The Nissan NV Passenger Van

The new 2012 Nissan NV Passenger Van (NVP) is designed to be affordable and passenger-focused and able to stand up to the abuse that people-carrier shuttling vans face every day. The NVP is available with models and option packages to fit a range of owner needs and uses. The new passenger vans feature SUV-like maneuverability and easy access for serviceability due to its pickup truck-like front engine/full hood design.

Mechanical

The new NVP comes in the NV3500 HD S, the NV3500 HD SV and NV3500 HD SL. The Nissan NV3500 HD S & SV Passenger Van’s offers a choice of a V6 or V8 engine. The V6 is a 261-horsepower DOHC 24-valve 4.0-liter with 281 lb-ft of torque @ 4000 RPM. The V8 (standard on the SL) is a 317-horsepower @ 5200 RPM, DOHC 32-valve 5.6-liter with 385 lb-ft of torque. Both engines include Continuous Valve Timing Control (C-VTC) that constantly makes adjustments to deliver performance and improved efficiency. They are matched with a refined, heavy-duty, 5-speed automatic transmission which was designed to handle the muscle generated by either engine while requiring zero maintenance. The NV3500 NVP is built on a fully boxed ladder frame with independent strut front suspension with stabilizer bar. These models feature solid rear axles with rigid multileaf springs suspension and stabilizer bars. All the models come standard with heavy-duty disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) and engine speed-sensitive power steering. The NVP handles well among larger-model passenger vans and can maneuver tight turns smoothly despite its long front nose. The long front nose design was chosen to reduce maintenance cost and cabin noise levels while improving space and comfort. Both models come standard with a 28-gallon fuel tank. The handling and ride characteristics allow the vans to maneuver more easily and create better straight-line stability.

Exterior

The NVP was designed to deliver on every key area of customers’ needs by offering dynamic modern styling for real-world functionality. The exterior features a twin angled-strut grille and aerodynamically rounded corner panels in front. It has split character lines on the side and subtly shaped quarter panels above the wheel well. The full-size 3500- series van was styled with a pickup truck design so that the engine wouldn’t take up cabin area. This was then complimented by a 2,700 lbs capacity for the V6 trim levels, 2,645 lbs for the V8 S, 2,535 lbs for the V8 SV, and 2,480 lbs for the V8 SL models.

The NV Passenger Van comes with a Standard Roof configuration only, which is equipped with 10-point roof rack mounting for a (500 lb. maximum) roof load weight rating.

Utility and Capacity

The vans large proportions and wheelbase only hint at the NVPs cargo area capacity. The NVP measures a roomy 68.3 cubic feet of head-, leg-, and shoulder-room capacity in the front row , 53.8 cubic feet in the second row, then a big 59.0 in the third, and 55.0 cubic feet in the fourth row. Even with the passenger trim panels there is still a roomy 267 cubic feet of total interior volume (cargo capacity + passenger volume). The NVP can carry items up to three meters in length, so the interior area is not only spacious but versatile. This makes it easy for owners to configure the passenger/cargo area to suit their needs.

Maximum Opening Range For Rear Cargo Doors

The rear cargo doors open to 243° wide to provide additional access. They are equipped with magnetic door locks to help secure open rear doors to help prevent the doors from closing when you want them open. The side door slides more than 40 inches and is designed to give passengers plenty of room to enter and exit.

Interior Convenience and Utility

The NVP was designed for convenience and enhanced utility, starting with a low step-in height, easy entry and exit without intrusive seat belts (integrated into rear seats)

The NV Passenger van provides for 12-person seating capacity and flexibility with up to 324 possible seat configurations.

The large front row adjustable captain’s chairs were designed to optimize comfort. The second- and third-row seats are reposiotinable or can be completely removed as needed. They consist o f a two-passenger section and a one-passenger section, each of which can be mounted in two locations, so legroom can be increased when the rearmost row is removed. That fourth-seat row is split in half. Removal doesn’t require tools and there are even wheels on the fourth row seats to make moving easier. Although the seats clamp in and out easily, they’re not light. Each single seat weighs about 50 pounds and 85 pounds for a double, so it will take some muscle to get a two-seater out. There’s no driver-side sliding door, because the NVP was designed for short-haul shuttling.

The fourth-row seat, which splits in two at the center, can be partially or completely removed. Each side can be folded forward to accommodate passengers and cargo. With a rear seat tilted forward, the NV3500 allows varied seating arrangements in people-carrier or minibus applications.

The generous cabin and seating flexibility adds comfort and space. The Nissan Intelligent Key® for remote keyless entry is an available option on the S, and standard on the SV and the SL. The NVP also has a foot-operated parking brake providing convenience.

The NVP is available with personal lamps for second, third and fourth rows and rear cargo lamp behind the fourth row.

Mobile Office

The NVP is equipped with a large multifunctional, lockable center console with storage for a laptop computer and charger and/or business collaterals. It also has a passenger seatback that can fold flat, making it roughly level with the console to serve as an increased work surface. It’s available with 120V outlets (including an available third-row, 12-volt outlet) .

Climate Control

The S and SV trim levels come standard with front air conditioning/heating with manual temperature control. The vehicles equipped with V8’s and SL trim level come standard with dual-zone Automatic Temperature Control (ATC).

All levels include standard rear CFC-free air conditioning/heating with separate fan speed control in the roof console. This system includes rear seat heating/cooling vents:, with rear cooling ducts in roof, and rear heating ducts in floor for all rows.

Safety

There are a total of eight standard airbags designed to help protect all occupants. The front row features frontal, side seat and curtain airbags, and the rear passenger rows have standard side curtain airbag coverage for all three rows of passengers. The NVP is the only vehicle in its competitor segment that comes with supplemental curtain airbags for all rows. The NVP is equipped with integrated seat belts for all rear seating positions and standard head restraints for all seating positions. Best of all, every rear seat belt is mounted to its seat, so there’s no hacking your way through a jungle of shoulder belts to reach the rear seat. The second and third-row center seats as well as the driver side fourth-row inboard seats are equipped with complete LATCH child seat attachment points.

Trim Levels

Three well-equipped trim levels will be offered: Base S (rubber floor covering and fabric seats), SV (add carpet) and SL (leather seats and carpet). The cargo floor covering for the S trim level is made of Thermoplastic PolyOlefin (TPO), while the SV or SL comes standard with tufted carpet. Carpeted or neoprene rubber floor mats are optional.

Technology and Options

The NVP is available with a number of option packages, like the Technology Package that comes with an integrated rear camera (SV and SL only). The NVP is also available with a front and rear sonar system to help drivers avoid objects and improve maneuvering in tight spaces. The NVP can be equipped with a 5-inch touch-screen SD navigation system, and XM® Satellite Radio (XM® subscription required). A Bluetooth® hands-free phone system is (standard on the SL) and rearview monitor, it’s also pre-wired for telematics. The NVP can also be equipped with a Power Basic Package (S models only), which includes power windows and door locks, Remote Keyless Entry and Cruise Control. The NVP was designed for short-haul shuttling, so there’s no provision for rear-seat entertainment systems.

Towing

tow package is available with extendable and heated outside mirrors that can be added factory or dealer installed with a Class-IV receiver hitch, wiring and heavy-duty battery. Trailer towing capacity is a robust 6,200 pounds for the V6 and 8,700 pounds for the V8.

Maintenance

When performing camber and caster measurement for alignment and necessary adjustment on the NV 3500: