their experience and driving
skill for highly enjoyable off-road travel.
Suspension travel is one of the most critical elements for
conquering a rough, bumpy surface in off-road driving. The suspension
of the previous model, renowned for its long stroke, has been further
refined to provide suspension travel of 220 mm at the front and 240
mm at the rear, values that rank among the best in the car's
class.
A motor-driven rear stabilizer release device is available as an
option in a set with a rear differential lock to enable the
stabilizer to be switched on or off from the driver's seat. Turning
the stabilizing off on rough roads brings out the full potential of
the suspension's long travel. It also reduces rocking motion in the
direction of body roll to provide superb traction and ride
comfort.
Excellent ground clearance for avoiding obstacles is assured by an
approach angle of 37° [37.5°], a departure angle of 31° [30°] and a
ramp breakover angle of 27° [31°]. The Safari also demonstrates
outstanding stream-fording capabilities by achieving an impressive
fording depth of 700 mm, an improvement over the previous model's
600-mm figure. (The angles in brackets are for the 2-door
Hardtop.)
The newly developed 4.5-liter in-line 6-cylinder TB45E gasoline
engine produces maximum power of 200 ps and maximum toque of 35.5
kg-m and also provides improved driveability and throttle response in
the practical speed range of everyday driving. With its potent
capabilities, it delivers flexibility and powerful acceleration in
all sorts of driving situations, from off-road travel to highway
driving.
The 4.2-liter in-line 6-cylinder TD42T turbo diesel achieves a
15-ps improvement in maximum power over the previous model. It also
delivers higher torque in the intermediate to high speed ranges,
enabling the new Safari to provide an enhanced acceleration feel
compared with that of the previous model.
Based on the RD28T diesel engine offered on the previous model,
the RD28ETi is a 2.8-liter in-line 6-cylinder intercooled turbo
diesel engine. As a result of incorporating an electronic diesel
injection system (EDI), an air-cooled intercooler with a motor-driven
fan and other improvements, it generates 10 ps more maximum power and
3.3 kg-m more maximum torque than the base engine of the previous
model to provide smooth, quick, powerful acceleration.
The Safari is supported by a three-link front suspension and a
five-link rear suspension which have demonstrated extraordinary
performance on the previous model and other Nissan vehicles. The
specifications of the suspension system have been further refined to
provide an optimum balance of superb handling and stability combined
with exceptional ride comfort.
Nissan is designing and engineering vehicles with the aim of
further enhancing safety performance based on a new Triple Safety
concept comprising three principles of safety. The first principle of
Triple Safety is "information safety" for forewarning the driver
through the provision of effective information to support the
driver's recognition and judgment of the driving environment. The
second principle is "control safety" for assisting the driver in
avoiding potential danger by translating the driver's evasive
maneuvers into accurate vehicle control. The third principle is
"impact safety" which is aimed at helping reduce injury to the
occupants of one's own vehicle and to others in an accident and also
at containing post-accident damage. This approach to vehicle design
and engineering is intended to enhance safety performance by
augmenting the safety technologies associated with each of these
principles, based on further improvements in essential vehicle
performance.
The new Safari adopts an extensive roster of safety technologies
in line with this Triple Safety concept to achieve a high level of
overall safety performance. Notable examples include the provision of
halogen headlamps with an optimized illumination pattern, dual airbag
SRS for the driver and front passenger and ABS as standard equipment
on all models. Moreover, the body adopts Nissan's high-strength Zone
Body construction that meets the side impact standards set to be
enforced in Japan and Europe in October 1998. This body construction
also complies with the offset frontal impact standards scheduled to
applied at the same time in Europe.
Nissan is moving ahead with a vigorous program of company-wide
activities to promote environmental protection and effective
utilization of natural resources.
As part of Nissan's efforts to release information on
environmental activities, a Nissan Safari Environmental Note is
placed in all models to explain to customers the actions taken to
protect the environment at each stage of the vehicle's life cycle,
from manufacture to use, disposal and recycling. The note also
includes numerical data that illustrate the results of these
activities.
To protect the ozone layer, an ozone-safe full-auto air
conditioning system that uses the HFC-134a alternative refrigerant is
provided on all Safari models as standard equipment. Additionally,
the paint guard film applied to protect the paint finish during
shipment does not have to be washed off later, which helps to
preserve water quality. Moreover, easy-to-recycle thermoplastics are
extensively used to make numerous parts, including the bumpers,
battery case and glovebox. Among the various other steps taken to
protect the environment, all plastic parts and some rubber parts are
marked with material codes for easier recycling, recycled resources,
including PET bottle plastic, are used to manufacture different
parts, and the use of lead has been reduced.
The Safari is priced in a range of 2,648,000 yen to 3,998,000 yen
in the Tokyo area. Nissan projects a monthly sales volume of 1,000
units.
|
Grade |
Granroad (4WD Turbo Diesel 4200 E-AT) | |
|
Overall Length |
(mm) |
4,910 |
|
Overall Width |
(mm) |
1,930 |
|
Overall Height |
(mm) |
1,865 |
|
Wheelbase |
(mm) |
2,970 |
|
Track |
Front (mm) |
1,605 |
|
|
Rear (mm) |
1,625 |
|
Ground Clearance |
(mm) |
215 |
|
Curb Weight |
(kg) |
2,370 |
|
Turning Radius |
(m) |
6.1 |
|
Steering |
RB type power steering | |
|
Suspension |
Front |
3-link coil springs |
|
|
Rear |
5-link coil springs |
|
Brakes |
Front |
Ventilated disks |
|
|
Rear |
Ventilated disks |
|
Tires |
Front |
265/70R16 |
|
|
Rear |
265/70R16 |
|
Engine |
Type |
TD42T turbo diesel |
|
|
Displacement (cc) |
4,169 |
|
|
Bore x Stroke (mm) |
96.0 x 96.0 |
|
|
Max. Power (PS/rpm) |
160/3,600 |
|
|
Max. Torque (kg-m/rpm) |
33.7/2,000 |
|
|
Compression Ratio |
22.8:1 |
|
|
Induction |
Fuel injector |
|
Transmission |
Electronically controlled 4-speed Automatic Transmission | |
|
Gear Ratio |
1st |
2.784 |
|
|
2nd |
1.544 |
|
|
3rd |
1.000 |
|
|
4th |
0.694 |
|
|
5th |
- |
|
|
Reverse |
2.275 |
|
|
Final |
4.111 |
