Johannesburg, South Africa – A completely stock Nissan Navara has successfully completed a grueling 14,000 kilometer journey across seven African countries, proving its mettle without a single mechanical fault. The expedition, dubbed “Nissan Daring Africa 2024,” aimed to celebrate Nissan’s 60-year legacy as a light commercial vehicle provider in Africa.
The convoy, consisting of five Navara bakkies and an X-Trail support vehicle, departed from Nissan’s Rosslyn plant in Pretoria, South Africa, in March. Their ultimate destination was Cairo, Egypt, mirroring the continent’s light commercial vehicle production hub (Rosslyn) with its passenger car assembly plant (Cairo).
The Navaras traversed diverse terrains, from the sandy stretches of Mozambique to the challenging Eastern Highlands of Zimbabwe, encountering Africa’s second-highest waterfall, Mutarazi, along the way. They crossed the iconic Kariba Dam into Zambia, navigated the Luangwa Valley, and reached the shores of Lake Malawi. Tanzania’s majestic Mount Kilimanjaro and Kenya’s Amboseli National Park were also part of the epic journey.
Having achieved its objectives in the first leg, the expedition saw some Navaras return after covering 7,000 kilometers. One such vehicle, a Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi Double Cab PRO-4X 4×4, was chosen to complete the return trip to Johannesburg. Remarkably, despite the punishing terrain, the Navara arrived in pristine condition, devoid of any mechanical issues or even a single flat tire.
“These vehicles traveled 7,000 kilometers without a single hitch, not even a flat tire. Considering the harsh conditions they faced, this is an incredible testament to the Navara’s reliability,” said Maciej Klenkiewicz, Independent Markets Africa Managing Director.
The unadulterated Navara’s power came from a proven 2.5-liter turbodiesel engine producing 140kW and 450Nm of torque, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. While it may not be the most modern offering, the engine’s reliability is crucial for Africa’s vast and often challenging landscapes. The cabin, though slightly dated, provided ample comfort for the long journey.
