Nissan wins RJC Car of the Year and Tech of the Year awards

YOKOHAMA, Japan – The new Nissan Serena has been named Car of the Year for 2016/2017 by the Automotive Researchers' and Journalists' Conference of Japan (RJC).

Additionally, RJC’s Technology of the Year award went to ProPILOT, the all-new autonomous driving technology which debuted in the Serena.

The final round of voting for the RJC Car of the Year awards took place on November 15.

Explaining the decision to give both awards to Nissan, the RJC committee noted: “The Serena comes with a host of new features that significantly improve ease-of-use. It boasts a hands-free door that can be activated simply by sliding your foot under the vehicle, a dual-stage rear door that lets you load and unload bags even in tight spaces, and side-sliding second row seats, which make it a lot easier to get into and out of the third row.”

On the ProPILOT system, RJC commented: ”ProPILOT, a single-lane autonomous driving technology that automatically controls the accelerator, brakes and steering wheel, significantly reduces driver workload during traffic jams and long drives on highways. We feel that this system represents a vital technological stepping stone towards achieving full-scale autonomous driving in the future.”

Since its launch in August, the fully redesigned Serena has been well-received by customers, with more than 30,000 orders received.


Original press release for the new Serena:
https://newsroom.nissan-global.com/releases/160824-01-e

Close Up: Nissan Serena S-Hybrid

In this BLOG ENTRY, I'm posting a Close up of Nissan Serena S-Hybrid.  This is a Mild Hybrid.

According to the Sales Executive, CKD model of this 1 and only Hybrid MPV in Malaysia is Coming up by End of the year.

At the moment, the CBU Japan Serena Hybrid's priced at RM149,515.30 OTR Without insurance.  It comes with 3 years OR 100,000km warranty.




Highlights of this Hybrid MPV:

+ 14 seating configurations
+ 2x power doors.
+ 15.2km/l fuel efficiency.
+ 147ps@5600rpm and 210Nm@4400rpm torque mated with Smooth Xtronic CVT gearbox.
+ Cruise Control with Multi-function steering wheel.

+ Keyless entry and Push Start
+ Front and Rear Climate control.
+LARGE Glass area hence NO Blind spots

+ Reverse Camera with AVN (Audio Visual Navigator).  Worth RM3,000 but FREE for a limited time.
+ 195/60R16 ECO Tyres with 16" Alloy wheels.

+ Very comfortable 8 seaters.  3rd row Sits 3 adults comfortably.
+ Stylish futuristic Digital Dash meter.


DRAWBACKS:

- No spare tyres.  Tyre puncture kit given instead
- NOT Full hybrid.  It's little difference VS Skyactiv.
- Many Glass area = Moving Greenhouse Oven.  Unless you tint the whole car.
- No leather seats, Fabrics in place.
- Quirky Boxy Design.
- Only 2 Airbags.

DRIVE TIME:

I only spent 10 mins behind the wheel of this Serena S-Hybrid so I can't comment much except it's a Comfortable, smooth operator thanks to the X-tronic CVT.  It handles Much much better than it's arch-rival Mazda Biante 2.0 Skyactiv.  It's more spacious and practical too.  Quite pleasent ride and handling.

CONCLUSION:

Overall Rating: 8/10.  Better Comfort, Better RIDE and Handling and More practical than arch-rival Mazda Biante.

Well, there's a saying a Picture's worth 1000 words.  Enjoy the photos:

If you want to buy this car, call me, Jefferson Lim 012-6852-718.  I have the following Locations, Nissan contacts.

Nissan PJ Kemajuan
Nissan Setia Alam
Nissan Taman Megah
Nissan Jln Ipoh
Nissan Cheras.
Nissan Penang

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.   An original Otoreview Production.  If you want to copy, please give credit or link to this blog.  Copy like a man, Don't plagiarise.

WANTED: Nissan 150Y Wagon/AD Millenium

WANTED (WTB), Nissan 150Y California Wagon OR AD Resort Millennium Edition 2000.  Budget, RM6-7k OR RM23k.  

Photos?  Sure:

OR

Prefer Mileage Below 200,000, Automatic for AD resort Millennium and less than 3 owners. 

Nissan Note wins RJC 2013 Car of the Year Award

Nissan Note wins RJC 2013 Car of the Year Award

Nov. 15 – Yokohama – Nissan’s all-new Note only rolled off production lines this summer, but the second generation of the popular hatchback has already won its first major award.

Nissan's award-winning Note

The Automotive Researchers’ and Journalists’ Conference of Japan this week crowned the car RJC 2013 Car of the Year, beating off stiff competition from Mazda’s CX-5 and Suzuki’s new Wagon-R.

The Note, with fuel economy as much as 40% higher than its predecessor, has also won plaudits for combining improved performance and styling.

Global Chief Marketing Manager for the Nissan Note, Yosuke Iwasa

“It’s a great privilege we’re honored to be awarded the RJC Car of the Year,” says Nissan Global Chief Marketing Manager Yosuke Iwasa.

“Honestly speaking, the new Note is a well-balanced car. It’s got good roominess and we offer a high level of fuel economy. I think this type of vehicle will be highly evaluated by RJC members.” 

Note’s victory follows the Nissan LEAF electric vehicle, which won the same award a year ago, and may be a sign of developments ahead.

On sale in Japan now, versions of the new model debut in Europe and North America next year, with Nissan banking on big recognition for the compact car globally.

PREVIEW: NISSAN ALMERA 1.5CVTC

 

In this blog entry, I'm posting a Close-up of the YET-TO-BE-LAUNCHED Nissan Almera 1.5CVTC.  According to a Nissan Sales Rep I spoke to yesterday during The Star Auto Carnival, expected launching date delayed from September to November.  But they begin taking RM500 refundable booking for the car.

This is THE MOST SPACIOUS B-segment car in its class.  The Leg room's better than MYVI and headroom's excellent too.  But and a Big but, there's signs of COST CUTTING everywhere on the Dashboard.  I mean HARD PLASTICS.  The design's a bit WIERD to begin with.  Front resembles Vios (Another Dugong), side's unique, rear resembles TEANA which's NOT BAD.  Overall, it's a LOVE / HATE design.  

Pricing wise, according to the Sales Rep, RM72,000 for the Manual, RM76,000 for Auto Standard and NOT MORE THAN RM84,000 for the High Spec Auto which would have Climate Control, Auto Start with Intelligent key + Immobiliser, MULTI INFO Display (MID).  

Let's proceed to the MECHANICAL department.  The Almera's powered by HR15DE i4 DOHC with CVTC and Drive-by-wire (DBW) technology mated with either 5 speed manual or (YAWN!) 4 speed Automatic.  Max power's 102ps@6000rpm and 139Nm@4000rpm.  Claimed fuel consumption's EXCELLENT 14.9km/l.

Well, there's a saying a picture's worth 1000 words, here are the photos:

 Above: EXCELLENT CLASS LEADING Legroom and Headroom.

 Above: 480 litres boot space.

 Above: Decent Fabric seats.  Below: Only one in its class to have Centre arm-rest.

That's all folks, thanks for having the time and patience to read this blog entry.  An original Jeff Lim's production.  Not to be copied without Links/credits.  If you want to copy, COPY LIKE A MAN!  Give Credits/Links.  Don't plagiarise.