Nissan NP300 Navara order books now open – six variants offered, estimated prices from RM85k

Order books for the all-new Nissan NP300 Navara are now open, ladies and gents! The new ‘Mother Trucker’ arrives in Malaysia in two body styles with single and double cab models presented – the latter body style is offered in five trim levels with either a choice of a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission.
As expected, the range kicks off with the single cab model, seen here in only a sole grade. On the outside, the single cab Nissan NP300 Navara is differentiated from the rest of its siblings via its 16-inch steel wheels and lack of rear spoiler and roof rails. Also missing on the single cab model are the multi-link rear suspension with coil springs – said feature is only available on the double cab variants.
The single cab Nissan NP300 Navara also misses out on the full suite of safety features adopted by its more expensive siblings – said variant only receives two airbags. Moving on to the interior, it gets vinyl-covered seats and a base audio system with four speakers with radio and CD, MP3 compatibility.
Under the bonnet, all models are equipped with the same 2.5 litre YD25DDTi four-cylinder turbodiesel engine. With that said, only the top-spec double cab VL model gets the 190 PS/450 Nm rating – the rest of the range is powered by a detuned unit which puts out 163 PS at 3,600 rpm and 403 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm.


The double cab range is comprised of five different grades with the E variant kicking things off, followed by the SE (MT), SE (AT), V and finally the range-topping VL model. On the E variant, it receives the same 16-inch steel wheels as the single cab model – it is, however, equipped with a rear spoiler. Like the single cab model and the SE (MT), the E-spec Navara is equipped with a six-speed manual only.
On the inside, it gets the Teana-esque zero gravity-inspired seats trimmed in fabric as well as a double-DIN head unit with six speakers and USB, AUX and MP3 compatibility. Safety wise, the E variant mirrors the single cab model in that it is only equipped with dual airbags.
Moving on to the SE (MT) variant, it receives 16-inch alloys and adds on the full suite of safety kit. As such, one gets dual airbags, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), traction control, Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS), hill start assist and hill descent control. Everything else is as per NP300 Navara Grade E. The same can be said about the SE (AT) which, obviously, gets the seven-speed auto.
Next up is the V variant. Said second-in-command to the VL is exclusively equipped with the seven-speed automatic transmission, a multi-function steering wheel, i-Key with push-start button and a five-inch display with six speakers and the AUX, MP3 and USB connectivity. Also, a reverse camera makes an appearance onwards from the V model.


Finally, the VL model is the one to get all the bells and whistles, both inside and out. On the exterior, it is equipped with LED headlamps replete with LED daytime running lights (every other variant gets halogen lamps), roof rails and 18-inch wheels, wrapped in 255/60 tyres. The seven-speed auto is to be found here. As mentioned earlier, the VL model is the only one to possess a total of 190 PS and 450 Nm of twist.
Inside, it retains whatever is to be found in the V model but adds on leather-wrapped seats and an eight-way power adjustable driver’s seat with two-way lumbar support. Naturally, the flagship variant is equipped with the full platter of safety features as found on every other variant bar the E and single cab models.
Four colours are offered – Savanna Orange, Tungsten Silver, Diamond Black and Brilliant White. Estimated prices for the new Nissan NP300 Navara begin at RM85,000 for the single cab model. The double cab variants are priced roughly from RM95,000 for the E model and up to around RM125,000 for the VL flagship.

Nissan Patrol Nismo revealed – 5.6L V8 with 428 hp!

The Nissan Patrol Nismo has been revealed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) – said tricked-out SUV was unveiled at an event to mark the introduction of the Japanese carmaker’s performance division in the Middle East and is to be sold exclusively in the region. Aside from the “race-inspired” Patrol, models such as the Nissan GT-R Nismo and 370Z Nismo will also go on sale in the region.
Exterior enhancements on the exterior include the addition of a Nismo bodykit and massive 22-inch Rays forged alloy wheels. Said bodykit includes a revised front bumper with a larger air intake, replete with red highlights, more aggressive side skirts and a restyled rear bumper with a diffuser-like element.
Inside, the seats are now trimmed in black and white leather with diamond stitching. Additionally, red highlights are to be found peppered along the upholstery while a bright red Nismo rev counter further builds on the sporty ambience. Two screens embedded into the front headrests provide extra entertainment.

Under the bonnet, the 5.6 litre V8 petrol engine now puts out a total of 428 hp – a raise of 28 hp over the standard variant. Though Nismo has refused to quote the exact torque figures, changes to the engine have resulted in a beefier torque spread across 70% of the rev range. For reference, the regular Patrol has a total of 560 Nm of torque. Power is transmitted to all four corners via an automatic transmission.
The performance arm of Nissan also touts improved levels of handling thanks to a Nismo-tuned suspension setup that is comprised of Bilstein shock absorbers. Additionally, body reinforcements have resulted in much quicker and more precise steering response, so says Nismo.

SPIED: Nissan NP300 Navara spotted undisguised!

The public will be able to view the new Nissan NP300 Navara in full at roadshows starting next Thursday, but it appears the new pick-up truck is already making the rounds on the roads fully undisguised – as seen by reader Shawn Loong, who sent us these pictures. Thanks!
As you can see, this is the top-spec VL variant, which features LED projector headlights with boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights, 18-inch machined-finish alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. This particular unit is painted in the international hero Savanna Orange hue, which pretty much confirms it as one of the colours that will be offered here.
Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has confirmed provisional specs – the D23 NP300 will use an improved version of the current D40 Navara‘s YD25 2.5 litre diesel with common-rail direct injection and variable geometry turbocharging, producing 190 PS and 450 Nm. It’s mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode – a six-speed manual gearbox should also be on the cards, at least on lower-end variants.
Under the skin, the Malaysian-spec NP300 utilises a multi-link rear suspension with coil springs – a first for the pick-up segment – for improved ride comfort, although it retains a tough, durable solid rear axle.

Elsewhere, kit bandied about includes the ultra-comfortable zero gravity-inspired seats (first seen on the Teana), keyless entry, push-button ignition, a multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone automatic climate control and rear seat air vents.
Safety-wise, the NP300 Navara will feature Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), traction control, four-wheel Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC). In certain markets, the truck is available with up to seven airbags (including one for the driver’s knee), so here’s hoping we’ll get the whole lot too, at least on higher-end models.
As mentioned, interested members of the public will be able to take a closer look at the NP300 Navara soon, as it will be on display at Nissan roadshows around the country from October 15 to November 22. They can also visit the official website to register their interest and receive a test drive invite, as well as view Nissan’s pick-up heritage stretching back 80 years.
Of course, we’re plenty familiar with the Nissan NP300 Navara; last year, we not only covered the international launch in Bangkok, but also drove the truck in Chiang Mai – you can read on how it fared here. As always, we’ll update you with the latest information on Nissan’s new pick-up as soon as we have it.

SPIED: Nissan Sentra / Sylphy to get midlife facelift

We know it as the Nissan Sylphy in Malaysia, while in other parts of the world, the C-segment sedan is called the Pulsar (Australia) and Sentra (USA). Here, we see a Sentra mule with covered front and rear ends, hinting that a midlife facelift is just around the corner.
It was said that the B17 is going to be totally redesigned for this facelift, but we can now confirm that the sides will remain unchanged save for perhaps the wings that connect with the new and sharper headlamps. There should be a new V-motion grille under there too – could we be seeing a new front look like that from the European Pulsar hatchback?
The fully undisguised rear lights have rearranged elements while the rear bumpers seems only a tad more curvy than before. It remains to be seen if the 1.8 litre MRA8DE engine with 130 hp and 174 Nm will soldier on. Nissan’s Xtronic CVT surely will.
The US market Sentra could transform to be sportier, following the path of the latest Maxima and Altima facelift, but the new look may not reach our shores, as it’s common for North America to receive sportier looks than the rest of the world. That’s generally the case with Toyota as well.

Nissan NP300 Navara coming to Malaysia in Nov 2015

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has announced that the hotly-awaited Nissan NP300 Navara is coming soon – the all-new 12th generation of Nissan’s small pick-up truck is set to make its way into Malaysia as soon as next month.
Provisional specs have also been confirmed; as expected, the D23 NP300 will make use of an improved version of the current D40 Navara‘s YD25 2.5 litre diesel with common-rail direct injection and variable geometry turbocharging, producing 190 PS and 450 Nm. It’s mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode – a six-speed manual gearbox should also be on the cards, at least on lower-end variants.
Under the skin, the Malaysian-spec NP300 utilises a multi-link rear suspension with coil springs – a first for the pick-up segment – for improved ride comfort, although it retains a tough, durable solid rear axle.

Elsewhere, kit bandied about includes LED headlights with boomerang-shaped LED daytime running lights, a rear spoiler, the ultra-comfortable zero gravity-inspired seats (first seen on the Teana), 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button ignition, a multi-function steering wheel, Bluetooth connectivity, dual-zone automatic climate control and rear seat air vents.
Safety-wise, the NP300 Navara will feature Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), traction control, four-wheel Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC). In certain markets, the truck is available with up to seven airbags (including one for the driver’s knee), so here’s hoping we’ll get the whole lot too, at least on higher-end models.

Interested members of the public will be able to take a closer look at the NP300 Navara soon, as it will be on display at Nissan roadshows around the country from October 15 to November 22. They can also visit the official website to register their interest and receive a test drive invite, as well as view Nissan’s pick-up heritage stretching back 80 years.
Of course, we’re plenty familiar with the Nissan NP300 Navara; last year, we not only covered the international launch in Bangkok, but also drove the truck in Chiang Mai – you can read on how it fared here. As always, we’ll update you with the latest information on Nissan’s new pick-up as soon as we have it.

Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo – hot in red

Remember the outrageous Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo Nissan showed off earlier this year at the Goodwood Festival of Speed? The Japanese manufacturer has splashed on a new coat of “Fire Knight” red paint on the car just in time for the 44th Tokyo Motor Show, happening at the end of this month.
Originally intended to showcase Nissan’s “unreal” potential for the virtual world, the Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo has been available for gamers to drive in the racing video game, Gran Turismo 6, since June this year.
Instead of spending countless hours designing a new tool just to take cracks at virtual lap records, it is widely believed that the concept put forward by Nissan Design Europe with the assistance of engineers from the Nissan Technical Centre in Atsugi, Japan, is as good an official preview as it gets of the next-generation R36 Nissan GT-R.
You could argue that it’s all very dramatic to look at, but look closely and there are design elements here that you may want to take note of for future reference. These include the use of Nissan’s signature V-motion bar on the front grille, wraparound windscreen design, twin bonnet vents, giant rear wing, and the GT-R’s signature quad round taillights.
If in fact the next-gen GT-R ends up looking anything like this, it just might be one to properly rattle the Italian heavyweights. Don’t you think so?

Nissan Teatro for Dayz to debut at Tokyo Motor Show

Making its premier at the 2015 Tokyo Motor Show, will be the Teatro for Dayz, a car designed for the digital generation or “share natives.” According to Nissan, the concept EV is billed as a “giant mobile battery” made for the young social media generation. The Teatro name basically means “theatre” in Italian. While no exact travel range has been specified, Nissan says that the EV has an “ample driving range” for short commutes.
Outside, the Teatro for Dayz comes in a squarish design. Furthermore, it receives Nissan’s signature V motion grille and headlamps. The exterior gets a combination satin white silver and full gloss white paint job. Down the front, it has a rounded bumper and roof, with wheels extended to the outer corners. Additionally, it comes fitted with LED screens around the car to enable “self expression” by its owners.
Also onboard are cameras which can be found both in and outside of the vehicle. The purpose of the cameras are to allow drivers to “share experiences instantly.” According to Nissan, the Teatro for Dayz was designed for young people who have no interest in cars but whose lives require them to be connected.

Inside is where the seemingly plain white interior of the Teatro for Dayz has the most appeal; it features solid white seats a futuristic steering wheel and two pedals – simplistic it seems, but not quite so. Called the “Future canvas” interior concept – part of Nissan’s “clean concept,” the seats, headrests, door trim and instrument panel is basically a “moving screen,” – all of which can be customised by the driver.
In addition to that, the interior has voice control and motion sensors which control the air conditioning and audio systems, while there are no knobs and switches on the dashboard. When in drive mode, the meters, controls and car navigation is displayed on the white instrument panel – it goes blank when it is parked. Nissan also says that the interior allows for gaming together with top-quality sound.

Nissan Navara owners share thoughts on their trucks

Six proud Nissan Navara owners were invited for a special interview session held by Tan Chong recently. The group was welcomed to share their experiences after having owned and lived with the D40 Nissan Navara for some years now. Also, to emphasise Nissan’s 80-year truck heritage, a classic Datsun GB120 and its owner was also present.
Richard Lum, an interior contractor and first-time truck owner, admitted that although the Navara wasn’t his first choice, eventually when he did settle on it, he had no regrets. “The commonrail diesel engine is very powerful,” Lum said. The 37-year old uses his vehicle for both work and leisure and in total, he has clocked in 180,000 kms on his Navara to date.
Having driven the truck to Thailand and back, he commented, “on the highway it is very stable.” Lum noted that the Navara was very reliable, having had no serious issues so far. He did say one of the downsides about owning a truck in general was the maintenance costs, “basically, the parts are on the high side compared to a normal sedan,” he said. In addition to that, he found the Navara to be a little too low compared to the competition.

Nurul Hakim, a business manager and a mother of four found the Navara to be “very practical”. She uses her truck to transport cargo as well as long-distance travel between Kedah and JB. Hakim, 33, says that her truck is solely for on-road use only, and has yet to try to venture off the beaten path. She also added that having previously owned a truck from a different brand, she found the Navara to have lesser problems.
Chan Kok Wai, a parts dealer, owned a Nissan Frontier before upgrading to a Nissan Navara SE. He has made minor modifications to his truck including a lid cover that can be lifted up to store axles, gearboxes and even engines. Chan, 39, not only uses his truck as a workhorse travelling between Perak, Terangganu and JB, but for leisure trips including camping and fishing. In total, he has clocked 300,000 kms. “It doesn’t feel like a truck, it feels like a sedan,” he said.
An adventurer at heart, Hassan Abdullah, 59, who prior to this owned a Nissan Frontier as well. Clocking in over 600,000 kms in total he’s travelled into most countries within the Indochina region. His latest trip after upgrading to a Navara was Thailand and then Laos. “Sometimes we go in a group, about 10 or 15 cars, it always ends up that the Navara is the most economical among all,” he said.

Jeff Yap, has modified his extensively. His hulk of a Navara is painted in green with the words “HULK” on his windscreen. His inspiration came from a modified Navara in South Africa, one he saw on the internet. A loyal customer to Nissan, Yap has owned two Sentras and a Nissan Terrano. The hulking truck has tweaks done to the engine, 15-inch rims wrapped with extreme off-road tyres. The next modification would be a new transmission imported from the US, according to Yap.
Student Maikel Sudharshn, owns a 1974 Datsun GB120 truck. The 22-year old, has spent over RM30k restoring the classic. Ordering “new old” stock parts inclusive of the new engine directly from Nissan Japan. A true classic truck enthusiast, Sudharshn’s GB120 won the Best Pick-up award at the 2015 Art of Speed.
With mostly positive comments at the interview, it looks like the twelfth-generation Nissan Navara will be a much-anticipated arrival. Already launched in Thailand, and recently spotted in Malaysia, we’re expecting it to make headlines quite soon, so stay tuned! In any case, we’ve driven it, read our test-drive report.

Nissan NP300 Navara brochure appears; launch soon?

With Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) indicating a local launch for the 2015 Nissan NP300 Navara to take place next month, it should come as no surprise that we have managed to obtain a brochure detailing said pick-up truck. Firstly, we can now confirm that the new Navara will be offered in a sole double-cab body style.
Also, the 2.5 litre YD25DDTi four-cylinder turbodiesel mill pumps out a total of 190 PS at 3,600 rpm and 450 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm. More importantly, the brochure also states that the new Nissan NP300 Navara will be equipped with a seven-speed automatic transmission with manual mode – a first in its class in Malaysia.
Other class firsts include the addition of LED headlamps with daytime running lights (DRLs), Nissan Teana-esque zero gravity-inspired seats, rear air-con vents and multi-link live axle rear suspension. Aside from that, other goodies highlighted in the brochure include an ‘Intelligent Key’ with push-start capabilities, 18-inch alloy wheels, Advance Drive Assist Display (ADAD) and automatic dual-zone climate control.

Click to enlarge brochure. As for safety kit, the Nissan NP300 Navara is equipped with Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), four-wheel active brake limited slip (ABLS) and traction control – no mention on how many airbags the new truck will arrive with, though. Also present in the Navara are hill start assist (HSA) and hill descent control (HDC).
Interested parties would be glad to know that a quick check on Nissan Malaysia’s website will reveal the full list of locations for a roadshow on the new Nissan NP300 Navara. The campaign kicks off this October in the central region before making its way throughout the country and ending in East Malaysia in November.
So while we wait for more news revolving the new ‘Mother Trucker’, why don’t you hang back and take a detailed look at the truck in a gallery post here or read our review of the Nissan NP300 Navara in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Alternatively, you can also read what six owners have to say about their trusty workhorses here.

Nissan GT-R still has “potential” for upgrades – report

In an interview with Top Gear UK, it was revealed by Nissan’s head of product planning, Phillipe Klein, that the current-generation R35 Nissan GT-R still possessed a fair amount of “development potential” despite its already prodigious performance in both regular and Nismo trims.
“You know, it’s a never ending quest,” said Klein on just how far the company thinks it can push the boundaries of the current R35 model. “When you see what we have done with the GT-R Nismo, it’s an interesting development, I do believe,” he added. The keyword from that statement is ‘development’ – the shocker comes when one scans through the spec sheet of the Nissan GT-R Nismo.
Currently, said flagship GT-R variant is powered by an upgraded biturbo 3.8 litre V6 engine with 600 hp and 652 Nm of torque. Said mill is coupled to a six-speed dual-clutch transmission which, in turn, is responsible for sending all that grunt to all four corners of the car. The raft of upgrades over the regular GT-R has allowed the Nismo model to record a Nurburgring lap time of just 7:08.679.
As for the next-gen GT-R, it is understood that the car is still several years away from hitting the showroom floor. With that said, Nissan is taking the development of the car very seriously. “The GT-R is a halo model for us which not only contributes to the business but also to the image of the company,” said Klein.
When it does debut, expect the new GT-R to feature a radical departure from the R35 in terms of its aesthetics. Reports are already indicating that the new car will be heavily inspired by the Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo (pictured above). Under the bonnet, speculations are running rife that the all-new car will be powered by a hybrid powertrain similar to the one employed in the GT-R LM Nismo race car.
While the race machine is equipped with as much as 1,500 hp, the road-going model should record a power figure that could hover about the 700 hp-mark. Other information divulged also states that the new car will still be front-engined while a four-door GT-R is a definite no-go. “The GT-R is a very closed concept,” said Klein. “When you have these kinds of assets, you are not trying to dilute the asset.”

RTI-GAP insurance now available in Malaysia for Nissan cars from TCIBS and AXA Affin GI

Tan Chong Insurance Business Stream (TCIBS) and AXA Affin General Insurance today launched the availability of RTI-GAP Insurance for Nissan cars in Malaysia.
RTI-GAP basically means Return to Invoice-Guaranteed Asset Protection. This type of insurance is actually pretty common and sometimes even mandatory to be purchased in first world countries, but we’re only just seeing it introduced in Malaysia this year.
This type of insurance basically ensures that you won’t have any problems covering your outstanding hire purchase loan if your Nissan is stolen or is declared a total loss because of damage. It also helps you easily replace your car with another Nissan of similiar value.

Let’s say you bought your Nissan at RM80,000 and after three years the value drops to RM50,000. If something happens to the car at that point of time, you will only be reimbursed the market value of RM50,000 by your motor insurance. And if you still owe the bank RM60,000 at that point of time, you will have to fork out RM10,000 extra to pay off your hire purchase loan.
This is where RTI-GAP insurance comes in. It will pay the difference between the market value and the original purchase price. This means you will get a payout of RM30,000 which is the difference between the RM50,000 market value and the RM80,000 original purchase price. You can then use RM10,000 for the difference in hire purchase outstanding and RM20,000 to pay for the downpayment of a new Nissan to replace the one that was declared a loss.
You are allowed to buy RTI-GAP insurance for up to 5 years but in Nissan’s case, you are already protected for your first year under the “Nissan for Nissan” scheme if you buy your motor insurance through TCIBS. This means you have the option of buying coverage for the 2nd year up to the 5th year.
Here are some sample premium rates for an RM80,000 car, excluding 6% GST.

This premium is only payable one time upon purchasing the car so think of it like an “MRTA”. Tan Chong says they are also working to see if they can bundle the premium under the hire purchase loan. If you buy coverage for three years and sell the car before the three years are up, you can get a refund on the balance coverage period.
The maximum applicable purchase price that can be insured under RTI-GAP is RM385,000 and the maximum benefits payable is RM115,000. RTI-GAP insurance is only applicable for private registration cars.

Nissan Altima facelift revealed; Teana to get revamp?

It’s now three years since the L33 Nissan Altima, better known to us as the Nissan Teana, has been on sale in the United States, so in comes the facelift for the 2016 model year. Nissan’s stalwart D-segment sedan gets a heavily-revised look, an upgraded interior and several measures to improve refinement and handling; whether these will translate to the Teana or remain US-specific remains to be seen.
Outside, the Altima trades the old fluid, organic styling for a much harder-edged look inspired by the new Maxima. At the front, the previous hourglass-shaped “kamishimo” grille has been replaced by an imposing new V-Motion item, flanked by revised boomerang-shaped headlights – LED units with daytime running lights are available as an option.
To fit the new mask, the bonnet and front fenders have also been reshaped, with the former getting deeper definition across the top surface. The bumper is also new, with V-shaped lines flowing into the centre air intake, mirroring the large new grille. The selection of wheels has also increased with new machine-finished 17- and 18-inch alloys.

More big changes in store for the rear – the broader tail lights now cut into the bootlid, emphasising the width of the car, while the bumper gets a more aggressive look with a black diffuser-like insert. Together with the new active grille shutter, underfloor aero cover additions and revised windscreen, the redesign cuts the drag coefficient figure from 0.29 Cd to 0.26 Cd.
Step inside and you’ll find a new retrimmed centre console and transmission tunnel, although the switchgear itself appears to have been mostly carried over. The fabulous Zero Gravity front seats – which we also get in our Teana, and provide impressive support, even over long distances – remains standard on all models.
Engines and transmissions have been carried over unchanged from the outgoing model. In the US, the range starts with the familiar QR25DE 2.5 litre naturally-aspirated petrol four-pot delivering 182 hp and 244 Nm (ours makes a bit less, at 171 hp and 234 Nm).

Nissan quotes fuel consumption of 8.7 litres per 100 km in the city and 6.0 litres per 100 km on the highway – the latter is a 0.2 litre per 100 km improvement from before, thanks to the 10% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency, a higher compression ratio (from 10.0:1 to 10.3:1), reduced internal engine friction and an optimised oil pump. Combined, 2.5 litre models achieve 7.6 litres per 100 km.
A step above that is the venerable VQ35DE 3.5 litre V6 that develops 270 hp and 340 Nm. Fuel consumption is rated at 10.7 litres per 100 km in the city, 7.4 litres per 100 km on the highway and 9.0 litres per 100 km combined. Whichever engine you choose, it’ll be mated to an Xtronic CVT, now with third-generation D-step Shift logic for a more responsive acceleration feel.
Under the new skin, there’s a revised structure that’s lighter than before, and makes increased use of high-strength steel, particularly around the A- and B-pillars. There’s also a new acoustic windscreen, added soundproofing, new engine mounts and a larger centre muffler for reduced NVH.

The chassis has also been upgraded with new shock absorbers, rear springs and bushings for more dynamic handling, while a remapped hydraulic power steering valve improves steering feedback and feel. The four-wheel disc brake system has also been recalibrated for improved stopping performance (especially in the wet), and brake feel has also been improved.
New for 2016 is a sportier SR variant for both 2.5 and 3.5 litre models, which adds smoked headlights, larger 18-inch wheels, a rear bootlid spoiler, blue interior stitching, paddle shifters for the seven virtual ratios and a more aggressive suspension setup with larger anti-roll bars and revised damping; the latter results in a more than 20% drop in body roll.
Safety-wise, the 2016 Altima adds a number of optional active safety features, including Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW), radar-based Blind Spot Warning (BSW) with Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) on SV and SL models, and Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) as part of the SL Tech Package.

SPIED: Is this a new B-segment Nissan on test?

Our spy photographers managed to spot this strange looking test mule that is using some derivative of a Nissan Note body in Southern Europe. From the pictures, it looks like it has shorter rear doors and a wider track. It has French-registered number plates, and was apparently seen coming out of a Renault test garage.
So, what exactly is the story with this vehicle? Some quarters are suggesting that it could it be a prototype for a small car platform that may spawn cars like the next-gen Renault Clio or Nissan Micra.
As we reported earlier, there are plans for a new Nissan Micra based on the Nissan Sway concept, and since the collaboration between Nissan and Renault is quite close, especially with the Renault-Nissan CMF modular architecture, what we could be seeing here is a Nissan Micra based on the CMF-B platform.

Since it’s a bit too early for a Renault Clio refresh (it has not even gone through its mid-life facelift), it will be an educated guess that this could be a test mule of the Micra. Based on our earlier article, Trevor Mann, chief performance officer at Nissan Europe, said that the Micra will get a boost in terms of quality, with a more serious look and discard its bubbly design. More importantly, it will also be bigger in size.
If the Nissan Micra does move up in size, would it be formidable enough to take on more established models like the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo? Well, only time will tell.

Nissan to focus on crossovers, electric cars in Europe

Nissan, the top-selling Asian brand in Europe, has reinforced its European growth strategy and confirmed its commitment to be the most desirable Asian car manufacturer by the year 2020. Central to the cause are crossovers, electric vehicles (EVs) and autonomous drive technology.
With the launch of nine new models in Europe since the beginning of 2014, Nissan’s European sales totalled 501,150 units in the first eight months of 2015, an increase of 9% versus the same period last year.
The Nissan Qashqai is doing very well – the 500,000th unit recently rolled off the production line in Sunderland, UK in just 21 months. Since production commenced in January 2014, records show that a Qashqai is built every 62 seconds with 20% of the total delivered to customers within the UK.

Nissan showed off the Gripz Concept in Frankfurt – will it be another crossover winner for the brand? Renault’s Japanese partner says that the record growth stems from the company’s focus on new segments and high-growth markets, with localised production and investment allowing it to respond quickly and capitalise on market opportunities across the region.
“Nissan’s commitment to bold design, great quality, and accessible technology is demonstrated here today with the release of the stunning new Gripz Concept that will reinvent the compact crossover segment. In recent years, we’ve completely redefined what Nissan means for our customers. We have a track record of bringing the ‘best to the most’ – first,” said Paul Willcox, chairman of Nissan Europe.
On the EV front, Nissan gave the renewed 2016 Leaf its motor show debut at Frankfurt. The pioneering electric car packs in a new battery to boast 25% improved range of 250 km. Nissan has sold 185,000 units of the Leaf globally, and it’s the best-selling battery-powered car in town.
Meanwhile, the company is committed to bringing autonomous cars to market by 2020, with a differentiated offering built on simplicity, safety and accessibility.

ETCM reminds Nissan owners over recall of Takata airbag inflators on T30 X-Trail, J31 Teana, M12 Liberty

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has issued a reminder regarding the nationwide recall of faulty front passenger Takata airbag inflator modules, affecting a total 12,444 units of the T30 Nissan X-Trail CKD, J31 Nissan Teana CBU and M12 Nissan Liberty CBU. The local Nissan distributor is urging owners to have their cars inspected at the nearest Tan Chong Express Auto Service Centre (TCEAS) outlet.
The breakdown includes 12,420 units of the aforementioned T30 X-Trail CKD made between May 1 2002 to March 2007 and four units of the J31 Nissan Teana CBU assembled between August 2004 to the month of September 2004. As for the M12 Nissan Liberty CBU, a total of 20 units made in the year 2003 are affected.

Customers will be notified by ETCM to bring in their respective vehicles to have the faulty airbag inflator replaced, but some current owners may need to find out for themselves if their vehicles are involved in the recall, as ownership may have changed over the years. Additionally, those who have previously checked the status of their cars are required to validate their vehicles again due to a system reclassification.
Individuals with questions are advised to contact ETCM at through its toll-free hotline, 1800 88 3838, or visit www.nissan.com.my (listed in the “Service Campaign” section, under the “Owners” tab) for additional information.

Nissan Gripz Concept – Z sports crossover made real?

It looks as though the earlier report, incredulous as it seemed at first, was indeed real. Nissan appears to actually be turning its hallowed Fairlady Z sports car into a performance crossover, and is previewing it with the Nissan Gripz Concept (earlier thought to presage the Juke’s replacement) at the upcoming 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show to test the enthusiast water.
According to the brand, the show car was inspired by the 240Z rally cars that won the East African Safari Rally in 1971 and 1973, as is apparent by the two-tone red and bare carbon colour scheme in this teaser. It’s supposedly also inspired by road-racing bicycles – that bit’s not so apparent. Elsewhere, the Gripz is fairly reminiscent of the Juke, with slim arrow-shaped upper headlights and a deep, prominent “V-Motion” grille.
The previous report by Autocar UK suggested that the production version of the Gripz will be priced significantly lower than the 370Z it replaces in the Z-car lineup, slotting just under the Qashqai/X-Trail in the Nissan range when it arrives in 18 months. It’s said to be built on the new Renault-Nissan CMF-B architecture shared with the next March and Juke, powered by a 1.6 litre turbo engine – likely the Juke Nismo’s mill.

Frankfurt 2015: Nissan Gripz Concept finally debuts

The Nissan Gripz Concept has finally made its debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. If warnings bells are going off in your head at the name of the concept crossover, we’re here to confirm the “bad” news for you, unfortunately. In an earlier report, the replacement model for the 370Z was said to adopt the form of a crossover instead of a compact coupe previewed by the Nissan iDX concept twins.
True enough, the Nissan Gripz Concept has been billed as a “sporty compact crossover for a new, younger generation.” Inspired by the “classic desert rally cars and racing bicycles,” the crossover features a pretty radical design theme with the front of the car dominated by a bold V-motion grille. Said grille gets flanked by boomerang-shaped headlights.

In profile, Nissan’s “emotionalgeometry” design language is further emphasised by the adoption of a floating roof and three-spoke 22-inch wheels wrapped in specially-designed Bridgestone rubber. At the rear, “a dramatic truncated matt-black Kamm tail” is said to provide a ‘codatronca’ effect while twin trapezoidal exhaust outlets help complete the edgy, aggressive styling of the Nissan Gripz Concept.
As for exact tech specs, Nissan has chosen to remain mum on the figures. What we do know is that the concept is equipped with the marque’s Pure Drive e-Power hybrid system. Said system is comprised of a petrol engine that is employed to power the exact same electric motor found in the Nissan Leaf. The system is said to deliver “smooth, swift and linear acceleration in near-silence, with supreme efficiency.”

Access to the 2+2 interior is made all the more easier via the use of front doors that swing up and away as well as rear-hinged rear doors – the setup completely negates the need for a B-pillar. Inside, the colour scheme mirrors that of the exterior with plenty of matte grey and orange-red highlights to be found.
The design of the centre console and moulded bucket seats are said to be inspired by the Tour de France event as it features exposed tubes and “layered features” that mimic “the cladding effect found on the exterior.” Like the Nissan Sway Concept, the Gripz Concept features the ‘Gliding Wing’ instrument panel.

2016 Nissan Leaf gets 25% extra range, now 250 km

Nissan’s signature Leaf EV has been updated to boast 25% more range thanks to a new battery, extra interior equipment and minor exterior enhancements, which include a roof-mounted aerial and a new bronze paint scheme.
The big news is the bump in range, from the previous 200 km to 250 km (NEDC) for a single charge. “The Leaf, the best-selling EV in the world, just got even better. And up to 250 km opens the world of EV to thousands of drivers across Europe who before just weren’t completely confident that an EV would work for them,” said Paul Willcox, chairman of Nissan Europe.
The boost in range is thanks to a new 30 kW battery (24 kW before) which sees the introduction of carbon, nitrogen and magnesium to the electrodes and a change in the cell layouts. Despite the added performance, the battery pack’s dimensions remain the same, and weight is up by just 21 kg.

The remote NissanConnect EV system replaces the old Carwings setup. It has been simplified and redesigned. On top of a revised navigation system, maintenance alert and car-finder facility, it now comes with a charging map that notifies drivers which charging points are available and which are occupied.
The system also comes with a capacitive seven-inch touchscreen. With a new interface, it lets the user zoom in to maps and browse through menus by swiping, as one would on their smartphone. Being able to check charge status or pre-heat/cool the cabin without using battery energy is useful.
The newly refreshed 2016 Nissan Leaf starts from £24,490 (RM162,644) for the Acenta trim and £27,940 (RM185,556) for the Tekna variant in the UK. Older 24 kW Leaf variants (Visia, Acenta and Tekna) will still be available.

Nissan Qashqai hits 500,000-unit mark in 21 months!

The 500,000th Nissan Qashqai has rolled off the production line at the Japanese carmaker’s Sunderland plant in a record-breaking time of just 21 months since assembly commenced. As a result, the second-generation compact crossover now holds the record for the fastest time taken for a UK-built vehicle to hit the half million milestone – beating out the previous holder, the Austin/Morris 1100/1300, which took 29 months.
“The Nissan Qashqai is going from strength to strength,” commented Nissan Europe chairman, Paul Willcox. “Half a million Qashqais in just 21 months is an astonishing achievement and proof that the Qashqai is hitting the spot with buyers,” he added. Since production commenced in January 2014, records show that a Qashqai is built every 62 seconds with 20% of the total delivered to customers within the UK itself.
Globally, production of the Nissan Qashqai has topped 2.5 million units. Also, a plant in St. Petersburg, Russia is expected to commence production of the Nissan Qashqai in the near future – units assembled at said facility will be destined for local consumption only.

Unveiled in 2014, the second-gen Nissan Qashqai is based on the CMF platform developed by Renault-Nissan. Looking very much the third-generation Nissan X-Trail, the crossover is also wider than its predecessor by 20 mm as well as being longer (an increase of 49 mm). However, it sits closer to the ground by being 15 mm lower than the first-generation model.
Two petrol and a two diesel engines are offered. Beginning with the petrol mills, a 1.2 litre DIG-T engine with 115 PS and 190 Nm, a larger 1.6 litre DIG-T powerplant with 150 PS and 240 Nm sits alongside. As for the oil burners, 1.5 litre dCi with 110 PS is offered along with a 1.6 litre dCi with 130 PS.

Nissan Juke Mk2 concept to debut at Frankfurt 2015

Nissan has just dropped a teaser photo of a crossover concept that it will be exhibiting at the upcoming 2015 Frankfurt show. Since the X-Trail, Qashqai and Murano have all been renewed not too long ago, we think this previews the next generation Nissan Juke, the car that started the B-segment crossover craze back in 2010.
The concept takes on design traits from all modern Nissans such as the arrow-shaped headlamps and the V-Motion front grille. The production car will arrive in 2016. Nissan just announced a £100 million investment a few days ago for the Juke to be built at the company’s Sunderland plant in the UK.
Stay tuned for our upcoming Frankfurt 2015 coverage for more details.

Nissan NV200 is officially NYC’s ‘Taxi of Tomorrow’

Already a hit on the streets of London, the “Taxi of Tomorrow” continues to make headlines – this time in the Big Apple. The little minivan is now New York’s official taxi. That said, Nissan will be facing a new challenge this time round, according to the New York Times.
In a busy metropolis known for its yellow cabs that usually come in the form of a Ford Crown Victoria, the Nissan NV200 will face an uphill challenge in getting taxi drivers to switch from their ageing taxis over to the yellow minivan. More drivers are reportedly going with ridesharing app Uber.
At this moment in time, only 750 NV200 taxis roam the New York streets, out of a total 13,000 cabs. However, the number should be moving up the scale fast as 3,000 cab drivers normally replace their vehicles annually. Some 80% of taxis in NYC are expected to be Nissan NV200s, with the remaining being hybrids or wheelchair-accessible models.

Passengers in NYC who have sat in the NV200 have been reportedly deeply impressed by the transparent roof panels and the availability of USB charging ports for their mobile devices. However, some felt that the NV200 did not have enough headroom, was “ugly” and ruined the “stereotypical image” of New York’s iconic yellow cabs.
As for the drivers themselves, overall feedback has been positive, with some complimenting the ergonomic seats. That’s not to say that there have not been negative feedback though. The wheelchair-accessible feature in some of the NV200s are reported to be adding on too much weight – leading to worn out tyres.

Nissan Sylphy S Touring Edition unveiled in Japan

Nissan has unveiled a sportier version of its Sylphy sedan in Japan. The Nissan Sylphy S Touring Special Edition, as it’s called, features mainly visual enhancements.
It gets a completely new bumper, one that is shapelier and more aggressive than the standard item. The bars on the grille get a gloss black finish too. The look is completed with matching side skirts, rear bodykit extension, a boot lid spoiler and new 16-inch aluminium wheels.
There are no indications of engine tweaks, so the Sylphy S Touring will still have the same 1.8 litre four-cylinder engine which churns out 129 hp at 6,000 rpm and 174 Nm at 3,600 rpm. An Xtronic CVT transmission sends power to the front wheels, just like the Sylphy we get here in Malaysia.
This isn’t the only sporty Sylphy around, of course, as Australia gets the Pulsar SSS that has a 188 hp/240 Nm 1.6 litre DIG-T turbocharged engine. It’s available with a six-speed manual gearbox too. There’s also the Sylphy Tuned by Impul package available here, which adds a bodykit, bigger wheels and lowered springs.

Nissan Z – next-gen sports car to be a crossover?

File this one under the “take it with a pinch of salt” category, even though it comes from the esteemed pages of Autocar UK. The British publication reports that the iconic Nissan Z sports car will likely become – shock, horror – a crossover in its next iteration, with a design study set to be shown as early as the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show next month.
Nissan has reportedly been exploring a variety of options in replacing the six-year-old 370Z, including a more powerful variation of the same theme, as well as a cheaper, simpler Toyota 86-esque version – the latter was previewed by the iDx twin coupé concepts at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.
It appears, however, that the Japanese brand has changed tack and has settled on an entirely new small crossover bodystyle for the next Z-car, which – as we see it – will only alienate the current faithful. But Nissan apparently believes such a move can still satisfy a large percentage of Z fans whilst broadening the brand to new buyers, given the cachet of the Z badge and the burgeoning crossover market.
Speaking about the need to create an entirely different car from the current 370Z, chief creative officer Shiro Nakamura said, “I feel Z needs more revolution than evolution. I think GT-R has to stay the most high-performance symbol of Nissan technology and Z is a more affordable sports car or a sporty car to get the younger people.”

Senior vice president Trevor Mann agrees: “We do know that Z, as a sub-brand if you like, has high equity. The market is not like it used to be, though, so I think that if you do something, you’ll need to do something which is quite special, to attract the segment.”
If it does indeed come to fruition, a Z crossover would be based on the new Renault-Nissan CMF-B platform that will also underpin the next March and Juke. It would also feature a 1.6 litre turbocharged engine and will be priced significantly lower than the 370Z, with top-of-the-line models retailing around the same ballpark as lower-end variants of the Qashqai/X-Trail. Such a car is expected to come to market within the next 18 months.
The modular architecture was developed with hybrid propulsion in mind, so the Z could incorporate such a setup, utilising an electric motor to drive one of the axles. The magazine believes that this could give some of the capabilities of the GT-R – which delivers astounding performance through a rear-biased four-wheel drive system – while also providing the possibility of some zero-emissions travel.
Coming off the continued success of the Juke, Nissan is said to be aiming for the middle ground between customers who don’t need a large crossover like the Qashqai and X-Trail and those who believe the Juke is too quirky or not sporty enough. It will also provide a vehicle for in-house tuning brand Nismo to expand beyond its current scope. So, what do you guys think of a potential Z crossover – a disaster in the making, or perhaps a runaway success?

GALLERY: Nissan Navara NP300 sets foot in Europe

Mother trucker 2.0 is here, the twelfth-generation Nissan Navara has just arrived on European terrain and it is to make an official debut at the Frankfurt Motorshow on September 15. That said, we’ve received quite a few details of the incoming Navara albeit in NP300 specs.
Nothing you haven’t seen on the outside, since the compact pick-up was first featured in Thailand previously, but how does it look on European roads? Pretty darn good seeing that a lot of lifestyle design cues and character lines have been incorporated onto Nissan’s best-selling pick-up truck. It retains those bulging wheel arches on the exterior and that’s a good thing.
Edges in the front and rear overhangs are now more shapely, sloping upwards while gone is the squarish shape that we’ve grown to love. The front also sports a more SUV-like grille which Nissan calls the V-motion grille while the projector headlamps which now come with LED lights, although still slightly reminiscent of its predecessor’s stretched polygonal shape, it now curves a bit more and inwards into the fenders.

Towards the back, well, the rear lights might be a slight hit-and-miss when the truck is viewed from the side but in full view from the back the new Navara makes up for it thanks to the visual lines on the redesigned tailgate. Up top, it seems the truck now comes standard with roof rails while the high mount lamp now sits smoothly across the top instead of jutting out like the outgoing truck.
Interesting to note, the twelfth-generation truck from Nissan, in dual cab form will now come with multi-link suspensions as opposed to leaf springs, which we are also expected to receive. The five-link rear suspension might provide for a better ride on both terrains – on-road and off. The new suspension layout has made the vehicle lighter than the outgoing truck by a whole 20 kg.
That said, the two-door king cab variant will continue to have leaf springs albeit a revised one that weighs 7 kg less, and in an overslung design instead which will improve rear wheel approach and departure angles by 3.1% and as an additional benefit, road noise is said to be reduced through this new design.

Inside, the D23’s dashboard has a more upmarket appearance than the D40, but that looks like it will be reserved for markets like Europe and the US only so our verdict as to how classy the centre console may be can only be made after it actually reaches our shores. Front seats should be a lot more comfortable now since the old ones have been chucked away to make way for Nissan’s Nasa-inspired, Zero-gravity seats.
To keep the front nice and cool, both driver and front passenger will have the choice to choose their own temperature settings as it now comes with dual-zone climate control. Rear passengers also receives a refreshing treat with new rear air vents. Newly designed backseats to replace the very vertical ones on the eleventh-generation Nissan Navara, now comes as standard.
Tech-wise, the NP300 Navara will receive an Around View Monitor and Forward Emergency Braking or automatic braking feature making the new Navara a lot like an SUV as it will also include with it Cruise Control, Hill Descent Control and Hill-start assist, a keyless entry system and rearview camera would be additional selling points – we hope we can get some of that too.

The tray of the new Navara is now 1,578 mm long which is 67 mm longer than the outgoing truck, while the two-door king cab’s tray measures in at 1,788 mm in length. Towing capacity has also been upped from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg this perhaps can also be attributed to the new turbocharged diesel motors that sits beneath the bonnet, which Nissan claims is 24% more efficient.
It will come in two forms, a new single turbo 2.3 litre dCi diesel engine that makes 160 PS or a twin-turbo unit that generates 190 PS. Also, the new Navara is paired to a new seven-speed automatic transmission with an option for a six-speed manual gearbox, while no changes have been made to the four-wheel drive system.