Nissan to launch "Long Way Down" branded 4WDs

Nissan has announced plans for special versions of both the Navara Pickup and Patrol 4x4 to mark the company's involvement with Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman's "Long Way Down" expedition - a 15,000 mile motorcycle trek from John O'Groats at the Northern tip of Scotland to Cape Town in South Africa.

While McGregor and Boorman rode the journey on a pair of BMW R1200 GS Adventure motorcycles crammed with extras and upgraded by Touratech, the support crew - consisting of the show’s Producer/Directors Russ Malkin and David Alexanian, a fully-trained medic and two cameramen - shadowed the bikes in two specially prepared 3.0 Turbo Diesel Nissan Patrols fitted with roof tents and carrying camera gear, medical kits, food and water supplies.

The £17,995 Navara "Long Way Down" has been given £2,500 worth of extra equipment as standard, including black leather upholstery with electric and heated front seats, roof rails, chrome door mirrors, electric sunroof, CD autochanger, plus side and curtain airbags. The "Long Way Down Expedition" version also features integrated DVD satellite navigation and premium audio and will sell for £19,995.

The "Long Way Down" Patrol gets two additional foldaway seats, 17” alloy wheels, leather upholstery, heated and electric front seats, climate control air-conditioning, rear privacy glass, front fog lamps, DVD satellite navigation and cruise control. The Patrol version will sell for £25,995 and both vehicles will launch in the UK on 17 December.

Nissan also contributed to the charities supported by the expedition (UNICEF, the Children’s Hospice Association in Scotland (CHAS) and Riders for Health) by donating the very first special version Navara Pickup for auction where it sold for £42,000.

The "Long Way Down" is currently screening on BBC2. See the website for more info on the Trek.