Lcv fIrSt DrIvE

On a recent guided tour of Groupe Renault’s Maubeuge van plant in Northern France, the next generation Renault Kangoo, Mercedes-Benz Citan and the all-new Nissan Townstar compact light commercial vehicles (LCV) were shown rolling off the production line at the same time.

With the launch of Townstar, Nissan Europe aims to build on the success of the NV200. With a fully electric version in addition to a petrol-powered option, this new LCV range is primed to future-proof business operations and accelerate the auto brand’s transition towards electrification. Townstar is the beginning of a renewed LCV strategy which will see the existing range of mid and large sized vans becoming electrified. Furthermore, Nissan is restoring previous badge names which means the NV300 reverts back to Primastar and NV400 to Interstar. In fact, it’s a sense of déja vu for the Townstar, as it’s based on the new Renault Kangoo - Nissan Europe had, at one time, sold an earlier generation of the Kangoo as the Kubistar.

The Kubistar was succeeded by the Nissan Japan developed NV200, a standalone model of which the electric version, the e-NV200 was deemed a pioneer and soon became a leader in the emission-free LCV market. Now with the Townstar zero-emission, Nissan brings a comprehensive and competitive offering for the compact van segment, according to Andrew Limbert, Product & Planning Manager at Nissan’s Light Commercial Vehicle Division.

Before releasing the assembled journalists for inaugural test drives in the electric Townstar around downtown Paris, Andrew highlighted that the new vehicle “incorporates more than twenty cutting-edge technologies and versatile configurations, providing customers with confidence and connectivity. With tougher emissions standards, urban access restrictions, and ever-increasing demand for last-mile delivery, businesses large and small need to find effective and sustainable solutions to remain competitive and optimise their operations.” Backed up by Nissan’s expertise in electric LCVs, the fully electric Townstar is equipped with a 44kWh battery combining intelligent energy management and effective battery thermal cooling in one package. The new van offers 245Nm of torque and 300km of range – a 43% improvement over the outgoing e-NV200.

Built on the Renault/Nissan Alliance CMF-C platform, the Townstar is the first LCV to bear the new Nissan brand logo.

FIRST DRIVE: New Nissan Townstar zero-emission Van

‘The all-new Townstar van version has been developed to perfectly meet the needs of customers like SMEs who are looking for versatility, convenience, space and cargo on top of a hands-free parking system for complex city parking’

Design wise, to differentiate it from its Renault origins, Townstar features styling cues of the new Nissan Ariya, (created at its UK Design Centre in Paddington, London). These include standard LED headlamps and an aerodynamic front shield integrating an intricate Kumiko pattern and a fresh V-motion design with daytime running lamps.

Featuring up to 4.3m3 of cargo space, the new compact van can transport two Euro pallets and up to 800kg of cargo with ease, while the powerful powertrains allow the vehicle to offer a 1,500kg towing capacity, offering businesses the flexibility needed to meet specific requirements. The cargo area integrates large sliding doors on the side which facilitate unloading the van and the possibility to have 60/40 French style doors with 180 degree opening at the rear. It also includes smart storage solutions and a dedicated space for on-board office tools.

Nissan is integrating the Around View Monitor (AVM) for the first time in the compact van segment. It uses a series of cameras to display a 360-degree overview of the area around the vehicle, providing drivers with full peace of mind

when parking in the city. An opportunity to try out this technology in a marked out area at the venue at Malakoft, combined with the Hand-Free Parking function where all the driver has to do is control the accelerator and brake pedals, highlighted the benefit the technology offers the driver when parking in challenging spaces.

While on the test drive to and from the Domaine National de Saint-Cloud, the true attributes of the Nissan Townstar in electric form came to the fore, with its smooth, silent operation. Through the 10-inch digital central display, the driver can monitor their performance, the energy levels consumed and what’s left in the battery pack bank. The B3 mode was mostly used in order to regain some energy from the strongest regeneration on deceleration.

When asked what are the unique selling points of the Townstar, Andrew explained that the Nissan LCV dealer network is second to none, He highlighted Nissan’s commitment to providing quality service for owners across the Nissan LCV range, noting the benefit to owners of having an industry-leading, pan-European 5-Year or 100,000-mile warranty. In addition the EV version gets an eight-year or 100,000-mile battery warranty. The warranty includes bumper-to-bumper protection, paintwork guarantee, genuine parts and accessories and roadside assistance – providing comprehensive cover for extra peace of mind.

SPEc chEcK – NISSaN tOwNStar Ev

Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

Battery Capacity ( Usable ) 44 kWh Max. power 90kW (122HP) Max. torque Range estimation Charging type AC Charging type DC Charging time DC Battery cooling 245

Up to 300km 11 kw standard, or 22 kw optional 75 DC in CCS

0 to 80% 42 min

Yes (with 22kW AC charger, or opt with 11kW)

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