"THE POWER COMES FROM INSIDE."
This simple phrase familiar to every Nissan employee conveys a powerful truth.
Any company is only as strong as the people who bring it to life.
Companies do not create products, deliver services or solve problems; people do.
Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) recently threw the covers off the updated Nissan Navara pick-up truck in Sabah -- two popular double-cab variants, the Navara 4WD A/T LE and the 4WD M/T SE versions.
The front bumper kicks things off with a more angular design, especially where the fog lamps are housed. The lower intake also looks to have been cleaned up a little, now looking more at home around town than in the jungle. And it does pair well with the new grille – now with chromed vertical slats instead of the old mesh-like design. No longer running with five-spoke wheels, the new alloys features multiple spokes with a two-tone finish wrapped with 255/70 R16 tyres.
Hop inside and you’ll definitely notice the six-inch infotainment touch-screen navigator unit. It plays DVD, and supports Bluetooth and USB. The screen also doubles up as a display for the reverse camera. As its name suggest, there is GPS built into the unit that works well in the city but not so much in the dense jungle. It’s not so much of the lack of signal reception – the arrow on screen points to the direction the truck’s heading – but the lack of a proper mapped-out jungle route.
The above updates are applied to both variants, but there are diffrences. The LE has the JPJ-compliant xenon with manual levelling headlamps versus halogens in the SE. The automatic LE also gets leather seats, an auto dimming rear view mirror, 6 speakers, silver-finished centre console and door switch panel, glove box lock & chrome door mirrors. The SE gets fabric seats, 4 speakers and body coloured door mirrors.
The rest of the truck remains the same, right down to its double-layered high-tensile steel frame. There are no changes to the 2.5 litre YD25DDTi diesel, it still produces 174 PS at 4,000 rpm and 403 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. The automatic is a five-speed unit, while the manual is a six-speeder. The Navara’s ‘Shift-on-the-Fly’ 4WD gives you more control of the power that gets sent to the wheels as well as the number of wheels that move the truck. You have the choice of 2H, 4H and 4LO.
The updated Nissan Navara is available in 4 colours – Tungsten Silver, Brilliant White, Twilight Grey and Diamond Black. Now available for booking, the on-the-road price for the 4WD M/T SE is RM94,834, while the higher-spec 4WD A/T LE will cost you RM105,834.
Nissan has given its 2014 Teana its ASEAN debut with the introduction of the J33 in Thailand. The sedan goes on sale in the Kingdom in both 2.0 and 2.5 litre versions, and in 5 variant forms.
The MR20DE four-pot features in the 2.0 versions (XE, XL and XL Navi), with 136 hp at 5,600 rpm and 190 Nm at 4,400 rpm for output figures. For the Thai market, the QR25DE lump in the XV and XV Navi variants offers 173 hp at 6,000 rpm and 234 Nm at 4,000 rpm, nine horses less than the J33 that Jonathan drove in the US at the Nissan 360 event recently. Both mills are paired with a Xtronic CVT ‘box.
Dimension-wise, the new Teana rolls in at 4,875 mm long (a shade longer than the US car’s 4,868 mm), 1,830 mm wide and 1,490 mm tall, and the D-segment offering sits on 16-inch (215/60) or 17-inch (215/55) wheels, variant-dependent.
Standard equipment across the board includes push-start ignition & cruise control, and aside from the base 2.0 XE, the rest of the range is equipped with an Around View Monitoring system as well as an Intelligent Transport System (ITS), which features Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Warning and Moving Object Detection under its umbrella of tech.
Other safety kit comprises Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), traction control, ABS, brake assist, EBD, hill-start assist as well as front, side & curtain airbags. The Thai Teana is available in 6 exterior colours (Fall Blue, Black Star, White Pearl, Brilliant Silver, Grayish Bronze and Deep Iris Gray), and the interior is dressed in either cream or black (the latter for the 2.0 XL Navi and 2.5 XV Navi).
Pricing of the Teana in Thailand starts from THB 1.27 million (RM129,300), and Nissan says its aiming to sell 10,000 units domestically in the first 12 months. Produced at the Bangsaotong plant in Thailand, the car will be exported to more than 30 countries worldwide.
Yes, this is a car, although it doesn’t look like one. Say hello to the Nissan ZEOD RC, an electric racecar that was recently unveiled at Nismo’s Yokohama HQ. A test bed to develop new electric vehicle technologies for Nissan’s planned future LMP1 programme, the ZEOD RC will race at Le Mans 2014 after being invited to occupy the “Garage 56″ entry for vehicles showcasing new and innovative technology.
The initial prototype showcar of the revolutionary electric racer was revealed at this year’s Le Mans race, and the ZEOD RC is a dramatic evolution of the design featuring revamped styling, new cooling inlets and aerodynamic updates.
It will become the first car to complete an entire race lap of the 13.7 km Le Mans circuit on nothing but electric power. Nissan says that the ZEOD will reach speeds in excess of 300 km/h and lap the famous circuit faster than an LM GTE car.
The driver will be able to switch between electric power and a small lightweight turbocharged internal combustion engine. The car – which shares the same battery technology as the Nissan LEAF – will recharge the battery via regenerative braking.
“The ZEOD RC utilises our technology gained through the development of the Nissan LEAF Nismo RC, the first EV racer based on the mass production zero emission vehicle. The LEAF RC’s energy management and efficient energy recovery system that is suitable for racing are just examples. We believe these technologies serve as important steps for using EV for motor sports,” said Nismo president Shoichi Miyatani.
The test drivers who will help develop the ZEOD RC are from Nissan’s stable – Michael Krumm and Lucas Ordóñez. “His (Krumm) experience in winning Super GT and FIA GT1 World Championships for Nissan will be a very valuable asset to the programme. Michael is also a Nissan LEAF owner and a passionate believer in the future of electric vehicles for the road,” said Darren Cox, Nissan global motorsport director.
The Los Angeles Auto Show is set to host no fewer than 22 world debuts between November 19 and 21, and the Nissan Juke Nismo RS is one of them.
We have no official info, but reports indicate that it could be powered by a turbocharged 1.6 litre four-cylinder engine that develops around 230 hp and nearly 300 Nm of torque – about 30 hp and almost 50 Nm more than the Nissan Juke Nismo (pictured).
Apart from the extra grunt, the RS will reportedly feature sports suspension with new springs, dampers and damper rates. Like the regular Juke Nismo, it could be offered as a front-wheel drive with six-speed manual, or an all-wheel drive with CVT.
The Juke Nismo RS will debut alongside another yet-unknown Nismo concept on the Nissan stand.
MIDF Research has revealed in a visit note that Tan Chong Motor (TCM) will launch the Nissan Leaf in Malaysia next month, and that the electric vehicle could cost around RM200k.
The research house also says TCM will introduce 2 facelift models and a CKD version of an existing offering for FY 2014. The updated models are expected to counter any slack in sales volumes, while the CKD introduction may bump up sales for the model in question, the note adds.
“This would imply that the early launch of the EV is not to drive turnover but rather, to gain a first-mover advantage in the EV segment. Such advantages may include gaining market share, as well as building technical know-how, intellectual property and consumer brand awareness ahead of its competitions,” says the note.
“It is possible that TCM’s efforts will pay off in the coming years when battery prices come down and technology improves. In the meantime, contributions from TCM’s EV segment will likely be negligible.”
The all-electric Nissan Leaf will be the second EV to go on sale in Malaysia, after the Mitsubishi i-MiEV. TCM subsidiary First Energy Networks (FEN) has so far set up EV charging stations at Bangsar Shopping Centre, Suria KLCC and Lot 10 as well as Petronas Solaris in Serdang.
The engine menu for the second-gen Nissan Qashqai (Nissan Dualis in Japan) will include a new turbocharged 1.2 litre DiG-T four-cylinder engine with 113 hp on tap, according to Autocar UK. The motor will be the only petrol unit available at point of launch in early 2014.
Initial diesel engines are a 108 hp 1.5 litre dCi and a 128 hp 1.6 litre dCi, while Visia, Visia+Safety Pack, Acenta, Acenta Premium and Tekna equipment levels should be offered, says the British publication. Buyers will be able to choose four-wheel drive on the 1.6 litre dCi Premium and 1.6 litre dCi Tekna variants.
Pictured here testing in Europe, the new Nissan Qashqai sits on the Renault-Nissan Alliance’s Common Module Family (CMF) platform, which the recently-unveiled third-gen Nissan X-Trail also uses. There will be a Nismo version, but a +2 version (seven seats) is unlikely, as the new X-Trail now satisfies that need.
The latest Nissan Grand Livina facelift has landed in Malaysia, introducing a timely update for the
country’s best-selling non-national MPV. Over 65,000 units of the 7-seater have been sold here since its initial launch in 2007, including the lightly revised version that was released in 2011.
This second facelift is a major one, at least in terms of aesthetics. While the previous nip and tuck only added a new grille design and wing mirror indicators to the otherwise unchanged original form, the Grand Livina undergoes a heavy refresher here, incorporating “more than 50 new enhancements,” according to Nissan.
The most obvious of which are the completely new front and rear ends. Gone is the simple, blunt, yet friendly face that’s all too familiar by now, replaced by a much sleeker front treatment. A V-shaped grille with chrome highlights now dominate the front fascia, and is flanked by new headlamp units that are much sharper and classier than before.
The bumper is brand new too, now looking shapelier and more organic, in line with the characterful profile and rounded front fenders that house new design 15-inch wheels. The reshaped wheel-arches significantly change the visual silhouette of the vehicle, introducing a more complex character line compared to the older model.
Adding to the sophistication are new wing mirrors with LED indicators (for 1.8 litre) and body-coloured side mouldings running across the doors. The latter provides protection from minor dings, while also serving to break up the visual mass, making the whole car appear closer to the ground and more planted.
There are more changes to the back than is obviously apparent, too. The light clusters now sit horizontally rather than vertically, emphasising the Grand Livina’s width. Easily missed is the new tailgate, which eschews the round bulge above the Nissan crest, with the rear wiper now sitting within the window panel.
Inside, the colour palette has been changed again. The original Grand Livina launched with a grey/beige interior, which was then replaced by an all-black cabin in the 2011 update. A nice middle ground has been chosen for the latest model – a black upper portion for a younger, sportier feel, with a cream lower half to aid the impression of space and airiness.
All new is the 3-spoke steering wheel, similar to the one used in the more upmarket new Sylphy. It incorporates multi-function controls too, with backlit buttons for the audio system and instrument display. Speaking of the instrumentation, there’s now a Fine Vision Cluster on all models, as seen on top-spec Almeras.
Another premium feature offered is Nissan’s i-Key keyless entry and engine start system. Available on the 1.8 litre model, it adds lock/unlock buttons on the driver’s and rear doors for a seamless, keyless operation, while a small plastic turn switch is placed over the usual keyhole to start the engine.
Standard across the range is a revised seat fabric – in beige rather than black this time. Leather upholstery (beige or black) is available as an option.
As before, Nissan claims best-in-class comfort for the 7-seat cabin. The last 2 rows can be folded flat if needed, opening up a spacious cargo area and making the Grand Livina truly worthy of the term Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV). The rearmost seats have a single-action release for easy access.
The drivetrain options have been left well alone. The tested all-aluminium HR16DE 1.6 litre engine with 105 PS and 150 Nm of torque forms the base offerings, with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission to pick from. The MR18DE 1.8 litre motor is available with a four-speed torque converter.
Safety-wise, the new Nissan Grand Livina has been upgraded with seat-belt pre-tensioners and load limiters for the front passengers, along with compliance with the latest UNECE crash test regulations. Dual front airbags are standard, along with Nissan’s Zone Body Construction, collapsible steering wheel, EBD, BA and ABS.
3 variants are offered: 1.6 litre manual for RM86,880, 1.6 litre auto at RM89,880, topping out at RM99,880 for the 1.8 litre automatic model. All figures quoted are on-the-road prices, inclusive of insurance. Order books are already open for the new Nissan Grand Livina facelift, with monthly instalment rates as low as RM599 to be had.
That’s not the end of it though, as there are various optional accessories and Impul packages available for the new MPV. For an extra RM4,000 (on the 1.6L, RM3,700 for the 1.8L), the Navi Package adds on a LED kicking plate, LED wing mirror signals and door visors.
An integrated 6.5-inch multimedia system with navigation, rear-view camera, DVD player and USB, iPod and Bluetooth connectivity is also included in the Navi Package, as is a 10.1-inch roof-mounted LCD panel for the rear passengers.
Next up, the RM3,800 (for 1.6L, 1.8L RM3,500) Luxury Package replaces the above-mentioned head-unit and rear screen with a combination leather upholstery and door panels (available in beige or black), as well as Solar Gard window tinting (upgradeable to V-Kool Elite for another RM1,500).
The Family Package combines the Navi and Luxury packages for RM7,000 for the 1.6 litre models, and RM6,700 on the 1.8 litre variant. LED wing mirror signal repeaters are already fitted as standard on the range-topper, which accounts for the model’s lower prices for each optional package.
If you like a little more zing on your Grand Livina, there are also various Impul add-ons that you can specify. These are: Impul complete aerokit (RM3,500), sports suspension system (RM2,800), Blast 2 exhaust muffler (RM1,800) plus 17-inch Impul Aura SX-20 alloys (RM4,500) and Goodyear Eagle F1 Directional 5 tyres to go with them (RM1,800).
Edaran Tan Chong Motor offers a standard 3-year or 100,000 km warranty on the new Nissan Grand Livina facelift. 5 colour options are available: Graphite Blue, Diamond Black, Bronze Gold, Brilliant White and Tungsten Silver.
