By Moses Akaigwe
Gone are the days when one’s daily vehicle served a single purpose.
For the modern driver, their car is a space of solace on the way home after a long day at the office, a rugged hauler of household odds and ends, a zippy commuter to that early Monday morning lecture; and a comfortable cruiser for weekends away with the family.
With industry-leading technology and a seamless driving experience wrapped up in a head-turning design, the new Nissan Magnite is causing a stir in the compact SUV market – its versatility ticking all the boxes of what South African drivers expect from their cars.
Furthermore, Nissan’s customer-centric mindset is defining a new mobility future for customers through virtual showroom experiences, with easy access to effective financial planning tools and a whole lot more to relieve financial pressure – a welcomed benefit for customers seeking a full-scale experience pre, during and even after purchase.
Turbocharged driving pleasure
Nissan has poured time and resources into improving and refining the Magnite’s 1.0-litre turbocharged motor, which borrows technology from the Japanese carmaker’s world-class GT-R sports car to deliver effortless acceleration and fuel efficiency. The engine puts out a dynamic 74kW of power, which, when coupled with either the exhilarating CVT or manual gearboxes, offers an efficient and smooth driving experience – ideal for bumper-to-bumper traffic or winding highways.
However, this agility is not cause for stress at the petrol pumps.
With escalating fuel prices in South Africa, drivers justifiably want more kilometers for their buck. The Magnite’s three-cylinder engine is as frugal as it is powerful, with an average fuel consumption of only 5.2l/100km on the manual transmission and 6.0l/100km on CVT gearbox. Bringing into focus and a upfront understanding of the total cost of owning the Magnite, customers have access to the finance calculator, available on the Nissan South Africa website – giving them more control in their purchase consideration.
Ready for any road
When the weather turns for the worse, or when that pesky pothole appears at the last moment, the extensive range of driver aids in the Magnite work coherently to ensure the driver is kept in control.
With intuitive systems like ABS, EBD, Traction Control, and Nissan’s Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), standard across the range, the Magnite is well-equipped to handle changing road surfaces and sudden changes in direction.
Another standard safety feature is Nissan’s intelligent Hill Start Assist Control which keeps the vehicle steady on an incline – preventing disaster on the slip of the clutch. For those open roads, the Nissan Magnite lets driver’s take their foot off the pedal – an cruise control coupled with adjustable speed limiter function coming standard across the range.
Evolved inside and out
Visually, the Magnite is a showstopper: its dominating front grille and signature taillamps being centerpieces to the distinctive curves and edges which shape the rest of the vehicle. Nissan has also introduced first-in-segment L-shaped daylight running lamps to the Magnite, adding to its bold and aggressive appearance. With Nissan’s virtual showroom offering, customers have the added advantage of viewing and configuring their dream Magnite, in the comfort of their own preferred space. This enables customers to know exactly what they can drive away in, before heading to their nearest Nissan showroom.
Inside, the versatility of the Magnite shines through.
The ergonomic cockpit is designed around the driver, with Nissan’s 8-inch touch-operated infotainment system being the mantelpiece of the slick interior. Above offering seamless connectivity through wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, – the carmaker’s state-of-the-art integrated audio, navigation, and communication system – puts the heart and soul of the Magnite at the driver’s fingertips.
Passengers will welcome the additional leg space synonymous with a crossover and the 336 litres of boot space means not having to skimp on the extra holiday luggage.
The Magnite is feature-packed on the inside and out, with the intelligent driver aids and advanced technologies one would usually expect from a manufacturer’s flagship vehicle. By further leveraging Nissan’s strong DNA in the SUV market, the Magnite is a crossover that blends the best of both worlds: the space and comfort of an SUV with the agility and wieldiness of a city commuter.
This makes the Magnite an increasingly adaptable vehicle, as well suited to the bustling city centre as to the twisty rural side roads.
The Magnite is expected to be provided in Nigerian market by Nissan representative and assembler in Nigeria, Stallion NM Ltd.
Presspack