The facelifted Nissan Almera, which we showed you last year through some leaked spyshots from China, has been launched in Thailand. The update brings about reshaped headlamps, a revised front grille with three bars (pre-facelift has four bars), a new front bumper and chrome around the fog lamps.
There’re also new-design 15-inch alloys (lower-grade variants get 14s), a subtly-reworked rear bumper and a rear spoiler with integrated third brake lamp. Inside, you’ll find a new steering wheel (also seen on the Grand Livina), a redesigned centre stack trimmed in piano black and a 2-DIN 6.1-inch DVD touch-screen (higher grades only).
Nothing’s changed underneath – the Thai-market Almera is still powered by the CVTC-equipped 1.2 litre HR12DE three-cylinder engine (granting it Eco Car status). Output numbers are 79 PS at 6,000 rpm and 106 Nm at 4,400 rpm. The Malaysian Almera gets its motivation from a 1.5 litre HR15DE four-cylinder engine, also with CVTC, that develops 102 PS at 6,000 rpm and 139 Nm at 4,000 rpm.
S MT, E MT, E CVT, EL CVT, V CVT and VL CVT variants are available, priced between 433k and 608k baht (RM44k-62k). Dual airbags are standard across the range. Optional extras include LED indicator wing mirrors, a tailpipe finisher, chrome side mouldings and door visors.
