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Nissan Murano now available with diesel engine for UK

July 29, 2010 at 5:35 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan

Malaysia has just seen a rise in petrol prices due to the decrease in subsidies recently. The increase in prices was by RM0.05 for petrol (RON95) and diesel. It would seem that further reduction in subsidies would only see the rise of petrol prices in the coming years or even months.

Thus fuel efficiency is ever more important not to mention the adoption of other fuel sources and one that springs to mind is diesel. Nissan which sells the Murano variant in Malaysia, recently announced the release of a new diesel engine for the SUV in the UK.

It uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine which is capable of producing 187hp and 450Nm of torque at just 2,000rpm.

This produces an average fuel consumption for both city and highway driving of 6.6L/100km along with a CO2 figure of just 210g/km with the help of a revised 6 speed automatic transmission providing Adaptive Shift Control, improved aerodynamics and an electric power regeneration system.

Other improvements on the inside include the change from a chain to a belt drive for the power steering pump, extra engine mounts and extra sound absorbing material to reduce noise intrusion from the diesel engine. Providing more air to the new engine will be a redesigned front end with a new front grille and bumper, also giving it a refreshed look.

The only Murano available in Malaysia at the moment is the 3.5L petrol engine which consumes between 9 to 13 litres for every 100km travelled, 9L being the most fuel efficient it could ever be, a far cry from what diesel motors are able to achieve.

A switch to diesel would make sense for many Malaysian’s as diesel is still RM0.10 cheaper that the cheapest petrol. Many manufacturers already offer diesels here especially for their SUVs – the Santa Fe, Captiva, X3 and X5 are all available as diesels.

More pictures are available after the jump.
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SPYSHOT: Local spec Nissan Teana interior snapped!

July 27, 2010 at 2:53 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Nissan, Spyshots


Looks like it so happens to be Nissan spyshot day today! This is the first time we’re looking at the interior of those mildly disguised Nissan Teanas that have been going around the Klang Valley, thanks to reader Ezham. Our Teanas are specced with a light cream interior with brown wood trim, quite similar to what we can see in the Latio and the Sylphy. Look after the jump for the rest of the photos snapped at the Sungai Buloh overhead R&R yesterday. Thanks Ezham!
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Nissan X-Trail caught in the open, to be launched soon

July 27, 2010 at 11:04 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Nissan, Spyshots


Click to enlarge

I was driving on the NKVE when I saw a car transporter ferrying Nissan cars. Thought nothing of it initially, but I took a second glance and realised that the two X-Trails on the bottom rung looked slightly different – they were indeed the second generation X-Trail and I duly whipped out my Nokia. Unlike the also soon to be launched Teana, there was no disguise attempt by Tan Chong for the X-Trail – maybe because it looks so similar to the outgoing model that they thought no one would have noticed!

Two X-Trails were on the move, one red and the other in grey. This isn’t the latest facelifted model recently launched in Japan but the pre-facelift car that’s assembled in Indonesia, also the source of X-Trails for Thailand. If you look closely at the tailgate, there’s a small half-blue badge on the right side, which I reckon says Xtronic CVT.


Click to enlarge

Nissan’s slick CVT should be partnering the MR20DE 2.0-litre engine (also seen in the Sylphy) for the Malaysian market, a combo that’s also exported to Thailand. In Indonesia, the other engine option is a 2.5-litre four cylinder from the QR series, the same engine that powers our current X-Trail 2.5. Expect a 2WD version of the SUV without Nissan’s All Mode 4X4 system; shouldn’t be an issue for urban cowboys and families.

What else can we see from the pictures? Those decent looking five-spoke wheels are 16-inch items and the reverse lamps are mounted very low on the bumper. I’m guessing that most of the extra 175 mm in overall length over the old model is aft of the rear wheels, as that section looks a bit expanded – the new X-Trail’s 2,630 mm wheelbase is just 5 mm longer than before.

The launch is near and we will be driving the car soon, so watch this space!

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Nissan pokes fun at German brands in new ad campaign

July 23, 2010 at 2:36 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Audi, BMW, International News, Nissan, Porsche

Nissan’s new advertising campaign is causing quite a stir, poking fun at German rivals Audi, BMW and Porsche. This was done by releasing print and poster adverts highlighting German brands flaws as compared to the 370Z and the GT-R.

Using such phrases as “The Winner Hans Down,” “The Germans Came Off Wurst,” “Kaisers Chiefed” and “Deutschland Deutschland Über-Rated,” the ad campaign was officially launched in London on a giant 360 degree 47ft IMAX billboard.

Talk about taking it to the extremes!

If you don’t think that’s enough, they’ve even scrawled statements like “More expensive, slower and less powerful than a Nissan 370Z” on an Audi TT-S. Similarly themed slogans can be seen on a Porsche Cayman as well.

Just in case you’re curious they’ve supplied the public with a spec chart comparing all the aforementioned cars, and on paper it does look like the 370Z and GT-R’s are better buys than the German equivalent. It’s also worth remembering that spec sheets can’t describe driving feel and pleasure, which can only be accomplished with a test drive.

Nevertheless Steve McLennan, Nissan UK Marketing Director, is quite pleased with his ad stating “It simply challenges the convention of German sportscars being the only benchmark for performance and quality. Nissan is confident in the ability of 370Z and GT-R to eclipse our comparable German rivals in terms of outright performance and accessibility and it’s now time to shout about it.”

Do you think Nissan has a point? An equivalent BMW Z4is M Sport costs RM598,800 as opposed to a Nissan 370Z which costs RM370,000, while the Porsche Cayman S easily reaches RM640,000.00! Have your say.

High-res pictures are also available after the jump.
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Mildly disguised Nissan Teana spotted at Awan Besar R&R

July 23, 2010 at 1:28 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Nissan, Spyshots

Nissan Teana

Edaran Tan Chong Motor continues to test the Nissan Teana on our local roads. These duo of a silver and black Teana was spotted by reader Amru Yusrin earlier this week at the Awan Besar R&R just after lunch time.

In this photo above, we get a little glimpse at the interior – looks like ETCM has selected a beige interior for us, supplemented by what looks like chrome/aluminium/silver surrounds around certain areas such as around the air cond vents. If they are taped up and being driven around like this I am guessing that this time the Teana will be CKD.

It’s good that Nissan will be once again joining the D-segment market here in Malaysia – it’s been dominated by either the Accord or Camry for just too long.

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Nissan rumoured to build an electric sportscar?

July 22, 2010 at 8:21 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Infiniti, International News, Nissan

The automotive market is now clamouring with automaker trying to pump out electric sportscar such as Audi with their R8 and Mercedes with their SLS AMG. Nissan could be next as sources close to the company revealed the possibility of Nissan producing an electric sportscar.

Nothing else has been confirmed, thus we could see the Japanese company using body structures from its current line-up such as the 370Z. This would be a relatively good choice as it is a lightweight car but unfortunately lacks in size which has to house the unconfirmed amount of batteries.

We have to remember that Nissan would most likely use the platform of the Leaf with an electric motor producing slightly more juice. Thus anything in that size would do this new sports car well. We could also see the use of its premium brand Infiniti and some have been suggesting the use of cars like the hybrid concept Essence seen in 2009.

This could be pure speculation but as the old saying goes, where there’s smoke, there’s Nissan’s CEO Carlos Goshn trying to make Nissan a leader in the automotive industry.


Source

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ETCM launches 1.6L Nissan Sentra tuned by Impul

July 20, 2010 at 12:54 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Local News, Nissan

The Nissan Sentra was first unveiled to the world in the year 2000 and for some reason it is still soldiering on in our market, keeping the latest new style headlamp facelift first shown to the world in 2004, even though its ‘replacement’ the Sylphy is already on sale.

First introduced in Malaysia in December 2000, the Sentra has been around for 9 and a half years and by the end of this year it would mark a decade that the Sentra has been sold on our shores. That’s a seriously long time for a non-Malaysian make to be sold here. A normal car typically has a 5 year lifecycle while more upmarket cars like BMW and Mercedes-Benz have 7 year lifecycles. There are currently over 47,000 units of the Sentra on our roads.

The latest ‘update’ to the Sentra is the new Nissan Sentra tuned by Impul, which equips the Sentra with some Impul bits and pieces. You get a complete Impul aerokit which features a new front grille, front and rear bumper lips, side skirts and a rear wing. You also get an Impul sports suspension system which drops the ride height by around 25mm.

At the rear end you get an Impul Blast II Exhaust Muffler which is made of polished stainless steel. The wheels are 16 inch Impul FS-16 alloy wheels with a bronze finish. Of all these Impul components, only the 16 inch wheels are imported from Japan, while the rest are ‘localized’.

Here’s the prices for the Impul Sentra:

  • Impul Sentra 1.6L MT Comfort – RM94,500
  • Impul Sentra 1.6L MT Luxury – RM98,500
  • Impul Sentra 1.6L AT Comfort – RM98,600
  • Impul Sentra 1.6L AT Luxury – RM102,600

These prices are actually quite a margin over a ‘regular’ Sentra. For example a Sentra 1.6L MT Comfort goes for RM86,750 OTR with insurance in Peninsular Malaysia. That’s a RM7,750 premium for all the Impul stuff. But if for some reason you really want a Sentra with an Impul kit it’s cheaper to buy the pre-packaged Impul version than add the bodykit for RM3,000, the grille for RM800, the wheels for RM4,000, the tyres for RM1,200, the wheel nuts for RM250, the suspension for RM2,500, and the exhaust muffler for RM1,800.

But really, we come back to the question of WHY? And how long more do you think the Sentra will soldier on in Malaysia?

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Nissan’s range of new engines and improved CVT for 2010

July 14, 2010 at 11:39 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan, Technology

Nissan has announced a range of new drivetrains for launch this year, as part of the Nissan Green Program 2010, which main aim is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. They include new engines, a revised CVT, Idling Stop and Clean Diesel. Eco friendly and efficient cars will now come with the PURE DRIVE brand.

The first PURE DRIVE car is the new March that will be released in Japan this month. Debuting in Geneva 2010, this small car is capable of 26 km/l fuel economy. Under that little hood is the HR12DE 1.2 litre 3-cylinder engine and the next generation XTRONIC CVT.

Developed in pursuit of lighter weight and a smaller size, the HR12DE uses less moving parts and by applying bore circularity machining to the cylinder block, friction has been reduced by 20%. Besides that, adjusting the weight balance of the engine’s rotary shaft also improves noise and vibration, which is equivalent to 4-cylinder engines.

Nissan is one of the prime movers of CVT tech and it now has a new XTRONIC CVT which is 10% smaller and 13% lighter than before, while also achieving a 30% friction reduction – the latter benefits acceleration, noise levels and fuel economy. Its gear ratio of 7.3 (versus a conventional CVT’s 6.0) is the world’s largest. The new gearbox also integrates the Idling Stop system, which Nissan says is smooth enough that the driver will hardly be aware of it working. The engine can be restarted on a slope without sliding backwards

Next up is the M9R Clean Diesel engine that powers the recently facelifted JDM X-Trail. It meets Japan’s post-new long-term regulations, the most stringent emission standards in the world. The M9R utilizes a highly dispersive lean NOx trap (LNT) catalyst, a world’s first.

Perhaps more relevant to us is the HR15DE, which is the world’s first mass-produced 1.5-litre engine with dual injectors (per cylinder). The dual injectors stabilise combustion by reducing the size of the particles sprayed in the form of a mist by approximately 60%. Combined with Continuously Variable valve Timing Control (CVTC), fuel economy has been improved by approximately 4% compared to Nissan’s current 1.5. This engine powers the Juke in Japan.

The final engine is a downsized unit in keeping with Euro trends. The MR16DDT is a 1.6-litre direct injection turbocharged engine (187 bhp/240 Nm) said to have the power of a 2.5-litre with the fuel efficiency of a 1.8-litre. It also comes with dual CVTC and hydrogen-free DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coating along with new friction-reduced valve springs. This motor will debut in the Juke before the end of this year.

Hi res images of the new engines after the jump.
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Funky Nissan Juke launched to great reception in Japan

July 12, 2010 at 3:55 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan

This writer just got back from Japan, where the Nissan Juke is the current superstar of the motoring scene. Browse the magazine racks in the land of the rising sun and you’ll find the funky mini crossover splashed across covers and starring in shootouts. We spotted one example in a parking lot, and the group I was with swamped around it, clicking shutters and pointing fingers. Not surprising really, as the Juke is one of the boldest designs to have made production in recent times.

But even Nissan never predicted the response it’ll receive. Since its June 9th debut, the Juke’s domestic orders reached 10,943 units after one month going on sale, more than eight times greater than the monthly target of 1,300 units. The most popular exterior colour so far has been Radiant Red, which accounts for 29% of total orders. The Juke has painted plastics in the cabin, and over 59% of Japanese buyers have also gone for red here.

As a younger sibling to the Qashqai/Dualis crossover, the Juke is meant to be an alternative to the B-segment supermini class, just like how the Qashqai tempted many British Golf/Focus prospects to opt for something less conventional. Europe will get a new 1.6-litre direct injection turbo engine with 187 bhp and 240 Nm, which sounds exciting along with Nissan’s All-Mode 4X4-i system with lateral torque vectoring capability.

The car I snapped in the Japanese parking lot is after the jump. Click here for our Geneva show report and gallery of the Juke.
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2011 Nissan X-Trail facelift debuts with new 6-speed auto

July 9, 2010 at 3:54 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan

Nissan have announced that they will be releasing a revised X-Trail for the Japanese market. The biggest change in the 4X4 will be the inclusion of a 6-speed automatic transmission (with manual shift mode) matted to the 2.0 litre “M9R” Clean Diesel engine.

The MR9 engine is a joint venture development with Renault, which was made to meet Japan’s strict emission regulations. A host of technologies such as Piezo-electric injectors, diesel particulate filter (DPF), and lean NOx-trap catalysts are featured in this engine making it more efficient. The standard engine produces 170hp and 359Nm of torque. This figure is comparable to a 3.5-litre V6 gasoline engine, available from way down in the rev range.

Cosmetic changes to the car include a slightly revised exterior which include a new front grille, front bumper, new head lights, LED tail lights and a sportier front end. This will sit on redesigned 17-inch aluminium wheels with revised tyre sizes.

Moving on inside, larger dials and a vehicle information display system provide the driver with fuel consumption figures and upcoming maintenance schedules while the glove compartment comes standard with refrigeration and heat retention capabilities. Advanced Hill Descent Control system (with a speed-setting function) will be available for 4 wheel drive models, which enables the driver to set their desired speed while climbing up a steep hill.

A picture gallery of the Nissan X-Trail is available for your viewing pleasure after the jump.
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