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?

Nissan Slyphy launch delayed to July 2008?

In a scoop by NEWBIE CARS at the recent Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) annual dinner 2008, it was learnt that the upcoming Nissan Sylphy apparently wouldn't make it to Edaran Tan Chong Motors (ETCM) showrooms this month of April. Instead it will only be available from June/July 2008 onwards. Indicative pricing for this 2.0L engined (MR20DE) C-segment sedan with CVT 'box is between RM110k - 115k.

Related posts:

http://newbiecars.blogspot.com/2011/10/carlos-ghosn-visits-tan-chongs-new.html

http://newbiecars.blogspot.com/2007/07/nissan-bluebird-sylphy-coming-soon.html

Nissan Bluebird Sylphy Coming in Q1 2008?

By Dr Long

The real-deal Nissan Sentra replacement model may see the light of day in Malaysia after all. Getting wind from some market analysts, Tan Chong Motors may start production of this all-new model as early as Q4 2007 at its spanking new Serendah automotive assembly plant.

For new Nissan models these days, engines options from Renault co-developed powerplants remains aplenty. Whether Tan Chong Motors will fit the 1.5L HR15DE or the 1.6L HR16DE remains to be seen for the entry-level version. Or will it spawn a �unique� 1.8L version like the Latio? The flagship all-new Sentra aka Sylphy will likely go head on with the Honda Civic 2.0S. Powered by a 2.0L (MR20DE) engine, power output are 129PS at 5200rpm and 187Nm torque at 4000rpm. However, Nissan�s CVT (XTronic) gear box are unlikely to make it into our local Sylphys, as with the Tiida/ Latio in Malaysia, having to make do with a conventional 4-speed torque converter.

At the showroom level, Edaran Tan Chong Motors (ETCM) sales advisors were hinting at a possible March 2008 launch and sale of this true C-segment passenger car. The newly-launched Latio/Latio Sport will finally get to stay more focus on challenging the Toyota Vios/Yaris and Honda City/Jazz if all this comes true. But will this new Bluebird Slyphy wear a 'Sentra' badge or the fresher (and shortened) 'Sylphy' nameplate?