Just a few days to go until the Malaysia Autoshow 2024, and one of the brands set to be present, Nissan, has teased its lineup for its display. Distributor Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) appears to be rolling out a few of its current models, including the C27 Serena J Impul (no, not the new C28), Almera Kuro Edition (no, not the facelift) and an extremely rugged version of the Navara.
But there’s one other car that will be shown at the event, and the not-very-well-disguised teaser indicates that it will be the Kicks e-Power. The B-segment crossover – which competes against the Honda HR-V in other markets – will be showing off its hybrid powertrain, which functions in a similar fashion to Honda’s Intelligent Multi-mode Drive (i-MMD) system found in its e:HEV models.
In the Kicks, the hybrid system is centred around a 129 PS/260 Nm, which derives its electricity from a 1.57 kWh battery. The latter is juiced by a 79 PS/103 Nm 1.2 litre HR12DE three-cylinder petrol engine that functions solely as a generator. Unlike Honda’s version, there’s no lock-up clutch to enable the ICE to drive the wheels directly.
It’s tempting to treat this as a sign the Kicks will finally be sold in Malaysia very soon – after all, its arrival was telegraphed as early as 2022. But the ship has very much sailed on that one, not least because there’s an all-new model now being sold in the US.
Instead, the Kicks will likely serve as a teaser for another model with e-Power technology – similar to how the Note e-Power was shown at the Kuala Lumpur International Motor Show (KLIMS) back in 2018 to gauge public interest.
This yet-to-be-confirmed model is anticipated to be the C28 Serena. The MPV, which made its debut back in 2022, is no longer available in mild S-Hybrid form, hitherto the only powertrain option for the C26 and C27 Serena in Malaysia.
The sole electrified version instead uses a more powerful 163 PS/315 Nm electric motor and a larger 98 PS/123 Nm 1.4 litre HR14DDe direct-injected three-pot generator. The car has already been seen undergoing testing locally and hence is long overdue for its Malaysian launch.
GALLERY: Nissan Kicks e-Power
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Nissan in Malaysia always comes with review remarks “long overdue”. Sigh so poor product introduction in msia
Other countries get latest models, meanwhile in Malaysia ETCNM still selling old models…
Thats very normal la. Japanese and European car makers will give priority to big market first whenre buying power is higher like USA or China. Our population too little and GDP is very low. Only Chinese car makers will give same focus to all country. When chinese company launch new model, all get same model. Different midset ma. Japanese and orang putih look down on us
No spare tyre? No thank you!
tan ah chong no interest to sell this car one la… those lazy salesman sell vanette earn like gila dah.
Syok sendiri ECTM can go home and sleep la. People want to see latest products, not outdate version.
malaysia is now dumping ground for cars nobody wants
I have been waiting for Serena C28 Epower, till i give up already. Good bye Serena
Tan Chong the expert of nissan facelift
ETCM is the worst partner Japanese could choose to bring in their product. other country already have the latest model,whereas Malaysia still with last gen products.
Too late already.. shud bring new x trail and new qashqai. U will regret by bringing kicks, it wont sell now
Dunno wait till when can see new model serena
I predict 1 yr after C28 get its facelift we will see intro the pre-facelift C28 here. The C28 launched in 2022 so its already almost due for facelift elsewhere.
I buy this over other tofu car can say at least I selling after few years oslo get money for second hand value correct or not
Deswai japanese have more thinking power be cause of inovatif culture
The new gen Serena and Kicks have launched in both Japan and the U.S. What the fck is wrong with etcm? Is the ceo need a slap for reality check? I would like to volunteer
TCM can close door la. Only have 4 models car in the inventory.
Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd (TNCS) share has been low. their sales isn’t good due to the delays of launching new models. Those who buys TNCS shares will have to wait until the company has a big paradigm shift in its current management to see the shares going up substantially. When you compare Tan Chong’s share with Bermaz and UMW, it is being traded way way higher. The death of Nissan is largely due to the Management itself.
Tan Chong still have that mind set of selling long run products such as Sunny/Sentra/C22 products.
How many times TNCS tease Malaysia consumers with newer Nissan products only to annouce later those new products are not suitable for us (3rd world country consumer).
TNCS even assemble Subaru XV Malaysia, but every neighbour country are are having Subaru Crosstrek!!!
Whoever is representing this brand here should change their company slogan to “We are not late, but you guys are early”. Slapping my forehead so hard right now.