Nissan STX-550 Navara.

I think our days of sitting on top of a hill looking down at my mates Navara trying to get up may be numbered.

Recently he got the first of the new Navara's with the 3lt V6 170kw Peugeot
derived diesel and I finally got the keys.

This thing goes like a train - from a standing start to 100kmh up a long hill it just pulls and pulls right thru the rev range, the new 7 speed auto is super slick and changes were hardly noticeable.

It outperforms the 200 series in terms of power to weight ratio.

550nm of torque really does talk.

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What surprized me was that unlike my auto petrol 4800 Patrol the Navara downchanges thru the cogs as well so as your pulling up to the lights you can here it up matching the revs - this extra engine braking should make it
a serious tow vehicle, although its only rated at 3000kg, but has a 860kg carrying capacity .

Its not so pretty underneath though - plastic fuel tank, incredibily thin shocks and leaf springs will mean aftermarket changes are needed here.

We put it on my ramp and it came up well short of the Patrol.
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Its a bit luxury type car though , quiet but thankfully still uses keys to start it with.

Its a bit early to tell about fuel consumption but early indications are good.
At 9.3lt/100km its spec is the 2nd lowest in Nissans range of 10 different Navaras.

This car like dual cab is quite easy to like overall, but all this comes at a $60k + price tag.