Navara

To look at the Nissan Navara, youd think it was a bit of a beast; and youd be right. The powerful Nissan pickup is built for those tough jobs that lesser vehicles shy away from and its robust build and solid frame give it the look of a vehicle ready for war.

The Navara takes its name from the suitably rugged Navarre region in north eastern Spain. Japanese company Nissan displayed their excellent local knowledge in selecting the name, which was meant as tribute to Nissans Barcelona plant where the pickup is manufactured, situated not in Navarre but several hundred miles away in Catalonia.

Geographical errors aside, the Nissan Navara has been outperforming other vehicles in its class for the best part of 15 years. The vehicle has undergone some serious changes since its first appearance way back in 1997, and in 2010 it received the facelift that gave it the stunning visage it boasts today.

The D40 series is the Navaras current incarnation. First arriving on our shores in 2004 the D40 Navara represented a step up in size for the vehicle, with the wheelbase of the new model expanding by almost half a metre on the regular version of its predecessor.