Nissan has released initial details of its new Townstar light van, which will replace the NV 200 and e-NV 200 models. The new van is based on the Alliance CMF-CD platform, shared with the new Renault Kangoo and new Mercedes-Benz Citan, although Nissan has decided not to sell diesel models. All Townstars will be either petrol or electrically powered.
The van will offer up to 4.3m3 of load space and payloads up to 800kg. It will also offer up to 1,500kg of towing capacity.
Electric models will be powered by a 90kW electric motor with electricity stored in a 44kWh battery, expected to offer a range up to 177 miles. It will feature an 11kW on-board charger as standard, with a 22kW charger as an option. Electric models will also be able to be rapid charged taking around 42 minutes to reach 80% capacity. Otherwise, Nissan will offer a 130hp, 1.3-litre petrol engine.
Nissan will offer a range of technologies and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). These will include Side Wind Assist and Trailer Sway Assist. Townstar’s Intelligent Emergency Braking system will feature Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection and Junction Assist. Other features will include hands-free parking and Intelligent Cruise Control. Models will be available with Nissan’s Around View Monitor, which will use cameras around the vehicle to provide a 360-degree view.
UK specification information is due to follow ahead of the launch. Electric models will be equipped with the ProPILOT ADAS system, which will follow the vehicle ahead, braking and accelerating to keep a set distance from it and in the centre of its lane. The system can bring the e-Townstar to a complete stop. Standard equipment for e-Townstar will include LED headlamps and an aerodynamic front shield.
Other available features will include Apple Car Play and Android Auto as well as wireless phone charging. Information will be displayed on a central eight-inch touchscreen and a ten-inch screen ahead of the driver on electric models.
Townstar models will feature “Air-curtains” designed to optimise air flow around the front bumper and front wheels to reduce drag.
New names for not-so-new faces
Nissan will re-name its other light CV models to coincide with the Townstar launch with NV300 and NV400 models reverting to the names Primastar and Interstar respectively, names previously used for earlier versions of these models.
Interstar will gain a revised engine range with seven variants of the 2.3-litre diesel engine producing between 110hp and 180hp. There are no plans for an electric model. New ADAS systems will include Blind Spot Warning and automatic dipping headlamps. Van, chassis cab, crew cab and platform cab variants will be available as well as factory conversions including crew van, dropside and tipper.
Primastar will be distinguished from NV 300 by the new interlock grille, LED headlamps, and optional 17-inch alloy wheels. New ADAS systems will include Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Traffic Sign Recognition, Adaptive Cruise Control and Intelligent Emergency Braking. Manual and dual-clutch automated transmissions will be available.
