Nissan Sylphy 2014 Malaysia

• Nissan Sylphy 1.8 (B17) launched – RM112k-122k

  In Cars, Local Car Launches, Local News, Nissan / By Jonathan James Tan / 29 April 2014 4:28 pm / 131 comments

  

  At long last, the B17 Nissan Sylphy is officially launched in Malaysia, at the Grand Hyatt hotel in KL. Thanks to our exclusive and extensive pre-launch coverage of the C-segment sedan, comprising a detailed review, walk-around video and old car, new car gallery, there isn’t much you don’t already know, but now, the finishing touches.

  Motivation comes from a new 1.8 litre MRA8DE four-cylinder engine that produces 131 PS at 6,000 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 3,600 rpm. This mill, featuring Twin C-VTC and a ‘diamond-like’ carbon coating, is mated to an Xtronic CVT that’s now lighter with less friction. Fuel economy is a claimed 15.6 km per litre on the JC08 cycle.

  Built on a stretched V platform, the new Nissan Sylphy is 4,615 mm long, 1,760 mm wide and 1,495 mm tall, making it 50 mm shorter than its predecessor, but a whole 60 mm wider, increasing shoulder room by 30 mm. The class-leading 2,700 mm wheelbase remains, affording 680 mm of rear legroom, while the boot, containing a full-size spare wheel, holds a cavernous 510 litres.

  

  Noise and vibration have been reduced, thanks to an improved frame, stiffer cross member and added insulation. A longer suspension travel works together with high-response dampers to improve vibration absorption. Forward visibility is also enhanced; from a 35.6 degree viewing angle on the old car to 36.5 degrees.

  E and VL variants are available. Standard on both are wing mirror indicators, speed-sensitive electric power steering, steering wheel controls, cruise control, six speakers and a Fine Vision Meter with Eco indicator.

  The E gets halogen reflector headlamps, 16-inch alloys with 195/60 Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tyres, a urethane steering wheel and gear lever, silver interior trim, manual air-con, fabric seats and a basic radio with CD, AUX and Bluetooth.

  

  

  

  The VL adds quite a bit more – on the outside, you’ll see auto self-levelling xenon projector headlamps with washers, LED positioning lamps, front fog lamps, 205/50 R17 alloys with ContiPremiumContact 2 tyres, auto-folding wing mirrors and a boot spoiler with integrated LED third brake lamp.

  Inside the VL, there’s keyless entry and start, a leather steering wheel and gear lever, chrome-surrounded instrument dials, silver patterned interior trim, auto dual-zone air-con with rear vents, leather seats and a 4.3-inch central display with CD, MP3, USB, AUX, Bluetooth, iPod and a reverse camera.

  Most importantly, you get ABS, EBD, BA, all-round disc brakes, six airbags, VDC and TCS – no matter what variant you buy. However, strangely no ISOFIX child seat anchor points are available, only top tether anchor points.

  

  

  

  Fully-imported (CBU) from Thailand, the E is priced at RM111,900; the VL at RM121,900, OTR without insurance (with insurance, RM115,817 and RM126,093). A three-year/100,000-km warranty is included.

  You can choose from Cayenne Red (new), Premium Black, Bronze Gold, Diamond White and Brilliant Silver body colours. The first 1,000 Sylphy buyers stand to get Solar Gard Armorcoat Tinting for free.

  A range of optional accessories are also available as follows:

  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  Nissan Sylphy 1.8 VL

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  Nissan Sylphy 1.8 E

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  Official photos

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• GALLERY: New and old Nissan Sylphy side-by-side

  In Cars, New vs Old Gallery, Nissan / By Hafriz Shah / 25 April 2014 7:01 pm / 44 comments

  

  The new 2014 Nissan Sylphy may not have a ground-breaking design, but put it side-by-side with the car it replaces like we did and you may start thinking otherwise. The original G11 Sylphy has certainly aged since its 2008 debut, yet there’s no denying the paradigm shift the new B17 Sylphy represents.

  Not when the differences are as stark as this. From the outside, you wouldn’t have guessed that the two are even related at all. It’s not quite a sexy car, the new one, but its dynamic contours and sharp lines sure project a fair bit more road presence than its bold, yet rather featureless predecessor.

  

  Round the back, tauter curves make the B17 appear more grounded and less bulbous than the G11. It helps too, of course, that the wheels have been upsized from the 16-inchers of old to the new one’s multi-spoke 17-inch design. Fills up the (now more pronounced) wheelarches better.

  Also improved is the choice of tyres: up from the blunt 195/60 R16 Bridgestone B250 items on the old car to more upmarket 205/50 R17 Continental ContiPremiumContact 2E rubbers on the new. Another favourable move is the inclusion of rear disc brakes, in place of standard rear drum brakes on the G11.

  

  

  

  Dimensions have been altered slightly. Much has been said of the original Sylphy’s narrow footprint, and so the new one is a full 60 mm wider. At 4,615 mm-long, it’s 50 mm shorter than before too – all of which have come off the overhangs, as the class-leading 2,700 mm wheelbase remains.

  The Sylphy’s cabin has gone through an extensive makeover too. From the dashboard to the seats, and everything else in between, it’s all new. Silver trim pieces now replace the wood inserts in the old car, and there’s now a proper push start button instead of a crude make-shift twist-to-start mechanism.

  

  

  Nissan has completely revamped the rear seats, which now take on a more conventional form instead of the unorthodox ‘clamshell’ approach of the old car. This change is certain to split opinions, though passengers in the new car benefit from a 30 mm-wider shoulder room and the inclusion of rear air-con vents.

  Changes under the hood are less dramatic. Out goes the MR20DE 2.0 litre C-VTC engine of the G11, replaced by a more advanced MRA8DE 1.8 litre Twin C-VTC motor in the B17. Though identical on paper, the Xtronic CVT transmission in the new car is of a newer design.

  

  Predictably, engine outputs are down from 133 PS at 5,200 rpm and 191 Nm at 4,400 rpm to 131 PS at 6,000 rpm and 174 Nm at 3,600 rpm. As such, the horsepower drop is near negligible, while the maximum torque, though significantly less, is now available much lower in the rev range.

  Last, but certainly not least is the very welcome upgrade from just two to six airbags, and the standard inclusion of electronic stability control across the range. The Sylphy sure has come a long way since the original. Compare the new and the old in our exclusive like-for-like gallery below, and if you haven’t, do take a look at our comprehensive review and walk-around video of the new Nissan Sylphy.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  2014 B17 Nissan Sylphy 1.8 VL

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  
  2012-2013 G11 Nissan Sylphy 2.0 XV

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• VIDEO: Exclusive early look at the new Nissan Sylphy

  In Cars, Nissan, Videos, Walk-Around Videos / By Hafriz Shah / 18 April 2014 7:15 pm / 64 comments

  The new Nissan Sylphy is now open for booking (estimated prices are RM115,300 for the 1.8 E, and RM125,500 for the 1.8 VL, CBU Thailand), but its official Malaysian launch is more than a week away. But fret not, as we’re giving you an exclusive early walk-around tour of the new C-segment contender.

  This new Sylphy is quite a bit different than the old one you’re familiar with. The original G11 was launched way back in 2008 after all. So it’s time you get cozy with the new version, starting with our video tour that explains all the changes, both inside and outside.

  You can read our full and exclusive review of the new B17 Sylphy to know more about the car’s intricacies and how it is to drive and live with. But even us writers know that words can only do so much, so go ahead and watch the clip above. There will be more videos coming of course, so do subscribe to our YouTube channel when you’re done. Thanks for watching :)

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• DRIVEN: New Nissan Sylphy 1.8 is a smooth operator

  In Car Reviews, Cars, Nissan / By Danny Tan / 18 April 2014 9:30 am / 145 comments

  

  Say hello to the new Nissan Sylphy, which is now open for booking ahead of an official launch later this month. Those who follow Nissan Malaysia’s Facebook page might not be surprised, and if you’re a paultan.org reader, you should be pretty familiar with the B17 Sylphy.

  The Sylphy story started in Malaysia back in June 2008, when the G11 was launched into a class occupied by the Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Civic. Nissan’s take on the C-segment was a unique one, and the Sylphy became known for its outstanding comfort and refinement. Not the most flashy car in town, but the Sylphy stood out as a silky smooth, soothing family car.

  The G11, known as the Bluebird Sylphy in its home market, wasn’t designed as a global car and had a JDM quirky feel about it. But this car is made for the world. The B17 is called Pulsar in Australia, Sentra in America/Middle East and Sylphy in Japan (Bluebird tag dropped), China and ASEAN. Malaysian Sylphys are imported CBU from Thailand, which also ships the car Down Under.

  The new Sylphy looks so different from its predecessor that we wouldn’t have guessed the lineage. But will it carry over the unique qualities of the G11, or are we looking at a different animal altogether? This exclusive pre-launch test drive report will answer that question, as well as provide you a fresh perspective from a Sylphy virgin, plus an idea of where the new entrant stands in a class full of talent.

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• New Nissan Sylphy open for booking in Malaysia!

  In Cars, Local News, Nissan / By Jonathan James Tan / 18 April 2014 1:06 am / 52 comments

  

  After nearly a week of teasing the car, Nissan Malaysia has finally announced on its Facebook page that the all-new Nissan Sylphy is open for booking. Estimated prices for the new C-segment sedan are as such: RM115,300 for the Sylphy 1.8 E and RM125,500 for the 1.8 VL.

  Among others, Nissan’s new offering has six airbags, a five-star ANCAP safety rating, four-wheel disc brakes with traction and stability control, ABS and BA as standard across the range, with a new 131 PS/174 Nm 1.8 litre Twin C-VTC engine matched to an improved Xtronic CVT transmission.

  The top-spec VL adds on 17-inch wheels, keyless entry, dual-zone climate control, rear air con vents, leather upholstery and projector Xenon headlamps.

  Check out the official leaflet in the gallery below for more details or better yet – exclusively on paultan.org – read our full review of the new Nissan Sylphy to find out if it’s any good.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Nissan Sylphy teased on Nissan Malaysia’s FB page

  In Cars, Local News, Nissan / By Jonathan James Tan / 17 April 2014 4:20 pm / 48 comments

  

  UPDATE: The Nissan Sylphy is now open for booking. Estimated prices are from RM115k to RM125k. Read our full and exclusive test drive report with three points of view.

  Nissan Malaysia has begun teasing the reveal of the new Nissan Sylphy on its Facebook page. The series of teasers is a countdown from six (days), with each number alluding to a feature of the C-segment sedan.

  Teased so far are six airbags, a five-star ANCAP safety rating, four-wheel disc brakes with traction and stability control, ABS and BA, a three-dimensional chrome front grille and auto dual-zone air-con.

  This one’s been a long time coming – the B17 Nissan Sylphy made its world debut in China two full years ago, before being introduced in Thailand, the US (Sentra) and Australia (Pulsar) in the second half of 2012. In Taiwan, it’s called the Super Sentra!

  We already know from research reports that the new C-segment sedan is due to be launched in the second quarter this year – which we are now in. As confirmed by the latest teaser pic above, The Malaysian-market Nissan Sylphy will be motivated by a 131 PS/174 Nm 1.8 litre MRA8DE four-cylinder engine with Twin C-VTC and an improved Xtronic CVT. See spyshots, and another set.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• SPYSHOTS: A trailer load of the new Nissan Sylphy

  In Cars, Local News, Nissan, Spyshots / By Jonathan James Tan / 31 March 2014 10:52 am / 38 comments

  

  UPDATE: The Nissan Sylphy is now open for booking. Estimated prices are from RM115k to RM125k. Read our full and exclusive test drive report with three points of view.

  More Sylphy spyshots – this time of a whole trailer load of ’em. Reader Nic Goh snapped these while on the North-South Expressway near Serendah, where the Tan Chong plant is located.

  The cars pictured here appear to be without boot spoilers. The red and silver cars spotted last week had boot spoilers with integrated third brake lamps. But the wheel design, chrome trim above the number plate and LED tail lamps seem to be the same.

  As you know, this one’s been a long time coming – the B17 Nissan Sylphy made its world debut in China two full years ago, before being introduced in Thailand, the US (Sentra) and Australia (Pulsar) in the second half of 2012. According to research reports, the new C-segment sedan is due to be launched in the second quarter this year, so it should be our turn very soon.

  The Malaysian-market Nissan Sylphy should be motivated by a 131 PS/174 Nm 1.8 litre MRA8DE four-cylinder engine with Twin C-VTC, and an improved Xtronic CVT.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• SPIED: New Nissan Sylphy sighted around Kepong!

  In Cars, Local News, Nissan, Spyshots / By Jonathan James Tan / 28 March 2014 9:13 am / 66 comments

  

  Our first Malaysian spyshots of the yet-to-be-launched Nissan Sylphy come courtesy of Andy, who sent these in to our sister Bahasa Malaysia site InfoKereta.com.

  Two cars – one red and one silver – are captured here, in the Kepong vicinity. Outwardly, they appear to be rather similar (same wheel design, boot spoiler, chrome trim above the number plate and LED tail lamps), but as we haven’t a frontal shot of the red car, we can’t say for certain if they are of the same grade/spec.

  As you know, this one’s been a long time coming – the B17 Sylphy made its world debut in China two full years ago, before being introduced in Thailand, the US (Sentra) and Australia (Pulsar). According to research reports, the new C-segment sedan is due to be launched in the second quarter this year, so it should be our turn very soon.

  The Malaysian-market Nissan Sylphy should be motivated by a 131 PS/174 Nm 1.8 litre MRA8DE four-cylinder engine with Twin C-VTC, and an improved Xtronic CVT.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Nissan Sylphy SV: bodykit, black cabin for Thailand

  In Cars, International News, Nissan / By Danny Tan / 9 December 2013 12:27 pm / 39 comments

  

  Nissan Thailand has released a sportier looking variant of the latest Nissan Sylphy. The Nissan Sylphy SV (we’re not sure what it stands for, but not Super Value for sure!) comes with a bodykit and a black interior to replace the standard light coloured cabin.

  The mild bodykit consists of front, rear and side skirts, plus a boot spoiler with integrated third brake light. There’s also an SV badge on the boot. Not quite Sentra Nismo, but it does look a touch sportier. Those alloys, painted in Hyper Black, look similar to the rims on the Nissan Pulsar. The five-door Pulsar is the hatchback version of the new Sylphy.

  The 852,000 baht (RM82,500) SV is based on the 1.6L Sylphy, and there are no technical changes. Under the hood is a HR16DE four-pot with 116 PS and 154 Nm of torque, mated to a CVT transmission. Nissan Thailand also sells a 1.8L Sylphy with 131 PS/174 Nm. We were in the Land of Smiles in August last year for the ASEAN debut of new Sylphy – click here to see the pics and read a mini test drive report.

  If you’re wondering when it will come to Malaysia, the answer is Q2 2014, according to a site visit report by HLIB Research.

  

  

  

  

  

  
  

   

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• Next-generation Nissan Sylphy and Nissan Teana to launch in Malaysia in 2014?

  In Cars, Local News, Nissan / By Paul Tan / 8 December 2013 4:35 pm / 68 comments

  
  Nissan Serena facelift unveiled at Tokyo 2013 – will this be the CKD model?

  We learned last month through a report by Maybank Research that Tan Chong will be launching the Nissan Note in 2014, and a new A-segment car in 2015. Well, it looks like that’s not all that the Malaysian Nissan distributor has up its sleeves for the next year.

  UPDATE: The new Nissan Sylphy is now open for booking. Read our full and exclusive test drive report.

  According to a site visit report by HLIB Research, we’ll see the new C-segment Nissan Sylphy launched in Q2 2014, and the new D-segment Nissan Teana launched in Q3 2014. The Nissan Serena S-Hybrid will be introduced as a CKD car in Q3 2014 as well.

  
  New Nissan Sylphy

  The Nissan Sylphy currently sold in Malaysia is an aging model that was recently facelifted with new tail lamps. It has been replaced by a new model that was launched in Thailand in August 2012. We attended the launch and came back with brief driving impressions which you can read here: Nissan Sylphy brief test drive in Thailand.

  The new model gets an improved 116 PS/154 Nm 1.6 litre engine, now with dual variable valve timing and a first-in-class dual fuel injector system, using two spray nozzles per cylinder. It’s mated to either a five-speed manual or an Xtronic CVT. The range-topping engine is a new longer-stroke 131 PS/174 Nm 1.8 litre motor codenamed MRA8DE, with dual variable valve timing, mated to an Xtronic CVT.

  
  New Nissan Teana

  The L33 Nissan Teana is a newer car, only making its ASEAN debut in Thailand recently in October. You can pick from a 2.0 or 2.5 litre engine, but the latter is now a four-cylinder engine and no longer a V6. Both engines are paired to a CVT.

  Our man Jonathan test drove a Chinese market variant in the US – you can read his brief driving impressions of the 2014 Nissan Teana.

   

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• Nissan Pulsar unveiled at AIMS: the Sylphy goes to Oz

  In Cars, International News, Nissan / By Anthony Lim / 22 October 2012 11:02 am / 30 comments

  

  It’s the return of the Pulsar name to Australia – Nissan showcased the car bearing the name in both sedan and hatch guises at the AIMS in Sydney. Sales are set to begin in February next year, with the sedan kicking off things, followed three months later by the hatchback.

  The B17 sedan form – more familiar to us as the Sylphy – made its world debut in Beijing earlier this year, and in Australia will be available in 1.8 litre form, with the 137 hp and 174 Nm MR8A8DE providing the necessary drive.

  

  Meanwhile, the Pulsar hatch, including a sporty SSS variant, is powered by a 1.6 litre turbocharged, direct injection gasoline (DIG) engine. Coincidentally, the arrival of the SSS nameplate will mark the return of a name familiar to a generation of drivers and enthusiasts.

  For Australia, the Pulsar sedan will be available in three trim versions, ST, ST-L and Ti, with either a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional Xtronic CVT transmission, the last standard on the Ti.

  

  Equipment includes dual-zone air-conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity and a colour display for the audio system, The Ti adds on integrated satellite navigation to the list, and as for wheels, 16-inch alloys are standard on the ST and ST-L, while the Ti rides on 17-inch units.

  Safety kit include four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, EBD and brake assist, traction control and Vehicle Dynamic Control, as well as front, side and curtain airbags.

  Closer to home, the new Sylphy was launched in Thailand at the end of August – we were there for the launch of the car; read Danny’s report here.

  Large gallery of the Pulsar in here.

   

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• New Nissan Sylphy is the 2013 Nissan Sentra in USA

  In Cars, International News, Nissan / By Danny Tan / 4 September 2012 1:19 pm / 26 comments

  

  The new Nissan Sylphy, which we’ve covered and driven in Thailand, is a global model that will go on sale in 120 countries, with sales expected to hit 550,000 units annually by 2014. Thailand was the second country after China to launch the car, which has now popped up in America as the 2013 Nissan Sentra. Different name, same car.

  Nissan says that it focused on “class-above design standards” inside and out, as well as efficiency in engineering for the 2013 Sentra – messages consistent with what we heard in Thailand. The new Sentra is 68 kg – or 5% – lighter than the outgoing model, yet has slightly larger overall dimensions and more interior room. This leads to a 13% improvement in EPA combined fuel economy.

  

  “Nowhere is the new Sentra’s ‘class-above’ style more evident than in the interior. You notice it the minute you sit in the roomy, comfortable seats and when you touch the high quality materials. And when driving you notice the extra attention paid to isolating noise, vibration and harshness from entering the cabin,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America. Not an empty boast, we say.

  The US Sentra is powered by the same 1.8L MRA8DE as the ASEAN Sylphy, and the 130 hp/174 Nm figures correspond as well. This new engine has a longer than normal stroke for improved combustion speed and efficiency, as well as twin Continuously Variable Timing Control (CVTC).

  

  It’s matched to a new-generation Xtronic CVT. This improved gearbox, which is smaller and lighter, offers a wider gear ratio of 7.3:1 through use of a sub-planetary gear and smaller pulleys, resulting in better high-speed fuel efficiency at low rpm and more responsive acceleration.

  The pics you see here are of the sporty SR and range topping SL. The former is the blue car with 17-inch forked five-spoke alloys, side skirts and rear spoiler. The fog lamp area of the lower bumper, and the lower rear bumper designs are also different.

  The SL gets 17-inch split seven-spoke wheels, Smart Auto headlights, fog lights, heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals, Nissan Intelligent Key, Bluetooth, six-speaker audio system with 4.3-inch display and Sirius XM Satellite Radio. The SL also can be had with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, maple wood-tone trim, dual-zone air con and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

  

  Click here for our launch report from Thailand, brief impressions and a full gallery of the new Sylphy. Pics of the 2013 Sentra are after the jump.
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• Nissan Sylphy launched in Thailand – new model gets improved 1.6, new 1.8, CVT; from 746,000 baht

  In Cars, International News, Nissan / By Danny Tan / 31 August 2012 2:07 am / 215 comments

  

  Sawadee krub! We are reporting live from Bangkok, where the next-generation Nissan Sylphy has been launched for the Thai market, the second country to introduce the car after China.

  Our northern neighbour is also the regional production hub for this model – when exports start at the end of this year, Thai-made Sylphys will be shipped to Asia, Oceania and the Middle East. The new Sylphy was designed as a global car, meaning that it will go on sale in 120 countries, with sales expected to hit 550,000 units annually by 2014. We’re looking at a main pillar for Nissan here.

  

  It is interesting to note that the Sylphy G11 that was launched in Malaysia back in June 2008 was never sold in Thailand, so this new car will replace the Tiida Latio (Latio Sedan) as a proper C-segment contender for Nissan in the Kingdom.

  In other words, no more straddling segments – Nissan is back in the mainstream C-segment to take on highly popular incumbents Toyota Corolla Altis and Honda Civic, as well as sharp looking alternatives like the Chevrolet Cruze and new Ford Focus sedan. The Koreans are insignificant in Thailand.

  

  The new Sylphy gets a body that is shorter, but wider than the outgoing car’s. It’s not just a few milimetres – at 4,615 mm, the new car is 50 mm shorter, but its 1,760 mm width is 60 mm wider than the current Sylphy, which is one of the narrower cars in the segment. But since wheelbase remains at 2,700 mm, the Sylphy’s much-praised rear legroom remains a selling point, with added width to match.

  It may be shorter now, but the Sylphy is still longer than the Altis and new Civic by some margin, and its wheelbase length is class leading alongside the Hyundai Elantra MD. The Nissan’s boot volume tops the segment at 510 litres.

  

  The Sylphy’s exterior design is more athletic than before, and the new dimensions help the stance. The car world is LED crazy now, so Nissan made a point to highlight the use of those diodes – combine the strips in the headlamps, wing mirrors, tail lamps and third brake light and you’ll get a grand total of 54 LEDs. Not sure if that’s a record, but it’s definitely unique in the segment, and saves one the trouble of having to make a trip to Brothers!

  If the Sylphy looks very comfortable from the pics, I can confirm that. The front seats are amazingly supple (soft, but doesn’t sink in) and the rear section is the most “big car-like” in the class. Read headroom could be an issue for tall folks (I fit nicely), but the seat base is high (good) and legroom is ample.

  Rear air-con vents are available, and the fold down rear armrest has two layers – one has cupholders, the other is a tray for phones and gear. The glove box is a double-storey design.

  

  The two-tone grey and beige theme accentuates the impression of space and the door armrests have seriously soft pads for your elbows. Speaking of soft, the upper dashboard is moulded from squishy plastic, although the upper door cards aren’t. The latter isn’t a contact point, and we’ll have the elbow pads anyday.

  The younger set (and the young at heart) may scoff at the above three paragraphs, but bear in mind that many buy C-segment cars for comfort and little touches of luxury, and the new Sylphy, like the previous one, scores high. In the product presentation, Nissan highlighted the fact that the Sylphy’s space and NVH are a match for the segment above. It’s calling this conscious effort “moving half a step ahead”.

  

  Digging deeper, the new Sylphy hits the Thai market with two engines, an improved HR16DE and a new MRA8DE.

  The 1.6 litre engine has been fortified with Twin C-VTC (Twin Continuously-Variable Timing Control, intake and exhaust) and a class first dual injector fuel system (better fuel spray, two nozzles per cylinder). This DOHC 16v unit makes 116 PS and 154 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. It can be had with either a five-speed manual or Nissan’s latest Xtronic CVT. Paired to the latter, the combo is 15% more frugal than before.

  

  The range-topping Sylphy is powered by a new 1.8 litre engine paired to the CVT. This mill features a longer stroke (90.1, from the MR18DE’s 81.1), Twin C-VTC and a “diamond-like” carbon coating for smoother operation and fuel efficiency. It makes 131 PS and 174 Nm of torque from a low 3,600 rpm. Compared to its 126 PS predecessor, the MRA8DE produces max torque 1,200 rpm earlier and is 12% more fuel efficient.

  The suspension, tuned for comfort, consists of MacPherson struts up front and a rear torsion beam. Brakes are all discs, but the front units are ventilated. Nissan is not a fan of big wheels, so the Sylphy comes with 195/60 R16 Bridgestone Ecopia rubber to match the comfort theme.

  

  In Thailand the Sylphy range starts from 746,000 baht for a very basic 1.6 MT to 931,000 baht for the range topping 1.8 V Navi CVT. The base S spec model gets things like dual-airbags, Fine Vision Meter with multi-info display, electric adjusting and folding door mirrors and tilt/telescopic steering. Higher up variants add on ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, dual-zone air con, leather, auto headlamps and steering audio/MID buttons.

  Top spec cars get niceties like Intelligent key (keyless entry) with trunk opener and push start button, wing mirrors that auto fold when the car is locked, wood trim, reverse camera and a USB audio system with Bluetooth and colour screen. The 1.8L can be topped up with a Navi package. This includes sat nav (of course!) and a larger colour screen – 5.8-inch versus 4.3-inch.

  

  This car will eventually reach Malaysia, but Nissan Motor Thailand officials understandably refused to discuss timing and source (CKD or CBU Thailand) at the press conference.

  For now, enjoy our live gallery from Bangkok and the full collection of official studio shots after the jump. Brief driving impressions also included.
  Read The Full Story ›

   

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• Nissan Sylphy gets new engine and updated CVT

  In Cars, China, International News, Nissan / By Jonathan James Tan / 24 April 2012 7:16 pm / 62 comments

  

  Nissan has released the new iteration of its Sylphy, the compact sedan which pitches against the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic, and you saw it here first at Auto China 2012.

  Apart from the addition of daytime-running LEDs, new headlamps and a new grille, it isn’t exactly worlds apart from the previous-gen model when you look at it from the outside. Interior amenities include dual-zone air con and keyless ignition.

  

  However, the real changes are underneath. A new 1.8 litre MR engine is offered with Nissan’s Twin C-VTC technology. Like Toyota’s Dual VVT-i, the system continually alters the opening of both inlet and exhaust valves to suit driving conditions. The result is better fuel efficiency and more power.

  The valve lifters are also now coated with a hydrogen-free, diamond-like carbon (DLC) to reduce friction. There is a change to the transmission too – the Xtronic CVT’s gear ratios are now wider, and the gearbox is lighter and smaller.

  

  Built under license in Guangzhou by Dongfeng Nissan, the Sylphy will hit Chinese showrooms later in the year, and will be available in 120 countries around the world by 2014. It’s safe to say Malaysia will be among them.

  UPDATE: More live gallery photos added, after the jump.
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