Should Proton and Perodua be worried?
In November last year Thailand was the first country in Asia and Oceania to launch the all-new Nissan Almera, with its 1.0-liter turbo engine. Yes, Nissan has decided to downsize the engine of its best selling family sedan in ASEAN and this will be welcomed as its yearly road tax will be low and fuel consumption will be favorable.
ETCM Position
Malaysian Nissan brand guardian, Edaran Tan Chong Malaysia (ETCM) has not indicated when this new Almera will be launched and with the current selling Almera sales slowing down, they need a ‘bread and butter’ model like this latest Almera to boost their showroom traffic.
Under The Hood
This completely redesigned Nissan Almera is positioned to give ASEAN consumers new levels of refinement and safety features. The Almera’s new, lighter 1.0-liter turbo engine, HRA0, delivers greater power and better fuel efficiency, with a maximum power output of 100 PS, torque of 152 Nm and an estimated fuel consumption of 23.3 kilometers per liter. This results in better acceleration and better power output than previous generation of the Almera.
Exterior Design
The new Almera incorporates a sleek, comfortable and spacious design that leaves a lasting first impression that drivers can be proud of, along with smart technologies that meet the needs of Nissan’s valued customers, especially young families and millennials.
The new design features lower, wider, and longer exterior dimensions using Nissan’s Emotional Geometry design language, while retaining the Almera’s roomy interior space. Key elements of the Emotional Geometry design language in the new Almera include the V-motion grille, boomerang-shaped headlamps and tail lamps, kick-up C-pillars, and a floating roof.
Cabin Design
The new Almera’s interior has also been totally redesigned to accommodate a new instrument panel, infotainment screen, steering wheel and seats. The stylish passenger cabin features high-quality design and exemplary craftsmanship with head- and legroom to spare, retaining its reputation for best-in-class roominess.
Safety
Another area where the all-new Almera stands out is its Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies that provide front, side and rear safety monitoring and intervention. The exciting technology is a key component of Nissan’s vision of how vehicles are driven, powered and integrated into society.
Technology is a top priority in the Almera. Best-in-class safety innovations include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Intelligent Emergency Braking, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. With four cameras on the front, rear and side of the vehicle, the new Almera offers Intelligent Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection.
Entertaiment
The NissanConnect multi-infotainment system with 8-inch touchscreen Color Display Audio (AIVI) also keeps customers ahead of the curve by bringing infotainment, navigation, safety, security and more under a single platform, with seamless connection via smartphone.
Colours
This all-new Nissan Almera comes in six dynamic colors: Radiant Red, Monarch Orange, Storm White, Black Star, Gun Metallic and Brilliant Silver.
Possible Price
This all new Nissan Almera retails in Thailand from 499,000 to 639,000 Thai Baht which is about RM67,000 to RM89,000. Looking at the level of locally sourced parts that ETCM will be able to provide, the Malaysian selling price should be in the range as shown above.
