Nissan looks like its ready to up its EV game here, what with Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s recent announcement of the incorporation of a wholly-owned subsidiary called First Energy Networks. The start-up’s principal activity, according to the statement made in its filing to the Bursa, will be to build and operate the charging infrastructure and system for electric vehicles and any related facilities.

The company already has the Nissan Leaf about, though the EV isn’t running commercially, but as part of a pilot programme to create public awareness of the car and the tech. Still, the move beyond just that now looks certain, and with the formation of the new subsidiary, ETCM looks like it’s planning early for the future.

Perhaps it’s all spurred by the suggestion that the Government may pile on more incentives for hybrid and EVs. Reports indicate that the Government is looking at various avenues to help spur the uptake of such vehicles, and the incentives will supposedly be revealed when the second revision of National Automotive Policy is announced sometime this year.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Nissan is doing well compared to its Japanese peers. It was announced that profits made a sharp jump in the first quarter of 2012 on the back of an aggressive push in fast-growing markets. The Yokohama-based company reported a net profit of 75.3 billion yen (US$943 million), up from 30.8 billion yen from 2011.

Global sales hit 4.8 million units in its 2011 financial year, a company record. For the full FY ending in March 2012, Nissan reported net income of 341.4 billion yen, a 7% rise on the previous year. Japan’s second-biggest carmaker outperformed rivals Honda and Toyota, both of which reported lower profits.

The past 12 months have been a tough one for Japanese carmakers. The tsunami and earthquake disaster in Japan disrupted production lines and caused power shortages. And just when they were back on steam, the massive floods that covered Thailand – a regional base for most Japanese brands – bogged them down again. Nissan bounced back faster from these setbacks to create today’s headline.

In addition to the natural disasters, a strong currency has hurt Japanese exporters as it makes their goods more expensive overseas and eats into the profits they bring back. “It is an even more encouraging performance given the headwinds created by natural disasters, an over-valued yen and uncertain global economic conditions,” underlined Nissan’s CEO Carlos Ghosn.

No resting on laurels – Nissan is predicting an even better showing for the current financial year. Global sales is forecasted at 5.35 million units, an increase of more than 10%, while net profits are predicted to hit 400 billion yen.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Good news. The Nissan Juke-R will go into production. The bad news: Juke-R will be made in limited numbers on built-to-order basis. The price remains undisclosed but as my ex-Creative Director once told me, “If you need to ask for the price, you cannot afford it.”

There are three reasons why the Juke-R will be made; two of the reasons are high-profile and well-respected members of Dubai society. No hint on who the third person is. You see, the Juke-R made its debut in Dubai in January and have without a doubt caught the eye of some the nation’s elites.

Gareth Dunsmore, Marketing Product Manager for the Juke, said: “With such a strong reaction, and with three genuine offers on the table, we decided we had to make the car a reality. We can’t let down enthusiasts who are this keen to add to their collection of cars. The Juke-R has become something of a phenomenon and I’m enormously proud of the impact it has had. There will be more news to come on Juke later in the year.”

While the original Juke-R was based on the MY10 GT-R running gear, the production Juke-R will get the drivetrain and chassis of the MY12 GT-R. As a recap, the Juke-R has a 3.8 litre engine that produces 545 bhp and can reach a top speed of 160 mph, or about 257.5 km/h.

Nissan will be taking orders in the coming four weeks before officially starting production. The first three owners will get their cars in late summer. If you want to get one, here’s the email address Juke-R@Nissan.co.uk.

The video below shows what the Juke-R was up to in Dubai. Watch out for the über-cool helmet with teeth.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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The Renault-Nissan Alliance and state corporation Russian Technologies have agreed to create a joint venture that will takeover AvtoVAZ, Russia’s largest carmaker. The deal, which will see Renault-Nissan invest about US$750 million, gives the Alliance an indirect majority stake in AvtoVAZ, maker of Lada cars.

The US$750 million investment will give the French-Japanese car group 67.13% of the joint venture. The JV will then hold 74.5% of AvtoVAZ. The transaction is expected to be complete by 2014.

Renault has a relationship with AvtoVAZ prior to this. In 2008, it purchased 25% of AvtoVAZ and helped steer the Russian company in an aggressive turnaround. It will invest about US$300 million in the JV. Japanese partner Nissan, which does not have any stake in AvtoVAZ, will part with US$450 million.

This comes a month after Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin inaugurated a US$525 million assembly complex in AvtoVAZ’s Togliatti factory, adding capacity of up to 350,000 cars per year. Now, the factory has a capacity of almost one million cars per year.

Renault, Nissan and Lada are launching a product offensive that will update all core Lada models and launch new cars across three brands, including five models from the newly inaugurated facility. In addition to Togliatti, the three brands operate plants in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Izhevsk.

With everyone’s full focus on China, Renault-Nissan is making a good move in deepening its roots in Russia. The former USSR is the fastest growing economy in Europe and has a growing population of upper- and middle-class consumers. More than 10 million Russian households already earn more than US$50,000 per year.

Total industry volume in Russia last year was 2.65 million vehicles, including light commercial vehicles. Of this, the Alliance sold 878,990 cars, including 578,387 Ladas. With a market share of nearly 33%, Russia is the Alliance’s third largest market after China and the United States.

I wonder if there are any Lada Nivas still running around in Malaysia.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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The Cima luxury nameplate is back, after Nissan announced in 2010 that had stopped producing the Japan market Cima and President. No V8 engine this time around, and if the curvy looks are familiar, yes, it’s a long wheelbase version of the Infiniti M, or Nissan Fuga in Japan.

To go on sale in Japan later this month, the new fifth-generation Cima is based on the current Y51 Fuga/Infiniti M. The 5-Series rival’s 2,900 mm wheelbase has been extended by 150 mm to make the Cima, which is traditionally chauffeur driven.

The Cima’s “first-class hospitality” features soft, premium semi-aniline leather and wood grain panels coated with genuine silver powder, which gives them a mirror finish.

There’s also the “Forest AC” air con system, ventilated/heated seats and a powered ottoman-style legrest. A Bose 5.1 Surround Sound System for the rear seats with 16 strategically placed speakers does ICE duties. Seven-inch VGA displays are installed in the front seat headrests.

More comfort comes in the form of overhead reading lights for the two rear seats, rear illuminated vanity mirror, electrically operated rear sunshades, and switches in the rear center armrest for audio/air con/seats.

Rear door “auto closer” shuts the doors tight with minimum effort from the user, also applicable to the boot. Sound-absorbing tyres (first time for a Nissan) and Active Noise Control tuned for the rear cabin ensure silent progress.

Under the hood, the Cima uses the Infiniti M35h‘s “Intelligent Dual Clutch Control” (one-motor two-clutch) parallel hybrid system. It combines a VQ35HR V6 with 306 PS and 350 Nm with an electric motor with 68 PS/270 Nm. Connected to these are a lithium-ion battery and a seven-speed automatic gearbox.

The Cima achieves both a 20% improvement in fuel economy over 2015 standards and SU-LEV certification, emitting 75% less exhaust emissions than 2005 standards. This means that under the Japanese system, the Cima is fully exempt from automobile acquisition tax and automobile weight tax.

We will never get the Cima here, but the RM500k Infiniti M35h is pretty much the same car without the extra long wheelbase.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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We just got back from Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s Petaling Jaya showroom, where the Nissan Leaf pilot program was launched yesterday by Datuk Seri Mustapa Mohamed, Minister of International Trade and Industry. The Leaf show is ongoing, and will be open to the public for test drives around the block this weekend

I stepped in and was immediately impressed with the Leaf’s cabin. It feels light and airy inside and the seats are comfortable, something one can also observe in the Sylphy and Latio. It feels special enough, too, so there’s no mistaking the Leaf for a normal car from behind the wheel.

There’s a Civic-style upper tier speedo, and the main binnacle is a multi-coloured blend of various displays. There’s a power bar made of dots, almost like an F1 style rev meter, flanked by battery charge level and battery temp. Planted between the seats is the special looking gear knob. Push up to reverse, down to drive, press to park – simple.

The piano black centre stack looks like a tablet stuck on the dash, and the central colour LCD shows a wealth of information such as real-time power consumption, with a break down to see how much juice the climate control and accessories are actually sucking. You can also check consumption history here.

Off we went from Jalan Kemajuan heading towards the Sprint Highway. I’ve driven a few EVs now, so the Leaf doesn’t shock, but I’m impressed with the lack of rolling noise/tyre roar compared to some other EVs. If you haven’t driven one before, the lack of noise and vibration will be the most jarring difference from a regular vehicle. It’s very serene and peaceful in the Leaf.

The Leaf’s controls are lightweight and effortless to operate, as one would have guessed. I wasn’t expecting so, but ride comfort is rather good – the suspension damped away the harsh effects of rumble strips and manholes served up by Jalan Dato Abu Bakar.

We got to stretch the EV a bit once on the Sprint, and acceleration is very strong off the mark thanks to 280 Nm of torque from standstill. The pick-up rate slows down once up to highway speeds, but I can already see the surprised faces of unsuspecting hot hatch drivers!

The wave of acceleration is accompanied by a faint “woooooo” sound – no drama involved. There’s also a distinct “lack of resistance” from the drivetrain, which contributes to the feeling of effortlessness. Top speed is “over 140 km/h” but we didn’t have the chance to try.

Back at base, I hopped into the rear quarters to find my 175 cm frame fit nicely, which means that taller folks are likely to face headroom issues. No such issue up front, since the rear seats are slightly elevated “stadium style”.

I also noticed that while there’s good knee room, there’s no gap for my feet to slip under the front seats. By the way, the 24 kWh laminated lithium-ion battery pack, consisting of 192 cells, is spread out beneath the cabin. In the US LA4 mode, which Nissan says is realistic, a full charge of eight hours delivers a 160 km range. A full charge will add about RM7.90 to your TNB bill, so it’s cheap to run.

No commercial sales yet though, and public awareness is the main goal for ETCM now. Full EVs are a different kettle of fish from hybrids, which requires no compromise on the buyer’s part. But I’m sure you and me can buy a Leaf some day – you don’t register 10 costly EVs and start a pilot program without the intention to sell, right?

Speaking of which, ETCM is on the lookout for ambassadors to drive the Leaf for up to six weeks – no celebs, real people, real routines. This will go on for the rest of this year. Register your interest at this weekend’s event or online.

I’m sure the chosen ones will have real fun experiencing zero emissions motoring. For them, motoring life might never be the same again!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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We know that the Nissan Leaf electric car is in town, ready to star in a pilot program by Edaran Tan Chong Motor. Looks like the public launch will happen this weekend in PJ, as seen on an invite posted on Nissan Malaysia’s Facebook page.

Since its a pilot program and not commercial sales, we figure that the battery powered Leaf will be loaned out to individuals for tests. On sale commercially elsewhere, the Leaf is the reigning Japanese Car of the Year for 2011-2012, the first EV to win the award. The Leaf is also the 2011 European Car of the Year and the 2011 World Car of the Year winner.

Stay tuned for updates!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Here is the Nissan GT-R Track Pack, the latest version of the Japanese supercar for those who think that the current Godzilla is not Godzilla enough. Nissan says that the Track Pack is more focused to set lap times on the racetrack while still remaining completely road legal. And unlike other aftermarket modifications, Mr. GT-R himself, Kazutoshi Mizuno has given his full blessing to this car.

The philosophy behind the Track Pack is not to tinker with the powertrain to increase its power. So the figures of 550 PS and a century sprint of 2.6 seconds remain. Instead, the Track Pack adds more lightness to the car as well as handling-focused parts.

The Track Pack features special lightweight six-spoke RAYS alloy that shaves 10 kg off the standard car. The front brakes now have additional cooling ducts built into the carbon front splitter that reduces operating temperature by 100 degrees during track use. As for the back, similar ducts channels cool air over the rear discs.

Suspension has also been turned up to 11. It consists of a harder set-up and uprated body rigidity that have had input from GT-R development driver Toshio Suzuki during testing at the Nurburgring. The Track Pack also comes with special dampers that, with a flick of a switch, will make the ride bearable for road-use.

The rear bench has been deleted and track-ready sport seats wrapped in what Mr. GT-R calls ‘magic cloth’ replace the front seats. It is made from a blend of fabric and leather, and is said to have a vice grip on the occupants during hard cornering and braking.

There’s also a Track Pack emblem on the dashboard to help set itself apart from the rest of the pack. This GT-R also comes with comfortable seat belts, enhanced Bose sound system and rear-view camera as fitted on the MY2012 GT-R.

This new GT-R comes at a price of £84,450, which is £10,000 more than what Nissan is asking for the standard car. This car is only officially available in UK and Japan.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Remember that teaser graphic that went up on Nissan’s website a while back? It is now changed and with it comes an invitation.

From May 5 to May 6, you can test drive the car which the silhouette belongs to. The test drive, open to public, will be held in ETCM’s showroom in Jalan Kemajuan, Petaling Jaya between 9.30 am to 6.00 pm.

The car that you will drive is an all-electric vehicle. Judging from the silhouette, we’ll take a guess that it is the Nissan Leaf – it has all the telltale signs.

If you want to know (read: teased) more, then click on www.nissan.com.my/EV/media.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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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.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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The Elgrand in the previous post isn’t the only Nissan arrival being announced today – ETCM has also introduced the facelifted second-generation Murano SUV. Like the Elgrand, the Murano 3.5L is fully imported from Japan, and goes for RM318,882, again excluding road tax and insurance.

The all-wheel drive vehicle features the familiar 3.5 litre V6 unit, here producing 260 PS at 6,000 rpm and 336 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm, partnered to a Xtronic CVT transmission.

Cosmetic changes include a refreshed front grille and a redesigned front bumper, while the rear is enhanced with newly designed LED tail lights and integrated dual exhaust outlets. Rounding things off are new 5-Y spoke 18-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, revisions include a redesigned centre console with improved rotary controls and a newly positioned central display that provides a greater visibility.

New too are a ‘Fine Vision Meter’ instrument cluster, double stitching design leather seats and the addition of a USB port.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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If the introduction of the third-generation Nissan Elgrand you’re about to read sounds rather familiar, well, we’ve written about it before – the vehicle was spotted by Danny at the Renault Clio RS 200 Cup launch back in February, though at that point the seven-seater MPV hadn’t made its “official” debut.

It has now. Edaran Tan Chong Motor has launched the E52 Elgrand, and everything is pretty much the same as that reported earlier – the Highway Star version wears a VQ35DE 3.5 litre V6 engine offering 280 PS at 6,400 rpm and 344 Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm, and the mill is mated to a Xtronic CVT gearbox.

In the kitbag are automatic rear door slides, a separate dual-zone automatic climate control for front and rear cabin, a private theatre entertainment system and an advance Around View Monitor parking camera.

Also, as previously mentioned, the Elgrand features three ottoman seats, for the front passenger and the two second row captain seats, offering seating in business-class fashion.

Elsewhere, the Elgrand features an interior dressed in dark espresso leather, with gradation wood-tone on panels to offer contrast, as well as chrome-coated, polished 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels.

Four exterior colours are available, these being White Pearl, Brilliant Silver, Dark Purple and Black. Pricing for the Elgrand is RM384,863, though this is exclusive of road tax and insurance – the RM398,342 pricing seen at the roadshow is on-the-road, with insurance.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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The iconic Ford Crown Victoria New York yellow cabs are on their way out, to be replaced a Nissan van beginning in late 2013. The 2014 Nissan NV200 Taxi recently made its global debut at a special event in SoHo. The Taxi of Tomorrow then made its way to the New York International Auto Show, which is still ongoing at the Jacob Javits Center.

If you remember, Nissan won NYC’s Taxi of Tomorrow competition, which gives it exclusive rights to provide the replacement for the over 13,000 yellow cabs that criss cross the Big Apple.

It was a rigorous, two-year selection process by the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). The Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum and the Design Trust for Public Space and Smart Design also engaged with Nissan/TLC in the cab’s design.

“The Nissan NV200 unveiled today will be the safest, most comfortable and most convenient taxi the City has ever had. New York City cabs have always been iconic, and now they will set a new standard. The 600,000 passengers who use taxis to get around every day deserve the cutting-edge technology and top-of-the-line safety features that this model delivers,” said New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

The 2.0-litre four-cylinder powered NV200 Taxi has ample room for four passengers and their luggage, and is obviously a big improvement over the Crown Vic. Access is via sliding doors, aided by an entry step and grab handles. The rear air con is independently controlled and the headliner is infused with active carbon to neutralise odour. The leather-like seat fabric is breathable, antimicrobial, durable and easy-to-clean.

New Yorkers will also enjoy overhead reading lights and floor lighting to help locate belongings. A mobile charging station for passengers, including a 12-volt electrical outlet and two USB ports will be extremely useful for the exec on the go. Safety is not forgotten with front and rear-seat occupant curtain airbags.

But the part that interests me most as a potential tourist will be the NV200′s transparent roof panel, especially nice in a skyscraper dominated city like New York. One day, one day…

The Nissan NV200 is available solely as a panel van in Malaysia. Click here for our previous post on it.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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This is the new logo of the reborn Datsun brand. If you haven’t already heard, go on and read our earlier post, which details the relaunch of the brand by Nissan. Out goes the red rising sun in the background, and that’s logical, since today’s Datsun is not going to be sold in Japan, or developed markets, but high-growth emerging ones.

“Datsun will provide sustainable motoring experience to optimistic up-and-coming customers in high-growth markets. Datsun represents 80 years of accumulated Japanese carmaking expertise and is a important part of Nissan’s DNA. Datsun vehicles will start sales in India, Indonesia, and Russia from 2014,” Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn said.

Indonesia is a major part of Datsun’s plans. “Nissan is bringing new jobs and new vehicles to Indonesia. We are going to expand our production capability and offer a new and exciting product line here,” Ghosn added in a statement.

Click here for more on Datsun, a brand that brings back fond memories for many.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Reports suggest that Datsun will be an affordable car brand, with vehicles bearing a small displacement engine and fitted with high local content. Carlos Ghosn was quoted as saying that the Datsuns would be green cars, no doubt supporting the Indonesian government’s plans to introduce a Green Car plan in the near future.

So, in the grand scheme of things, Datsun will conveniently take its place under its parent, Nissan, and placed well away from the top-shelf Infiniti marque. The target market for each brand cannot be more obvious.

The rejuvenated sub-brand has a whole new market to tackle, of course. Ghosn, while talking to the media, said that Datsun ‘will provide sustainable motoring experience to optimistic up-and-coming customers in high-growth markets’. And it will all start in Indonesia.

Nostalgia – the B110 from 1970-73. Click to enlarge.

Which is why Nissan will be upping its production base and sales presence in the country. The total production capacity in Nissan’s Cikampek site will increase to 250,000 annually by 2014, with the workforce expanding to 3,300. This makes this factory one of the largest in the ASEAN region for Nissan. There are also plans to add 150 more dealerships by 2015.

Reports states that Datsun vehicles will start sales in India, Indonesia and Russia from 2014, but Indonesia remains the priority market for the brand, Ghosn said. “If there is any room for more capacity it will be located for the domestic (market) rather than for exports,” he told reporters. The reports also indicate an initial target figure of 60,000 units annually, with a growth rate of 7% each year.

To put more meat on the bones: there were 800,000 vehicles sold in Indonesia in 2011 alone. That makes the island-nation ASEAN’s largest car market. The total is estimated to increase almost double by 2017. And it looks like Nissan would love to be in the thick of things.

And this is the B210 from 1973-77.

Demarcation is always a good thing, especially if you’re looking to define your products and their intended target market, without affecting clout and the perception of your consumer base. In this regard, the Renault-Nissan alliance has set up its stall with clear intent and purpose as far as separation goes – Renault has Dacia, and Nissan, Datsun and Infiniti.

Going the Dacia route wouldn’t work, at least not in the region. The brand is an unknown entity in these parts, and besides, it has Renault spelt all over it. Datsun has far better ‘heritage’ (well, it does!) and association as a name, and the reintroduction route is a simpler option to plonk for. In any case, offering a clear sub-brand should work far better than going say, the IMV route chosen by Toyota.

Still, there’s the odd, inevitable question. I wonder how much money is being spent to reintroduce the name. To the average teen on the street, the name Datsun could very well mean a new line of shoes. And it is this same group of teenagers that will possibly own a Datsun as their first car; Datsun is a brand that’s unheard of where the current generation is concerned. It could probably be a new brand of smartphones, for all they know.

Now, who can forget the B310 – known as the 120Y here – from 1977-81?

It might not matter, really, because if it’s all priced right and meets the requirements of the intended market, it’ll be lapped up.

Malaysia isn’t on the Datsun radar, at least not at the moment, and in all likelihood the brand might not come. The cheapest Nissan in the market is now the Sentra 1.6 manual, at around RM85,000. Price the car any lower, which the Datsun must absolutely be, and it will invade into national car territory. Price it higher, which is the likely scenario, and it simply doesn’t make sense.

In spite of these speculative hurdles, I do hope Datsun makes it back here and I do hope it re-establishes itself, more for nostalgic reasons than any other. For the older generation of drivers, it was with Datsun cars that they first cut their motoring teeth. Me, I cut mine in a B11 130Y, the initial batch of which bore Datsun badging.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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A teaser graphic has gone up on the local Nissan website, with a ‘Can you feel electricity in the air?” tagline being the only thing mentioned, and also that whatever is due to happen is just but five days away.

Chances are it’s the nod to the arrival of the electrically-powered Nissan LEAF, one of the models slated for introduction here this year. Don’t get too excited though, even if this is the case, because the EV isn’t going to be commercially available just yet, as indicated by an earlier report on its planned arrival.

In it, Edaran Tan Chong Motor stated that it will be running a pilot program for the LEAF, in which the vehicle will be used to promote public awareness and be involved in experimental drives with Government bodies, the media as well public audiences. So, you might get to sit in one, but you can’t take it home just yet.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Pop quiz: what’s the best way for a car company to flex its technical prowess? Full marks if you answered ‘Le Mans 24 Hours’. So, do put your hands together and welcome Nissan’s most radical motorsport project to date – the Nissan DeltaWing.

The twist to the story is this; the Nissan DeltaWing will not be classified in the 2012 Le Mans 24 Hours but nevertheless, the company is looking to show what its pioneering technology can do to push the sport further. Also, as expected, the DeltaWing will serve to be a test bed for future technologies that will appear in subsequent Nissan’s road car range.

Now, usually you’d expect to find a V-engine or an engine that could displace the volume of the sun. Not with the DeltaWing because it’s engine in tiny – a race-prepared 1.6-litre four-cylinder DIG-T engine. By the way, DIG-T stands for Direct Injection Gasoline – Turbocharged, and it is the same one used in the top shelf Juke DIG-T.

This 300 hp tyke is said to give the DeltaWing lap times between LMP1 and LMP2 machines in spite having only half the power those race monsters usually produce.

Unlike the usual racers, the driver of the DeltaWing will sit at the back of the car closer to the rear axle. He will look down on the long nose of the car, much like looking down the barrel of a gun. The engine is rear mounted, which gives it a heavy behind. Nissan says this configuration makes the DeltaWing highly manoeuvrable, while its light body and aerodynamic shape gives it better efficiency.

It is because of how this racecar is designed that the organiser of Le Mans 24 Hours invited the DeltaWing to run the race from ‘Garage 56’, the pitlane reserved for experimental cars. Because the racer does not conform to any regulation, it will not be able to win any silverware. Also, it will wear the number ‘0’.

What Nissan hopes to get out of this experiment is to improve on its PureDrive aerodynamics and efficiency package for road cars. PureDrive, for the uninitiated, is Nissan’s catchphrase for economical and efficient vehicles.

Confirmed drivers for the race are Mario Franchitti and Michael Krumm, who is Nissan’s reigning FIA GT1 World Champion. We’ll bring you more updates and hopefully tell you how the car fares on track when the time comes.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Well, looks like the B-segment Nissan sedan set to be introduced by Edaran Tan Chong Motor this year has arrived, or at least the type approval or evaluation mules have.

The car in question is of course the new Nissan Sunny, which made its debut at Auto Guangzhou in December, 2010.

Reader Kenny Tan snapped a couple of photos of the car somewhere in KL – the silver example, wearing steel wheels, has black tape masking the badging as well as the headlamp and rear light clusters, but is otherwise unmarked.

Click to enlarge.

No indication as to when the car will make its market debut, but the fact that it’s already here means that it can’t be too long before the sedan is set loose. The car should wear the 112 PS and 139 Nm HR15DE 1.5 litre engine, but as to whether it will retain the venerable Sunny moniker Malaysians are very familiar with remains to be seen.

A tip of the hat to Kenny for the pix!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has introduced the refreshed 2012 Nissan Sylphy. Nissan’s C-segment sedan is now available in two trim levels – 2.0XL and 2.0XV – revised styling and a longer equipment list.

On the looks front, there are new front and rear bumpers, a new chrome grille and revised lamp design at both ends. Five colour choices are available – Bronze Gold, Tungsten Silver, Sapphire Black, Twilight Grey and Brilliant White.

Both XL and XV specs come with a black interior theme (used to be beige) with fine cherry wood trim, silver-ringed meter design with Multi-Information Display, and a new head unit with MP3 and AUX input. In addition, the door mirrors can now be folded at the touch of a button, while the air-con system adds on a temperature display and automatic setting.

The XV adds on leather wrapped steering and audio controls. It also comes with Nissan’s intelligent key (i-Key) keyless entry and start system.

The highest spec car is equipped with bi-xenon projector headlamps with Active Front-lighting System (AFS) – the only car in its class to offer such a feature. AFS, not to be confused with bending main projectors, is a cornering lamp. This is added to the already standard auto headlamps. The XV also rolls on 195/60 R16 wheels, one-inch larger than the XL’s 185/65 R15.

The Sylphy 2.0XL Comfort is priced at RM114,880, while a mid spec 2.0XL Luxury that adds on V-Kool tint, leather and sat nav comes in at RM119,880. The 2.0XV Premium will cost you RM124,880. All prices are on the road including insurance.

For a limited period, all purchasers will get an aerokit free of charge. ETCM is also currently offering low interest hire purchase rates starting from 2.5% per annum.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Nissan will be giving this curvy crossover a world premiere at Geneva. Called the Hi-Cross Concept, it is “heralds a possible new design direction for the company” and is a proposal for a model that slots into Nissan’s Juke-Qashqai-Murano crossover range.

The Hi-Cross is a seven-seater, and the concept car showcases a hybrid drivetrain. It’s the combination of an electric motor powered by a Nissan-developed lithium-ion battery pack, and a 2.0 litre direct injection petrol engine. The battery uses much of the tech developed for the all electric Nissan LEAF.

The drivetrain was developed for front-wheel drive models, but modified to provide 4WD. It is linked to Nissan’s new generation XTRONIC CVT, which by itself achieves a 10% improvement in fuel economy over the current version. Its low friction design has smaller shaft-diameter pulleys with a new belt to give the widest possible ratio coverage for enhanced efficiency.

The powerplant is said to provide the performance potential of a 2.5 litre with the economy and emissions expected from a much smaller unit. This is an interesting development, since Nissan isn’t synonymous with hybrids, leaving the flag for rivals Toyota and Honda to fly.

The Hi-Cross Concept sits on a 2,780mm wheelbase, a number that is between the X-Trail and Murano. The concept’s 4,660 mm overall length is just 30 mm longer than the current X-Trail, so this could be a crossover that plays in the C-segment. If it is indeed the “new X-Trail” it will also fill in the blank in Nissan’s Juke-Qashqai-Murano family.

Design highlights include a bold character line that extends from the bonnet down the flanks of the car to the D-pillars. Inside, the Hi-Cross’ cockpit is dominated by a new “T-wing” shaped dashboard. Don’t be fooled by the concept tag – no one thought they were going to make the Juke!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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According to the Nikkei, the vehicles, which will be priced at around 500,000 yen, will initially be built and sold in India, Indonesia and Russia, with a rather moderate annual sales volume of 300,000 units being targeted.

The return of the Datsun name is supposed to be only in those markets, but you can imagine that there’ll be expansion if things go well. The mothballed brand – which was created during Nissan’s early days and was discontinued from the mid ’80s – was synonymous with small, inexpensive cars, and the upcoming revival essentially marks a return to the roots.

Models are set to be tailored to the specific needs of each market. The vehicles will meet safety standards, but will utilise inexpensive parts and materials as well as drop dispensable features such as cabin noise reduction, the report adds. And, a Datsun network of dealerships are set to emerge.

The Datsuns that will be produced for India and Indonesia will feature Nissan’s low-cost V-platform, and 90% or more of the parts for the models will be locally made. In India, a 1.0 litre vehicle is expected to retail for around 300,000 rupees, or roughly 500,000 yen, which is half the price of a March hatchback that uses the same platform. In Russia, platforms from local automaker Avtovaz will provide the basis for Datsuns there, with initial plans aiming to deploy a 800cc model.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Nissan has released a teaser image (and video) of its upcoming Hi-Cross concept SUV, which will be making its debut at the Geneva show next week. The vehicle will apparently provide a preview of how the new X-Trail is expected to shape up.

Save the solitary side silhouette shot and teaser video, no other details have been divulged. The video does provide a hint of what the instrument cluster looks like, in rendered form. Expect more on the Hi-Cross when the Swiss show starts.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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I spotted something unusual at the Clio Renault Sport 200 Cup launch last week. The hot Clio’s unveiling at the upscale Bangsar Shopping Centre was part of a Tan Chong roadshow starring the Renault range and upmarket models from Nissan. Sitting quietly in a corner was this, the Nissan Elgrand MPV.

If memory serves me right, Nissan’s big MPV was shown at KLIMS 2010, but I don’t remember a launch event or any press release about the model from ETCM. It’s also not listed on Nissan’s local website, so this should be one of the upcoming CBU models ETCM is bringing in for 2012. So, while all attention was on the hot hatch in front, I slipped away for a walk around and a few shots of the big black bus.

The Elgrand is Nissan’s answer to the Alphard, so it’s a luxurious box with sharp edges. It’s not as ubiquitous as the Toyota, but there are a few units around, usually black in colour with a massive chrome grille. This one sold by ETCM is the latest E52 third-generation Elgrand, one gen newer than those on the road.

The mask-like grille is still massive, but more effort has gone into the front design. Same goes for the rest of the car, which is less slab sided than before. The Elgrand is powered by Nissan’s VQ35DE 3.5-litre V6 engine making 280 PS and 344 Nm of torque. The gearbox is of course paired to the firm’s Xtronic CVT, with manual mode.

The Elgrand comes in as a Highway Star model and is quite well equipped. Standard kit includes six airbags (front, side, curtain), Vehicle Dynamic Control, ABS, EBD, BA, adaptive xenons, keyless entry/start (intelligent key), two powered sliding doors, auto tailgate, double sunroof, Around View Monitor, 18-inch alloys and a rear entertainment system with wireless headphones and 11-inch display.

But the highlight for chauffeured bosses will be the Elgrand’s three ottoman seats – front passenger plus two second row captain chairs – enabling business-class style seating on the road.

The Elgrand is imported CBU from Japan. The selling price we saw at the roadshow is RM398,342 on the road, including insurance.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), at a recent CNY lunch, announced that it will be introducing several new models this year. They are a B-segment sedan, a “few interesting CBU models” and the electric-powered Nissan LEAF. This comes after the Navara Single Cab and NV200 Vanette that was announced last weekend.

Asked to comment on the prospects of the automotive sector this year, here’s what ETCM’s executive director Datuk Dr Ang Bon Beng had to say: “2012 will not be a rosy year for the automotive sector. The first quarter remains challenging, because supply interruptions caused by the Thailand flood continue to persist. Apart from this, the stringent loan conditions for hire purchase of vehicles in Malaysia may affect our sales too. Moreover, consumers are cautious on the global economic outlook.

“The market will only pick up in the second half of the year, with MAA forecasting that TIV will grow 2.5% to hit 615,000 units this year. We are confident that Nissan sales volume will exceed industry growth with the introduction of new models in segments which Nissan is currently unrepresented.”

The B-segment sedan in question should be the Sunny, although it’s not certain if that household name will be reused (we were at the car’s world debut in China, click here for more), while the March and Juke could be on the CBU menu. As for the LEAF, it’s a pilot programme, not commercial sales.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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There have been plenty of novel ways in which vehicles have been advertised – yessiree, from hoardings to mobile means, they’ve been announced and intimated at, even proclaimed loudly.

Over in the UK, Nissan has turned to its heavyweight commercial vehicle relatives to help publicise its new NV400 panel van range to potential business customers – fifteen HGV (heavy goods vehicles) and trailers have been emblazoned with 96-sheet High Dimension truck wraps of the new van under the titles of ‘The New NV400 – Speaks Volumes’ and ‘The New NV400 – We’re Changing the Face of Vans’.

Given that the trucks travel daily up and down 10 of the country’s main motorways, covering around 240,000 km per month, this translates to placing the NV400 in front of an estimated 18 million drivers.

This is the first advertising campaign for the NV400 since its introduction last November, and the focus is very much on the van’s generous load volume and the news that Nissan has a new large panel van up and about.

The much bigger brother to the NV200, which was just introduced here with a Vanette suffix, is available with either front- or rear-wheel drive, with a choice of 100 PS, 125 PS or 150 PS diesel engines driving through a six speed manual or automatic transmission.

With four load lengths, three load heights and four gross vehicle weights to choose from, it speaks volumes about the flexibility with this one, hence the trumping up via the HGV route!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Earlier, we wrote about the new Nissan Navara Single Cab with a choice of luton, steel or wooden body configurations, aimed at commercial users. Besides the pick-up truck, Edaran Tan Chong has also introduced the successor to THE commercial vehicle of past decades, the long lasting Nissan C22 Vanette. Introducing the all new NV200 Vanette.

Available here only in panel van form, the NV200, designed with Europe in mind, first made its debut in 2010. No longer an ancient box, the NV200 comes with safety features, functionality and fuel efficiency that will be alien to C22 users. The huge cargo space measuring 4.2m³ is able to cater to various applications.

Not detailed in the press release, but found in the print ad in today’s newspaper is the dimensions of the cargo area opening – 2.04 metres long, 1.36 metres tall and 1.5 metres wide. The single-leaf spring rear suspension not only offers a payload of up to 740 kg, but due to its compact design, cargo space is optimised to accommodate up to two standard sized Euro pallets.

Powering the NV200 Vanette is the 1.6 litre HR16DE engine with Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control (CVTC) producing 109 PS and 152 Nm of torque. The proven engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, and ETCM claims best-in-class fuel economy of 14.0 km/l.

Unlike the C22, the engine is not below the driver’s bum, so heat intrusion and NVH will be greatly improved. New features include electric power steering, a Multi-Function Meter that displays info such as fuel consumption, range and driving time on a 2.8-inch Dot Matrix Display. The MFM also has alerts for speeding, maintenance, a timer and even a transmission shift-up indicator.

Standard safety features include ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, Zone Body construction, driver’s airbag, pre-tensioner seat belts with load limiters, high mount stop lamp, wide rear view mirror and large side mirrors.

The NV200 Vanette is priced at RM62,047, excluding road tax and insurance.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Edaran Tan Chong Motor has announced the introduction of the Nissan Navara Single Cab – aimed very much at commercial users, the vehicle is based on the Navara pickup’s underpinnings and is powered by the most powerful commonrail diesel engine in its class.

It’s powered by a 2.5 litre YD25DDTi commonrail turbocharged diesel unit, with 144 PS and 294 Nm for numbers, and the lump is mated to a five-speed manual transmission. As for body style designs, there are three to pick from (luton, steel or wooden body configurations), with each being built on a double-layered, high-tensile metal frame chassis reinforced, with a maximum payload of 750 kg.

Like the other Navara variants, the Single Cab wears the well-proven independent double-wishbone front suspension and a rigid rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs. Safety equipment includes side-impact beams, a collapsible steering wheel column as well as a load sensing brake system that evenly distributes brake pressure to the rear wheels for optimal stopping performance, with front disc brakes part of the standard kit.

Mod cons for the driver and passenger include large comfortable seating, an air-conditioning system and a standard CD/radio audio head unit. Pricing for the Navara Single Cab starts from RM64,391, excluding road tax, insurance and registration-related charges.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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Heading to London or Paris in the next three months, and looking to rent a car for travel? Well, you can join the folks at Fringe by driving a Nissan Leaf. Nissan and rental firm Europcar have teamed up to offer the Leaf as a short-term hire in the two cities. Sounds like a great idea for those who are unsure whether an EV will cut it for their needs – think of it as a trial run in real world conditions.

Every customer hiring a Leaf – which has a 175 km operating range on a single charge – will be given a face-to-face handover by a Europcar representative, who has been fully trained on the car and its workings. Simplifying the process, Europcar will recharge the car completely free of charge, even waiving the standard service fee usually made for vehicle refuelling.

The pilot scheme will initially run for three months, but success will potentially see it widened to other cities in France and Great Britain, as well as other countries in Europe. No mention of rental rates, but there’s only one way to find out, I guess …

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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This is the Nissan INVITATION Concept which Nissan will be exhibiting at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show as a preview for a future B-segment vehicle, due to be launched from 2013.

Nissan says the production INVITATION hatchback will be sold alongside the Micra city car and the Juke crossover. Many publications are speculating that the production version of the INVITATION will replace the Nissan Note, which is due for replacement as the first generation has been around since 2004.

I can’t help but feel the INVITATION looks more like a Tiida/Latio hatch than a Note, due to a lack of a taller roofline. However, the new B-segment Tiida/Latio has already been unveiled at Shanghai, though curiously it hasn’t gone on sale yet in countries like the US even though the Micra-based sedan counterpart have already been launched in these countries.

The INVITATION is a pretty good looking concept car, and we hope that much of it gets translated into production, instead of how the original Versa concept (which was very good looking) became the Latio hatch on sale in our country now (not as good looking).

Also making its debut with the INVITATION is Nissan’s advanced Around View Monitor (AVM) safety technology – seen for the first time on a B-segment car – which makes reversing and parallel parking as stress-free as possible.

As for the name, Nissan Deputy Division General Manager of Product Strategy and Product Planning Division Francois Bancon said the name INVITATION is self-explanatory, that the car is designed to be inviting thanks to its sensuous exterior design and generous and comfortable interior space, cleverly packaged within compact overall dimensions.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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9. Ford Evos Concept – four seater fastback C-segment car
10. Frankfurt preview: B-segment SsangYong Concept XUV 1

This mean racing machine you see here is the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3, which conforms to FIA GT3 regulations. It has been developed by NISMO and JR Motorsports (JRM), the official partner for this project, throughout last year.

The car’s credentials for GT3 racing worldwide has been proven via a series of extensive tests, included three competitive outings. They will be hoping that it follows the success of the GT1 Nissan GT-R that won the 2011 FIA GT1 World Championship.

The 3.8-litre V6 twin-turbo engine is based on the pre-2012 upgrade standard road car unit, developing 530 PS and 612 Nm of torque. Power is delivered via six-speed transaxle that drives the rear wheels, activated by a semi-automatic paddle-shift system. The stripped out, roll caged car weighs in at 1,300 kilos.

Designed with customers in mind, driveability has been an important factor. Therefore, as well as featuring a chassis that inspires confidence, suspension set-up and driver controls can easily be adjusted to suit a range of preferences, according to NISMO.

Sales and customer support for the 298,000 euro NISMO GT3 will be handled by NISMO for Japan, Asia, North America, South America, and Oceania, while JRM will cover Europe, Russia and the Middle East.

The road going R35 GT-R was recently upgraded for 2012. Click here to read our previous post and view the pics. There’s also a new Track Pack option for those who want to exercise their Godzilla on track, without stretching to the GT3.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 12:57:58 +0000.

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