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Nissan conducting research on racing drivers’ brains to enhance driving performance

In everyday driving, the brain has to be quick enough to analyse and get a driver to act correctly in any situation – millions of times on a journey. And that’s at a moderate speed too. For racing drivers, the demands are even greater as they travel at far higher speeds so they need quicker reactions and faster abilities to assess situations.

To help its Sebastien Buemi and Oliver Rowland, Nissan’s racing drivers in the all-electric Formula E series, the carmaker has developed an innovative program focused on brain function and anatomy research, training and development in the motorsport field.

Nissan Brain to Performance, as the program is called, uses advanced brain imaging and analysis to determine the anatomical specifics of high performance, professional drivers. The program aims to develop bespoke, optimized training to enhance the brain functions and anatomy related to driving and racing.

“At Nissan, we dare to do what others don’t. With this groundbreaking program, we aim to understand our racing drivers’ brain functions like never before and push the boundaries of on-track performance in Formula E,” said Tommaso Volpe, Nissan’s Global Motorsports Director. “What if, through advanced brain function analysis and training, we could help make our drivers perform better? Every tenth of a second counts in Formula E, so we’re excited to see how our cutting-edge Nissan research team can enhance the drivers’ already high-performing brain functionality.”

Better connection between people and vehicles
The program will be coordinated by Dr. Lucian Gheorghe, a leader in the field of brain analysis and training, and a driving force behind Nissan’s forward-looking research on how to better build the connection between people and Nissan vehicles. The immediate priority of the program is to enhance the performance of Nissan’s Formula E racers.

“Our brains are incredibly powerful. Without us realizing it, they perform a multitude of critical functions every second we drive our cars. Our highly trained and experienced Nissan Formula E drivers perform these functions under intense pressure and at great speed as they constantly search for faster lap times. Our new Nissan Brain to Performance program seeks to understand what it is about their brains’ electrical activity that enables them to do what they do,” said Dr. Gheorghe.

“If we can, we’d like to help them further improve their performance through bespoke brain training. In the future, could our cutting-edge research help improve the driving skills of the average driver, and inform the development of our road-going EVs? We hope so,” he explained.

The first stage of the new program will involve detailed analysis and testing of the Formula E racers’ brain functions, compared against a control group of ‘average’, non- racing drivers. All drivers will perform a range of tasks on state-of-the-art driving simulators while their brain activity is monitored and recorded. Based on the results, a bespoke driver training program involving electrical brain stimulation will be developed with the aim of improving driver performance.

Key research areas
To understanding how a Nissan Formula E drivers’ brain functions and anatomy differ in comparison to average drivers, the program establishes a spectrum of driver brain activity first. Attempts will be made to see if, through the use of electrical brain stimulation, a professional driver’s brain be enhanced to improve on-track performance.

The longer-term goal is related to future Nissan EV product development, with a focus on achieving the highest level of driver excitement and focus. An increased understanding of bio-electricity will further enhance the driving experience and intuitive nature of future EV operation.

Nissan gets experts from the creators of Pac-Man to help develop better in-car sounds

Nissan to invest £1 billion in establishing Electric Vehicle (EV) Hub as a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem

The auto industry is accelerating towards electrification of products, ultimately leaving behind the combustion engine that has been blamed for causing pollution of the environment and bringing on climate change. However, unlike previous transitions, this one is a radical one that calls for a change in the ecosystem of the industry. The existing ecosystem has evolved over 100 years around the combustion engine and now, with electrification, manufacturing processes and supply chains need to be changed.

Different carmakers are taking different approaches and Nissan will make a total investment of £1 billion (about RM5.82 billion) in establishing a flagship Electric Vehicle (EV) Hub as a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem. To be known as Nissan EV36Zero, the core of this hub will be at its 35-year old manufacturing complex at Sunderland in the United Kingdom.

The transformational project has Envision AESC, a global player in world-leading battery technology, and the Sunderland City Council as partners. Made up of three interconnected initiatives, Nissan EV36Zero brings together electric vehicles, renewable energy and battery production, setting a blueprint for the future of the automotive industry.

“This project comes as part of Nissan’s pioneering efforts to achieve carbon neutrality throughout the entire lifecycle of our products. Our comprehensive approach includes not only the development and production of EVs, but also the use of on-board batteries as energy storage and their reuse for secondary purposes,” said Nissan President & CEO, Makoto Uchida. “The experience and know-how gained through the project will be shared globally, enhancing Nissan’s global competitiveness.”

Building on Nissan’s historic presence in Sunderland, the projects represent 6,200 jobs at Nissan and its UK suppliers, including more than 900 new Nissan jobs and 750 new Envision AESC jobs at its new smart, low-carbon battery plant. Longer-term, the transformational project modernises and expands Nissan’s EV production capability in the UK.

Envision AESC will deploy integrated AIoT smart technology to monitor and optimize energy consumption, manufacturing and maintenance at its new gigafactory, enabling it to rapidly increase production and provide batteries to power up to 100,000 Nissan electric vehicles a year.

New-generation electric crossover
As part of the investment, Nissan will invest up to £423 million to produce a new-generation EV in the UK. Utilising the Alliance CMF-EV platform, it will be designed for global markets with forecasted production capacity of up to 100,000 units to be installed.

Next-generation EV batteries
Envision AESC already owns and operates Europe’s first battery plant in Sunderland, established in 2012 for the localisation of Nissan LEAF battery production. The factory’s UK team therefore has 9 years’ expertise of supplying batteries to the Nissan LEAF and eNV200, having produced enough cells, modules and packs to power over 180,000 electric vehicles in 44 countries, meeting global benchmark levels of quality, performance, safety, reliability and cost.

Supporting this new model allocation, Envision AESC will invest £450 million (about RM2.62 billion) to build the UK’s first gigafactory on the International Advanced Manufacturing Park, adjacent to the Nissan plant, powered by renewable energy and pioneering next-generation battery technology. This new plant will increase the cost-competitiveness of EV batteries produced in the UK, including through a new Gen5 battery cell with 30% more energy density which improves range and efficiency. It will also make batteries cheaper and EVs more accessible to a growing number of customers in the future.

Used battery packs have second life
There are also plans for a 1MW battery storage system using second-life Nissan EV/Envision AESC batteries, which will also allow for excess energy generated during daylight hours to be captured and used at another time, helping to balance demand on the grid.

Nissan EVs as mobile power supply units in disaster areas (w/VIDEO)

The National Vaccination Program in Malaysia is free of charge.

Nissan EVs as mobile power supply units in disaster areas (w/VIDEO)

Nissan Juke Rally Tribute Concept pays homage to 1971 Safari Rally-winning Datsun 240Z

During the 1970s, Japanese cars began to enter international motorsports events and their presence became increasingly noted as they won major events. One such event was the legendary East African Safari Rally, a tough dusty event that went around the Kenya countryside. As it was part of the World Rally Championship, major manufacturers took part and among them was Nissan, which used different models.

It was the iconic Datsun 240Z sportscar which won the 1971 event, driven by Edgar Herrmann with navigator Hans Schuller. To underline the superiority of the 240Z, two other cars finished in second and seventh positions. Furthermore, the victory represented the brand’s second consecutive victory in the rally. The sleek and low-slung 240Z was powered by a 2.4-litre straight-six engine, producing 210 ps.

The victorious car is on display today, having been fully restored in 2013. It is part of Nissan’s Heritage Collection which is housed in Zama, close to Nissan global headquarters in Japan.

Revealed on the first day of 2021 event
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Nissan’s victory in the Safari Rally, the carmaker is preparing a Juke Rally Tribute Concept. These images are being released to coincide with the first day of the Safari Rally Kenya which sees the event once again being on the WRC calendar after an absence of 19 years.

The JUKE Rally Tribute Concept, as you can guess, is developed from a production Juke. It’s a very appropriate car to use with a raised stance, short front and rear overhangs strong potential off-road performance.

With enlarged wheels arches to accommodate the tailor-made off-road tyres, the vehicle’s stance is made more imposing, while the additional lights mounted on the bonnet and roof are reminiscent of the old rallycars. Back then, rallies were also run through the night so extra and powerful lighting was important. Two spare wheels are also visible at the back.

Colour themes reminiscent of 240Z rallycar
The JUKE Rally Tribute Concept’s black bonnet and black wheels are especially related to the 1971 240Z that competed in the RALLY. Those same cues also served as inspiration for the Gripz concept car which Nissan presented at Frankfurt Motor Show in 2015 which, in turn, influenced the design of the production Juke that was introduced in 2019.

A major difference under the bonnet is the type of powertrain used. While the rallycars of the 1970s had petrol engines, the Juke Rally Tribute Concept will have an electric hybrid powertrain. This is in support of Nissan’s commitment to the electrification of its range, especially in Europe.

“The Juke Rally Tribute Concept celebrates an iconic moment in Nissan’s heritage, with the participation and victory of the legendary 240Z in the East African Rally in 1971. As well as celebrating that victory, it reflects Nissan’s pioneering history in crossovers, striking design and electrified powertrains. We’re delighted to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the victory of that remarkable achievement with these striking images,” said Coralie Musy, Vice-President, Brand and Customer Experience, Nissan Automotive Europe.

The 2021 Safari Rally Kenya
The Safari Rally Kenya starts today as the sixth round of the 2021 World Rally Championship. It was to have been run last year but the pandemic forced its cancellation. Instead of the route of 6000 kms of open-road of yesteryear, the event will have 18 stages and a total of 320.19 competitive kilometres. But what remains unchanged is the dusty conditions (which could also be wet and muddy), rough terrain and high temperatures – and they will also see wildlife like the drivers in the 1970s. None of the WRC’s frontline drivers have experienced the Safari, which means ‘adventure’ in the Swahili language.

Safari Rally Kenya to run next week after an absence of 19 years from WRC (w/VIDEO)

Nissan gets experts from the creators of Pac-Man to help develop better in-car sounds

While systems like Proton’s GKUI, Ford’s SYNC and the Mercedes-Benz MBUX can intelligently communicate with you and help you with your motoring nowadays, cars have been ‘speaking’ to drivers for a long time. This has been in the form of clicks, beeps, bells or buzzers, with the earliest sound was probably the clicking of the signal lights.

As time went on, other warning sounds were added. For example, if a passenger does not put the seatbelt on, a sound of some sort will provide a reminder. Or when the fuel level gets too low, there will be a warning so the driver will start looking for a petrol station. Japanese cars, from the 1970s, even had a chime that would sound when the speed passed 100 km/h.

*In most cars, there is a seatbelt warning light on the instrument panel and usually a sound to remind the occupants that their seatbelt is not on when the vehicle starts moving.*

Higher quality warning and reminder sounds
The familiarity of the sounds can be important so that virtually any driver will recognise their meaning. At the same time, they need to be ‘right’ so that the driver will respond in the correct way. While most companies use generic sounds, Nissan has teamed up with experts at the Bandai Namco Group to develop in-car sounds for the latest and future Nissan models such as the Rogue, Pathfinder, Note and Qashqai.

The Bandai Namco Group is the entertainment company that developed videogame classics like Pac-Man and Tekken, and also the Gundam sci-fi military hobby items. Their expertise was called upon to help create a higher quality sound that uses pitch, tempo and tone to get information across. Ultimately, Nissan wants the ‘voice’ of its vehicles to have more personality and character.

*Nissan is working with Bandai Namco, the creators of the Gundam characters and toys (and earlier, Pac-Man), to develop better sounds for use in future car models.*

“We wanted to make it easier to understand the information in the car and provide an emotional tone so that people feel the Nissan brand,” said Hiroyuki Suzuki, Nissan’s lead engineer for in-car information sound design. “In game development, Bandai Namco’s sound creators develop sounds that simulate players’ intuitive understanding. We collaborated to create sounds that can help drivers have a similar intuitive understanding, in addition to creating sounds that will become synonymous with Nissan’s global models.”

Developing informational sounds
There is psychology involved in the design of informational sounds. And who knows better than the sound designers of videogames? “There are two types of sound in a game: one creates the world view of the story and express how it develops; the other is functional and absolutely vital for playing the game because they give you feedback or warn you of danger,” said Minamo Takahashi, the sound director at Bandai Namco Research Inc.

Distinctly Nissan and functional
He notes that similar to gaming sounds, vehicle cabin alerts must convey important information without distracting the driver. But despite how realistic videogames have become, Takahashi said there is still a big difference to making sounds that work in the real world. Working with the Nissan team, he developed sounds that are both distinctly Nissan and functional.

“It was a very intense process,” he revealed. “We stayed for days in the studio, had various discussions and went through trial-and-error with Nissan people from the sound engineering, product planning, design, and testing divisions to find out what kind of sound is suitable for the Nissan brand.”

Once the tones were created in line with the brand’s image, the next step was to create variations of the tones according to the urgency and seriousness of the information being conveyed to the driver. As Nissan’s ergonomics test engineer Miwa Nakamura explains: “Research has shown that urgency depends on the frequency of the sound, and that severity depends on the frequency itself. In order to intuitively understand what types of sounds are used, each sound is divided into functional groups and differentiated by tone.”

Besides creating a new signature sound, Nissan engineers also had to consider the devices being used to emit cabin alerts. When they realized that the monotone devices commonly used would not emit the more layered tones that Bandai helped produce, they had to find a solution.

“There is a limit to the expressiveness of those devices, so we developed a new speaker,” said Hato Hiroshi, a Nissan expert of vehicle system design. A new high-quality speaker fits under the dashboard close to the driver and is optimized for the new information soundscape in Nissan cars, making the important warning sounds distinctive from the sound from the audio speakers.

Through the partnership, Nissan engineers were able to get a new perspective from sound creators who make videogames. Meanwhile, the gaming experts enjoyed a new application of sound design.

“When I got in a car and listened to the sound coming out, I felt the same way I felt when first playing a game I worked on,” said Bandai Namco’s Takahashi. “Even if the industry is different, that sense of accomplishment when you reach your goal is the same.”

Click here for other news and articles about Nissan.

Nissan ‘Great Rewards’ campaign offers special deals besides savings on sales tax

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.

2020 Nissan Almera Turbo — *Almera Turbo*

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.

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.

How the new Nissan Almera Turbo is contributing to road safety

Edaran Tan Chong Motor opens Nissan Flagship Store on Lazada

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.

New Nissan Navara launched with 6 variants, priced from RM91,900 (w/VIDEO)

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.

Preview of the updated Nissan Navara PRO-4X, to go on sale on April 16

Nissan GT-R NISMO continues to evolve with updated version for 2021 (w/VIDEO)

Nissan’s GT-R has been around since 2007 and in that time, it has gone through many changes, evolving with updates and improved performance. This October will see another new version of the flagship GT-R NISMO, along with a special edition, being launched in Japan.

Both cars will be offered in the new, NISMO-exclusive NISMO Stealth Gray body colour, which was inspired by the tarmac of tracks that GT-Rs have set records and competed on.

Unpainted carbonfibre bonnet
The special edition will have a NISMO-exclusive clear-coated carbonfibre bonnet which is installed in place of a painted panel. This not only exposes the intricate carbonfibre weave but also takes 100 grams of weight away.

New logo used
The new GT-R NISMO will also have the new Nissan logo which has so far been used on the Ariya EV model. The logo will be set on the bootlid as well as the centre caps of each wheel, and also on top of the engine. The edition-exclusive 20-inch Rays aluminium forged wheels sport a red accent that matches existing accents around the body.

Continuing from the current GT-R NISMO, the large Brembo calipers and carbon ceramic rotors are the biggest ever fitted to a Japanese performance car – 410 mm in the front and 390 mm at the rear.

Race-proven technology
As Nissan’s ultimate performance car, the GT-R NISMO has continued to receive the best race-proven technology, drawing not just on NISMO’s expertise but also the experience of many cars competing in extreme racing conditions. The VR38DETT 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 with GT3 racecar-supplied turbochargers remains the heart of the GT-R’s drivetrain, rated at 600 ps.

The built-to-order GT-R NISMO special edition (pictured above) utilizes new high-precision, weight-balanced parts including the piston rings, connecting rods, crankshaft, flywheel, crank pulley and valve springs dialed in with tighter tolerances, delivering snappier revs and quicker turbo spooling. Each engine is handcrafted by its own takumi technician who places a takumi certification plate on the engine which is in an exclusive colour.

“The GT-R NISMO has always been an ongoing pursuit of ultimate driving pleasure,” said Hiroshi Tamura, Chief Product Specialist of the GT-R. “We take a holistic approach, seeking precision performance through a meticulous balance of engine components and shaving weight, and incrementally evolving the GT-R’s appearance to deliver the ultimate balance of power, performance and excitement to our customers.”

Tomica Happy Set McDonald's — **Tomica Happy Set :** In collaboration with McDonald’s in Japan, a miniature Nissan GT-R NISMO will be available in the ‘Tomica Happy Set’, a popular McDonald’s meal for children. While adults have to wait for the actual car, the little ones can get their GT-R NISMO from the end of this month (for a limited time only).

In 2050, the Nissan GT-R could look like this!

Preview of the updated Nissan Navara PRO-4X, to go on sale on April 16

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.

2021 Nissan Navara PRO-4X — *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 360^o‘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.

Nissan makes long-term commitment to ABB FIA Formula E World Championship

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Given its strength in EV technology, it’s not surprising that Nissan has announced a long-term commitment to the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship series. The carmaker, which joined the all-electric single-seater series in season 5 as the only Japanese manufacturer, will participate to the end of season 12 which will take place during 2025 and 2026.

“Nissan’s commitment to the Gen3 era of the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship shows the strength of the all-electric racing series and its pursuit of success in the next phase. The new Gen3 cars will be faster and more powerful, and this constant evolution of racing performance that we continue to see in Formula E is great for the fans and the sport,” said Olivier and Gregory Driot, team principals of Nissan e.dams, added this joint statement:

The Gen3 era of the championship begins in season 9 – the 2022-23 season – and will feature even faster cars. Gen3 will bring performance and efficiency benefits including more powerful, lighter cars, faster charging and cost controls, all increasing the competitive and unpredictable racing Formula E has become known for.

In the first two seasons in Formula E, Nissan focused on its ’Phase One – road-to-track’ technical objectives, which took experience and learnings from the LEAF EV to develop the performance of the Nissan e.dams race car.

In its debut season, Nissan e.dams was the best qualifying team in the championship while, in its second season, the team powered to second place in the teams championship.

As the team races in the current 2020-2021 season 7 and looks toward the future, it embarks on ‘Phase Two – track-to-road’ of its technology transfer goals, where the technically fast-moving championship will help Nissan showcase features that aim to encourage consumer adoption of its EVs.

“We’ve achieved great results during our first two seasons and renewing our long-term commitment to Formula E is a key step,” said Tommaso Volpe, Nissan’s Global Motorsport Director. “We entered the sport with a ‘road-to-track’ technical transfer approach, and by extending our racing program through the Gen3 era, we have the opportunity to close the circle with ‘track-to-road’ technical transfer. We believe that, as one of the most global manufacturers involved in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship, this sport is the perfect platform to promote our expertise in electrification and demonstrate our commitment to more sustainable mobility solutions.”

As part of its goal to achieve carbon neutrality across its operations and the life-cycle of its products by 2050, Nissan intends to electrify all-new Nissan vehicle offerings by the early 2030s. The company aims to bring its expertise in transferring knowledge and technology between the racetrack and road for better electric vehicles for customers.

“Nissan’s vision for cars goes far beyond simply modes of transport,” said Ashwani Gupta, Nissan’s Chief Operating Officer. “We aim to design and build electric vehicles that transform the way communities connect and move, and inspire us all to work towards a sustainable society. For Nissan, Formula E helps us bring excitement, energy and the environment to the forefront as we deliver this vision of the future to an ever-growing, new, young and diverse audience.”

The first races of the 2021 season took place in Diriyah, Saudi Arabia, as a double- header event at the end of February, where Formula E raced for the first time as an FIA World Championship. It was also Formula E’s first night race, with the cars racing under floodlights. Nissan e.dams took 14 team championship points away from the event.