THE LONG WAY DOWN NISSAN PATROL MAKES A FINAL STOP IN OXFORD

The Long Way Down Nissan Patrol travelled 15,000 miles, from John O'Groats to Cape Town, and the famous vehicle, which supported Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman on their epic adventure, ended its journey in Oxford.

Adventure addicts were thrilled that Sims Nissan showcased the actual vehicle seen in the current BBC series, Long Way Down.



The 4x4 was one of two Patrols provided by Nissan which were driven by producer/directors David Alexanian and Russ Malkin. The two Nissan Patrols, which were modified to take the extreme rigours of the journey, demonstrated well-proven strengths of the Nissan 4x4 range including reliability, power and durability as they supported the Long Way Down team. During their 86-day tour, the vehicles tackled non-existent roads, uncompromising terrain, deep mud and floods. The only problem to report over the journey was a single puncture between them!

To complement the current range of naturally capable 4x4s, Nissan has created Special Editions of not just the Patrol but also the Navara 4x4 pickup to mark Nissan's involvement with the Long Way Down adventure. Available now from Sims Nissan, based on Langford Lane, motorists can drive away in the vehicles famed for their rugged performance, much like the Nissan Patrols that supported the travellers on their journey from John O'Groats to Cape Town.

It's easy to see why the Long Way Down team chose a Nissan 4x4 as their support vehicle on their gruelling journey. The Patrol 'Long Way Down' Special Edition boasts a high-performance 3.0 litre, 160 PS, 16-valve diesel engine along with a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission with selectable 4WD and dual ratio gearbox. Not all 'muscle', the tough vehicle also allows for luxury with climate control air conditioning, DVD satellite navigation and luxury leather upholstery.

Matched in strength, style and durability are the Nissan Navara and Nissan Navara Expedition 'Long Way Down' special editions. The Navara also took on an important role on the Long Way Down journey; it was driven by Long Way Down's local crew from Botswana to South Africa. With the same 4x4 spirit, the Navara's impressive engine delivers 171 HP and an incredible 403Nm of torque, making it the most powerful vehicle in its class*.

This European best-selling pickup gives great durability without increasing weight, able to take on heavy loads exceeding 1,000 Kg. The Special Editions boast 17" alloy wheels, dual zone climate control, 6-speed manual transmission, part-time 4WD and leather upholstery for comfort and style. The Navara 'Long Way Down' Expedition Special Edition further boasts DVD satellite navigation with voice activation and hands free phone operation.

Ewan and Charley have both supported Unicef's worldwide efforts to alleviate the suffering of children who live through the worst natural and man-made disasters. The team visited a number of Unicef sites during the journey to meet some of the people the charity helps every day. Nissan has continued to support this important cause with the donation of the first Navara 'Long Way Down' Expedition Special Edition model ever produced which raised an incredible £42,000 at auction for the charity - an incredibly generous contribution considering the typical price of a Navara.

Said Russ Malkin, Long Way Down producer: "The suspension on the Patrol has been a key element for us. We have really put these shocks to the test and we're very appreciative of the fact that the cars are still going as strong as ever. We have rattled the cars beyond belief.

"Nissan will be top of our list for anything we do in the future; we have not only been provided with reliable, robust vehicles but, just as importantly, we were given the parts and technical support necessary for a trip like this."

Said Dave Barlow, General Sales Manager from Sims Nissan: "We were very excited about showcasing the actual Nissan Patrol that was part of the momentous Long Way Down journey. It was displayed alongside other Nissan 4x4s which are more than capable vehicles, whether you find yourself in Africa taking on the rugged landscape, or embarking on an adventure nearer to home."

For further information about the Long Way Down Special Edition vehicles or to arrange a test drive, contact Sims Nissan on 01865 849700.