The all-new, fourth generation N18 Nissan Almera has been spied again undergoing road trials in Kuala Lumpur. Reader Eric Foong spotted the car earlier today somewhere in Mont Kiara and managed to snap a few photos of it from behind.
It’s the third time the Almera has been sighted, and the second instance where it has been caught on camera while on public roads – the first was in December last year, when two examples (one silver, one white) were caught testing along Jalan Dutamas Raya.
The white example today features the same rear end camo, with its boot lid and rear lights masked. While no front end photos were taken today, it’s safe to presume that the front end is clad in the same fashion as it was late last year.
Edaran Tan Chong Motor confirmed last year that B-segment sedan will be introduced in Malaysia sometime this year, although the Covid-19 outbreak will likely have impacted its launch timeline – to what extent remains to be seen.
Based on the previous spyshot set, local consumers can expect there to be a few variants grades, the visual indicators being different headlight systems (halogen on lower-spec and LED, on higher) and wheels in different designs and sizes.
The white car spotted back in December was what should be the higher-spec version, but it’s not the same example as today’s white unit, because it has a different lower section without a body-coloured diffuser insert, which would indicate it to be a lower-spec unit. LED tail lights look to be standard issue across the range.
In Thailand, the Almera features a sole powertrain choice, and that’s a HRA0 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine offering 100 PS at 5,000 rpm and 152 Nm of torque from 2,400 to 4,000 rpm. It’s paired with an Xtronic CVT with D-Step Logic driving the front wheels.
The power output is close to the 102 PS coming off the HR15DE 1.5 litre normally-aspirated four-cylinder mill seen in our current Almera, but has more torque than the NA’s 139 Nm. We don’t know if the Malaysian-spec cars will be equipped with the new, smaller displacement turbo or retain the existing NA unit, or utilise both in the line-up.
Likewise, the level of standard equipment that will be present in local cars. The range-topping VL variant in Thailand is kitted with LED fog lamps, a seven-inch instrument cluster display, automatic air-conditioning and a six-speaker, eight-inch Nissan Connect infotainment system.
Safety kit available for the Almera is also comprehensive, with six airbags (front, side and curtain), Vehicle Dynamic Control and a raft of Nissan intelligent safety systems available on the highest-spec version. The last collectively groups driver assist kit such as Forward Collision Warning, Emergency Braking, Around View Monitor, Moving Object Detection, Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
Styling-wise, the new Almera is of course a world away from the model it replaces, and so its arrival will certainly present the segment with another dynamic option to consider. Presently, the Almera is positioned as the more affordable option compared to the Toyota Vios and Honda City, and so things will really get interesting should the base version of the new car dip under RM70k like the current model is at the moment.
This or the new fifth-gen Honda City, which is also due in this year – which one would you pick? Let us know in the comments below.
GALLERY: 2020 Nissan Almera spyshots, December 2019
GALLERY: 2020 Nissan Almera VL, Thai Motor Expo
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(Like) Toyota Vios and Nissan Almera
(Dislike) Honda City Turbo
Habisla Proton Persona if this Game Changer is sold here! The Game-Changing Almera have sleek and modern design while the Persona design can’t match with it.
This new Almera selling like hotcakes in USA!
Is that why Nissan is a far far fourth spot in MAA sales data? ETCM Nissan salesmen still daydreaming they could overtake Proton? LOL!LOL!LOL!
No point in cheating yourselves. Sales data will show the truth.
Almera will stole sales from city soon. So close shop honda
Nope, if X50 on sales…
Looks much better than previous model. Very close to pretty City exterior now. Well done Nissan. Get a Japanese car for good RV, follow by Korean and China. .
This game changing Almera 1.0T roadtax Rm20?
I hope no honda fanbois doesn’t come here and talk nonsense about nissan jatco cvt issues. This means that you never experience for driving nissan before. Look at yourself, why everyone boycott honda malaysia when aftersales service and quality is bad. As well as mostly honda models have lacking of safety features.
All Honda cars are getting too expensive because keeping on changing spare parts & while Honda RV is too low.
Both new City and new Almera are just as dugong.
H City is one of the dugong design and ah beng style that will bring here
tq for sarcastism, reminding us about Jatco gearbox.
it’s still a good car for 5 years ownership, no worries bro, like a Proton/Geely.
many people buy car for 5 years ownership, ignore low RV too. Fact check – Almera trade in value after 2 years no more than RM35k.
We have to inform buyer, let the buyer do the judgement.
If you find more Honda problems, please inform too.
Well, I had already experience in driving my civic 1.8 in 2017 but my honda quality have so many problems such as fuel pump, steering rack, always jerking and low noise can hear crackling sound that not even full warranty yet. As bringing my car to aftersales service, standard are also so poor which I don’t know what their honda technicians are doing. That’s the reason why I boycott honda malaysia. Not only me, they also boycott honda malaysia as they also faced major issues for driving honda.
After used up all saving and get a huge loan for a car. The car got problem. Sad.
is that different lower bumper section available in other markets?
I don’t think so, but I think the different lower bumper its probably a low spec model.
People will no rather buy Honda because of quality and aftersales is very cheapskate. This City Turbo definitely no AEB, no land departure warning, no blind spot monitor and etc. Rather buy other b segment car that has more safety features and more reliable
My advice to Nissan…..dont be like Honda Malaysia, with big price tag while below par quality.
Kasi cantik sikit harga, Nissan. Thanks ya.
Look beautiful than copycat g20 honda city turbo
Handsome looker
Love Nissan more
The Nissan Almera never had a good flight against the almighty Vios and City…..until now.
We waiting for p2 d55l spyshot.
This will sell well
Spec and design wise, almera will kill city turbo
Both are late in the game since the tentative launch dates are at end 2020 and by then will be killed off when Proton unleashes their X50.
Depends on x50 pricing and affordable most of time sell well like Myvi.
I am thinking why Tan Chong wants to launch a sedan when SUVs are the rage now. They should launch the Nissan Kick ahead of the Almera. Why wait till Toyota and Perodua launched their respective B-segment SUVs?
Because delusional ETCM Nissan salesmen still daydreaming their cars are Game Changers and you can see one such comment above. MAA sales data shows the cruel truth which they can’t accept.
I’m sure locally they are finding ways to localize every single part and make the car as cheap as possible to have max profit but quality drops..the current almera shows…
But finding that honda quality is also dropping by 10%. But honda my don’t care on their people’s lives, only they care is their profits only
CVT…I can never get used to it’s behaviour and monotone engine whine. Other than that, this car seems pretty decent in the segment.
Was excited with this but has becomr old news..pity now already looked dated before even launched in malaysia
Look at new gen city first. Rear look like bmw g20. Front look a bit outdated. Design wise look damn ugly. Interior wise look too boring. And instead of complaining that this car becoming old news, ask honda designer, why all honda models look so dull and why honda will cooperate with GM motors
Why bother with the camo?
Based on my understanding, 1.0turbo can accelerate faster since it hit 152NM from 2,400 to 4,000 rpm and hit max 100ps sooner at 5000rpm. With its a quick accelerate configuration, it can smoke 1.5NA far away on head start.
However, if given a very very long track without traffic to flouring the pedal forever, the slow pick-up 1.5NA will slowly crawl nearer with 102ps at higher rpm.(Which is not practical in real life situation)
I would choose 1.0turbo even it is less smooth, vibrate more, less lifespan as it provide practical acceleration that very useful in city and high volume traffic PLUS highway.
Better looking by a huge margin from the current almera which is an eye-sore seeing on the road..
Honda City turbo is better buy. more powerful and better resale value. it’s a no-brainer choice. those who buy almera and vios will lose a lot of money from its resale value. also their cars will struggle going up to genting highlands with even 3 adults!
A prettier dugong doesn’t make it a better dugong. It is still a dugong.
Vios, almera and persona are better buy, good quality, beautiful design and better resale value. Those who buy honda city, will be more brainless which service is so expensive, poor quality, low resale value compare to these other competitors. 4 years later, city has lost more resale value money in which city has the highest low resale value dropped by RM40K while Almera dropped by RM35K and Vios dropped by RM38K.
As the owner of the current gen Almera, I don’t recommend to get this car. Many mechanical parts failed just after warranty expires while mileage is still low, e.g.bearing, radiator fanmotor, compressor, engine mounting & so much more. Rattling interior panels. Service center won’t dare to replace during warranty period. Service agent is unreliable too. Since 5th year of ownership, spent around rm5k per year to service & repair.
Perhaps someone can start a petition to strip off TanChong from the Nissan franchise & direct intervention from Nissan Japan.
Almera e power ftw