Nissan Serena S-Hybrid recalled for faulty fuel pressure sensor – CBU units in Malaysia affected

Just a while ago, it was announced that Nissan Motor had announced a recall campaign for the Serena, X-Trail and Juke in Japan over two separate faults concerning the fuel delivery system.
An official statement has been released by Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) stating that CBU units of the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid sold from July 2013 onwards are affected by the recall. The company has initiated a nationwide campaign and will contact respective owners to bring in their cars to re-tighten the fuel pressure sensor – failure to do so could lead to a case of potential fuel leakage.
Owners will not be charged for the service and no replacement parts are necessary. Customers who have purchased the CKD variant of the Serena S-Hybrid are not affected. Individuals with questions regarding the recall campaign may contact the Nissan Customer Care Centre on a toll-free line at 1800-88-3838.

Nissan recalls Serena, X-Trail, Juke – fuel system flaws

Nissan is recalling 247,266 units of the Serena (including S-Hybrid models), X-Trail and Juke in Japan fitted with direct-injected petrol engines over two separate defects in the fuel delivery system.
The first issue concerns the fuel pressure sensor on the fuel rail of both the MR20DD 2.0 litre and MR16DDT 1.6 litre turbo engines, which may have been improperly tightened. As such, the sensor might come loose due to engine vibrations, causing fuel leaks around the mounting point of the sensor.
Cars affected include 212,579 units of the C26 Serena and Serena S-Hybrid manufactured between November 15, 2010 and October 21, 2014, 10,508 units of the T32 X-Trail manufactured between November 22, 2013 and February 27, 2014, as well as 4,990 units of the Juke 1.6 DIG-T manufactured between November 28, 2011 and March 17, 2014.
Additionally, 41,940 units of four-wheel drive C26 Serena models manufactured between November 15, 2010 and October 21, 2014 have also been recalled due to a different issue concerning a defective high-pressure fuel pump. Due to faulty design, moisture in the fuel pipe could freeze in cold climates, possibly clogging up the fuel filter with ice.

In these conditions, the amount of fuel injected might be reduced, causing revs to become unstable and, in worst case scenarios, even stalling the engine while driving.
Nissan service centres in Japan will tighten the fuel pressure sensor to the proper torque, as well as replacing the high-pressure fuel pump with one of a different design.
Sources within Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) have confirmed that Serena S-Hybrid models sold in Malaysia have also been affected with the fuel pressure sensor issue, and we will report back with more details once an official statement has been released.

2015 Nissan GT-R – the R35 gets updated yet again, limited-run 45th Anniversary edition also announced

A year after a facelift was unveiled at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan has announced another set of updates for its mighty R35 – no changes to the VR38DETT powertrain and GR6 DCT ‘box, but the 2015 Nissan GT-R arrives offering significantly improved ride and handling levels.
The automaker says that modifications to the 2014 model year car has resulted in a dramatically improved ride quality, while noise and vibration levels have also been reduced. Modifications to the damper rates of the shock absorbers and the ECU setting have resulted in improved cornering stability, allowing the driver to trace the desired driving line. The alterations also reduce the amount of steering corrections needed on rough roads.
Elsewhere, the composition and inner structure of the tyre has been improved to offer better ride quality as well as stability in both straight-line and uneven road surfaces. The braking system – already improved in the facelift – gets more changes to elements in the system, resulting in improved braking feel from initial bite, better overall brake control and reduced brake noise levels.

In terms of other NVH improvements, there’s new trunk insulation, and both engine and transmission management systems have been retuned. Also revised, the bearings inside the flywheel housing and the car’s steering dynamic damper, the latter to reduce vibration at engine idle.
Four grade variants are available for the 2015 model in its domestic market, the base GT-R as well as Black Edition, Premium Edition and the Track Edition engineered by Nismo, the latter bearing many of the cues found on the GT-R Nismo introduced last year.
The Premium Edition also provides the basis for a limited 45-unit edition called the 45th Anniversary, which will come with a special Silica Brass exterior shade. The colour was previously found on the R34 Skyline GT-R M-Spec from 2001. Dedicated novelties include an exclusive emblem on the lower part of the interior centre cluster and an exclusive model plate number in the engine compartment.

The Great Nissan Buy 1 Win 1 campaign – Round 2

The first round of Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s (ETCM) ‘The Great Nissan Buy 1 Win 1’ campaign concluded recently with the announcement of six customers winning Nissan cars worth more than RM888,888. The campaign was held in conjunction with Tan Chong’s 57th anniversary and the nation’s 57th year of independence.
The lucky winners are Raziff Suhairi bin Shabaan (bought a Teana 2.5XV, won a Serena S-Hybrid), Kelvin Ong Wei Chong (bought an Almera, won a Sylphy 1.8E), Aidasuzana bt Md Arshad (Grand Livina 1.6L, Serena S-Hybrid), Arnizah bt Kasbulah (Sylphy 1.8VL, Teana 2.0XE), On Keur Li (Serena S-Hybrid, Teana 2.5XV) and Luhat Jok, who bought a Navara and won a Sylphy 1.8E.

ETCM says that due to overwhelming response, there will be a Round 2 of the campaign. It’s already underway and will go on till December 31. Five customers who buy a new Nissan car will drive home with two of them, with prizes worth over RM600k up for grabs. Eligible models and the offered prizes are listed above. Good luck!

Nissan X-Trail makes Thai debut – is Malaysia next?

The Nissan X-Trail debuts in Thailand today, making it the fourth country in the ASEAN region to get it after Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore.
This isn’t the X-Trail as you remember it – gone are the boxy looks that Nissan stuck to for two generations, and in comes Nissan’s latest design language, with its “V-Motion” grille, slim headlights, D-pillar kink, C-shaped tail lights and assortment of sweeps and curves.
Like Indonesia, the X-Trail will be available with the 7-seater body, with the third row of seats being more suitable to ferry kids, making it more of a 5+2 than a true 7-seater. Nevertheless, the option will come handy for those who have the occasional need.

Two four-cylinder petrol engine choices are available – a Serena S-Hybrid-derived MR20DD 2.0 litre direct-injected mill developing 144 PS and 200 Nm, as well as a QR25DE 2.5 litre MPI motor from the Teana that produces 171 PS and 233 Nm. Gear shifts are automatic thanks to Nissan’s smooth X-Tronic CVT gearbox.
Thailand specs include Around View Monitor, Active Engine Brake and Active Ride Control, a 5-inch colour display meter, and first in class LED projector headlamps. Some of these will be options limited to the higher end variants, of course.
Nissan expects to sell about 8,000 units of the X-Trail a year. Six colours are available – Radiant Red, Storm White, Black Star, Brilliant Silver, Deep Iris Gray and Midnight Jade – with prices starting from 1.1 million baht (RM112k). Comparatively, Indonesian prices start at Rp. 383 million (RM103,300) for the 2.0 manual, rising to Rp. 413 million (RM111,300) for the 2.0 CVT and Rp. 431.5 million (RM116,900) for the 2.5 CVT.

We’re expecting the Malaysian launch to happen very early next year, with enterprising Nissan Malaysia sales advisors having put up pre-booking ads on Malaysian car classifieds website oto.my already. The ads list two variants – a front wheel drive 2.0 litre going for “below RM150k”, and a four-wheel drive 2.5 litre going for “below RM170k”.
The outgoing X-Trail is only sold here in 2.0 litre 2WD form, currently retailing at RM148,815 on the road without insurance, so expect the base model of the new car to have a similar price tag.