Urvan takes kids, adults to spaces populated by dreams

By Tessa R. Salazar June 21,2016
NISSAN Philippines celebrated Nissan Urvan’s first year with a birthday party for Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas children.

NISSAN Philippines celebrated Nissan Urvan’s first year with a birthday party for Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas children.

 

“WOOOOOW!”

No other expression in the human vocabulary could match the sense of wonder and amazement invoked by this two-letter word, especially when uttered by children still filled with innocence.

The 15 wide-eyed kids from the Asociacion de Damas de Filipinas couldn’t have dreamt of this happening. But here they were, wide awake, gasping in delight as soon as they stepped into DreamPlay in the City of Dreams in the Entertainment City district of Pasay City last June 15.

What took the kids there was none other than the Nissan Urvan NV350, which marked its first year in the local automotive market with a children’s party and this trip to the indoor interactive entertainment concept DreamPlay.

The kids were already stoked when they were picked up at the Bonifacio Global City Forum in Taguig City, a mere 9 kilometers away.

In convoy with the two NV350 vans were other Nissan vehicles—a Sylphy sedan, an X-Trail SUV, and a NP300 Navara  pickup—carrying other guests and officials of Nissan Philippines Inc. (NPI), the sole national sales company of Nissan in the Philippines, and 10 members of the local motoring media.

As things turned out, it wasn’t just the kids who became “just kids” inside DreamPlay.

The 15 children, and the young-at-heart adults who accompanied them, enjoyed the interactive games such as the “Kung Fu Panda Dojo.” The children also got a kick from trying the “How to Fly a Dragon” game, and they even learned how to make a gingerbread man in the “Gingy’s Kitchen” corner.

And during all this time, where were the adults? They couldn’t make up their minds on whether to soak up some more of the “Kung Fu” experience, wallow in “Shrek’s Swamp Stomp,” go on a crazy tour in the “Whatever Floats Your Boat” game or the “Afro Circus” inspired by the “Madagascar” animation movie, or go for the Dinotrux build-and-ride challenge.

Add to that a completely immersive experience in the “Dream Studio” where participants get the chance to “direct” their own animated film, the “DreamTales Library” (wherein DreamWorks characters appear in a puppet show), and “DreamTheater” (participants become part of a DreamWorks scene in a unique 4D surround experience). A day in DreamPlay would never be enough.

To make this dream birthday party real, NPI partnered with Children’s Hour, a nonprofit organization that supports education, health, nutrition, and child welfare and development projects.

NPI president and managing director Ramesh Narasimhan said: “Through this activity, we hope to showcase how this vehicle can be the best partner to transport not only commuters, cargo and the like, but everyone from all walks of life.”

SJ Huh, NPI general manager, explained that celebrating the NV350’s first year with the children was timely and fitting. “The school year is about to commence, and there are many Urvan units that are used as school services. There’s no better way to celebrate it than with kids.”

Driver- and kid-friendly

Based on the author’s previous drives with the NV350, particularly during the ride-and-drive from Makati to Batangas that launched the brand in mid-2015, the completely redesigned Urvan offered a more driver-friendly cockpit, with all pertinent controls, sticks, switches, buttons and knobs within easy reach of an Asian-sized driver. This petite author loved the high ground clearance that provided a great view of the road ahead.

For kids, the passenger space offered by the NV350 Urvan is adequate. This completely built-up people carrier comes direct from Japan, and offers seats and leg space suitable for Asian-sized passengers (5 feet 6 inches and below), which would make it really roomy for Pinoy kids in a school service setup.

Spreading the legendary coolness of the Nissan air-conditioning system equally in the cabin were the plentiful vents (12 for the passengers, plus four 360-degree rotating vents up front).

The NV350 seats do not use leather, which means they do not retain heat when parked for long periods under the sun.

Power is more than adequate, as the NV350 is equipped with a 2.5-L engine (boosted by the electric variable geometry system (VGS) turbocharger, similar to the engine platform of the NP300 Navara pickup.

The complete redesign of the NV350 Urvan includes a squarish rear, conveying its capacity to carry more cargo, while the chrome, rear emblem and 15-inch, silver-painted wheel cover add a majestic finish.

At the front, the angled, black-painted honeycomb grill exudes a leaner look.

The neat interior is achieved through the two-tone instrument panel design and the grayish suede-finish lining with a monotone and mesh-like tricot seat color and design.

Those who use the Nissan NV350 Urvan as a public utility vehicle will have the same comforts of private vehicles.

Nissan customers can avail of the Nissan Customer Assistance Center (NCAC) for 24/7 emergency roadside assistance and valet service.

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