Nissan Teana 200XE tested

I thought I had resigned myself to just judging some cars for a highly notable publication's "Car of the Year (COTY) 2011 Awards" and not writing much reviews about them. Humbly, I do admit my lack of energy in penning a few paragraphs and to followers (if any few left) of my blog, my sincere apologies. Largely due to my clinical plus other domestic commitments et al. Also the Nissan Teana in 4-pot, 2.0-litre form that I sampled more than a few weekends ago didn't seem to excite my senses very much.



Imagine my awakening today when I stumbled upon my friend's blog - a hugely popular one - which featured the MMC (minimal model change) - that's facelift to you and me - new Honda Accord. I am not here to criticise the mid-cycle refreshed Honda. After all, I was quite a Honda fan owning the last-generation 2.0 Accord for a brief spell.

Well, let's just say that I am re-energised to share with you my brief flirtation with the latest D-segment offering from Nissan in Malaysia, after reading the post by another esteemed "colleague" on the new Accord.




Looks-wise, this Nissan has on-road presence, even while Honda still holds the measuring-tape champion title to being the longest, largest, widest etc in this sub-RM180K category which encompasses the Sinatra (Oops! Sonata I meant), the Camry, Mazda6 and of course the MMC (Mitsu Motor Corp?) Accord.

In a nutshell the new Teana is huge, soft-riding, comfy and looks the part of a towkay (big-boss) saloon. With its CVT drivetrain, it may be a bit disconcerting when you roll fast into corner but what the heck...it's a comfort-biased executive sedan not a BMW 5-series. The way I look at it, it's for fans of Camry's soft plush damping who don't want a Toyota and couldn't stand Accord's harder riding suspension settings. And a Mazda won't cut it because they don't want a brand that makes the world's sole rotary-powered sportscar.

Despite its bulk and size, the Teana's brakes are good and reassuring. Its interior looks and feel Infiniti-esque, though I suspect the V6s versions with more cow-leather plastered interiors and some steering control button/switches splattering would make this executive sedan feel decidedly more upmarket. It's so silent on the move that it makes you wonder whether there are low-pressure-near-vacuum-stretches on highway - almost devoid of wind noise - when you are doing, say 160 km/h.




So there you have it, another popular D-segment sedan for you to consider in Malaysia, apart from the perennial favourites of Camrys or Accords. Oh by the way, has Honda Malaysia solved the Accords (and likely Civics) brake judder issues due to premature-warping of front rotors? I hope these huge Nissans don't have such quality issues, not when it comes to brakes.




Admittedly, the Teana could do better with its instruments detailing though, because this isn't a Sunny, Latio or Sylphy for that matter. The rear end detailing, however - no need to buy Eagle-Eyes brand Taiwan-made aftermarket LED rear lights - is great though. In my strictly personal and humble opinion, the clean-design execution by Nissan here even leaves the new Mercedes-Benz W212 E-class' arse for dead. You can't win (or have) 'em all I suppose.

Freakin' Awesome Drive: the new Nissan 370Z Coupe!

I totally had automotive nirvana driving this gem of a sportscar that redefines the Nissan brand at 'just' RM370k whereabouts (on-the-road with insurance).

Alright, so what if it doesn't make the right (as opposed to politically correct) sporty soundtrack or have the badge of its Stuttgart arch-nemesis of which it is benchmarked against. In the UK, most auto mags have face-off this latest Z-car with the Cayman 2.9 with PDK. Forget that, in Malaysia, none of that matters since a brand-new Cayman S (3.4 with DFI + PDK) with some of the 'right' options ticked will cost almost double the Nissan 370Z!!!

At one point, I was driving 2.5 hours non-stop in the Z through a set of twisties and highway sweeping corners I got morphed into the car. I was at one-with-the-car. Serious. I thought that the Audi TT coupe was great in the way your buttock could 'feel' the road. This is even better! I was doing faster corners I had never thought I was capable of. Relaxed and composed.

The chassis balance was superb while suspension set-up was just right. Makes daily drive livable and comfy, yet poisely planted. The 370Z tracks corners brilliantly with the rear axle following incisively and faithfully. The way its steering whispers back to you into a bend is a finesse in its own Japo way, which the large "Z" emblem constantly reminds you. Yet in its entirety, it is all more Conti-esque in weighting and feel. The rack may not have the talkativeness of a Porsche's but I would say it's more than adequate. The rear donuts may step out a little bit should you push them near their limits, but it's all natural (even with stability programme on by default at all times), unlike the more robotic and 'synthetic' R35 GT-R.

I liked the way the gear knob vibrates too, as you caress it in your left palm. A sense of connectivity, reminiscent of my dad's Datsun 120Y of the late 70s, but in a different kind of way (that it doesn't oscillates on idling!) On the off side, the few gripes I have with the new 370z is the metallic gnashing sound of the clutch upon initial take -off, the often louder-than-desired noises (of water splashing, pebbles 'denting' sound of metallic knocks and rolling tyres) through the rear wheels arches. Looking quite tacky are fuel & coolant LEDs orange 'blips' and digital multi display info, residing within the left-most instrument cluster pod. Rest assured for all its cons here, the superb Bose sound system more than made up for them, especially the part about annoying decibels seeping through rear wheel arches.

Needless to say, Nissan's pioneering Synchro Rev worked flawlessly, much like a twin clutch 'box (which affords uninterrupted torque transfer upon swapping cogs), only here blipping of revs minimises torque dip as you downshift. Worked great for me since I never got the hang of this heel-and-toe shifting. As a result, you could actually feel more instantaneous traction as you drop a gear or two into corners.

At the end of my test period, I had wanted to 'carjack' the tester and not return it to ETCM. It also made me wanna trade my Cayman 2.7 for the new 370z...any demo unit in red or yellow going for a song? For me at least, I think it badly needs a Nismo muffler with a more 'show-off' soundtrack, or HKS or whatever aftermarket tuners have to offer to dump waste gases at the rear more emphatically!

First Drive: Nissan R35 GT-R

Nissan has upset the pecking order of supercars since the world debut of its R35 GT-R in 2007, even without factoring in the bang-for-bucks factor. In Malaysia, a 2008 model can be had for as ‘little’ as RM600k – 650k, brand new, unused and unregistered. For the money of a Porsche Cayman S, you can have something quicker than a Porsche 911 Turbo (Tiptronic S). Of course, many will argue that the R35 is still a Nissan at the end of the day. Undeniably, the latter is nothing less than Stuttgart’s finest sportcar, an iconic 911 model at that, wearing that solid Porsche badge, rich with racing heritage et al. Well, think about being able to buy two new GT-Rs for the price of one new 911 Turbo, maybe this will put things in better perspective. But is the GT-R as engaging as a 911? Admittedly, I am not an authority on that, since the last time I drove a 997 Turbo was at the Porsche World Roadshow at Sepang F1 Circuit in 2007. Anyway, here’s my brief driving impression of the R35 GT-R at a local parallel importer recently.

Cranking up the V6 is definitely milder versus Porsche’s boxer-6. Heck! Even a 3.4L Cayman S is more melodramatic! No sense of occasion even as you prodded the gas pedal, rousing the engine from idle. Cool and calm, reminding one of a Nissan Sylphy! On the move – at crawling speed - the twin-clutch tranny was a tad jerky in a latchy kind of way but you can feel the horses underneath the front bonnet waiting to be unleashed. Once after a traffic light, all hell broke loose as it ‘teleported’ into a small spot between two cars in an overtaking manoeuvre. Yes! In a GT-R, set your mind to any small crevice in congested traffic, stoke the throttle and with small inputs at the steering, you are already away and safely tucked ahead. Believe me, it’s that easy and effortless, in that proverbial cliché: blink of an eye.

Approaching a right-hander positive gradient ram, the GT-R hit 140km/h faster than you can say “Nissan GT-R” and I was soon negotiating a sweeping corner, with no time to slow down or think for that matter. It’s amazingly planted and fuss-free around bends, what’s more with the sticky, semi-slick standard issue 20” Bridgestone Potenza RE070R. Naturally, with all that electronics-laden drivetrain and suspension trickery, it makes you want to go faster with ever increasing confidence. In other words, you do not feel the speed in an R35 GT-R. Onto a straight then on, it was blistering quick approaching JDM limiter top speed but I eased off seeing that this ‘tester’ had hardly 30km on its odometer. Still not much sound from the engine up front, with just some huff-puff from the rear mufflers, mimicking a mid-engine rumble, or is it just my clouded perception from all that warp speed? And I was nowhere near flicking switches into the more wicked “R” settings for its sportier suspension and throttle mapping. Seeing that my close associate will likely buy this test unit, we decided to turn back to the showroom and not subject it to further premature abuse.

There you have it, my first drive in a new Nissan GT-R. It’s very rapid, highly responsive, tenaciously grippy and absolutely awesome on the road. While the overall feedback was relatively muted somewhat, it gets an extreme boy racer’s job done, ruthlessly cold and calculated. I can’t help but feel that the GT-R is exceptionally capable to the extent of being a tad too clinical in its execution of speed, handling and tactile feedbacks. A smidgen too synthetic, you might say, a little akin to virtual driving in video games, I reckoned. However, things may be different should I get to drive this GT-R again a few months down the road, with its twin turbocharged VR38DETT lump (480 bhp/588 Nm) more run-in, going for perhaps more distant interstate jaunts and/or uphill to Bukit Tinggi or Ulu Yam. I just gotta make sure I have a stiff cup of coffee beforehand…in black preferably!

New Nissan Murano at RM318,200 in Malaysia

Edaran Tan Chong Motors (ETCM) has introduced the latest Nissan Murano to Malaysia, retailing at RM318,200 (excluding insurance and on-the-road costs). The 2^nd generation Murano is Nissan’s premium crossover which offers an enhanced sense of sporty and reassuring driving performance, a quieter and more comfortable interior with even more luxury features. The all-new Nissan Murano’s exterior styling has been described as a piece of sculptured modern art. With its clean-cut shape, the Murano exudes strength and sturdiness that spells reliability and years of enjoyable use.

“With new looks, enhanced performance and refinement, a host of innovative features and an impressive new interior, the all-new Nissan Murano is a significant evolution of the trend-setting original”, added Dato’ Dr Ang when introducing this all-new premium crossover at the media event. While the Murano’s exterior draws lingering looks, the interior presents total luxury. Described as a suite on wheels, the Murano’s cabin is spacious, functional and lavishly appointed. With the 60/40-split folding automatic rear seats folded, the luggage capacity rises up to 838 litres.

Like the original, the heart of the Murano is its advanced engine, transmission and chassis combination, which is anchored by Nissan’s proven VQ35DE V6 engine, paired with Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and rigid D-platform. The VQ35DE engine achieves improved output and fuel-efficiency (9.3km/L on JP 10-15 mode) through reduced friction. This award-winning member of the Nissan VQ engine series puts out 260ps and 336Nm with effortless precision. The Nissan D-platform helps optimize the balance between a flat, comfortable ride and the quiet, superb handling and stability of a premium crossover.

The ALL MODE 4×4-i all-wheel drive system and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) ensure smooth cornering and stable handling on slippery road surfaces by monitoring wheel spin and adjusting front/rear torque split accordingly for a balanced drive.

In the US, the all-new Nissan Murano has earned a Top Safety Pick award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in 2008. IIHS recognised the all-new Nissan Murano as the best overall performer in front, side and rear crash during test evaluations. In addition, the Murano rides securely on 18” alloy wheels and active safety is taken care of by ABS, EBD and Braking Assist.

Other technological features include memory seats, stylish dual glass sunroof, power lift gate and rear view camera to embrace the driver and passengers with feelings of warmth, modernity, comfort, innovation and security. “While we find ourselves in challenging economic circumstances, we are confident that the 370Z and MURANO will be well received based on both critical and market reception to both these all new Nissan “Halo” models. The all-new Nissan 370Z and Murano will appeal to a segment of customers who have the means to demand the perfect blend of quality and safety, while aspiring for an uncompromising level of driving purity that comes from the pedigree of these premium performance models. ” said Dato’ Dr Ang.

New Nissan 370Z launched in Malaysia

In less than a year since their world debut in Tokyo, Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) has now introduced the all-new fully imported NISSAN 370Z sports car tonight.

Now in its 40th year, the Z became an icon of global sports car passion with more than 1.7 million units sold since the 1st generation S30 model debuted in 1969. The all-new 370Z continues Nissan’s philosophy of design, performance and technical innovation, offering authentic performance, true sports car handling and athletic, agile design.


“The all-new Nissan 370Z builds on the best features of both the 1st and last generations Z-cars – respectful but retro, simple yet sophisticated, and unmistakably Z” , said Dato’ Dr. Ang Bon Beng, Executive Director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd at the media event.


The all-new Nissan 370Z’s enhanced performance characteristics are a result of its shorter wheelbase, reduced weight and the adoption of the larger, more powerful VQ37VHR 3.7-litre V6 engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift). This power unit is the latest manifestation of Nissan's award-winning VQ engine series, which Ward's Autoworld proclaimed as one of the 10 best engines in the world. The VQ37VHR puts out 333ps and 363Nm for ultra-smooth delivery of power, better throttle response, better fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions.


Mated to the engine are two transmissions that perfectly complement the former’s high output and refinement. Malaysians have the choice of a 6-speed manual transmission and a newly developed 7-speed automatic with manual shift mode. The manual transmission is the enthusiast driver’s delight, being the world’s first SyncroRev Match control system which automatically blips the throttle to simulate heel & toe shifting.


The all-new Nissan 370Z, which made its global debut in December 2008, has already been recognised with prestigious awards in the field of design and performance such as the Ward Autoworld’s Interior of the Year Award for sports cars in April 2009 and the Edmunds’ Inside Line 2009 Readers’ Most Wanted Awards last June.


Offering high performance in superlative comfort, with high quality and a shape to please the eye, the all-new Nissan 370Z easily takes its place among the handful of the world’s top sports car offerings in Malaysia.


The selling price for the all-new Nissan 370Z starts from RM354,400 excluding road tax, insurance and registration related charges. Prices are valid in Peninsular Malaysia and subject to change without prior notice. Both vehicles come with a 3-year or 100,000km warranty whichever comes first.

The all-new Nissan 370Z can be exclusively viewed at selected Nissan showrooms in Malaysia from 19th August 2009 onwards.

Nissan Grand Livina gets tuned by IMPUL

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) introduced their new Nissan GRAND LIVINA Tuned By Impul. Today’s launch marks the world debut of the only GRAND LIVINA to be tuned by a world renowned Japanese motorsports and specialist Nissan tuning expert, Impul Motor Racing Development.

With the exception of the alloy wheels, all Impul GRAND LIVINA parts are produced in Malaysia. Quality and reliability of these parts are assured with the appropriate cost competitiveness for consideration to be exported to other ASEAN markets, China and South America at a later stage.

“The GRAND LIVINA Tuned By Impul is developed for the many young and dynamic families in our society who seek the versatility of the GRAND LIVINA’s 7-seater capability in combination with a distinctive look and sports tuned performance, which are trademarks of Impul Motor Racing from its rich motorsports heritage”, said Dato’ Dr Ang Bon Beng, Executive Director of Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd.

The Impul parts fitted onto this all new GRAND LIVINA variant are:

1. IMPUL Complete Aerokit

The complete aerokit exudes visual drama and dynamic presence with its front grille, front and rear bumper spoiler, side skirts and the Impul trademark rear wing spoiler.

2. IMPUL Sports Suspension System

The suspension system consisting of upgraded shock absorbers and springs are fine-tuned with a 25mm lowered ride height to reduce unwanted roll and pitch for optimised handling and to enrich steering feel of the Nissan Grand Livina.

3. IMPUL Blast II Exhaust Muffler

A high quality stainless steel exhaust muffler in a polished finish and etched Impul logo tail pipe. It contributes to improve engine response with a sporty note and also complements the overall aesthetics of the exterior.

4. 17" IMPUL AURA SX-10 Alloy Wheels with Dunlop Formula D 01 205/45 R17 Tyres

The Impul Aura SX-10 Alloy Wheels in polished finish are designed for a luxurious feel. These wheels are fabricated with the IMPUL New Super Cast process that results in a 20 to 30% weight saving in comparison to conventional processes thereby delivering the latest in wheel design technology and a commitment to higher quality and safety.

The Nissan Grand Livina Tuned By Impul version is offered at a cost of only RM10,500.00 above the standard Nissan Grand Livina.

Nissan Grand Livina Tuned By Impul variants are priced at (OTR with insurance):

1.6 MT Comfort RM95,586.00

1.6 AT Comfort RM99,386.00

1.8 AT Comfort RM108,086.00

The new Nissan Grand Livina Tuned By IMPUL can be exclusively viewed at selected Nissan showrooms nationwide and comes with a 3-year or 100,000 km (whichever comes first) warranty.

After-market purchase for IMPUL Performance Parts will also be available to existing Nissan Grand Livina owners.

2009 Nissan GT-R

Nissan wasted no time in upgrading its venerable (R35) GT-R with a mild (some may say negligible) power hike, suspension tweaks and a new exterior color called ‘Storm’ (Pearl White), for 2009 model year. Hardly or just after a year, the ‘new’ Nissan GT-R will also sport Gun Metal grey coloured Rays seven-spoke alloy wheel while the Premium Edition GT-Rs, i.e. Black Edition will have similar design alloys, albeit shaded in black (?!?).

The 2009 GT-R's 3.8L V6 twin-turbo engine gains 5ps (485ps) while torque is maintained at 588Nm. A slight gain in horsepower along with better fuel economy is always welcomed - even in this class of supercars - with Nissan claiming an average fuel consumption of 8.3km/l versus 8.2km/l for the 2008 model. Nissan has also extended the traveling range of the GT-R by increasing its fuel tank capacity from 71liters to to 74liters.

Apart from tinkering the suspension spring rate settings to improve ride comfort, the 2009 model will benefit from a standard OE set of Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST tyres. These are the same rubbers that Nissan used during their ‘infamous’ fast lap of 7mins 29secs at Nurburgring, a timing which was controversially disputed by Porsche recently. Speaking of which, the iconic 911s from the same German sportscar manufacturer will undergo a facelift (PDK, 3.8L boxer, Direct Fuel Injection, improved AWD system et al) that will result in a 'new' 911 Turbo and probably 'new' GT2, well before end-2009. So Nissan will have to get serious about a proper GT-R V-Spec in excess of 600ps and 700Nm of torque by then, for the new Godzilla to remain significant and relevant.

The 2009 mild “facelift” GT-R has a 'value-added' premium of roughly 3.8 percent to its pricing in the U.K. Any new orders for the 2009 GT-R can only be fulfilled by mid 2010, with about 1200 U.K. customers currently awaiting official deliveries from March 2009 onwards. Additionally, there are some 1300 buyers in queue from other parts of Europe. With such healthy demand in these trying times, no wonder Nissan is playing the V-Spec/V-Spec II/Nismo/Nur edition cards close to its chest.

Nissan UP_SHIFT_its Z_car to 370z for 2009

Click on images to enlargeWhile our fellow Malaysian sportscar enthusiasts are busy lapping up used Nissan 350Zs in reconditioned form with JDM-specs (grey AP imports), Nissan Motor Co. has just revealed the latest incarnation of its iconic Z-car for 2009 model year.

Unlike the dramatic transformation of the R34 Skyline GT-R to R35 GT-R, Nissan seemed to have taken the evolutionary path for its new Z-car, with much of the 350Z' basic shape retained. In fact, I initially reckoned the all-new Z of being like what Audi has done for its A4 transition from B6 to B7. However, dimensions-wise, the new 370Z has actually defied the usual convention of a successor model outgrowing the older model.




Case in point, the new Z's wheelbase is actually about 100mm shorter than the 350Z, compacted by moving the rear axle forward on Nissan's FM platform. In tandem, the overall length of the new Z has shrunken by about 68mm. Thankfully, both width and track have been increased by 33mm and 55mm respectively. In line with this wider-profiled sportier intent, the new 370Z coupe also sits lower by 75mm.



I suppose the real deal with the new 370Z lies beneath its metal sheets, especially with the now upsized VQ-series V6 engine displacing a larger 3.7-litre. Nissan's VQ37VHR engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event and Lift) is rated at 332 hp @ 7,000 rpm and 366 Nm of torque @ 5,200 rpm, compared with the previous 3.5-litre V6's 306 hp @ 6,800 rpm and 363 Nm of torque @ 4,800 rpm. Approximately 35% of the engine parts are new versus the previous motor. Along with its larger displacement, the new engine is claimed to give better power delivery all the way to the 7,500 rpm redline, improved low-end power and more high-end torque. The new 370Z has also shed 46 kg over the model it replaces, with Nissan engineers revising the coupe's body structure and improving front body torsional rigidity by up to 30 percent.

With higher power output, a lighter body and a new 7-speed automatic transmission or a close-ratio 6-speed manual, the new 370Z should be significantly quicker than the outgoing model, but no official performance figures are available at the time of writing. A more compact lengthwise dimension plus a wider, lower squat should improve agility and handling.







In overview, Nissan revived its iconic Z-car lineage with their reinvented 2002 model. Now - 6 years later - for the successor Z, nearly every piece and component has been rethought or redesigned. With greater use of lightweight body materials (the bonnet is all-aluminium), new engine with more horsepower and improved fuel efficiency, a new 7-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters - or the world's first synchronized downshift rev matching system for the 6-speed manual - and a reworked higher-quality interior, Nissan seemed destined for greater presence - along with the monstrous R35 GT-R - in the sportscar arena.

Brief Drive: Nissan Sylphy 2.0 CVTC

Another new model is due to be officially added this Thursday (26th June 2008) to Edaran Tan Chong Motors (ETCM) stable of Nissan cars in Malaysia. Here is a brief first drive impression of the new Nissan Slyphy 2.0 CVTC with XTronic CVT 'box.

The Sylphy is an all-new car from Nissan in the form of a C-segment sedan. In fact, it is a true Nissan Sentra replacement, for a long time coming from ETCM in Malaysia. With the MR20DE displacing 1,997cc and a wheelbase of 2700mm, it is encroaching into the D-segment dimensions of 5-10 years ago - much like the current Honda Civic 2.0S.

As you see above, the test driver is my brother Justin having a feel of the new Sylphy, which has a light EPS rack and an equally feathery feel of its ride and soft damping. The CVT 'box is nice, with very minimal rubber-band feel. So much so, I could still recall the rev counter dropped when it 'upshifts'!

The alloys you see above is of 15" shod with equally puny Yokohama Aspec dB tyres of 195/65 dimension. They are quiet on the roll but the thick body of Syphly dwarfs the wheels very much.

Steering appeared to be nicked from Grand Livina with leather grip and beige 'empty' panels at 9 and 3 o'clock. Not very dirt resistant we reckoned.

Based upon the short drive, Nissan's MR20DE (pic above) is sprightly, quiet and smooth, unlike the vocal Civic 1.8 lump and the thrumming new Altis' (4-speeder) 4-pot. Paired to Nissan's XTronic CVT the drive is a calm, cool and serene affair, with the 191Nm @ 4,400 rpm well utilised on those uphill spurts. On the flipside, the 133ps on tap at 5,200rpm may not see the light of day in the form of Vmax with the speedo reading only up to 180km/h, with just one scale beyond NOT even indicating 190km/h. Strange for a locally assembled car, mimicking JDM-spec!


Boot is a very capacious and useful 504L!


The new Nissan Sylphy 2.0 CVTC is priced at RM112,800 (on-the-road with insurance).
For RM4,000 extra you may opt for full V-Kool tinting, 6-CD in-dash radio-CD player and combo-leather seats.
It is available for viewing and test drive now at ETCM showrooms nationwide.

Related posts:

Nissan Bluebird Sylphy coming in Q1 2008?
Carlos Ghosn visits Tan Chong's new Nissan plant in Malaysia
Nissan Sylphy launch delayed to July 2008?