When this little replacement for the legendary and iconic Nissan 1400 bakkie was launched I wondered at its name: it sounded like a Pietermaritzburg number plate.
I hoped the vehicle would prove more exciting than it sounded.
Well, not initially. I mean, it was more modern and muscular than its predecessor but it didn't exactly blow my hair back. Unlike many of Nissan's other winners (Qashqai and Murano spring to mind), it seemed to lack soul.
Now Nissan has injected some beef and a dash of Botox into the pick-up and suddenly it's got a whole new persona. And yes, it's found soul!
The NP200 S and SE are way more appealing than the original baseline model and I'll be very very surprised if they';re not luring newcomers into the showrooms.
The high-specced SE, in particular, is a stylish, sporty five-speed bakkie that should appeal to the younger buyer. Its 77kW 1.6-litre engine is quick and responsive and the truckling comes with all modcons such as aircon, power windows, anti-lockbrakes and a radio/CD/MP3-compatible audio system.
The NP200 SE looks pretty damn good in the car park with its new front bumper design, standard 15" alloy rims and improved profile, - in fact much better than before.
It's also a heck of a lot of fun to drive.
It's also still a more than capable workhorse; for those who don't yet know, it has the biggest payload potential in its class and the biggest and longest load box in this segment (rubberised, as a standard feature).
Those things aside, it's also a great everyday runabout: fun to drive, comfy and actually quite luxurious - especially if you consider the old 1400 we loved so much and which now seems Spartan by comparison!
You also now have crash bags (only on the SE), a rest for the driver's left foot, lots of stowage space, (including behind the seats) and a neat and classy fascia and gauges.
It comes with cloth seat but I'd love to pay extra if I could have them in leather.
Nissan claims fuel consumption is eight litres/100km.
NO NAIL SACRIFICES, GIRLS
The kids found it easy to open and close the tailgate when we wanted to load bicycles and shopping and not one French manicure was sacrificed to this cause.
The NP200 SE is available in several fairly muted colours but I think I'd opt for the light blue metallic or the white. The gold metallic is also rather fetching, though.
Price? A mere R154 100 or thereabouts.