Nissan Serena Impul Premium Version teased, will make its debut at the 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon

Want to add some pizzazz to the rather sedate styling of the facelifted Nissan Serena? Well, look no further, as Impul has teased a new kit for the Japanese MPV called the Impul Serena Premium Version, which will make its debut at the 2016 Tokyo Auto Salon next month.
Based on the posher Highway Star variant (which is what our Serena S-Hybrid is specced in), the Premium Version’s outlandish looks is dominated a massive front grille that extends all the way down. It’s flanked by chrome bars that lead to the headlights and look to incorporate LED daytime running lights, as well as huge scoops with chrome accents.
Also fitted is a huge chin spoiler and splitter, along with fender air vents and large wheels. If you’ve always wanted your Serena S-Hybrid to look like a mini VIP-style Elgrand, consider your wish granted, I suppose.
Launched here last year, the CKD facelifted Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is priced at RM132,978 for the Highway Star model and RM143,063 for the Premium Highway Star variant; both prices are on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of GST.
Power comes from a 2.0 litre direct-injected twin-CVTC four-pot assisted by an ECO electric motor, delivering 147 PS at 5,600 rpm and 210 Nm at 4,400 rpm, mated to an Xtronic CVT. Fuel consumption is rated at 15.2 km per litre on Japan’s JC08 test cycle.

Nissan Global Headquarters Gallery in Yokohama

We’re in Yokohama for the 2015 Nissan 360 event for Asia and Oceania, and paid a visit to Nissan’s Global Headquarters in Japan’s second largest city. Located at the bayside central business district of Minato Mirai, the carmaker’s modern HQ houses the Nissan Global Headquarters Gallery on its first floor.
If you’ve been to the previous Nissan Gallery in Tokyo’s posh Ginza district, you’ll find this new one huge. It is, at 4,000 square meters, four times larger.

There are four themed-zones – Product Zone (latest models available in Japan), Global Products Zone (global product line up), Corporate Communications Zone (explains corporate activities) and the self-explanatory Heritage Corridor. No gallery is complete without a boutique, and there’s a Starbucks outlet too. Nissan says that an average of 2,500 people visit during weekdays and around 4,000 do so at weekends.
The boutique has plenty of tempting merchandise even for a neutral like myself, but since the prices aren’t exactly ringgit-friendly, I roamed the hall for freebies to share with you – postcards in the form of digital photography.

From classic race cars like the legendary Nissan R380 (with GR8 engine display), R383 (1970, 700 PS V12) and the R90CK Le Mans racer (1990, 800 PS V8) to famous JGTC racers (before it was called Super GT) like the “Xanavi Nismo” GT-R and the “Pennzoil R33” from 1998. In contrast, the Leaf Nismo RC is a preview of the future.
Current road cars are of course present. The halo R35 GT-R and Nismo versions of the Fairlady Z (370Z), Juke and Note sit alongside green models (Leaf, X-Trail Hybrid, e-NV200, Nissan’s rebadged Twizy), luxury saloons (Skyline 200 GTt a.k.a. Infiniti Q50, Fuga or Infiniti Q70) and Nissan’s penguin-like EPORO robots.
A group of the latter can move around without banging into another EPORO, a 2009 precursor to the autonomous cars the company is currently working on. A self-driving Leaf was also in the house.

Nissan NP300 Navara launched in Malaysia – single cab, double cab E, SE, V, VL; priced from RM79k-121k

We’ve covered the Nissan NP300 Navara from the very start – we were at hand during the global unveiling in Bangkok last year, then drove it in Chiang Mai shortly after. Spyshots, a local preview and an appearance on the Driven Web Series later, the new Mother Trucker has finally been officially launched in Malaysia!
Firstly, the prices. Fully-imported (CBU) from Thailand, the NP300 is available in six variants locally – the manual single cab model is priced at RM79,000, while the base double cab E manual retails at RM89,800.
Moving up the range, there’s the SE that costs RM97,800 for the manual and RM102,800 for the automatic model, followed by the automatic-only V priced at RM109,800. The VL with all the bells and whistles tops the range with a retail sticker of RM120,800. All prices are on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of a three-year/100,000 km warranty.

The new Navara is a handsome-looking thing – the muscled-up design is more aerodynamic than before (0.37 Cd vs 0.43 Cd) and hides the slightly longer, if lower dimensions. It measures 5,255 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,785 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 3,150 mm. The single cab model gets a longer bed with a built-in side step; the latter is said to be first-in-class and is rated up to 250 kg.
Inside, the pick-up carries an interior design that’s reminiscent of Nissan’s passenger cars, albeit trimmed in hard plastics. Still, all models get nifty touches such as a dash-top tray with its own 12 V power socket, along with a cup holder under the driver’s side air-con vent to keep beverages cool. Double cab models also get the fantastic zero gravity-inspired seats cribbed from the Teana, as well as rear air-con vents.
The single cab model is as basic as it gets, coming with halogen reflector headlights, fog lights, 16-inch steel wheels and black wing mirrors and door handles. Step inside and you’ll find just a double-DIN radio/CD/MP3 head unit with AUX-in, four speakers and vinyl upholstery as creature comforts. The double cab E doesn’t fare much better, but at least it gains a rear spoiler, side steps, fabric seats, a USB port and six speakers.

Stepping up to the SE adds 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome grille and door handles and chrome power-folding wing mirrors with LED indicators. The V model receives i-Key keyless entry, push-button ignition, cruise control, a 5.0 inch central display, Bluetooth, multifunction steering wheel controls and a reverse camera. The manual air-con controls also go from plain dials to a push button array with fan and temperature knobs.
From there, the posh VL variant piles on LED projector headlights with LED daytime running lights, snazzy 18-inch dual-tone alloys, roof rails, an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, leather upholstery, dual-zone automatic climate control and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror with a digital compass display.
No matter which model you get, under the bonnet resides a revised version of the current Navara’s 2.5 litre YD25DDTi four-cylinder turbodiesel engine. However, only the mill in the top VL trim produces the full 190 PS at 3,600 rpm and 450 Nm at 2,000 rpm; the other variants make do with 163 PS and 403 Nm.

Single cab and double cab E models come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, while V and VL variants are offered solely with a seven-speed automatic with manual override; the SE gets a choice of both. All models come with all-wheel drive, switchable on-the-fly at speeds of up to 100 km/h. Double cab models are fitted with multi-link rear suspension with coil springs, while the single cab soldiers on with leaf springs.
Last but not least, safety – the NP300 Navara comes with dual airbags as standard but, sadly, not ABS. You’d have to punt for the SE to receive it, but at least you’d also get EBD, brake assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), traction control, brake-based Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS), Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC).
The colour palette on double cab models consist of Savanna Orange, Tungsten Silver, Diamond Black and Brilliant White; the last colour is the only option for the single cab model.

Options include a TCAT Multimedia Navigation system with a 7.0-inch touchscreen (RM3,922), combination leather seats (RM2,438) and an Elegance Package (RM1,166) consisting of sport pedals, stainless steel kick plates, door visors and chrome door handle finishers.
Elsewhere, a Pro-Form Tango cargo bed cover (RM5,830) and sports bar (RM2,650) are offered as well; the whole set is yours for RM7,950. Four types of window tint are also available – Solar Gard (S/C) at RM1,272, Solar Gard at RM1,484, Solar Gard Armorcoat at RM2,067 and V-Kool Elite Security at RM5,141.
Want to find out if you should put your money down for the new Nissan NP300 Navara? Read our review here, or watch the latest Driven Web Series episode to see it slug it out with the facelifted Ford Ranger 3.2 Wildtrak and Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure for class honours.

Driven Web Series 2015 #5: best pick-ups in Malaysia – Nissan Navara vs Ford Ranger vs Mitsubishi Triton

And we’re back! Here’s a brand new episode of Driven Web Series 2015, this time powered by Petronas Dynamic Diesel. As promised, we’re looking at Malaysia’s rejuvenated pick-up truck market.
Present are three of the latest and greatest trucks in the market: the all-new Nissan Navara, the facelifted Ford Ranger and the second-generation Mitsubishi Triton – all represented here in range-topping forms. So which one should you put your hard-earned money on?
Newest here is the Nissan NP300 Navara, which will be officially launched very soon. The top-spec VL here has an estimated price tag of RM125,000 with insurance (final prices will be announced tomorrow), and comes with a 190 PS/450 Nm 2.5 litre turbodiesel engine mated to a seven-speed auto.
Just given a facelift a few months ago, we’ve included the Ford Ranger 3.2 Wildtrak, with its class-leading 200 PS/470 Nm five-cylinder engine. It also asks for a lot, RM132,188 without insurance. The third contender is the Mitsubishi Triton VGT Adventure, relatively cheap here at RM110,218 without insurance.
Do enjoy the episode, and make a date with us next week as we pit the brand new F48 BMW X1 against its two prime rivals, the Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 and Audi Q3.

Renault-Nissan installing 90 new EV chargers in Paris

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is installing 90 new charge spots for electric vehicles (EVs) in and around Paris for the 21st annual Conference of Parties (COP21) global summit on climate change; in partnership with French energy provider EDF, Schneider Electric, Aéroports de Paris, Paris City Council and national railway company SNCF.
The charging stations, several of which will be donated by Schneider Electric, will refuel 200 EVs serving as VIP shuttles for negotiators, delegates and media attending the conference. More than 20,000 U.N. participants from 195 countries are expected to attend COP21 from November 30 to December 11.
“COP21 is a call to action to reduce the impact of climate change, including global warming resulting from personal transportation. EVs are the only existing, practical and affordable transportation solution to our planet’s environmental challenges – and they are available today. Expanding the EV infrastructure is mandatory for any city or state that’s serious about environmental stewardship,” said Renault-Nissan chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn.
The quick and standard EV charging stations will use renewable and “extremely low-carbon electricity” from EDF, enabling the Renault-Nissan fleet to cover more than 400,000 km in two weeks. The stations will recharge EVs from 0-80% capacity in about 30 minutes.

EVs consume any form of electricity used in the power grid, including hydropower, solar and wind energy. As countries reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase reliance on renewable resources, EVs become even greener. The French power grid distributes electricity with a very low average of CO2 emissions per kWh: less than 40 g in 2014, compared to the European average of 325 g. Renewable energy accounted for about 19% of France’s electricity last year.
EDF is offsetting the remaining CO2 emissions through carbon credits generated by projects certified by the UN. That means the Renault-Nissan EV fleet will use electricity considered fully “decarbonised.”
Fourteen of the 27 quick chargers installed will remain after the climate change conference and will be available for the public to use. These include two at Charles de Gaulle Airport, two on the Paris périphérique highway and one at Orly Airport. France already has about 10,000 quick and standard charging spots. In the Paris region alone, there are more than 4,000 spots, making it one of the most “plugged in” cities in Europe.
Malaysia is nowhere near that, but even in our country’s low level of electrification, Renault and Nissan are taking the lead in championing EVs. Nissan sells the Leaf, and Renault has made available the Twizy and Zoe. First Energy Networks – a subsidiary of Tan Chong, which handles both Alliance brands in Malaysia – is spearheading the EV charging station push here.