It’s official. Edaran Tan Chong Motors have given us an official preview of their all-new 2nd generation Nissan Almera and the brochure we showed earlier was accurate. There will be three variants of the Almera in Malaysia: the VL, VLP and VLT. According to ETCM’s product planning department, the ‘P’ stands for ‘Premium’, while the ‘T’ stands for ‘Technology’. What’s really cool is that Malaysia actually has the highest specification Almera in the region! The Thai full-spec model doesn’t have LED DRLs, has smaller wheels, fabric seats, doesn’t have fold-down rear seats, lacks cruise control. The only feature they have that we don’t is idling start-stop, which isn’t even something most Malaysians want anyway.
Standard on all Nissan Almera models is the new 1.0L 3-cylinder turbo engine. This HR10DET petrol motor comes with direct injection and DOHC and is capable of 100PS and 152Nm of torque. Maximum torque comes in rather quickly at just 2400rpm and is sustained until 4000rpm. While acceleration is expected to be great for a B-segment sedan, it’s really the fuel efficiency gains of this engine that are worthy of some attention. The motor can return 18.4km/litre, allowing for a theoretical range of 650km on a single tank (35 litres) of petrol.
This engine is mated to an X-Tronic CVT with D-Step Logic and Sports mode. D-Step Logic is said to give the CVT the feel of a conventional automatic gearbox, while Sport Mode can be activated on the gear lever for more aggressive ratios. This engine and gearbox is standard across all Almera models in Malaysia.
Front suspension is consists of independent MacPherson Struts while rear suspension comes in the form of a torsion beam. Both front and rear suspension comes fitted with stabilisers. Front brakes on the Almera are ventilated discs while rear brakes are drums.
Most impressive of all: many safety features are standard on the new Almera. You get Vehicle Stability Control, Hill Descent Control, Traction Control, as well as your usual braking aids. Nissan’s Intelligent Forward Collision Warning and Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking are also STANDARD.
All models get a 15″ spare tyre in the boot, power foldable & adjustable wing mirrors, LED wing mirror signal lights, LED rear combination lights, Tilt & Telescopic steering adjustment, one touch turn signal, pust-to-start ignition, keyless entry, zero gravity inspired seats, front centre console with armrest, rear armrest with cupholders, and 3 USB-powered ports (below climate controls, inside centre console, and on the rear of the centre console, facing rear passengers. Rear seats on all Almera models are foldable (not completely level/flat) in a 60:40 split.
Here’s a run-through of other equipment spec-by-spec.
The VLP model seems to be the sweetspot, estimated to be priced below RM90,000, while giving you 16″ dual-tone alloy wheels, a dual-tone dashboard, a semi-digital instrument cluster, 6 airbags, rear-view camera, leather steering wheel, an 8″ infotainment system, 6 speakers, automatic climate control, and leather upholstery.
The VLT model is expected to breach the RM90,000 mark, but adds things like Intelligent Around View Monitor (360-camera), Moving Object Detection, Blind Spot Warning System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, LED auto headlamps, LED Daytime Running Lights, LED foglamps, a trunk lid spoiler, and cruise control.
Pricing is estimated to be as follows:
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