Nissan Sylphy 1.8 (B17) launched – RM112k-122k

At long last, the B17 Nissan Sylphy is officially launched in Malaysia, at the Grand Hyatt hotel in KL.

Motivation comes from a new 1.8 litre MRA8DE four-cylinder engine that produces 131 PS at 6,000 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm. This mill, featuring Twin C-VTC and a ‘diamond-like’ carbon coating, is mated to an Xtronic CVT that’s now lighter with less friction. Fuel economy is a claimed 15.6 km per litre on the JC08 cycle.

Built on a stretched V platform, the new Nissan Sylphy is 4,615 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and 1,495 mm tall, making it 50 mm shorter than its predecessor, but a whole 60 mm wider, increasing shoulder room by 30 mm. The class-leading 2,700 mm wheelbase remains, affording 680 mm of rear legroom, while the boot, containing a full-size spare wheel, holds a cavernous 510 litres.

Noise and vibration have been reduced, thanks to an improved frame, stiffer cross member and added insulation. A longer suspension travel works together with high-response dampers to improve vibration absorption. Forward visibility is also enhanced; from a 35.6 degree viewing angle on the old car to 36.5 degrees.

E and VL variants are available. Standard on both are wing mirror indicators, speed-sensitive electric power steering, steering wheel controls, cruise control, six speakers and a Fine Vision Meter with Eco indicator.

The E gets halogen reflector headlamps, 16-inch alloys with 195/60 Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tyres, a urethane steering wheel and gear lever, silver interior trim, manual air-con, fabric seats and a basic radio with CD, AUX and Bluetooth.

The VL adds quite a bit more – on the outside, you’ll see auto self-levelling xenon projector headlamps with washers, LED positioning lamps, front fog lamps, 205/50 R17 alloys with ContiPremiumContact 2 tyres, auto-folding wing mirrors and a boot spoiler with integrated LED third brake lamp.

Inside the VL, there’s keyless entry and start, a leather steering wheel and gear lever, chrome-surrounded instrument dials, silver patterned interior trim, auto dual-zone air-con with rear vents, leather seats and a 4.3-inch central display with CD, MP3, USB, AUX, Bluetooth, iPod and a reverse camera.

Most importantly, you get ABS, EBD, BA, all-round disc brakes, 6 airbags, VDC and TCS – no matter what variant you buy.

Fully-imported (CBU) from Thailand, the E is priced at RM111,900; the VL at RM121,900, OTR without insurance (with insurance, RM115,817 and RM126,093). A 3-year/100,000-km warranty is included.

You can choose from Cayenne Red (new), Premium Black, Bronze Gold, Diamond White and Brilliant Silver body colours. The first 1,000 Sylphy buyers stand to get Solar Gard Armorcoat Tinting for free.

Nissan develops a prototype car that can clean itself!

Subaru did this as an April Fools’ gag last year, but it looks like we must be careful what we wish for – Nissan has developed a prototype Note that, in a manner of speaking, can clean itself.

It does so with the help of specially-engineered super-hydrophobic and oleophobic paint, which repels water and oils. The self-cleaning Note will be tested over the coming months in a variety of conditions to assess the real-world performance of the paint as a potential aftermarket application.

Nissan is the first carmaker to apply the technology, called Ultra-Ever Dry, on automotive bodywork. By creating a protective layer of air between the paint and environment, it effectively stops standing water and road spray from creating dirty marks on the car’s surface.

The coating, which is being marketed and sold by UltraTech International, has so far responded well to rain, spray, frost, sleet and standing water. Nissan says there are currently no plans to apply the technology to the model as standard, but will consider it as a future aftermarket option.

The Nissan Note already has a rear-view camera that cleans itself with a wash-and-blow-dry – water and compressed air is used to automatically keep the lens free of dirt and ensure the Note’s safety sensors work in all conditions.

Nissan Lannia Concept – the new Bluebird in Beijing

The wraps have come off the Nissan concept announced for Beijing – the Nissan Lannia Concept is the name of the sedan version of the Friend-ME concept that made its debut at Auto Shanghai last year.

Where the Friend-ME concept was aimed at Chinese males in their mid-20s, the Lannia has a wider-looking scope, built around China’s digital lifestyle and tailored very much towards the country’s rising ‘Post-80s’ balinghou generation.

It’s the second model to come about from Nissan’s Design China office in Beijing, working in close cooperation with the Nissan Global Design Centre in Kanagawa, Japan, under the leadership of Nissan senior VP and chief creative officer Shiro Nakamura.



Still, the ‘sedan theory-breaker’ is primarily a local effort, being “designed by Chinese, built by Chinese for the Chinese people, and ultimately, for the world,” according to chief planning officer Andy Palmer.

The car features signature trademarks of Nissan’s next-generation design. These include a V-motion grille, boomerang headlamps, a distinctive kick-up pillar as well as a “floating” roof.

Also announced at the car’s unveiling was its Chinese name, which is lan niao, yin xiang, in honour of the legendary Nissan Bluebird. Suitable exterior shade too, yes.

New Nissan Sylphy open for booking in Malaysia!

Nissan Malaysia has finally announced on its Facebook page that the all-new Nissan Sylphy is open for booking.

Among others, Nissan’s new offering has 6 airbags, a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, 4-wheel disc brakes with traction and stability control, ABS and BA as standard across the range, with a new 131 PS/174 Nm 1.8 litre Twin C-VTC engine matched to an improved Xtronic CVT transmission.
The top-spec VL adds on 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, rear air con vents, leather upholstery and projector Xenon headlamps.

Nissan Sylphy teased on Nissan Malaysia’s FB page

Nissan Malaysia has begun teasing the reveal of the new Nissan Sylphy on its Facebook page. The series of teasers is a countdown from six (days), with each number alluding to a feature of the C-segment sedan.

Teased so far are 6 airbags, a 5-star ANCAP safety rating, 4-wheel disc brakes with traction and stability control, ABS and BA, a 3-dimensional chrome front grille and auto dual-zone air-con.

This one’s been a long time coming – the B17 Nissan Sylphy made its world debut in China two full years ago, before being introduced in Thailand, the US (Sentra) and Australia (Pulsar) in the second half of 2012. In Taiwan, it’s called the Super Sentra!

We already know from research reports that the new C-segment sedan is due to be launched in the second quarter this year – which we are now in. As confirmed by the latest teaser pic above, The Malaysian-market Nissan Sylphy will be motivated by a 131 PS/174 Nm 1.8 litre MRA8DE four-cylinder engine with Twin C-VTC and an improved Xtronic CVT.

Nissan teases sedan concept’s head and tail lamps

As you may already know, Nissan is expected to uncover a concept in Beijing later in the month, and it’s set to be a sedan version of Auto Shanghai 2013‘s Friend-ME concept.

Having let loose a first teaser a month ago, the Japanese carmaker now teases the vehicle’s head and tail lamps. Like the Friend-ME’s headlamps, there’s a distinct C-shaped signature, but only one main bulb, as opposed to the Friend-ME’s three little ones, per side. Tail lamps are pretty striking, too.

The concept apparently “overflows with Chinese DNA, the most ever seen among Nissan’s creations.” Its name, which will be announced by chief planning officer and executive veep Andy Palmer on April 20, will “follow the Chinese product naming scheme and honour Nissan’s global heritage of innovation and excitement.”

Nissan is also set to bring the Smart Rearview Mirror, Teana 10th Anniversary Special Edition, X-Trail, NV200 Xtronic, BladeGlider concept and Autonomous Drive car to the show.

Third-generation Nissan Murano – first official photos

Remember the Nissan Resonance Concept from Detroit 2013? Here’s what the showcar has evolved into – the third-generation Nissan Murano, which will make its public debut at the upcoming 2014 New York International Auto Show.

We can see that the production car has inherited the concept’s sexy “Energetic Emotion Flow” side curves as well as the blacked out D-pillar which gives the new Murano a “floating” look to the roof.
On the rear, there are Nissan 370Z-inspired boomerang-shaped tail lamps. On the overall, the car looks lower and wider than the outgoing second-generation Murano.



The overall design has a similiar family look to smaller Nissan SUVs such as the new X-Trail. The front grille adopts the new Nissan face which has been described as “V Motion”, replacing the “Kamishimo” grille found on Nissan’s current sedans.

These press photos show a single interior colour scheme for now – one that has a bright and airy feel. The seats will adopt Nissan’s NASA-inspired “zero gravity” construction which should promise a nice cushy ride.

A single drivetrain will be available for the US market Murano – Nissan’s venerable 3.5 litre V6 engine mated to an Xtronic CVT transmission, although perhaps for other markets that are not so displacement-hungry, we might see the use of a 2.5 litre four-cylinder engine. Looks good, doesn’t it?