PETALING JAYA: Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has previewed the latest Nissan Almera Turbo ahead of its launch next month.
The B-segment sedan will be locally-assembled at the company's Serendah plant and order-taking is now open.
There will be three variants available starting with the 1.0 VL before moving on to the mid-range 1.0 VLP (Premium) - both will be priced around RM80,000. The range-topping VLT (Technology) will cost more and priced around RM90,000.
The Almera Turbo will be covered by a five-year unlimited mileage warranty and (for early birds) five free maintenance service (parts and labour included) will also be included as part of the launch campaign.
There will be six colours to choose from namely Radiant Red (new), Monarch Orange (new), Dark metal Grey (new), Diamond Black, Brilliant White and Tungsten Silver.
Thailand was the first country in Asia and Oceania to get the new model, underscoring its importance to Nissan.
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With a longer wheelbase at 2,620mm (+20mm), the Almera Turbo is now larger at 4,495mm-long (+70mm) and 1,740mm-wide (45mm) while being lower at 1,460mm-tall (-40mm). The longer wheelbase allows for up to 620mm of rear legroom.
The revised suspension still uses front independent MacPherson struts and a rear torsion beam setup while front ventilated discs and rear drums perform braking duties.
Despite the Almera Turbo's larger size, the 482-litre boot is 8 litres less than the one in the outgoing model.
Boot space is expanded by folding down the rear 60:40 backrests (Malaysia only) with a rear fold-down armrest that have integrated cup-holders. Hidden below the boot's floorboard is a space-saving D15 wheel that uses a 125/70 tyre.
Powering the Almera Turbo's front axle is a 1.0-litre (999cc) three-cylinder turbocharged engine which sips from a 35-litre fuel tank to produce 100PS at 5,000rpm and 152Nm of torque from 2,400 to 4,000rpm.
With power being managed by a next-generation Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT), it allows the Almera Turbo to achieve a claimed fuel efficiency rating of 18.4km per litre (R101 Test Model) that will allow it to travel up to 650km on a single full tank of petrol.
The outgoing model, in contrast, uses a 1.5-litre naturally aspirated engine producing 102PS at 6,000rpm and 139Nm at 4,000rpm while transmission is either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic.
Outgoing Nissan Almera
The outgoing Almera 1.5L was launched in 2012.
Almera Turbo 1.0 VL
The entry-level 1.0 VL, with a kerb weight of just 1,090kg, has an impressive (although basic) ist of standard equipment and rolls on 15-inch silver alloy wheels with 195/65 series tyres.
For starters, this model variant is equipped with automatic headlights, daytime running lights and front fog lights that use halogen bulbs while the rear combination lights and rear fog lights use LEDs as do the integrated signals on the power foldable and adjustable exterior mirrors.
The cabin uses dark plastics and the driver is faced with a urethane-wrapped steering wheel (with audio and Bluetooth hands-free controls) that's tilt and telescopically adjustable.
The Electric Power Steering system now comes with Active Return Control which allows the steering wheel to return to its centre position faster after exiting a corner and for added straight-line stability.
Adding a sporty touch are the carbon fibre patterned plastics which can be found on the power window surrounds and shift knob along with fabric-upholstered semi-bucket zero-gravity front seats with grey accents while eight-cup holders litter the cabin.
To round off the goodies, manual climate controls have been provided along with a standard four-speaker audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, three USB ports, one-touch turn signal and keyless entry (front doors only) with push-start button.
The Almera Turbo 1.0 comes with two front airbags, anti-lock braking system, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, vehicle dynamic control, traction control, hill-start assist and two Isofix top-tether points.
All that is reinforced by Nissan Intelligent Mobility active safety features that include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning with Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking.
Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP
Moving up to the Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP, it adds on 22kg to its kerb heft at 1,112kg and now rolls on larger 16-inch two-toned machined alloys fitted with 205/55 series tyres.
Inside, there are now six airbags as well as a rearview camera for the six-speaker 8.0-inch touchscreen display with integrated Apple CarPlay (no Android Auto) for iPhone users.
The cabin is equipped with automatic climate controls, leather for the upholstery (with grey accents) and steering wheel as well as a soft-padded leatherette section on the dashboard.
A 7.0-inch full-colour semi-digital Advance Driver Assist Display (ADAD) for the instrument cluster is now available for drivers to navigate through the nine digital screens via the added steering wheel controls.
Almera Turbo 1.0 VLT
Last but not least, the Almera Turbo 1.0 VLT model variant adds on a further 2kg at 1,114kg (kerb) and now gets a gloss-black rear trunk spoiler and automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights and front fog lights.
To bolster safety, this range-topper now has rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot warning and a sophisticated Intelligent Around View Monitor (or 360-degree camera system in normal speak) with Moving Object Detection.
Public test-drives of Almera Turbo
The Almera Turbo will be available for preview and test drive at selected Nissan showrooms on Sept 5-6 and Sept 11-13 prior to its official launch.
Those who test drove the car stand a chance to win 15 iPhone SE (128GB) worth RM2,199 each.
The preview on Sept 5-6 will be held at ETCM Glenmarie, ETCM Kepong, ETCM Jalan Raja Laut, ETCM Butterworth, ETCM Ipoh, ETCM Melaka and ETCM Batu Pahat.
Meanwhile, from Sept 11-13, the preview will be held at ETCM Alor Setar.
From Sept 12-13, the preview will be at ETCM Petaling Jaya, ETCM Shah Alam, ETCM Melati Utama, ETCM Serdang, ETCM Bayan Lepas, ETCM Sg Petani, ETCM Kota Baru, ETCM Johor Jaya and ETCM Seremban.
For details, log on to www.almeraturbo.com.my or call Nissan Customer Care Centre Hotline at 1-800-88-3838.
Initial Test Drive Impressions
Members of the media had the chance to drive the Almera Turbo VLT and we're happy to report that it is indeed an improvement.
The Almera Turbo's new look is appealing. Its shape gives it it a low drag coefficient of just 0.284Cd. It takes on the new LEAF's front-end design cues with its V-motion front grille while the rear resembles the Sylphy's rear - albeit with a few additional character lines.
The interior felt premium and is a definite step up from the previous generation with better-looking plastics. The inclusion of a leatherette section on the dashboard added to the premium feel.
The car's overall ride has been greatly refined and well-damped when traversing over uneven road surfaces with roll significantly lesser than the outgoing model.
Much of this experience is thanks to replacing the rubber bump-stops in the suspension system with more durable polyurethane ones - each having a steel stiffener to help enhance impact absorption during hard cornering sessions.
The CVT was consistently smooth and does well to imitate an automatic transmission for a comfortable drive. This is further enhanced by the fact that there's a serious lack of engine vibration and noise intruding into the cabin unless at high revs.
While in Sport mode, "gear changes" remained smooth and the revs were bumped up to ensure power delivery is always readily on-tap.
However, the drive was marred by heavy rain and we were not able to determine how well the cabin was insulated from wind noise and tyre roar.
Despite having rear drum brakes, overall brake-feel seemed to be on point and the inclusion of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features (found in all three variants) adds to driver confidence levels.
Overall, the Almera Turbo VLT made for a pleasant and comfortable drive that won't have owners feeling like they've bought a budget vehicle but rather something that's affordable, relatively up-market and sturdily-built.
Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLT (RM9X,XXX)
Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VLP (RM8X,XXX)
Nissan Almera Turbo 1.0 VL (RM8X,XXX)
