The Nissan Almera facelift is now officially available in Malaysia. The popular B-segment sedan has been in the local market since October 2012, with over 56,000 units on the road. This refreshed version was first seen in Thailand a year ago.
Looks wise, the update brings about reshaped (and larger) headlamps, a revised front grille with three bars (original had four bars), a new front bumper and chrome trim around the fog lamps. New Y-spoke design 15-inch alloy wheels (with 185/65 tyres) are now standard across the board – no more steel wheels for the base variant.
Inside the Almera’s roomy cabin, you’ll find a new and more premium-looking steering wheel that’s similar to that in the Grand Livina MPV, plus a redesigned centre stack trimmed in piano black.
Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) is also introducing for the first time an Android-based 6.5-inch multimedia navigation system, which offers Internet connectivity (tether to smartphone via WiFi) with Virtual Acoustic Positioning System (VAPS), reverse camera, iPod connectivity, USB and Bluetooth.
The white car you see above is the fitted with the new Almera Nismo Performance Package, which is making its global debut in Malaysia.
The package consists of a front and rear bumper spoiler, side skirts, trunk lid spoiler, 16-inch alloys with 205/50 Continental MaxContact MC5 tyres, sports exhaust muffler, and a performance suspension system. The latter includes uprated springs and shock absorbers. The pre-facelift also had a Nismo package, unveiled at KLIMS13.
As before, the Serendah-assembled Almera facelift is available in four variants – E manual (RM64,960 OTR without insurance), E automatic (RM67,882), V (RM74,700), and VL (RM77,622). All are powered by an unchanged 1.5L DOHC CVTC unit with 102 PS and 139 Nm. The HR15DE is paired to a five-speed manual or four-speed auto.
The base E spec comes with a driver’s airbag, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, wing mirror turn signals plus a new CD/MP3 player with USB and AUX-in. Moving up to the V nets one dual airbags, Fine Vision instruments and fog lamps. The top VL spec is equipped with i-key (keyless entry and push start), automatic air con and steering wheel audio controls.
Plenty of optional packages are available, plus some ala carte items. The RM750 Elegance Package throws in stainless steel kicking plates with LED illumination, door visors, trunk tray and sport pedals for the automatic. Just RM600 for the manual, without the pedals.
The RM6,000 Navi DVD Package includes a 6.5-inch DVD head unit with navigation, reverse camera, iPod connectivity, USB and Bluetooth, while the RM7,000 Navi with Internet Package (shown above) comes with the abovementioned Internet-enabled unit, which is different set from the RM6k Navi DVD unit. Both packages come with leather seats and door cards plus Solar Gard Armorcoat tinting.
Speaking of those, should you just want leather, it’s a RM1,800 upgrade. Ala carte prices for the tint are RM950 for Solar Gard, RM1,400 for Solar Gard Armorcoat and RM2,600 for V-Kool Elite. Want to upgrade from Solar Gard Armorcoat to V-Kool Elite? Just pay the RM1,200 difference.
Lastly, the Nismo stuff. If you want just the looks, the Nismo Aero Package provides the five-piece bodykit and wheels/tyres for RM9,000, or RM4,500 for just the bodykit alone. The full Nismo Performance Package with suspension and exhaust, plus “special edition” floor mats, wing mirrors and aero fins, will set one back RM14,000. For a full and clearer view of specs and options, head over to the Almera page on CarBase.my.
Five colours are available – Bronze Gold, Tungsten Silver, Diamond Black, Brilliant White and Graphite Blue. All but the white are metallic colours. The blue, similar to that on the Grand Livina and Serena S-Hybrid, is new for the Almera and replaces grey.
