Venucia R50 – the first-gen Latio hatch lives on

Old cars never die, they just get redressed and become a new model. Such is the case with the Dongfeng Nissan Venucia R50, which will begin selling in the Chinese market from September. It’s essentially a first-generation C11 Tiida/Latio hatchback given a new sheet of exterior metal.
The R50 is the second model to be launched under the Venucia sub-brand following the introduction of the D50 sedan – itself a reskin based on the first-gen Latio/Tiida sedan – in April this year. The company says that the exterior design of the R50 – which is powered by a HR16DE 1.6 litre mill – is representative of the brand’s design concept of “soar.”
The sub-brand, named after the Roman goddess Venus, is hoping to offer five new models by 2015 and generate sales of 300,000 units annually. The D50 hasn’t been doing badly at all – in the first two months since its introduction, sales totaled 12,723 units through June.

FedEx testing electric Nissan e-NV200 in Yokohama

Nissan and FedEx will be carrying out real world tests of the 100% electric Nissan e-NV200 van in the Yokohama area this month. As you can probably tell from the name, the e-NV200 is a 100% electric version of the NV200, which is sold in Malaysia with a 1.5 litre petrol engine in panel van and semi-panel van bodies. The electric powertrain is based on the one in the Nissan Leaf.
FedEx will be using a Nissan e-NV200 for approximately a month to evaluate the electric van’s potential to be used for international air cargo delivery. This is the second trial with FedEx so far, with the first one done in Europe last winter. Other companies that Nissan has tested the Nissan e-NV200 electric van with include AEON Retail and British Gas.

Production Nissan Pathfinder is identical to concept

The production Nissan Pathfinder has surfaced on the Net via Nissan’s own Facebook page, and it appears identical to the concept shown at this year’s Detroit show. Not too much of a surprise, since there wasn’t anything outrageous about the “concept” which looked as production ready as they come.
What we know now is that the 2013 Pathfinder is a seven-seater SUV with unibody construction in place of the old one’s body-on-frame layout. The Pathfinder shares a platform with the Infiniti JX SUV, which is also a seven-seater. The premium badged one is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine coupled to a CVT, so the Pathfinder may see the same combo. Full details when it’s officially revealed.

Nissan Teana facelift – small changes for Japan

Nissan has given the Nissan Teana a facelift in Japan, and if you don’t pay attention you might just miss the changes. What we can spot on the exterior are new tail lamps and new alloy wheel designs.

The projector headlamps that first appeared on the Chinese market Teana facelift can now also be found on certain variants of the Teana – presumably the high spec versions, but the new front bumper we saw on the Chinese Teana facelift does not appear on this Japanese market update.
There’s also a new sporty trim level that features a subtle bodykit, a different design for the 17 inch alloy wheels, and a black interior with alu-lookalike trim instead of the wood that’s found in all the other Teana interior designs, and black leather seats with blue stitching.
If you want your Teana to look even more outstanding, Nissan can sell you a Teana Axis bodykit that gives the Teana a different look for the bumpers and front grille. The Teana Axis bodykit is by AUTECH, which was recently introduced in Malaysia in the form of the Grand Livina AUTECH.
For the interior, other than the update to the trim selection, the only other change we noticed is the switch from an orange display to a white display for the instrument panel’s multi info display, which Nissan says should improve text legibility.

Engine options continue to be a 2.5 litre V6 or a 3.5 litre V6 for 2WD. In Japan, the 2.5 litre V6 is slightly more powerful than our spec – 182 PS/228Nm versus 185PS/232Nm. The 3.5 litre’s peak horsepower remains the same but torque is up from 326Nm to 335Nm. Our Malaysian market 2.0 litre four pot Teana is not available in Japan. If you wish to equip your Teana with 4WD, your engine remains 2.5 litre but you lose 2 cylinders – Nissan equips the Teana with the QR25DE four cylinder engine for 4WD applications.
Look after the jump for a 40+ picture gallery of the Nissan Teana facelift, or if you’re interested in how the Nissan Teana fares against other D-segment sedans, you can read our 3-way shootout between the Teana, the Camry and the Accord.

Nissan Note – second-gen mini MPV debuts

Nissan has announced the arrival of an all-new Note, and the second-generation mini MPV will take the fight to the likes of the Honda Jazz in Japan, beginning early September
Exterior-wise, the B-segment Note features a striking character line called a “Squash Line,” which is rather prominent. With the revamp comes a spacious cabin, which the company is saying will be beyond expectations for a car in this class. Interior design cues includes a flowing line above the instrument panel, supposedly inspired by the ripples in sand.
Japanese consumers will be able to get their hands on a choice of two three-cylinder mills, both 1.2 litre jobs. The first is the 78 hp and 106 Nm HR12DE, as seen in the March; the Almera in Thailand also wears the lump.
The second is the HR12DDR, a supercharged unit promising 97 hp at 5,200 rpm and 142 Nm at 4,400 rpm for output numbers. The mills will be paired to an Xtronic CVT gearbox for all grades, with an Idling Stop System available for the 2WD version.
Standard kit will include the company’s Around View Monitor (AVM), which makes its way on to a compact Nissan for the first time. Aside from domestic production in Japan, the Note will also be made at Nissan’s Sunderland plant in the UK for the European market, with sales set to begin in 2013.

ETCM introduces first four Nissan Leaf ambassadors

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) recently introduced the first four Nissan Leaf ambassadors who will be driving and living with the electric car for six weeks. They are Daniel Yap, Jason Goh, Yoong Huey Yee and Rizman Harith Merican.
In this “Journey To Zero Emission” program, the ambassadors will share their daily experience with friends and the public via different mediums such as video clips, write-ups as well as feedback to ETCM on the car’s performance in real world local conditions.
“We have received tremendous response for the Journey To Zero Emission program. Selecting the first four ambassadors proved to be a much more difficult task than we initially thought, simply because of the many high quality submissions that we have received. Do not be discouraged if your application was not selected in the first phase. This program is ongoing and do submit your application fast as you may be the next ambassador!” said Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng, ETCM’s executive director.
Anyway, if you want to check out the battery powered Leaf, head on down to the following locations:

July 26-29 Queensbay Mall, Penang
August 3-5 Mahkota Parade, Malacca
August 10-12 Sunway Pyramid, Petaling Jaya
September 12-16 1 Utama, Petaling Jaya
October 5-7 Alor Setar Mall, Alor Setar
November 7-11 1 Utama, Petaling Jaya
November 23-25 East Coast Mall, Kuantan
December 26-January 1 1 Utama, Petaling Jaya

We’re not as lucky as the ambassadors, so it was a spin around the block rather than six weeks.

Nissan NV200 Semi Panel Van launched

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd has just announced a new variant for the Nissan NV200 called the Nissan NV200 Semi Panel Van, which joints its NV200 Panel Van sibling.
The exterior size is about the same, but the Nissan NV200 Semi Panel Van trades some cargo area for a second row of seats just behind the front seats, which can fit up to 3 passengers, turning the NV200 into a 5-seater instead of just a 2-seater. Entry to the rear passenger area is via sliding doors that have fixed glass windows on both sides of the vehicle.
The cargo area now has a volume of 2.33 cubic metros and is accessible through the rear top hinged door. The floor height of the cargo area is 520mm off the ground. There’s all full headlining throughout the interior.
The Nissan NV200 Semi Panel Van is powered by a 1.6 litre HR16DE engine with CVTC valve timing, producing 109 PS and 152Nm of torque, mated to a 5-speed manual. The van also has an electric power steering system. Safety features include ABS, EBD, and a single driver airbag.
The Nissan NV200 Semi Panel Van is priced at RM70,900.00 for Peninsular Malaysia and comes with a 3 year or 100,000km warranty. I wonder if ETCM will consider launching a window van (three rows of passenger seats) as well, since now they have a panel and semi panel version. The window van version is called the Nissan Evalia in Indonesia, and is marketed as a competitor to products like the Toyota Avanza or the Daihatsu Luxio. A taxi version of the NV200 with a 2.0 litre engine was picked as the new official taxi of New York City.

Nissan Grand Livina AUTECH

Well, it looks like another Japanese pro-tuner is giving a hand to spruce up the Grand Livina. We’ve already seen what IMPUL can do; here is AUTECH giving the popular MPV a go.

For the front, the Grand Livina’s front grille is polished in chrome. The MPV gets a new bumper design, which is gets some chrome garnishing. A set of 15 inch six-spoke AUTECH wheel replaces the standard set of wheels. These AUTECH wheels are diamond-cut with each spoke featuring a gunmetal-textured finish. An AUTECH emblem is stuck to the tailgate as a signature of their handiwork.

Inside, you have a choice brown or black leather seats and door trim. The seven-seater is also outfitted with a six-inch touchscreen satnav with reverse camera, DVD player and USB/Bluetooth connectivity. You’ll also get the choice of speccing the car with a 10.2 inch roof-mounted LCD monitor.

The multi-purpose vehicle comes with a new bronze gold colour and V-Kool Solargard Armorcoat window tinting. No other changes made to the engine or suspension.

Nissan Events

For terms and conditions, please visit http://www.nissan.com.my/nissantestandwin

NISSAN TREASURE HUNT 2012 (CENTRAL & SABAH) (Coming soon…)
The Nissan Treasure Hunt is back again! This year, 'hunters' will be tested on their resourcefulness, creativity and time management as they work together gathering clues, solving puzzles and overcoming challenges while racing towards the finish line. Hint: Teamwork is the key to winning the challenge.

NISSAN PREMIERE TEST DRIVE EVENT 2012 (CENTRAL & SABAH) (Coming soon…)
The Nissan Premiere Test Drive Event is back again! This year, Discover the thrill of test driving NISSAN 370Z Roadster, JUKE, ELGRAND & more at Nissan Showroom.