FLEET WORLD - The Nissan Navara takes Best Pick Up for the second year running.

The Nissan Navara has been crowned Best Pick-Up at the prestigious Fleet World Honours for the second year running.

Judges from the influential industry title put all models in the increasingly crowded segment through their paces before choosing the market-leading model as their outright winner.

They were impressed by the Navara’s range of powerful yet efficient engines, superior comfort, towing ability and wide range of trim levels.

The comprehensive five-year/100,000 miles warranty – offered across Nissan’s LCV range – was also singled out for special mention.

Dan Gilkes, Editor of Van Fleet World, said: “With so many new and improved trucks coming to the market last year, the big Nissan was certainly not short of competition.

“Yet despite some very strong new models, Navara remains the truck that we would buy if it was our fleet budget.”

He added: “A 3.5-tonne towing ability, powerful yet relatively frugal driveline and a wide range of trim levels from hard working Visia to luxurious Tekna, show that there is a Navara to suit most applications.”

Priced from £23,920 RRP, the Nissan Navara can be specified with either a double cab or a king cab and a 190PS twin-turbo or 160PS single turbo version of the new 2.3-litre dCi engine.

Many of the model’s advanced safety features – including a number of first-in-class technologies such as Forward Emergency Braking, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control (on 4WD models) – come as standard.

Receiving the latest award, Darren Payne, Sales Director at Nissan Motor (GB) said: “We are thrilled the Navara has won this prestigious award for a second successive year.

“Despite a number of high profile competitors coming to market in the past year, Navara continues to set the benchmark in the pick-up sector.”

The ONLY pick up on the DieselCar Magazine's Top 50, The NP300 Navara, takes the honours as best Pick up.

• All-new Nissan NP300 Navara awarded Best Pick-Up in 2016 Diesel Car Top 50
• Ian Robertson, Editor of Diesel Car: “Many manufacturers boast about car-like road manners and don't deliver, but this latest NP300 Navara delivers it in spades."

The newly-launched Nissan NP300 Navara has added to its list of accolades by being named the Best Pick-Up in the 2016 Diesel Car Top 50 – a list of the 50 best cars on sale today.

More than 200 new cars were tested by the Diesel Car judging panel, with thousands more over preceding years, creating a definitive ‘Top 50’ list which is a departure from previous years where winners were named across ten categories. The Nissan NP300 Navara was the only pick-up included in the list of 50 models.

Ian Robertson, Editor of Diesel Car, commented; “Many manufacturers boast about car-like road manners and don't deliver, but this latest NP300 Navara delivers it in spades."

The Nissan NP300 Navara can be specified with either a double cab or a king cab and a 190PS twin-turbo or 160PS single turbo version of the new 2.3-litre dCi engine. There’s also a choice of two or four-wheel drive and a 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic transmission.

Many of the model’s advanced safety features – including a number of first-in-class technologies – are incorporated across the range as standard. This includes Forward Emergency Braking on all double cab models; driver, passenger, side, knee and curtain airbags; electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD); Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control (on 4WD models).

The model’s robust chassis also introduces a host of new features, including an all-new five-link rear suspension for the Double Cab model and an impressive load bed, which is 67mm longer than the previous model.

Anthony Jones, Navara Product Manager at Nissan Motor (GB), said: “This latest recognition is further evidence that the new NP300 Navara delivers one of the strongest product offerings in the market. Innovative technology, superior on- and off-road capabilities, engine performance and payload capacity, combined with competitive finance and servicing offers make ownership both enjoyable and rewarding.”

The Nissan NP300 Navara has been named Best Pick-Up at the prestigious Fleet World Awards in London.

The all-new Nissan NP300 Navara has been named Best Pick-Up at the prestigious Fleet World Awards in London. A judging panel at Van Fleet World found the newcomer to be the stand-out contender among the spate of recent pick-up launches and said it represents a ‘giant leap forwards’ in terms of engines, suspension and technology.

Dan Gilkes, Editor of Van Fleet World, said: “We were expecting big things of the NP300 Navara and Nissan did not disappoint.

“The big talking point was always going to be the move to a 5-link rear suspension on double-cab models, that literally transforms the road holding and ride quality.

“However new NP300 Navara is about far more than that. With high powered, economical engines, a choice of transmissions and a host of new technologies to assist and entertain the driver, the model has really thrown down the gauntlet to other manufacturers.

“Add in a considerably lower total cost of ownership and you are looking at a winning package.”

Launched earlier this year, the Fleet World Award is the latest in a growing list of honours for the NP300 Navara – a model which has redefined its sector.

It has already won the International Pick-up Award 2016 while leading industry website Vans A2Z also named it pick-up of the year and gave its unique 5-link rear suspension system an innovation award.

Receiving the latest award, Mark Wheeler, LCV and Relationship Director at Nissan Motor GB, said: “We are delighted the NP300 Navara has won this prestigious award. It’s yet more proof that the model really has set a new benchmark in the pick-up sector.”

Volkswagen picks up a hand full of awards at the Business Van Awards ceremony.

• Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles scoops three awards at 2016 Business Vans Awards
• Volkswagen presented with ‘Best Finance & Service Package’
• Amarok wins ‘Best Pick up’
• Transporter Kombi awarded ‘Best Crew Van’

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has claimed three of the top honours at this year’s Business Vans Awards. Volkswagen impressed the judges with a number of its products as well as its pre- and after-sales support packages which are provided by the brand’s dedicated Van Centre network.

This year’s awards saw Volkswagen presented with the ‘Best Pick up’ award for its Amarok. Whether it’s a do-it-all load carrying double cab or rugged off-road pick-up the Amarok remains a favourite with business and private owners alike. Business Vans’ editor Martyn Collins commented: “Despite challenges from rivals the Amarok remains the best pick-up on the market. 

The winning 2.0-litre Trendline 180 PS 4Motion version of the Volkswagen is perfect for small firms and traders who want a high-quality, no-nonsense workhorse with plenty of standard kit.”

Volkswagen’s flexible load carrying crew van, the Transporter Kombi, continues to impress the Business Vans judges, winning ‘Best Crew Van’ for the second year in a row. 

The sixth-generation of the Transporter Kombi features some major technology updates over the previous model. Available with a range of engine options, the latest model delivers a new design, an all-new infotainment system as well as a host of new engineering and safety features.

Commenting on the Transporter Kombi’s win Collins said: “The Transporter Kombi continues to meet the needs of small businesses and trades by doubling as a tax-efficient dual-use vehicle: a working van during the day, but with that extra seating practicality, plus sliding rear windows, and a vehicle to accommodate the family at the weekend. 

Meaning that owners don’t need an additional car as the Kombi does it all with the prestige of the VW badge.”

Volkswagens’ pre- and after-sales support also stood out for the judges with the brand being awarded the accolade for Best Finance and Service Package. Volkswagen continues to work in partnership with its customers to provide the best products and customer service. 

The brand’s broad product range and extensive pre and aftersales services offers busy businesses the perfect commercial vehicle partner to help keep their fleet up-to-date and on the road cost effectively and with minimal hassle.

Collins commented: "Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has once again won the Best Finance and Service Package, because they more than rivals, realise that buying the van is just part of the ownership process.  Their extensive aftersales service offer and excellent finance products offer small businesses the complete package.

“Offering excellent in-life service and maintenance programmes, extended opening hours,  like-for-like courtesy vehicles and comprehensive finance options help businesses to not only get on the road but also keep moving cost-effectively and with minimal disruption. It all adds up to a comprehensive but transparent ownership proposition."

Director of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Carl zu Dohna, collected the awards for the brand and commented: “This is another excellent result for Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and demonstrates the strength of the brand and the quality of our products. To get such recognition for our finance and service packages is particularly pleasing. We continue to work in partnership with our customers to provide the very best levels of aftersales support to them.”