Revamping the NP200 - The NP200 Stealth is more than a visual treat

Following up a legendary stalwart of South African culture is no easy task, especially when you created that legend in the first place.

The Nissan 1400 / Champ (and before that the Datsun 1200) is as much a part of South African culture as braaivleis, biltong and rugby. Creating a suitable replacement was no easy task but Nissan hoped to continue the tradition with the introduction of the NP200.

Based on the Romanian Dacia Logan Pick-Up, the NP200 is a slight departure from the front engine, rear-wheel drive layout that made the 1400 so popular. As such, it’s failed to capture the hearts of the South African market, but they have taken to its low running costs and reliability.

Nissan’s latest offering of the NP200 is their Stealth model. While the name may suggest that you would be getting military spec radar-dodging paintwork and silent running engines, but alas, you’re getting a trim upgrade and some additions to set the model apart from the rest.

Trim changes

Only available in Techno Grey (although the combo would look great on white too), the NP200 Stealth is separated from the rest by a plethora of additions, most of which are finished in black.

Up front there’s a full-black nudge bar while an NP200-branded roll-bar, also in the obligatory black finish, rests behind the cabin with a tonneau cover just below that.

Along the sides and at the rear are dark grey Stealth decals, nothing brightly coloured or in your face, just subtle enough to get you noticed. LED Daytime Running Lights are added to the front as well.

Dark tint windows hide the revamped interior that now features ECO-leather seats. I’m not too sure what ECO-leather is exactly, but my money isn’t on it being real leather. Despite this, they feel really good and with the Stealth logo embroidered into the backs, they look the part too.

No package would be complete without a set of alloy wheels. With the Stealth, it’s no different. A set of black, 15-inch N-Concepts multi-spoke alloys rest in the corners, rounding off the exterior upgrades.

Stealth floor mats are a small addition but the Alpine CD/Mp3/USB Bluetooth headunit steals the show. This adds a little tech to proceedings and while it would be better off with a speaker upgrade, it complements the remote central locking / immobilizer just fine.

Motor

The NP200 Stealth edition is, as with the paint scheme, only available in one derivative. This is the 1.6-litre 8-valve option, producing 64kW and 128Nm of torque. While many would agree that a package like this would be better suited to the more powerful 16-valve model, by offering the 8-valve motor, prices are kept respectable and within reach of those that may be opting for the more expensive 16-valve model – 8-Valve Stealth or a standard 16-valve model.

It will return a claimed 8.1-litres/100km on the combined cycle while only allowing 192g/km CO2 to escape through the tailpipe.

Conclusion

If power is not the be-all and end-all of your vehicle ownership and you’re looking for a small “half-tonner” bakkie that doesn’t look like a fleet vehicle or a delivery van, the Stealth version of the NP200 may just be what you’re after.

It has the presence and the charm to make the Stealth worthy of daily drive duties and weekend adventures. It’s priced at R177 200, less than R2000 more than the 16-valve model, which makes it very tempting when selecting models.

On one hand you have some extra power, but on the other you have striking looks and a bevy of accessories. Both come with a 6 year / 150 000km warranty, it’s just a question of style.