Bad news for all Nissan ‘Sentra’ lovers in Malaysia, as the particular range will be a thing of the past come June 2007. Yes, apparently Nissan in Malaysia will be phasing out their ‘Sentra’ models, but with the exception of their 1.6L manual transmission which will still remain in the market here. All this is in preparation for the launch of their all new Nissan Latio (pronounced LA - SHIO) expected on the 22nd of June, 2007.
Apparently the all new Latio in Malaysia would be their first locally assembled model in it’s class that has features of an all new keyless entry and also an engine start through the Nissan Intelligent Key System. Not only that but the Latio sport version will also be the only hatchback in it’s class. The all new Nissan Latio will be available in both sedan and five door hatchback form. What an improvement for all the Nissan lovers in Malaysia.
The first impression that you get out of this car is that it strikes a resemblance of a Renault Clio, if you ask me. If you were in Japan, this model would be referred to as Tiida and if you were in the United States it’s called Versa.
For our market here Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (our local franchise holders for Nissan vehicles) would be releasing an all aluminium MR Series on their 1.8L series and a HR Series on the 1.6L, fully equipped with a Nissan-Renault jointly developed DOHC 4 cylinder engine. Customers would be able to have an option of a 4-speed automatic transmission or even a 5-speed manual transmission for their taking. The Latio in Malaysia will see five variants being sold; four variants on the sedan series and one variant on the hatchback series @ 1.6L auto, which will be called Latio Sport.
Price for this particular range is still uncertain at the moment but rest assured that I will post on the matter as and when it becomes known to me. My best bet, it should be hovering around the same price range of the Toyota Altis and Honda Civics @ RM80,000 to RM110,000. One thing for sure is that the new Nissan Latio Sport version will do very well in the current market especially with the individual young executive’s, given the fact of their sporty and active lifestyles.
One look at the exterior of this model, and you would definitely find it, sporty looking. Latio also offers an amazing utility storage space (467 litres) - noted to be the best in it’s class. This is achieved through it’s unique sliding rear seats which can be slid forward or backwards for that extra legroom.
Another first on the all new Nissan Latio in Malaysia is that it will be equipped with Bi-xenon headlights with automatic on and aiming control functions on it’s 94kW/176Nm, 1.8L model. The one model that will be seriously affected by this launch would be Toyota Altis as the consumers are still keeping a ‘wait and see’ attitude for it’s new model, planned to come out next year.
