Nissan Serena S-Hybrid

  • Nissan Serena S-Hybrid launched in Malaysia – 8-seater MPV, CBU from Japan, RM149,500

    Serena S-Hybrid-2

    UPDATE: ETCM has launched the Serena S-Hybrid facelift, now locally assembled in Malaysia.

    Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) officially launched the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid this morning in Setia Alam. It doesn’t come as a surprise – the hybrid Serena C26 was open for booking earlier this month, but we’ve seen it in Malaysia as early as January, before the MPV appeared on the oto.my car classifieds in June.

    ETCM bills the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid as first hybrid MPV to be sold in Malaysia. Imported as a CBU from Japan, where the Serena is the best selling mid-size MPV ahead of the Toyota Noah, Voxy and Honda Stepwgn, this model takes advantage of duty exemptions on hybrid vehicles below 2,000 cc that at the moment is due to end on December 31, 2013.

    No extension to that date has been announced by the government so far, but we understand that ETCM is ready for local assembly if CBU benefits end along with the year 2013.

    Serena S-Hybrid-1

    The Serena S-Hybrid is powered by a MR20DD 2.0 litre engine with 147 PS and 210 Nm (figures are from engine alone, excluding 54 Nm from electric motor). This direct injection twin-CVTC unit is paired to Nissan’s latest Xtronic CVT gearbox with Adaptive Shift Control.

    An Idling Stop System shuts down the engine when idle, and restarts in just 0.3 seconds after the brake is released. There’s a timer that shows the driver how long idle stop is in use.

    The S in S-Hybrid stands for “smart” and this Serena is actually a “micro-hybrid” of sorts. What Nissan did was beef up the ECO Motor, the Serena’s starter motor that controls Idling Stop and functions as an alternator during deceleration.

    Serena S-Hybrid-30

    The starter motor uses a belt pulley type cranking system instead of a normal gear type unit. Even the regular Serena has this, but in the Serena S-Hybrid, the capacity of this motor is increased from 1.0kW/150A to 1.8kW/200A, and the engine bay has an extra 12V-27V-Ah battery. The main 12V-64V-Ah battery drives the motor, while the sub battery powers electrical components like the radio, wipers, etc.

    With it, the engine also does not need to move the car AND power the car’s electrical needs at the same time, resulting in fuel savings. Fuel economy is listed as best in class – 15.2 km/l in Japan’s JC08 test cycle. However it’s important to note the ECO-motor does actually contribute to acceleration – this is not a motor assist system like Honda’s IMA.

    On to the MPV part of the equation. The Serena is advertised as an eight-seater (eight seat belts), with a 2-3-3 formation. A variety of 14 seat configurations are available to the user, and there’s a Smart Multi Centre Seat that slides along the car’s centre aisle. It can function as additional storage for the front row, as an extra seat in the middle row, or as a tray table to be shared with third row passengers.

    Serena S-Hybrid-5

    Getting in and out is easy with powered one-touch sliding doors on both sides of the MPV, which reveal the largest opening in its class. Getting into the third row is done by pushing the left second row captain’s chair against the one on the right, creating a walkway. Both middle row seats slide fore and aft.

    The rearmost seats can be folded and flipped up to the sides for max cargo mode. In this case, four mountain bikes can fit in. With all seats in place, additional cargo room comes in the form of an under floor compartment that can swallow a golf bag or a baby stroller. There are plenty of storage spaces, including under seat boxes. Second row occupants get flip up trays with cup holders, too.

    Standard equipment includes i-Key (keyless entry) with push start, auto climate control, overhead air con vents for the second and third row (temp/fan/mode control for second row), dual airbags, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, auto headlamps and cruise control.

    Serena S-Hybrid-19

    ETCM is bringing in the Serena S-Hybrid in the sporty Highway Star trim level with unique front grille and bumpers, 16-inch alloys with sportier suspension and a dark interior theme. Four exterior colour choices are available, and they are Dark Purple, Super Black, Brilliant Pearl White and Brilliant Silver.

    For a promotional period, ETCM will throw in a 6.5-inch head unit with navigation, USB, Bluetooth and rear view camera, worth RM3,300. Optional equipment include a 10.1-inch roof mounted LCD panel (RM700), combination leather interior (RM2,800), window tint (V-Kool or Solar Gard) and door visors (RM400).

    The imported from Japan Nissan Serena S-Hybrid retails for RM149,500 on-the-road including insurance. Warranty is three years or 100,000 km, whichever comes first.


    Click here for brochure scans and official studio shots

     
     
  • Nissan Serena S-Hybrid previewed, CBU Japan MPV open for booking with early bird promo

    Serena S-Hybrid-07

    Edaran Tan Chong Motor gave the media a sneak preview of the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid over the weekend in Kajang, where the MPV starred in the promotional “Meet The Hybrids” video. The Serena S-Hybrid is now open for booking and will be officially launched in the third quarter of 2013. We’re entering Q3 today, so it could be anytime soon.

    UPDATE: The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is now officially launched – click here for the launch report and gallery

    Readers of this website won’t be surprised at this development, as we first saw the hybrid C26 Serena in Malaysia back in January, before the MPV appeared on our sister classifieds site oto.my last month, where it was advertised for RM14X,XXX.

    Prices haven’t been revealed yet, but we now have official specs and details of the Serena S-Hybrid, which will be imported CBU from Japan to take advantage of duty exemptions on hybrid vehicles with engine capacities below 2,000 cc. This incentive will end on December 31, 2013.

    Serena S-Hybrid-12

    The Serena S-Hybrid is powered by a MR20DD 2.0 litre engine with 147 PS and 210 Nm. This direct injection twin-CVTC unit is paired to Nissan’s smooth Xtronic CVT gearbox. But it’s a different kind of hybrid than the ones from Toyota and Honda.

    The S in S-Hybrid stands for ‘simple’ and this Serena is actually a ‘micro-hybrid’. What Nissan did was beef up what it calls the ‘ECO Motor’, the Serena’s starter motor that controls auto start/stop and functions as an alternator during deceleration.

    The starter motor uses a belt pulley type cranking system instead of a normal gear type unit. Even the normal Serena has this, but in the Serena S-Hybrid, the capacity of this motor is increased from 1.0kW/150A to 1.8kW/200A, and the engine bay has an extra 12V 27Ah battery for increased storage capacity. Stored power is deployed when needed, such as during acceleration.

    To keep things simple, basically the bigger starter motor and battery system allows the engine to be freed from having to move the car and power the car’s electrical needs at the same time, resulting in fuel savings.

    Serena S-Hybrid-05

    The resulting fuel economy gains are not as big as those from motor assist (Honda) or full hybrid (Toyota) systems, but there are gains nonetheless, because the engine doesn’t have to power the alternator as often. In Japan, the Serena S-Hybrid is the only vehicle in its class to be exempted from the country’s automobile acquisition and weight taxes, because its fuel efficiency outperforms class standards.

    The boxy MPV comes with three rows of seats, accessible via twin electric sliding doors with one touch closing and i-key keyless entry. They are calling it an eight-seater with 14 possible seat configurations. The second row has a “Smart Multi Center Seat” that can double up as a centre console. Up front, there’s a futuristic looking Eco Drive Navigator instrument panel with digital speedo.

    Available in four colours – Dark Purple, Super Black, Pearl White, Brilliant Silver – the Serena S-Hybrid comes with an early bird promo that throws in low hire-purchase interest rates (from 2.38% per annum up to five years), a free service package (first 1,000 km, 5,000 km and 10,000 km for parts, engine oil and labour) and free PA insurance.

    The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is the first “hybrid” MPV to be sold in Malaysia.

     
     
  • Nissan Serena S-Hybrid MPV set for August 2013 launch to capture pre-Raya sales

    serena-shybrid-oto

    Malaysian Nissan distirbutor Tan Chong will launch the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid in August 2013, brought forward from an initial plan to launch it in late November. According to a research house AmResearch, Tan Chong management decided to bring forward the launch date to capture the pre-Raya sales rush.

    UPDATE: The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is now officially launched – click here for the launch report and gallery

    The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid will initially be brought in as a CBU unit to take advantage of the current duty exemptions on hybrid vehicles with engine capacities below 2,000 cc. A CBU import will also be able to take advantage of a stronger Ringgit.

    However, AmResearch expects that if the hybrid MPV is a sales success, it will be localised by end 2014 as reliance on Approved Permits which are limited to less than 10% of total industry volume will limit the growth volume of the model.

    We previously spotted the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid listed on sale on our classifieds website oto.my earlier this month. An ETCM sales advisor listed the hybrid MPV for RM14x,xxx, and the ad was accompanied by photos of the Serena S-Hybrid registered with the number plate WUY370. Read more about technical details of the MPV here: Nissan Serena S-Hybrid: RM14x,xxx on oto.my.

    AmResearch’s report also reveals quite a few things about what Tan Chong has up its sleeves in the next few years, likely garnered from investor briefings:

    • Nissan Livina facelift with potentially higher localisation (40% vs current 30%) to be launched in August 2013. Read more about the facelift here: Indonesian market Nissan Grand Livina facelift detailed.
    • A-segment car to be launched in 2014 – could this be a Nissan March or perhaps even a new Datsun?
    • New foreign OEM contract assembly announcement to happen this year – who will it be?

    The foreign OEM contract assembly announcement is a rather interesting one, since it means the potential of price drops. The Subaru contract has already been announced. It could be Renault, but it wouldn’t really be a new announcement as the Kangoo had been CKD-ed here before.

    Perhaps it could be Mitsubishi, as Nissan and Mitsubishi are currently collaborating on badge-engineering in Japan, and the next generation Nissan Navara and Mitsubishi Triton will be built in the same plant in Thailand. Mitsubishi signed an MoU with Proton to explore CKD production of Mitsubishi cars back in 2011, but we were told in November 2012 at the Mirage launch that while CKD plans are still on the cards, it’s local partner would not be Proton.

     
     
  • Nissan Serena S-Hybrid: RM14x,xxx on oto.my

    s4-6492-7784_10151491618538691_983173093_n_2

    Yet another yet to be launched car has popped up for pre-orders on our classifieds site oto.my, and this time it’s a car that we’ve seen prowling Malaysian roads before. It’s the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid, which reader Richard managed to snap near Sungai Besi back in January 2013.

    The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid ad on oto.my lists the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid as having a July 2013 launch date, and a tentative price of RM 14x,xxx. Accompanying the ad text are photos of a white Nissan Serena S-Hybrid similiar to the one captured with trade plates earlier, this time with a proper WUY370 plate.

    The 2.0 litre engine under the hood is the MR20DD, which is equipped with direct injection and twin valve timing control, mated to an Xtronic CVT gearbox tuned specifically for the new MR20DD. It produces 147 PS at 5,600rpm and 210Nm of torque at 4,400rpm. The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid is actually a ‘micro-hybrid’, essentially a car with a beefed up auto start-stop system. The S in S-Hybrid stands for ‘simple’.

    How does the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid micro hybrid system work?

    What Nissan did was beef up what it calls the ‘ECO motor’, which is the Serena’s starter motor that allows the car’s auto idle start/stop operation as well as functioning as an alternator during deceleration. The start motor uses a belt pulley type cranking system instead of a normal gear type cranking system. Even the normal Serena has this, but in the Serena S-Hybrid, the capacity of this motor is increased from 1.0kW/150A to 1.8kW/200A, and the engine bay has an extra 12V 27Ah battery for increased storage capacity.

    Basically, the bigger starter motor and battery system allows the engine to be freed from having to move the car and power the car’s electrical needs at the same time, resulting in fuel savings. However it’s important to note the ECO-motor does actually contribute to acceleration – this is not a motor assist system like Honda’s IMA.

    As a result, fuel efficiency gain is not as drastic as a motor assist (like Honda’s) or full hybrid (like Toyota’s) system. But the impact is enough to justify it’s existence – in Japan, it allows the Serena S-Hybrid to be the only vehicle in its class to be exempted from Japan’s automobile acquisition and weight taxes, because it’s fuel efficiency outperforms the class standards.

    Nissan certainly does a good job of making it look the part though – bits that the Serena S-Hybrid gain over the regular Serena include blue headlight inner lenses, high-intensity LED rear combination lights, a clear LED High Mount Stop Lamp and unique graphic icons in the Multi Graphic Upper Meter. These blueish themes are associated with being a hybrid or fuel efficient.

    Source: Nissan Serena S-Hybrid ad on oto.my

     
     
  • SPIED: Nissan Serena – fourth-gen C26 spotted in KL

    serena spy 1

    UPDATE: We’ve been told that the example seen in the photos here is an S-Hybrid, based on the tail lamp configuration.

    It’s promising to be a very active year in terms of new vehicles entering our market, and by the looks of it, the fourth-generation Nissan Serena may be one of the many entries. Reader Richard saw this C26 heading towards Salak South from Sungai Besi earlier, and duly snapped a trio of photos. Tip of the hat to you, sir.

    Indonesia is getting the C26, so it wouldn’t stretch things too much to get it in here as well. Over in that market, the eight-seater MPV is going up against the likes of the Mazda Biante, which debuted at the Jakarta show last September, as well as the Toyota NAV1, the local variant of the Noah minivan.

    The petrol Serena is powered by a MR20DD 2.0 litre direct injection mill offering 147 hp at 5,600 rpm and 210 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm; it’s paired to a Xtronic CVT gearbox. There’s also an S-Hybrid variant, which mounts an stronger starter motor to increase power output and power generation capabilities. An extra battery fits in the existing engine compartment.

    The JDM petrol version features an Idling Stop system, VDC, TCS, ABS and EBD plus Brake Assist, Hill Start assist as well as curtain and side airbags on its equipment list.

     
     
 
 
 

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Last Updated Mar 28, 2024