Nissan has taken a proper battering lately – its public picture has been so shaken by scandals and poor monetary outcomes that us onlookers have each purpose to fret about its future. And that’s earlier than you bear in mind the scenario in Malaysia, the place an ageing lineup has allowed it fall even additional adrift of rivals like Honda, Toyota and even Mazda.
However the carmaker is digging its heels deep, with a number of contemporary new fashions which can be lastly beginning to filter into the market. On our shores, the offensive begins with the newest Almera, which finally seems set to take the battle to the all-conquering Honda Metropolis and Toyota Vios. It’s nothing if not bold – at between RM79,906 to RM91,310, it’s gone from being the most cost effective within the phase to one of the crucial costly.
The B-segment sedan has various methods up its sleeve to deal with them head on, nonetheless. It’s bought arguably essentially the most good-looking design of the lot, a totally revamped cabin and a head unit that now not seems prefer it’s been pilfered from a Brothers catalogue (it’s even bought Apple CarPlay).
The Almera even has a bang up-to-date engine – a 1.0 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that’s proper on development, making 100 PS and a formidable 158 Nm of torque. However essentially the most spectacular is the generational leap in security, the place the Almera goes from having a most of two airbags and ABS to that includes standard-fit autonomous emergency braking and stability management and as much as six airbags.
However what does all this imply in the true world? Can the brand new Almera dwell as much as the load of expectations positioned on its dinky shoulders, and might the three-pot actually ship the oomph anticipated within the phase? Our man Hafriz Shah will get behind the wheel to reply all these questions and extra, and you may watch his evaluation within the video above. As traditional, tell us what you assume within the feedback after the bounce.
