2020 Nissan Almera launches in Thailand – is the Philippines next?

MANILA: Seven months after its U.S. launch, the 2020 Nissan Almera is finally geared up for the ASEAN market. The subcompact sedan recently arrived in Thailand with a stylish new look and a fresh set of specs.

For its fourth generation, the Almera borrows its design from Nissan Versa Note, a hatchback that’s exclusively available in the United States. It’s still the same car we’ve grown accustomed to. However, it underwent enough changes to warrant a new nameplate – at least, in the U.S. where it is sold as the third generation Nissan Versa Sedan.

True enough, the 2020 Nissan Almera features the V-Motion grill of Versa Note. Its grill has been designed so that it flows seamlessly with the hood lines and the boomerang-shaped headlights in a distinctive V-shape.

The fog lamps and headlights are sleeker, with top-spec variants getting the latter in LED configuration.
Shoulder lines are also sharper in the new model, slanting upwards from the front wheel arches all the way to the taillights. Its bold character lines are complemented by the redesigned upswept windows.

For a sportier look, the side windows have been fitted with contrasting black frames that reach to bottom of the rear windshield. But instead of the 16-inch, two-toned, machine-finished wheels found in the U.S. spec variant, the Thai release will have 15-inch alloy wheels.

The all-new Almera completes its sporty look with the addition of boomerang-shaped taillights (also framed in black), more defined fenders, and a two-tone rear bumper. Its interior gets some nice upgrades too. From a beige-colored cabin, Nissan has opted for greys and blacks with contrasting off-white accents.

Upfront is a restyled V-shaped ‘Gliding Wing’ dashboard with a hybrid instrument panel that combines an analog speedometer with a 7-inch digital tachometer and multi-information display. There’s also a new 8-inch touchscreen audio system with Apple CarPlay and a 6-speaker setup in some variants.

Under the hood is a smaller 1.0-liter engine. It sounds disappointing, but it’s actually more powerful than the 1.5-liter engine it replaces. The three-cylinder DOHC turbo engine in the new Almera delivers up to 100 hp and 152 Nm of torque. This will be mated to an Xtronic Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) gearbox with D-Step Logic mode in higher-spec variants.

Nissan is releasing five trim levels in Thailand – S, E, EL, V, and VL. Unlike Toyota Vios which equips all variants with their full-range of safety features, Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility System will only be included starting with the mid-ranged Almera EL.

The 2020 Nissan Almera will feature automatic emergency brakes, forward collision warning, a 360-degree camera with motion detection, blind-spot warning, rear-cross traffic alert, stability control, and up to six air bags depending on the variant.

For the Thailand market, new Almera will be available in six color options including Black Star, Brilliant Silver, Gun Metallic, Monarch Orange, Radiant Red, and Storm White. It will retail for THB 499,000 to THB 639,000 – or roughly Php 835,000 to Php 1,070,300.

Now that Nissan Almera is in Thailand, it’s only a matter of time until Nissan Philippines releases it to local markets.

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