NISSAN SAFETY

VIDEO: Nissan Tsuru crash test against Versa/Almera – see how an old car compares to a modern one

 

Last week, we reported on the Nissan Tsuru, better known to you and me as the third-generation B13 Sentra, which will finally be discontinued next year after 25 years on the market in Mexico. The carmaker has been under pressure by Global NCAP, which has been campaigning to get the car – which has scored zero stars in Latin NCAP crash testing three years ago – removed from sale.
Now, the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States has released a video of crash test organised in conjunction with Global NCAP, which pitted a 2015 model year Tsuru against the latest 2016 Nissan Versa sedan – the latter is essentially the US-market version of our Almera, replete with six airbags and stability control.
The Versa isn’t even the safest car tested by IIHS; although it offered good protection in most of its tests, it received a “Poor” rating in the institute’s new small-overlap crash test, and doesn’t come with autonomous emergency braking. Yet, the video shows a stark difference in safety between a modern sedan – even a humdrum one like this – and its spiritual predecessor that was last sold in the US in 1994.
The crash test put the cars in a moderate-overlap head-to-head collision, both travelling at 40 mph (64 km/h) – resulting in a combined closing speed of 80 mph (129 km/h). While it’s undoubtedly a big impact for both these cars, the driver in the Versa would’ve been a lot better off – the car’s structure held up, and the front and curtain airbags prevented the dummy’s head from hitting any of the hard surfaces.
By contrast, the Tsuru was practically decimated by the Versa, the occupant compartment crumpling up, to pardon the rather clichéd term, like an accordion. The dashboard and steering column were pushed very far back, and with no airbags to speak of, the dummy smacked its head first on the steering wheel, then the A-pillar. Its legs would have likely been crushed, too.

Global NCAP said that a driver in the Tsuru would have had a high probability of suffering life-threatening injuries. It added that it is likely that such a crash in real world conditions would have been fatal because there were no airbags in the Tsuru and the main structures all failed, fatally compromising the survival space.
“Our first ever car-to-car test clearly shows the importance of minimum crash test regulations. Mexico doesn’t yet apply them and the US has had them for decades. The lack of standards can result in the sale of unsafe cars like the Nissan Tsuru,” Global NCAP secretary-general David Ward said.
In April this year, Latin NCAP published a report showing that the Tsuru had been involved in more than 4,000 deaths on Mexico’s roads between 2007 and 2012.
Over here, ASEAN NCAP has performed a crash test on the original Proton Saga, with similarly devastating results. You can watch the video of it below, and compare it to the video of the crash test of the latest 2016 Proton Saga below that.

NISSAN X-TRAIL 2018

2017 Nissan X-Trail facelift makes European debut

  

The Nissan X-Trail facelift has been revealed for the European market. We’ve seen it before as the US-market Nissan Rogue facelift – unveiled in September 2016 – but this would be the debut for the refreshed X-Trail-badged car. The car will go on sale from August.
It’s quite a distinct facelift, led by a wider and bolder V-motion grille and a new bumper design. The headlamp clusters have been redesigned and feature a new version of the SUV’s boomerang LED daytime running lights. There is greater design differentiation between the halogen headlamps and full LEDs, which feature Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) for the first time. The fog lamps are now rectangular instead of circular.
At the rear, the bumper has been redesigned for a more robust look, with new chrome detailing. The light signature has been upgraded to full LEDs. There are also new 17 and 18-inch wheel designs plus a chrome side moulding across the base of the two doors on top variants. The four new exterior paint colours are Orange Pearl, Red Pearl, Blue Pearl Metallic and Dark Brown Pearl.

Inside, you’ll find a new D-shaped steering wheel, which allows easier entry/exit for the driver and offers an improved view of the instruments. The wheel also features new four-way controllers for reduced ‘eyes off the road’ time, and is available with integrated heating for the first time.
Nissan says that higher quality materials have been used across the cabin, such as the gloss black trim on the air vents. Heated seats are available in both the front and rear for the first time, while a new tan/black two-tone leather interior is an optional extra. The top Tekna grade now comes with an eight-speaker Bose Premium audio system, and the navigation interface has been updated. The new ‘shark fin’ antenna improves reception and looks.
Thanks to revised interior packaging, the boot is now larger than before, with VDA capacity rising from 550 litres to 565 litres on the five-seat version. Total space with all seats folded rises to 1,996 litres. Every X-Trail boot (kick to open is available) comes with Nissan’s Luggage Board System, which allows for shelves and dividers to be adjusted in nine formations. There’s also a hidden compartment for valuables.

On the tech front, the latest X-Trail will be available with ProPilot autonomous drive technology in 2018. The system will control the steering, acceleration and braking in a single lane on highways during heavy traffic congestion and high-speed cruising.
It’s one of a range of Nissan Intelligent Mobility systems which are new to the X-Trail. Others include Intelligent Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Recognition and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
The European X-Trail’s range of three engines remains, including the 177 PS 2.0 litre diesel launched this year. The other two are a 130 PS 1.6 litre diesel and a 163 PS 1.6 litre turbo petrol, and gearbox options are a CVT automatic and a six-speed manual. Customers can also choose between 2WD and 4WD and five or seven seats.

NP300 NISSAN NAVARA BLACK ADDITION

Nissan Navara Black Series launched, from RM109k

In Cars, Local Car Launches, Local News, Nissan / By Gerard Lye / 5 December 2017 3:48 pm / 13 comments

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has launched the new Nissan Navara Black Series, which adds on various aesthetic enhancements befitting of its name. Customers will be able to specify the Black Series for the VL, V and SE variants (automatic only), where all components come factory fitted.
The list of blacked-out components includes a matte front grille, headlight garnish, matte fog lamp surrounds, side mirror caps, front and rear overfenders, as well as a sport bar for the cargo bed. Meanwhile, the cabin receives combination black leather seats.
Prices start at RM108,800 (on-the-road without insurance) for the Black Series in SE guise, while it is RM115,800 for the V, and RM124,800 for the VL. These figures represent a RM4000-5000 increase from a regular Navara without the Black Series kit.
“Blacked-out componentry is the new trend and it certainly makes the new Nissan Navara Black Series standout. With its aggressive and stylish look, we believe this will be a popular variant for pickup buyers in Malaysia,” said Christopher Tan, director of sales and marketing at ETCM.

No mechanical changes here, with the 2.5 litre turbodiesel engine continuing to output 190 PS and 450 Nm of torque. The mill is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel drive system with on-the-fly mode switching.
The company also kicked off the second round of its year end campaign, where customers who purchase a Nissan vehicle stand a chance to win a Star Wars: The Last Jedi themed holiday trip to Croatia.
Along with the ‘Take Home a Nissan and Take on the Galaxy’ contest, rebates and savings of up to RM8,000 are also being offered on selected Nissan models, along with the continuation of the RM1 promotion for premium accessory packages.