Nissan launches all-new NV350 Urvan in 15- and 18-seat versions

After being on-sale for a few odd decades, there's finally a new Urvan. Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI) presents an all-new van that could cater not only to shuttle operators, but also entrepreneurs and the average family man with the NV350 Urvan.

Although 95 mm shorter than its predecessor, the all-new NV350 Urvan feature squared off corners that give more interior room. This allows Nissan to offer 15- and 18-seat versions of the same van. And if you’re looking for something that will carry a lot more, the cargo version will do the job as it stands 295 mm higher and 385 mm longer.

Like the old model, passengers of the NV350 Urvan will experience comfort of Nissan's legendary air conditioning system. A total of 12 individual vents are lined up at the rear cabin making vent hogging a thing of the past. Driving comfort is also one of the things Nissan focused on. The gear shifter has been moved to the dashboard, the steering wheel can now be tilted, and the driver’s seat is adjustable for maximum driving comfort.

The NV350 Urvan is fitted with a more powerful 2.5L variable geometry turbocharged diesel engine which is the exact same one found in the NP300 Navara. This new unit has 43 hp more than the one found in the old Urvan with twice the amount of torque. As an added bonus, a shift indicator light on the instrument panel cues the driver when's the optimal time to shift up or down. This helps the 5-speed manual transmission maximize both power output and fuel consumption.

Aside from the upgraded powertrain, the NV350 Urvan has beefed up its safety features such as airbags for both the driver and front passenger and body impact zones to keep front and sides protected. NPI is also boasting its new load-sensing valve which helps provide better braking power whether the van is full or not.

You can get your very own all-new Nissan NV350 Urvan starting June 2015. Prices start at P1,183,000 for the 15-seater version, P1,196,000 for the 18-seater version, while the 3-seater cargo version is listed at P1,177,000. All are available in standard colors: Brilliant Silver and Alpine White. The special colors Precision Grey, Black Obsidian, and Tiger Eye Brown, however, need a 3 month lead time.

For those who are worried about after sales service, NPI boasts its “Alagang Nissan” program wherein owners can get affordable parts servicing at dedicated dealerships nationwide. And even if you register a new Nissan NV350 Urvan as a PUV, it'll come with 3 years manufacturer’s warranty with no additional cost.