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| Mandla William Mabaso of the Thuthukani Taxi Association, operating in Germiston in Gauteng |
The Impendulo was named in a public competition by Mandla William
Mabaso of the Thuthukani Taxi Association, operating in Germiston in Gauteng.
Meaning “the answer” in Zulu, Mabaso’s inspired answer to the
naming competition, which ran last year, won for him a R50 000 cash deposit
towards the purchase of his new NV350 Impendulo.
Behind the two individual front seats, 14 smartly-designed seats
make the most of the NV350 Impendulo’s interior space. Featuring six benches and
two individual seats with a central “passage” allowing access to the rearmost
three rows, ease of access was a key focus during design and development.
Nissan said the fuel economy of the Impendulo is improved with the
assistance of low voltage control of the alternator with an improved timing
chain operation thanks to low-friction materials, and the engine’s low idle
speed of just 600 rpm.
A two-speaker radio system is available as an option. As with other
16-seat taxis, standard equipment include a full-size spare wheel, two airbags
for the driver and front passenger, ABS with Brake Assist, seat belts for all 16
seats, a driver’s seatbelt warning buzzer, an emergency exit escape hatch in the
roof and an immobiliser.
Price
competitors
The prices quoted here
will go up as the lower rand starts to bite, but the new Nissan taxi meanwhile
costs R306 900.
It competes with three
other 16-seater taxis, sold by Toyota, Maxus and Beijing Auto Works (BAW).
In terms of sales, the Toyota Sesfikile 16-seat taxis is king,
selling from R312 100 for the 2,7 VVT petrol and for R15 500 more for the proven
2,5 D-4D diesel engine.
On the floors of Chinese vehicle retailers, BAW wants R299 990 for
their 2,7 Sasuka, while Maxus asks R329 900 for their V80 2,5D.
BAW dealers, however, boast that their Sasuka comes “with R70 000
worth of extras as standard” and although the BAW diesel costs more than
Toyota’s D-4D, the Chinese claims more power on the flywheel and definitely has
more space inside.
Engines
Like the three
competing taxi’s, the new Nissan NV350 Impendulo comes with a five-speed
gearbox. The Nissan is driven by a 2,5-litre petrol engine, which produces
108 kW at 5 600 rpm and 213 Nm at 4 400 rpm, which number are the lowest among
the four taxis competing for market share on SA’s roads.
Among these four taxis, BAW claims the strongest engine, with their
turbo diesel making 100 kW at 3 800 rpm and 330 Nm from 1 800 rpm.
Compared to these numbers, Toyota’s diesel makes 75 kW at 3 600 rpm
and 260 Nm between 1 600 and 2 400 rpm.
Toyota’s variable valve petrol engine offers more power at lower
revs than the older four cylinder from Maxus. The Japanese makes 111 kW at
4 800 rpm and 241 Nm at 3 800 rpm while the Chinese makes 110 kW at 5 200 rpm
and 235 Nm from 4 000 rpm.
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| TOP: Managing director of Nissan SA and president of Africa South Regional Business Unit, Mike Whitfield. LEFT: The winner of the Name to Fame Game, Mr Mandla William Mabaso of the Thuthukani Association which operates in the Germiston region of Gauteng. He took home a dazzling R50 000 cash deposit towards the purchase of his new NV350 Impendulo. |
Warrantees
and services
The new Nissan has the
longest service interval — 15 000 km compared to the 10 000 km of the three
competitors — and its three-year or 100 000 km warranty is on par with that of
Toyota.
On paper, BAW makes the best offer, with a two-year or 100 000 km
warrantee and a two-year or 200 000 km service plan.
Taxi bosses, however know that manufacturers’ service plans are
expensive, and prefers to service their taxis cheaper using their own mechanics.
This is why Toyota and Nissan only offer a three-year or 100 000 km warrantee.
BAW’s warrantee covers the shortest distance, two-years or 60 000 km.
Behind the two individual front seats, 14 smartly-designed seats
make the most of the NV350 Impendulo’s interior space. Featuring six benches and
two individual seats with a central ‘passage’ allowing access to the rearmost
three rows, ease of access was a key focus during design and development.
Nissan said the fuel economy of the Impendulo is improved with the
assistance of low voltage control of the alternator an improved timing chain
operation thanks to low-friction materials, and the engine’s low idle speed of
just 600 rpm.
A two-speaker radio system is available as an option. As with other
16-seat taxis, standard equipment include a full-size spare wheel, two airbags
for the driver and front passenger, ABS with Brake Assist, seat belts for all 16
seats, a driver’s seatbelt warning buzzer, an emergency exit escape hatch in the
roof and an immobiliser.
Price competitors
The prices quoted here will go up as the lower rand start to bite,
but the new Nissan taxi meanwhile costs R306 900. It competes with three other
16-seater taxis, sold by Toyota, Maxus and Beijing Auto Works (BAW).
In terms of sales, the Toyota Sesfikile 16-seat taxis is king,
selling from R312 100 for the 2,7 VVT petrol and for R15 500 more for the proven
2,5 D-4D diesel engine.
On the floors of Chinese vehicle retailers, BAW wants R299 990 for
their 2,7 Sasuka, while Maxus asks R329 900 for their V80 2,5D.
BAW dealers however boast that their Sasuka comes “with R70 000
worth of extras as standard” and although the BAW diesel costs more than
Toyota’s D-4D, the Chinese claims more power on the flywheel and definitely has
more space inside.
Engines
Like the three competing taxi’s, the new Nissan NV350 Impendulo
comes with a five-speed gearbox. The Nissan is driven by a 2,5-litre petrol
engine, which produces 108 kW at 5 600 rpm and 213 Nm at 4 400 rpm, which number
are the lowest among the four taxis competing for market share on SA’s
roads.
Among these four taxis, BAW claims the strongest engine, with their
turbo diesel making 100 kW at 3 800 rpm and 330Nm from 1 800 rpm.
Compared to these numbers, Toyota’s diesel makes 75 kW at 3 600 rpm
and 260 Nm between 1 600 and 2 400 rpm.
Toyota’s variable valve petrol engine offers more power at lower
revs than the older four cylinder from Maxus. The Japanese makes 111 kW at 4 800
rpm and 241 Nm at 3 800 rpm while the Chinese makes 110 kW at 5 200 rpm and
235 Nm from 4 000 rpm.
Warrantees and services
The new Nissan has the longest service interval, — 15 000 km
compared to the 10 000 km of the three competitors — and its three-year or
100 000 km warranty is on par with that of Toyota.
On paper, BAW makes the best offer, with a two-year or 100 000 km
warrantee and a two-year or 200 000 km service plan.
Taxi bosses however know that manufacturers’ service plans are
expensive, and prefers to service their taxis cheaper using their own mechanics.
This is why Toyota and Nissan only offer a three-year or 100 000 km
warrantee.
BAW’s warrantee covers the shortest distance, two-years or
60 000 km.
