Nissan set out to prove the durability credentials of the new Navara during a test drive event across the deserts of southeast Morocco. The event pushed the 4x4 pick-up close to its limits in a gruelling day-long off-road route.

Challenge the limits

Earlier this year, I drove the new Nissan Navara here at home where Irish road conditions will put most vehicles to the test. In recent weeks, I joined up with Nissan, who had invited some motoring journalists to take part in a durability testing experience with the Navara across the rugged arid desert conditions of Morocco.

The aim was to get an opportunity to test the Navara in conditions that would challenge its abilities in terms of traction, stability and durability in tough off-road conditions. These were factory-standard Navara pick-ups powered by the new 2.3-litre Renault derived turbo-diesel engine.

All were fitted with automatic gearboxes and all come with the 3.5t towing ability; that part we did not put to the test. Standard Continental 18in ContiCross Contact tyres were used with tyre pressures being lowered to cope with some softer sand conditions.

The initial drives were on the tarmac roads of Morocco, where the new multi-link rear suspension of the Navara gave noticeable comfort. After about 35km, we abruptly took a left turn off the road and faced into a long section of desert driving. We shifted the drive into the high 4x4 setting on the dial beside the centre console and felt enough confidence to take on the rough conditions.

The harsh deserts of southeast Morocco vary between lengthy gravel sections and extensive areas of large sand dunes that flow towards Algeria and into the Sahara desert.

On the off-road gravel sections, speed was not an issue, as we could run up to 100km/h on some sections, rising plumes of fine dust, while being prepared to come to a sudden stop at all times.

As we moved across large unpopulated sections of barren countryside, where the occasional goat herd or caravan of camels came into view, the Navara was flawless in dealing with obstacles and changing driving conditions.

The movement of the pick-up body from the cab area was obvious in these conditions, while overall comfort levels impressed.

After over 60km, we arrived in an enclosed mountain area walled on one side and with a natural fortress on the other three, called the Jbel Medouar. The Jbel Medouar was a former naturally created prison during the Portuguese occupation of Morocco and if only its walls could tell their stories.

This provided a test of the climbing ability of the Navara up a steep rocky incline to reveal a view at the crest that was truly amazing. The sight was panoramic as it extended across national boundaries if your eyesight was good enough.

Barren landscape

After a short break, we crisscrossed the harsh barren landscape and dried-up river basins below.

At times we crossed tracks with a nomad farmer on a bicycle or flocks of children around small houses that seemed far away from any school. Their bare feet coped with the warmth of the sand and stones as they were eager to ask for money or goods.

As we stopped for lunch, I had the opportunity to chat with the durability design engineers at Nissan, who conceded that they had a chassis problem with the previous Navara.

We discussed the changes and the extent of durability testing that they had carried out for the new-generation model. They claimed that this new chassis structure is made from thicker metal and it’s stronger in the right places. They confirmed with confidence that they had given it some arduous testing and now we were about to do the same.

Within minutes, we were back behind the Navara wheel again, giving the 4x4 pick-up our own level of testing. After some initial mild dune driving, we approached a remote village called the Sahara Garden at the edge of the large Erg Chebbi sand dune, a small mountain of fine sand that rose from the horizon.

This complex dune formation is part of the route of the Paris-Dakar off-road race. It was going to be a new test of stability and our driving skill on the running fine sands.

There was first a compulsory briefing, because sand dune driving is a different skill to that of driving on gravel or even wet Irish conditions. Tyre pressures were reduced to a low of 1.5 bar to balance flotation with grip, while extending the tyre footprint.

We then engaged the low 4x4 setting and soon took to a gentle trial run. We followed the Navara convoy that faced into the high dune, where the chances of getting stuck in the sand were high.

Dune driving demands blending power with momentum. Rev the engine too high and you spin the wheels and dig deeper into the sand. Not enough power and you stall your vehicle.

In many ways, you drive by the sound of the engine, coaxing it along the way with progressive acceleration and very modest braking.

When rising into the dune, you need to keep a steady high level of power until you get to the crest, then, as the Navara descends, you need to add power at the right time to ensure that you generate enough momentum to take you up and over the next crest.

At all times, the steering must be firm and not erratic; a tight turn of the wheels will lock you into sand, preventing the momentum that allows your vehicle to float from one dune crest to another.

And most of all, you never stop on an incline, only a decline, with your vehicle ready to move with the natural downhill momentum.

The Navara coped very well with the conditions, sailing over the dunes with constant power and coping with the sharp declines using the engine braking and automatic hill descent control systems.

Then it was back on the road again and, with the tyre pressures back up to 2.4 bar, there was no hint of the challenges just faced by the performance of the Navara. The 4x4 pick-up resumed normal road duty in high two-wheel-drive.

We faced into the nightfall on our 45km journey back through the busy Friday market streets of the town of Erfoud. Here, locals looked in amazement at the bright gold-coloured Navaras coated with their light dusting of Saharan sand.

The new Navara has jumped in price by over €1,700 to €34,995, or £23,000 in Northern Ireland, since its launch earlier this year. Ownership costs here remain high due to higher depreciation costs, a legacy of the chassis problems. In a durability sense, we had pushed the Navara to its limits and we knew that it had a lot more on offer.