Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) is inviting owners of the Nissan Almera Turbo to provide their fuel consumption data and the company will donate 1 RM per kilometre to selected charitable organisations, based on the total highest kms/litre submitted.
Just get your best fuel consumption
The campaign, called the ‘Nissan Almera Turbo Fuel Efficiency Charity Drive’, is a simple and fun challenge that encourages all Almera Turbo owners to help make a positive impact on the lives of people who faced sudden hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis. They should take a picture of the fuel consumption displayed to crd@tanchonggroup.com together with their full name, vehicle number, contact number and Facebook page name. If the fuel consumption display shows litres/100 kms, the number will be converted to kms/litre by ETCM.
The turbocharged Nissan Almera engine can go up to 18.4 kms per litre.
Multiple submissions can be made for the same vehicle but only the best figure will be counted for both the prize challenge and donation. Prizes offered are an exclusive Nissan GT-R by LEGO as the Grand Prize or a special edition Nissan Duffle Bag as consolation prizes
The campaign will run until September 30, 2021, with updated results shown on the Nissan Malaysia Facebook page.
Malaysia Day Treats Promotion
If you do not own an Almera Turbo yet but want to participate in the challenge, you can get one with great deals such as an attractive low monthly instalment (Flexi Financing promotion), exclusive accessories package and maintenance service. These are offered in the company’s ‘Malaysia Day Treats Promotion’ during September and additionally, there will be savings with the sales tax exemption on all models.
With ETCM’s Flexi Financing promotion this month, the instalment for a new Almera Turbo can be from RM530 a month, and you will also get RM5,500 worth of accessories with the purchase.
All Nissan showrooms are now operating as usual except for those within the Enhanced Movement Control Order (EMCO) affected areas. More information on Nissan vehicles and locations of outlets can be found at www.nissan.com.my.
Remember the ‘Nissan Buy Car, Win Home’ contest that Edaran Tan Chong Motor had? Over 11,000 customers participated during the year-long campaign period and the winner was Balamurugan a/l Suppiah. He recently received his brand new Serviced Apartment worth RM665,000 at The ERA @ Duta North Kuala Lumpur as the prize. He credited his wife for the win as she had encouraged him to purchase the Nissan X-Trail SUV.
Over at Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), opening of all its authorised Nissan showrooms will take place progressively from tomorrow (Friday, August 20). With the exception of a few outlets, all showrooms (branches and dealers) in Perlis, Penang, Perak, Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Terengganu, Kelantan, Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan will open from tomorrow. Those that do not will do so by August 23. However, in Kedah, Melaka and Johor, the showrooms will still remain closed until further notice.
Peace-of-mind experience for customers
“ETCM adhere to strict standard operating procedures (SOP) ensuring the safety of its employees and a peace-of-mind experience for customers at all times. Only vaccinated employees including post-vaccine incubation period are allowed to resume work in Nissan showrooms. All employees will be wearing face mask, undergo frequent body temperature check, and regular disinfecting will be carried out at the showrooms including display and test drive vehicles, the company said in a statement today.
Customers are also advised to comply with SOPs when entering the premises; ensure full vaccination including post-vaccine incubation period, provide proof of digital certificate on MySejahtera, have a body temperature below 37.5°C and wear a face mask. Other SOPs set by the Government remain active.
Customers requiring more information can visit www.nissan.com.my or call the Nissan Customer Care Centre hotline at 1800-88-3838.
With the exemption of sales tax extended till the end of 2021 (from its original date of June 30), car-buyers will be able to save money on their purchases. Besides enjoying these savings, they can also get special deals from Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) when purchasing new Nissan models.
The company’s latest Nissan ‘Great Rewards’ campaign offers sales tax savings, low monthly instalments with Flexi Financing program and accessories or maintenance packages.
For example, the latest Almera 1.0 Turbo now comes with an Urban accessories package worth up to RM5,500 and with the Flexi Financing offer, the instalment will be RM530 each month (terms and conditions apply).
There is also a new Special Civil Servants Promotion for the Almera 1.0 Turbo VL variant with a starting price from RM71,906.
Almera TurboNavara
Those who have want a more versatile and tough off-road capable vehicle can consider the latest Navara. The 4×4 2.5-litre Turbo Double-Cab Pick-up comes with many best-in-class technologies, including an array of Nissan Intelligent Mobility driver-assist features and safety systems. The monthly instalment for this model can be from RM960 using Flexi Financing.
Other Nissan models with special models are the X-Trail and Serena S-Hybrid. For the X-Trail, ETCM is offering an IMPUL or Aero Edition accessories package (worth up to RM5,600) and Flexi Financing that starts from RM1,020 monthly. The Serena S-Hybrid comes with 3 years of free scheduled maintenance and service with parts and labour included. Using Flexi Financing means the instalment can be RM1,080 monthly.
Serena S-Hybrid
As showrooms are presently closed, interested customers can visit the Nissan Flagship Store at Lazada where they can not only find out about the many models available but also make bookings for just RM250 to initiate the purchase process.
Other channels for information on Nissan products and services in Malaysia are the Nissan Online Showroom as well as the Nissan Customer Care Centre hotline 1800-88-3838.
Doing shopping online was already gaining popularity among Malaysians before the COVID-19 pandemic started. It offered convenience and an easier way to check out more choices, plus having the goods delivered right to your doorstep.
When the pandemic started and physical contact was discouraged to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, online shopping was already established and with the push by banks to get people to use electronic transactions, e-commerce boomed.
Even car companies started to use online channels as one of their marketing tools, expanding from just having websites that provided information to actually selling as well. Of course, this may not fully replace the personal experience of visiting a showroom, touching the vehicles and sitting in them and, of course, going for a test-drive.
What the online selling approach can do is to start the buying process without the customer having to travel to a showroom and take the process some way along before any physical contact may be necessary. In fact, some companies even offer test-drives if required by sending over the vehicle to the home or office.
Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn. Bhd. (ETCM) is among the companies that sees online shopping as the way to offer its customers a convenient and secure new Nissan vehicle purchasing experience. They can now do so at the Nissan Flagship Store on the Lazada e-commerce platform.
“We are excited to expand our Nissan models on Lazada, making it readily available to everyone who prefers the convenience of shopping at their fingertips. In this challenging time of COVID-19 pandemic, digitalisation has been fast-tracked and we are confident that this move is another way for the brand to enhance its services and at the same time offer great deals when purchasing a new Nissan on a digital application,” said Christopher Tan, ETCM Sales & Marketing Director.
The full range of Nissan models distributed by ETCM in Malaysia can be found at the Nissan Flagship store, including the latest Navara pick-up truck. ETCM may from time to time have special promotions exclusively for those who book online, saving money or getting extras with their purchase.
In conjunction with the opening of the Nissan Flagship Store, the first 55 customers who book the new Almera 1.0L Turbo, Navara, X-Trail or Serena S-Hybrid will receive a free Nescafe Coffee Machine worth RM 598. The booking fee starts from as low as RM250.
Other promotions available include an Urban accessories package (worth up to RM5,500) with the Almera Turbo and Flexi Financing from RM540 monthly. There’s also a Special Civil Servants Promotion for the model (VL variant) with a starting price from RM71,906.
The X-Trail comes with the IMPUL or Aero Edition accessories package worth up to RM5,600, while the Serena S-Hybrid comes with free maintenance service for the first 3 years of ownership, with parts and labour costs included.
Booking online is as easy as making other online purchases. You just select the model you want to purchase and add it to your cart (which would be a pretty big one!). You can choose a method of making payment for the booking fee and submit your details. A representative of ETCM will then contact you and provide assistance through the rest of the process.
Click here to visit the Nissan Flagship Store or you can also visit www.nissan.com.my for information on Nissan vehicles and services from ETCM in Malaysia.
Towards the end of March, we previewed the new Nissan Navara and at that time, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) only showed one variant – the flagship Navara PRO-4X. But that is obviously not all there is to the range for the latest ‘Mothertrucker’, as ETCM nicknamed it. In fact, the range consists of 6 variants, all imported from Thailand in CBU (completely built-up) form with prices starting from RM91,900 and topping out at RM142,400 (for private registration in Peninsular Malaysia, excluding insurance).
Prices shown are for private registration and do not include insurance premiums.
The wide range is intended to cater to different budgets and usage requirements. While the Navara is usually advertised as a lifestyle machine for private use, it is also just as capable as a workhorse. However, those who buy it for business purposes are likely to use it in rough conditions and won’t care much for fancy features. All they want is a tough, well-built truck that can haul heavy loads and keeps running instead of spending downtime in a workshop. All variants of the new Nissan model come with a warranty of 5 years or 150,000 kms (whichever comes first).
For such commercial customers, ETCM offers two lower-priced variants with simpler equipment and 6-speed manual transmission, one of which is a single cab. While the 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine is the same for all variants, the one for these two variants has different tuning which produces an output of 163 ps/403 Nm. The engine for the other four variants produces 190 ps/450 Nm and all these variants have a 7-speed automatic transmission.
Apart from the bolder, more dominating appearance of the front end, the new Navara (except for the Single Cab) has a new rear Multilink Suspension with dual-rate coil springs that reduce body toss motion; Electronic Locking Rear Differential that allows the left and right wheels to rotate as a unit; Tailgate Assist that helps to lighten opening and closing operation; Integrated Rear Bumper Step that makes bed access easier; and acoustic laminated glass for the front windscreen and front windows to make things quieter in the cabin.
Like all modern pick-up trucks, active safety is comparable to what you get in a passenger car. There’s ABS with Electronic Brake Distribution and Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control and Traction Control, an Active Brake Limited Slip Differential, Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. The last three systems would be especially useful during off-road driving.
For the Navara PRO-4X Auto, VL Auto and V Auto variants, active safety goes on step further with Nissan Intelligent Mobility advanced driver assistance features. These systems monitor the road ahead and warn the driver if there is a possible collision risk. If the driver fails to do the right thing – ie decelerate, brake or take avoiding action – then the computer will apply the brakes automatically to prevent the collision.
Other assistance features include an Intelligent Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection and Off-Road Mode, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Warning and Rear Cross Traffic Alert which helps during reversing out of a parking bay. And should a tyre lose air, the driver will be made aware of it, which can be useful when driving off-road.
For those who want to personalise their Navara further, ETCM has a range of exclusive factory-fitted accessories and they come with a 3-year/100,000 km warranty. There are four packages, ranging in price from RM3,200 to RM10,950, depending on the variant. The good thing is that this extra cost can be included in the total financing amount and repaid over the same number of years for the H-P loan. Incidentally, ETCM has a Flexi Financing promotion where the monthly instalment for the Navara Single Cab can start at RM670.
Visit www.nissan.com.my to locate an authorised Nissan showroom in Malaysia where you can view and test drive the new Navara.
Remember the ‘Mothertrucker” which arrived in the market 13 years ago? It had big numbers – in size and in engine output – which inspired Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) to give it that nickname. Since 2008, it has made its mark in many markets, including Malaysia where it was initially assembled locally but importation later switching to completely built-up (CBU) vehicles from the Nissan production hub for the model in Thailand.
It’s currently in the third generation which was launched here in 2015 and after 6 years, the truck has received updates to refresh its looks and also technology. It’s hard to say just how long Nissan plans the model cycle – typically around 10 years for light commercial vehicles, including pick-up trucks – as previous generations have had short and long product cycles. Usually, an update takes place about halfway through the product life so would this suggest that for this generation, it will be 12 years? The first generation was in production for 7 years while the second generation was 10 years.
Anyway, whatever the time-frame, the updated Navara is now on Malaysia soil and will be officially launched by ETCM on April 16. Unlike some other companies, ETCM has decided not to do any teaser campaign and is revealing the specs now, with only the prices being withheld till the launch date.
Dominant black theme
The new Navara is designated PRO-4X and has styling changes that clearly differentiate it from the 2020 model. The styling changes at the front and rear, in particular, have increased the overall dimensions slightly but the basic bodyshell is actually unchanged in size. Up front is a new ‘Interlock’ grille with a mesh design finished in flat black. The black colour is also used for the door handles, door mirrors, roof rails, alloy wheels and fender flares, giving a bold look to the already imposing body.
New 2021 Navara front end (above) has a very different look from the one on the 2020 model (below).
Look closely at the headlights and you’ll see four cubes inside. These make up the segment-first quad-LED Projector lighting system, complemented by C-shaped Daytime Running Lights (DRLs). LEDs are also used for the rear lights, with a C-shaped visual signature.
While the Nissan emblem is not the new one that was announced last year, it does get some special treatment on the Navara and looks more modern than before. And just so everyone knows which Nissan model this is, the name ‘NAVARA’ is stamped on the leading edge of the bonnet as well as on the rear panel in extra-large letters.
While there are four colour choices, ETCM has not said how many variants there will be although we would guess that there would probably be a similar number as before, including a single cab for customers who want a workhorse instead of a leisure machine. The vehicle in the pictures is likely to be the top variant as it has all the latest features and technologies.
Same 2.5-litre turbodiesel
As for the engine, we’ve also been told of only one powerplant which is the same one used before – the YD25 in-line 4-cylinder turbodiesel with intercooler. This engine can generate up to 190 ps/450 Nm which gets to the four wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission with manual mode. As with other traditional pick-up trucks, there’s a transfer case with High and Low ranges that can be selected by a switch.
For very difficult conditions of if the vehicle is trapped in sand of thick mud, the new Electronic Locking Rear Differential system will lock both rear wheels so they rotate at the same speed instead of power being diverted away from the spinning wheel. Thanks to modern technology, the driver does not need to get out in the mud as much as before.
Besides the strengthened rear axle, the rear multi-link suspension has been given dual-rate coil springs for better body control even when heavily loaded. Stability is also improved along with ride comfort and handling.
Cabin more for personal use
Like SUVs, pick-up truck usage has also gravitated towards personal daily use as an alternative to a passenger car. As such, interior designers have been making cabins more and more passenger car-like to the extent that if you were brought inside blindfolded and seated, you would not be able to tell that you are in a pick-up truck.
With the latest Navara, the Zero Gravity- Inspired (not zero gravity) front seats are standard, and the rear seats have been improved in cushioning and structure for better support and comfort. Rear passengers now get a new fold-down armrest in the middle with built-in cupholders. Under the rear seat, which can be folded up, is a small compartment for storing tools. In the version we were shown, the seats had leather upholstery although, going by past practice, other variants may have different materials.
To improve quietness, acoustic laminated glass is used for the windscreen as well as the side window glass on the front doors. Laminated glass, which does not shatter when hit by large stones, has a sandwich construction and in between the two layers is an acoustic layer which absorbs external noises.
More tech can be seen in the dashboard which has a full-colour 7-inch High Resolution Digital Display for the instrument panel and an 8-inch Advanced Touchscreen Display for infotainment. The system is Appel CarPlay & Android Auto Ready so apps from compatible smartphones can be easily transferred and accessed from the screen. Other equipment includes a new sporty 3-spoke leather-wrapped steering wheel, 4 USB ports (including one which is a Type C port).
On either side of the rear cargo bed (which is 1469 mm x 1560 mm) is a new Utili-Track Channel System (shown below) for securing goods. It is made up of 2 channels and 4 heavy-duty forged aluminum cleats that can be locked anywhere along the channel.
The payload is now rated at 1.1 tonnes and to make opening and closing the tailgate easier, there is a Tailgate Assist system which ‘lightens’ the weight. The bumper also has an integrated step, with an anti-slip pattern, for easy access to the cargo bed.
Generous dose of new technologies
As mentioned earlier, the new Navara has received a generous dose of new technologies, clustered under the umbrella of ‘Nissan Intelligent Mobility Technologies’. These provide a 360o ‘safety shield’ for the vehicle to protect the occupants from injuries.
New for the model is an Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) with Off-Road mode. Available when in 4×4 (Low) mode, the monitor helps the driver spot any obstacles around the vehicle. Being able to see what is on the ground around and ahead will give the driver more confidence when driving over rough, unknown terrain and also reduce hitting obstacles or dropping into big potholes.
As with many passenger car models today, there are pro-active safety systems that monitor, warn and even act to prevent an accident. For example, Intelligent Predictive Forward Collision Warning will alert the driver if a collision is likely to occur with a vehicle ahead and if no action is taken, the brakes will come on automatically to prevent the collision.
Other active systems include Lane Departure Warning, High Beam Assist, Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Moving Object Detection and Intelligent Driver Alertness. These are all standard for the PRO-4X variant though they may not be available in other variants, which is usually the case.
Now we await the price announcement from ETCM but if you want to be personally informed, you can register your interest at any authorized Nissan showroom around the country. The locations can be found at www.nissan.com.my.
Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s new Nissan Almera Turbo is beginning to appear on roads around the country in increasing numbers as new owners take delivery of their cars. Apart from the fresh new styling and turbocharged powertrain, the new Almera is also packed with many safety technologies which can contribute to helping reduce road accidents.
Nissan Safety Shield 360
These are the Nissan Safety Shield 360 technologies that work together to provide safety monitoring and intervening to prevent accidents when necessary. This follows the trend in the industry whereby driver assistance systems are being provided which use camera imagery as well as radar sensors to scan the road ahead. Additionally, there are sensors to scan the sides for vehicles in the blind spots, and towards the rear to aid reversing.
Standard on all Almera Turbo variants are the Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (IFCW) and Intelligent Forward Emergency Braking (IFEB) systems. The IFCW, operational at speeds between 5 km/h and 80 km/h, monitors the road ahead and alerts the driver when the car is too close to a vehicle ahead or there is a risk of collision.
Intelligent Forward Collision Warning ensures that a safe gap is always maintained when there is a vehicle ahead.
The alert is shown on the 7-inch Advance Drive Assist Display (ADAD), along with an audible alert. This means the driver should take steps such as decelerating or even braking to avoid the collision. However, if the driver does not take these actions, then the system will take over and activate the brakes automatically.
The early braking should prevent a collision or at least reduce the speed so that the severity is less, which can make repair costs less expensive. The brakes will remain locked for about 2 seconds after the car stops moving before being deactivated.
Alerting drivers behind
Incidentally, the Almera brake system has an Emergency Stop Signal function which can help to reduce rear-end collisions. If the brake pedal is pressed hard and suddenly, the hazard warning lights will come on automatically (besides the brake lights, of course). This will alert drivers behind that the car is decelerating very quickly under braking as they might not notice it right away. This will prompt them to also brake and slow down, and it could prevent the sort of multiple accidents on highways that we read about.
Watching the sides and rear
Other safety technologies available are the Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA) systems. BSW is available from around 32 km/h and uses sensors to keep an eye on blind spot areas at approximately 3 metres x 3 metres towards the rear sides of the car. If the turn signal is activated and a vehicle is detected, the drive will be warned by sound as well as warning indicators on the ADAD and the relevant side mirror.
RCTA is a more recent safety system that is slowly appearing in cars. It is useful during reversing out of a parking bay when the driver’s view of either side might be blocked. The same rear radar sensors help to detect an approaching vehicle on either side and warn the driver with an audible alert and indicator on the side mirror where the vehicle is approaching from. This warning could help save an expensive accident!
Parking made easy
The Almera Turbo driver is also assisted by the Intelligent Around View Monitor (IAVM) with Intelligent Moving Object Detection (IMOD). This system (also offered in the X-Trail, Serena S-Hybrid and Navara) not only helps make parking easier but also watches out for moving objects nearby so that an accident does not occur.
The IAVM uses 4 tiny cameras installed on the bodywork and with the use of a computer program, the images are combined to create a simulated view of the car from above which shows all sides. It’s like having a drone overhead sending a video view to the display on the dashboard. The simulated image is detailed enough to show obstacles on the ground so the driver can avoid them and position the car precisely inside the parking bay.
Needless to say, the Almera Turbo has all the usual Active Safety systems like ABS with Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control with Traction Control, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution for balanced braking performance, and Hill Start Assist to enable confident moving off on slopes.
“The all-new Nissan Almera Turbo takes the popular B-sedan to a new level of refinement and enhancements not usually found in this segment. With the theme ‘Challenge All Beliefs’, the all-new Nissan Almera Turbo is not the Almera everyone knew before. It is completely redesigned to be energetic, provocative and engaging with its dynamic styling, confidence-inspiring performance and innovative technologies, that sets to challenge customers’ beliefs on what modern sedans should be,” said Christopher Tan, Sales and Marketing Director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd.
Test-drive and win an iPhone
Mr. Tan invites the public to try the new Almera Turbo at Nissan showrooms nationwide. “Those who take a test-drive stand a chance to win one of 5 iPhone SE mobilephones and also a chance to win prizes in the ‘Buy & Win’ Contest when they purchase and register the all-new Nissan Almera Turbo before December 31, 2020,” he said.
Until December 31, 2020, prices in Peninsular Malaysia (without insurance) range from RM79,906 to RM91,310 with sales tax exemption. After that, the sales tax of 10% will be included again and the prices of the three variants will be increased to between RM83,888 and RM95,888.
A 5-year unlimited mileage vehicle warranty comes standard, along with free scheduled maintenance for 5 times (alternating) during the first 5 years.
One of the things that has changed about how cars are being launched into the market nowadays is that the period of ‘teasing’ and ‘previewing’ can be quite long. It can be many months from the time the first official pictures are taken and first details released, until the time the car is actually ‘launched’ and deliveries start. In the past, delays were usually due to price approvals being slow and while the cars were already in the stockyards, customs duties could not be paid as the price was not approved by the government (only for locally-assembled models).
Nowadays, companies stretch the ‘preview’ over months to get maximum publicity. In some cases, due to competition, it is necessary to reveal details and the estimated price so as to make some customers who are considering another model pause and hopefully wait. The manufacturers themselves do it too – unveiling a new model at the beginning of the year and then starting production at the end for deliveries the following year!
Anyway, you would have read about the new Nissan Almera Turbo over the past few months and we even wrote about it in some detail, as well as provided some initial driving impressions. Today, the model is officially launched with confirmed prices.
There are three variants – VL, VLP and VLT – with prices shown on the chart below.
3-cylinder turbo engine
Only one engine is available, this being the HR10DET that is a compact powerplant with a 1-litre displacement and 3 cylinders. It’s another example of downsizing that has taken place over the past decade. With advanced technology as well as turbocharging, it can generate up to 100 ps/152 Nm – comparable to a 1.5-litre engine. It’s a bold move by ETCM to introduce this small engine in what is its mainstream model. Malaysians still see a need for at least 1.3 litres or more to have ‘enough performance’ and are not convinced that today’s smaller engines are actually much more powerful than the old 1-litre units that usually had a carburettor only.
The engineers have made the engines smaller to save weight and reduce fuel consumption, while boosting performance at the same time. And for Malaysian motorists, a smaller engine size also means paying lower roadtax each year.
Related article: The Nissan Almera Turbo Engine
Generous equipment list
The standard equipment and features are fairly generous, even with the lowest-priced Almera Turbo VL variant. For instance, across the range, there is pushbutton engine starting, and the Active Safety system includes Intelligent Forward Collision Warning & Emergency Braking, besides the usual ABS, EBD, Stability Control, etc.
The extra money charged for the upper two variants gets you a colour touchscreen, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, digital display instrument panel, automatic air-conditioning and 6 airbags,
The top VLT variant has LEDs for the headlamps, foglamps, and daytime running lights, along with cruise control, around-view monitor, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.
Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) provides a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and to lower running costs, there 5 scheduled maintenance services will be free (parts and labour included) during the first 5 years (terms and conditions apply).
Special financing schemes
For those who require financing for their purchases, ETCM is offering a special hire-purchase Flexi Financing Promotion with monthly instalments ranging from RM688 to RM788, depending on the variant.
Additionally, customers who purchase their insurance for the Almera Turbo from Tan Chong Insurance Business Stream will get free Personal Accident Insurance coverage with a sum insured up to RM75,000, Key Care cover reimbursement up to RM 1,500, and Flood Relief allowance up to RM 1,500. Terms and conditions applicable.
Those who test-drive the new Almera Turbo at any Nissan showroom nationwide stand a chance to win an Apple iPhone SE worth RM2,199. And for those who buy one, there are also prizes worth up to RM88,888 to be won in the ‘Buy & Win’ Contest. They must register their new car before the end of 2020 to qualify for the contest.
For more information or to locate a showroom, visit www.almeraturbo.com.my or call the Nissan Customer Care Centre hotline at 1800-88-3838.
Three-cylinder engines in cars are nothing new; Daihatsu popularized the engine configuration in the late 1970s with its Charade and then it was widely used by Perodua. Since the 21st century began 20 years ago, manufacturers have been downsizing engines as one way to reduce fuel consumption. However, unlike those older small engines, today’s downsized engines have a lot of advanced technology to help them develop high outputs and run even more efficiently.
The HR10DET engine in the all-new Nissan Almera Turbo is a good example. It has a displacement of 1 litre but can generate up to 100 ps with 152 Nm. This is comparable to a 1.5-litre engine so the driver enjoys the benefit of a smaller displacement which will consume less fuel – without sacrificing performance, which was the case before.
Some of the features which helps the HR10DET engine, which has 3 cylinders, achieve its high output are 4 valves per cylinder for better breathing efficiency and two overhead camshafts in the cylinder head (DOHC).
Boost from turbocharger
A major contributor to the power output is the use of a turbocharger. Once found only in high-performance engines, the turbocharger is now commonly used for small engines to boost output and response. In the case of the Nissan engine, maximum torque is available between 2,400 and 4,000 rpm, a range that is frequently used in daily driving. With maximum torque available, overtaking can be done quickly and safely.
The turbocharger has an Electronic Wastegate which operates far more efficiently than a conventional mechanical wastegate. A sensor monitors compression levels and enables the wastegate to activate whenever necessary, allowing turbocharging to be maximized. As a result, turbo lag is virtually eliminated for strong acceleration when needed.
Cooling down the air
For a turbocharger to operate at its best, the air flowing through needs to be cool so it can be compressed as much as possible, maximizing the charge. For this reason, an intercooler is installed behind the front grille and effectively cools down the air.
Technology from GT-R engine
Friction robs an engine of power and engineers work hard to find ways to bring internal friction down. For the HR10DET engine, they drew on the Mirror Bore Coating technology from the legendary Nissan GT-R. Mirror Bore Coating technology can raise energy efficiency by reducing the friction significantly inside the engine.
Rather than inserting a cylinder liner, the technology uses molten iron sprayed onto the surface of the cylinder bore to form a layer of iron coating on the walls inside. This achieves a mirror-like finish that is exceptionally smooth, thereby bringing down friction levels.
Normally, the cylinder liner is 2 mm thick but with Mirror Bore Coating technology, the layer is just 0.2 mm thick, saving weight. The extremely thin layer allows better heat conduction which results in enhanced cooling performance and less engine knocking. The efficiency of the engine as a whole is improved, and fuel economy as well as engine power are enhanced.
D-Step Logic System
The powertrain of the Almera Turbo also includes a next-generation XTRONIC CVT with D-Step Logic System to improve shift feel and responsiveness. The D-Step Logic System is a computer program that uses dynamic inputs such as vehicle speed, accelerator pedal position and application speed to determine ideal gear ratios needed to provide smooth, constant acceleration.
Drivers will feel the shifting being like a conventional automatic transmission with a torque converter (which we can confirm after our short test drive) and with the flexibility and smoothness of a CVT. A Sport mode is available to gain stronger acceleration when required.
“The all-new 1-litre turbo engine is designed to meet our customers’ needs. It provides the highest level of fuel economy – up to 18.4 kms per litre – which can provide up to 650 kms on one full tank. The CO2 emission level has also significantly been reduced by 18% compared to its predecessor. making the All-New Almera Turbo even more environmentally friendly,” said Christopher Tan, Sales & Marketing Director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor.
Selected Nissan showrooms around the country are offering test-drives of the new model so you can experience for yourself the performance of the car. Visit www.almeraturbo.com.my to locate a showroom and by the way, when you take a test-drive, you could also win an Apple iPhone SE worth RM2,199.
For those who are planning to buy the new Nissan Almera Turbo, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM), has announced the availability and pricing of Optional Accessory Packages that consist of items customised for the new model.
There are 3 packages, priced from RM400 to RM2,750, and all the items come with a 3-year/100,000 km warranty. Even better, the cost of the package can be included in the H-P loan taken, so you pay for it in instalments as well.
The packages are shown below and include Protection Packages as well:
Combination leather upholstery with dark grey accents can be specified when ordering the new Almera Turbo.
Items can also be purchased separately
For those who prefer to buy just some of the items and not take a whole package, ETCM will also sell them separately although there are savings of up to 31% if you take them as a package. The individual items available are shown in the chart below:
The new Almera Turbo, with a small but advanced HR10DET turbocharged engine, is very different from the model it replaces. ETCM believes it can ‘Challenge All Beliefs’ with innovative technologies and features that will be appreciated by today’s buyers.
If you test-drive the new model (at selected Nissan showrooms), you could win one of 15 iPhone SE (128GB) smartphones worth RM2,199 each. To find out which showrooms have an Almera Turbo for viewing and test-drive visit www.almeraturbo.com.my.
