SPYSHOTS: Nissan Versa sedan – next Almera seen?

SPYSHOTS: Nissan Versa sedan – next Almera seen?

Here’s our first look at the forthcoming next-generation Nissan Versa sedan, which could form the basis of the next Asian-market Almera that could also be for Malaysia in due course. Our spy photographers have captured the test vehicle running road trials in the United States, albeit in heavily disguised form.

The forthcoming B-segment sedan appears to draw more than a passing resemblance to the year-old Altima, with a more horizontally oriented set of headlamps compared to the more vertical items on the current car. Behind the camouflage foil is a suggestion of the full-height V-motion grille as seen on the Altima, which would be a natural progression for a family look approach that is often adopted across brands.

Its early days in terms of determining what’s under the hood, though the current US-market Versa employs a 1.6 litre HR16DE naturally-aspirated engine that is mated to either a five-speed manual, four-speed auto or continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels; the Malaysian-market Almera uses a 1.5 litre HR15DE engine.

Inside the test vehicle appears to be a version of the NissanConnect infotainment system with touchscreen display, while its steering wheel also appears to be of the latest with a smaller centre boss/airbag housing. Eventual specification is yet to be disclosed, though the visually similar unit in the Altima supports Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Siri and Google Assistant, as well as over-the-air updates, door-to-door navigation and real-time traffic information.

Should the forthcoming Versa translate into a more Asia-specific version, expect minor aesthetic and equipment changes. The Versa currently gets six airbags and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), features that are missing on the local Almera; a camera at the top of the windscreen suggests that autonomous emergency braking (AEB) will be added on the new model as well.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Sick & Tired on Mar 25, 2019 at 3:12 pm

    The better Persona FL just out.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 7
    • kartoon on Mar 25, 2019 at 3:28 pm

      Persona is B-segment. Versa is C-segment (same as elantra, Forte, Altis, etc)

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 10
      • History Bender on Mar 25, 2019 at 3:40 pm

        Almera was in B-segment.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
        • Trucker on Mar 25, 2019 at 5:10 pm

          Sylphy was in B-segment.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 8
          • No. Sylphy is C-segment that once competed with Altis & Civic but died a quick death here.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
      • Versa/Almera is B segment. Oh my

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
      • YB Kunta Kinte on Mar 25, 2019 at 4:42 pm

        Wow, this looks like a beauty. No wonder ETCM is happy about it. It will sell like hot cakes like the previous Almera.

        Everybody in Malaysia loves Almera and the utmost top quality after sales service Nissan gives.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 15
        • Siam kap on Mar 25, 2019 at 5:17 pm

          I hardly see new registered Almeras on the road for the past 2 years. The only reason why anyone will go for Almera is because they hardup on owning a Japanese branded car but cannot afford for something proper like Vios or City or Mazda2.

          I heard Almera service is expensive and parts are quick to malfunction. At least once in its lifetime, it needs to replace the A/C compressor unit which requires removal of whole dashboard, and this caused more entailing problems later on.

          Speaking of which, I hardly see the older pre-facelifted Almera as well… I wonder why.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 8
          • Alvin Ong on Mar 25, 2019 at 11:51 pm

            Hardly seeing Almera otr for the past 2 years? Sorry but are your eyes ok? Almeras are everywhere. Or are you living in cave or something?

            You said something proper is Vios, City and Mazda 2. Shows so much hate on Nissan. Nissan produces good cars. You said proper right? So proper means everything should be proper.

            Almera is more spacious than City, Vios and Mazda 2. Almera Nismo looks good than Vios with the ugly TRD bodykit. Almera is lesser price compared to Vios, City and Mazda 2. If you want to say Vios, City and Mazda 2 are proper cars than Almera, then Vios, City and Mazda need to win in those areas as well.

            I am not saying Vios, City and Mazda 2 are not good cars. Just highlighting the disadvantages of those cars since you spoke bad about Almera. Proper means should win in every aspect. But no. Vios, City and Mazda 2 are having disadvantages.

            I am using Almera. So far, I have no problem with my Almera. It drives so well and with 102 hp stock engine, I have even thrown out Vios on the highway. Haven’t try with City or Mazda 2 yet and yes, I am not racer anyway. The reason I defeated Vios is because that Vios was the one to make problem with me because he thought his 107 hp engine can bye bye my 102 hp engine. But no, cannot. VVTI Toyota engine cannot beat my Nissan engine.

            In terms of safety features also, Vios and Almera are more less same equipped. Kudos to City and Mazda 2 with more safety features but Mazda 2 is too cramped of interior space and expensive.

            So you can see Almera is not a bad car. Yes, Almera service is slighly expensive but it is not so different than Vios service, City service or Mazda service. Just slightly more and I don’t know why. But Nissan parts are quick to malfunction? No. Not true as well.

            Go ask Honda owners and you will know about Honda’s problems. Nissan is ok. But Toyota is great when it comes to reliability. Mazda, previous gen was problematic but now improved a lot.

            Don’t be a typical supporter of Honda and Toyota only. Nissan is doing a good job also and there are so many improvements in the updated model also such as XTrail. On other side, the most popular MPV of Japan, Serena is a MPV with all the nice features. Even good than Toyota Sienta.

            Just stop hating Nissan and know that Nissan is good also.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 7
          • Din Din on Mar 26, 2019 at 1:41 am

            Open your eyes, then you’ll see. I swear, there’s one of of you in every argument. “I’ve never seen…”, “no one I know/talked to has seen…”

            Seriously, open your eyes. Thankfully we don’t need to do so to see through your BS. Needless to say even the new minor body kit change, the Black Edition, has rolled out onto the streets.

            No Almera owner anywhere will claim high expenses on maintenance. Hell, nobody who’s been in an Almera will do so. The plus side of it being and feeling cheap is that you KNOW this car is lite on the wallet.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
          • Almari on Mar 26, 2019 at 1:02 pm

            Well it’s the No.1 choice for Grab user with its big butt…I mean boot to accommodate many luggage.
            Current gen JP market Almera I think equipped with CVT, VSC, etc.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
          • Siam kap on Mar 26, 2019 at 2:35 pm

            Both you two better open your eyes and read “hardly see new registered Almeras”. And FYI, Almera is cheap for a reason, the components are not durable. I have never heard of other cars requiring A/C compressor replacement in such a short life but for Almera it becomes a common thing. @Alvin. Sorry but you sound like a Nissan salesman vainly trying to justify what a lousy car you have. It is a car whose time has past. It was spacious but City has far surpassed it, it was competitively equipped but base spec is still 1 airbag while Vios has 7 airbags. Even for the best of bulbous looks, Mazda2 wins over Almera. The truth hurts fans and sales staff alike, but Almera is a car that is outdated, out-specced, out-designed and a relic of the past.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 1
          • Alvin Ong on Mar 29, 2019 at 8:54 pm

            Only you are saying Almera components are not durable because you talk nonsense. Just go ask Honda owners how durable their Honda components are and you will know. Siam, sorry but you are sounding like typical Honda or Toyota fanboy. Or you working in Honda Malaysia or in Toyota Malaysia? The time for Almera is not passed yet. It is still running and you can see Almeras everywhere otr. Almera is more spacious in interior, not City. City boot is bigger than Almera. FYI, Vios had only 2 airbags and the new model Vios only offering 7 airbags. Don’t just always Honda, Toyota. Almera is less in price while Vios, City and Mazda 2 are pricey. Wait for the new Almera and let’s see what is your comment then.

            Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
        • Nissan Driver on Mar 27, 2019 at 2:37 am

          there is a lot almera out there.. but undeniedable the after service is bad as well as more expensive service and parts.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 2
  • Celup King on Mar 25, 2019 at 3:29 pm

    Even Nissan tests their new models before release to production. I don’t understand why Toyota & Perodua doesn’t need to do testing for their new models. Are they not caring about their customers safety and product quality? Or is their “new models” just a rehash of old models with lots of make up, so no need to do any testing?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 113 Thumb down 70
  • Matchy on Mar 25, 2019 at 5:24 pm

    Looks like less ugly than the current almera…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 12
    • Nissan have a knack of making every new model look worse than the old. Oh wait, Toyota as well.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
 

Add a comment

required

required