Nissan will re-enter the South African minibus taxi industry in March, when the new NV350 Impendulo goes on sale.

The 16-seater has been specifically tailored to meet the terms of government’s Taxi Recapitalisation Programme, which aims to replace South Africa’s aging taxi fleet with newer, safer vehicles.

The new model succeeds the Nissan E20 of the 1990s – the last time the local arm of the Japanese manufacturer participated in the local minibus taxi market.

The South African minibus taxi industry carries more than 4.5-million people daily, using more than 220 000 taxis.

“Our previous Nissan E20 model, which was discontinued in 1996, was a market leader in the taxi sector,” says Nissan South Africa (SA) MD Mike Whitfield.
 
“Its successor, the NV350 taxi is an attractive public transport alternative, offering style, space, comfort and fuel efficiency, and we fully expect it will have a similar impact when it gains a foothold in the market after its launch in March this year.”

“Impendulo is the isiZulu word for ‘the answer’, a term which can be applied to the NV350 taxi in more than one way,” adds Nissan SA NV350 product manager Tessa Cooke. “With it, we aim to recapture the love and affection of both taxi operators and commuters.”

The name was selected following a competition that invited all taxi association members to submit a market name for the NV350.

The high-roof Impendulo is powered by a 2.5 l petrol engine, producing 108 kW at 5 600 rpm, and 213 Nm of torque at 4 400 rpm, and is mated with a five-speed manual gearbox.

Nissan promises that fuel economy is improved through low voltage control of the alternator, whereby battery charge is monitored and the alternator’s voltage adjusted to curb over-charging the battery, thereby reducing load on the engine.

“Improved timing chain operation, thanks to low-friction materials, also aids in reducing consumption, as does the engine’s low idle speed of just 600 rpm.”

Features include an adjustable power steering wheel, a multi-info trip computer, two cup holders, sliding rear windows, seatback handles and 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers.

A full-size spare wheel is standard, with a two-speaker audio system optional.

Safety equipment includes driver and front passenger airbags, antilock braking with brake assist, seat belts for all 16 seats, a driver’s seat belt warning buzzer, an emergency exit roof hatch and an immobiliser.
 
The NV350 will retail for R306 900, and comes standard with a 3-year/100 000 km warranty.

Service intervals are 15 000 km.