FRANKLIN, TN – Nissan has announced that a new version of its NV commercial van, the 2012-MY NV3500HD Passenger Van, will debut in spring 2012. The vehicle will be offered to fleet and retail customers, according to Nissan.

Nissan said it will offer the NV3500 HD in three models, the NV3500 HD S, the NV3500 HD SV, and NV3500 HD SL, which comes with the V-8 engine only. The company said the vehicle will be available through a select network of certified Nissan Commercial Vehicle dealers nationwide. The new NV3500 HD will be manufactured in Canton, Mississippi, according to the automaker.

Performance

The 2012 Nissan NV3500 HD Passenger Van will feature two engine choices, a 4.0L DOHC 24-valve V-6 capable of producing up to 261 horsepower and 281 lb. ft. of torque, or a DOHC 32-valve V-8 capable of producing 317-horsepower and 385 lb. ft. of torque. Nissan hasn’t yet announced fuel economy figures for the NV Passenger Van.

Both engines use the automaker’s Continuous Valve Timing Control (C-VTC) technology. The engines are also each equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. The Nissan NV3500 is built on a fully boxed ladder frame with independent front strut/solid rear axle with rigid leaf spring suspension, disc brakes with ABS, and power steering that’s sensitive to the engine speed. The vehicle comes standard with a 28-gallon fuel tank.

Interior

The new model’s interior offers a flexible seating arrangement. Capable of seating up to 12, the vehicle offers up to 324 possible seating configurations. The large first-row seats are designed for comfort. A user can completely remove or reposition the second- and third-row seats and partially or completely remove the 50/50-split fourth-row seats.

The vehicle offers a number of interior features designed to allow the vehicle to operate as a mobile office. Features include a large center console with storage for items such as a laptop computer and charger, business cards, hanging files, pens and paper, etc. Other features include available 120V outlets, seat wear patches, a fold-down front passenger seat with under-seat storage, and no engine intrusion in the cabin area.

In terms of entering and exiting the van, the NV3500 HD Passenger Van features a low step-in height, easy entry and exit to and from the van without seat belts in the way (the belts are integrated into the rear seats), wide door openings, and rear 50/50-split French doors.

Other interior comfort and convenience features include a rear HVAC system, available personal lamps for the second, third, and fourth rows; a rear cargo lamp behind the fourth row; an available third-row 12V outlet; and a number of cup and bottle holders.

In-vehicle Connectivity

The NV3500 HD Passenger Van offers an available navigation system, a Bluetooth hands-free phone system, telematics pre-wiring, XM Satellite Radio, which requires an XM subscription, and an integrated rear-view camera.

Safety

The NV3500HD Passenger Van features integrated seat belts for all rear seating positions, standard headrests for all seating positions, and standard side curtain air bags for all four rows of passengers.

Appearance

The NV Passenger Van’s styling features Nissan’s truck twin strut signature grille, a pickup-truck-style front end, large windows with privacy glass, and 17-inch wheels.

Option Packages

Nissan said that it will offer a range of option packages for the vehicle, including a Power Basic Package, available on the S models only; a Tow Package on the V-8 only; a Power Basic Package + Tow Package, on the S model and V-8 only; and a Technology Package, on the SV and SL only.

The Power Basic Package will offer power windows and door locks. The Tow Package will offer extendable heated outside mirrors and a Class-IV receiver hitch, wiring, and heavy-duty battery. The Power Basic Package + Tow Package will offer both sets of features, and the Technology Package will offer the rear-view camera, XM Satellite Radio, a 5-inch touchscreen SD navigation system, and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system (which is standard on the SL model) and a rear-view monitor.