New Almera full of promise

At last the new Nissan Almera is available, bringing a new more stylish design and good value as a global car for Nissan. Derived from the Spanish term for a large diamond – “almendra” – the new Nissan is built in Chennai, in India and fully imported.

The South African market is one of the 170 global markets where the new Almera is marketed.

Large exterior dimensions, a spacious interior and a big boot were three of the key design points which dictated the development of the new Almera. With this new model Nissan argue that they are offering a global vehicle with C-segment sedan proportions at an affordable, sub-compact or B-segment price.

Sharing its platform with the Nissan Micra, the new Nissan Almera also shares its interior as a sedan version.

Interior space has been maximised thanks to a long wheelbase – 2 600 mm – which makes for 636 mm of total rear knee space. Upholstery is a durable black and grey cloth combination, with interior panels finished in black as well for a classy, practical look and feel.

The smart, premium looking instrument cluster features a fuss free design with polished detailing, decorative illumination and clear lettering w the two analogue dials flanking a central LCD trip information display screen. Silver design highlights also feature on the centre console, facia and around the air vents – of which there are an extra two for rear seat passengers with a dedicated, independent fan speed control.

The interior features three major storage cubby holes. There are also a total of four cup or bottle holders. The boot is perhaps its biggest feature, offering 490 litres of luggage space – up by 23 litres compared to the outgoing Tiida sedan and enough for four golf bags.

The new Nissan Almera is available with a 1.5-litre petrol engine which produces a healthy 73 kW and 134 Nm. The low-emission and efficient engine allows the five-speed manual version of the new Almera to achieve average combined cycle fuel economy of 6.3l/100 km, with the four-speed automatic variant achieving 7.2l/100km.

Carbon emissions for the models are 149 g/km and 171 g/km respectively. Safety equipment comprises ABS with EBD and BAS, with backup in the form of two airbags and five three-point seat belts.

Available in one model grade, the new Almera 1.5 Acenta manual and automatic models feature remote central locking, full colour coding, chrome exterior detailing, 15-inch alloy wheels, electric door mirrors, manual air conditioning with dedicated rear vents and independent fan speed control. You also get a radio/CD/MP3 audio system with aux input port, four speakers, steering wheel audio controls, a height-adjustable driver’s seat, tilt adjustment for the steering wheel, remote central locking with speed-sensitive auto-locking doors and a comprehensive trip computer with two trip meters, instant and average fuel economy readouts, tank range and service information.

The all-new Nissan ALMERA range is available as standard with a three-year/60 000 km service plan and Nissan’s three-year/ 100 000 km warranty. Service intervals are 15 000 km.

Pricing:

1.5 Acenta Manual R165 000; 1.5 Acenta Automatic R175 500.