The Nissan Navara, although a relatively new entrant into the Japanese marque’s line-up, dates back to the early 1930s when Datsun began production of its commercial pick-up trucks. With a strong lineage and eighty years of leadership to boot, the Navara is the protagonist of multiple identities and the brand’s answer to the likes of the Toyota Hilux.
1930s:
In 1933, the Datsun 12, the company’s first small commercial vehicle hit the production line. Measuring just 2,770mm in length, the dimensions of the Datsun 12 weren’t the only diminutive aspect to it. With a 748cc side valve engine, it also produced only 12 horsepower and packed in a small floor-change 3-speed transmission.
By the end of the 1930s, Datsun had gone on to producing a total of three commercial vehicles and was producing the 17T at the time. While styling differed slightly from the 15T with the radiator grille being the main differentiator, the 17T remained available until December 1943.
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1940s:
Due to the war in 1943, production was halted for three years and resumed in 1946. With materials in short supply following the war, Nissan opted to manufacture a modified version of the Datsun 17T and labelled it the Datsun 1121. The former chrome embellished grille was replaced with a sheet of steel, while the front bumper was a formed from a bar of simple steel.
With economic conditions recovering by the end of the 1940s, there were noticeable changes in the styling of pick-up trucks with more curves on the bodywork and a greater use of chrome. Mechanically, however, the Datsun 3135 was still identical to the pre-war Datsun 17 with a 722cc, 15 horsepower side-valve engine.
1950s:
With the economy recovering strongly, Nissan was in a position to manufacture a new engine at last. The D10 engine (860cc) produced 20 – 25 horsepower and found its way into the Datsun 6147 and Datsun 120.
The Datsun 220 in 1957 was a major step for the brand and rocketed it to international success. Being the first pick-up to come equipped with a modern engine, it produced 34 horsepower and remained the first vehicle to be equipped with a 12-volt electrical system.
1960s:
The Datsun 320 with its robust 60hp 1,189cc engine and independent front-wheel suspension, became an enormous sales success for the brand and established a reputation for being virtually indestructible.
In 1965, the Datsun 520 was another step towards a more modern looking pick-up. Along with being the first Datsun to feature a top-padded dashboard, the 520 had a new chassis, steering and suspension design, along with a new 1,299cc engine that churned out 67hp.
1970s:
In 1972, the Datsun 620 became the first Datsun pick-up to offer the King Cab and Double Cab style. Powered by a 77 horsepower petrol engine, the 620 had an impressive top speed of 135 km/h. Some markets also offered a 2.2-litre diesel variant with 66 horsepower.
Seven years later, the Datsun 720 was launched and in addition to regular and King Cab models, it offered a choice of regular and extended bed options. The 720 was also the first Datsun pickup that offered a 4WD variant to meet recreational use.
1980s:
In 1985 the Nissan D21, also referred to as the Navara, was launched with the star attraction being the introduction of a V6 engine in the line-up. While a five-speed manual transmission with overdrive was the most common option, a 4-speed automatic was available as well.
As it evolved, all models came fitted with power steering as standard and both, rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive variants were produced in large quantities. A limited slip differential was also standard affair on the top SE trim 4WD variant.
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1990s:
In 1997 Nissan launched the D22 series pick-up truck and while it was available in a variety of cabs and rear or four-wheel drive layouts, the highlight was its line-up of seven different engine choices ranging from a 2.0-liter petrol to a 3.2-liter diesel.
With ten different identities across the globe, the Navara had become akin to an international spy.
2000s:
Introduced in 2005, the D40 series was a mid-size pick-up that dimensionally stood marginally larger than its predecessor, the D22. Sharing its underpinnings with the third-generation Pathfinder (R51), the D40 Series saw global success even though it wasn’t released in the Japanese domestic market.
2010s:
2016, the year Nissan introduces the world to the all-new third-generation Navara.
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