We previously reported that the 2022 Nissan Almera will be making its way to the Philippines in the fourth quarter of the year, but with no specific date in sight. Now it can be told: the carmaker’s newest sedan makes its local debut on October 8, 2020.
The event invitation conceals details that have long been revealed on overseas versions anyway
This was according to an online invitation extended by Nissan Philippines to the motoring media. It consisted of nothing more than a shot of the car’s silhouette highlighted by the LED headlamps, with most of the other details obscured in darkness. No other information has been revealed as of this writing, but a series of teaser videos posted by the carmaker dropped hints as to what Filipino buyers can expect.
Probably the most anticipated detail is the inclusion of a 1.0-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, granting the Philippine-spec Almera 97 horsepower and 152 Nm of torque. While the power unit will most likely work in concert with Nissan’s Xtronic CVT, what remains to be seen is if the engine will be standard across the range (as with other ASEAN releases) or if it comes exclusively on the range-topping variant.
At least the 1.0-liter turbocharged engine has been confirmed
In the U.S. market for instance, the Almera (known as the Versa) is offered with a 1.6-liter naturally aspirated gasoline mill, while a manual transmission option is available in Mexico and Vietnam. If the 2022 Almera were to arrive here with the turbo as the sole engine option and paired with a stick shift on the base models, Nissan Philippines could have a runaway winner on its hands. That would be quite the comeback, considering that the outgoing model halted local production only last March.
Most of the other details on the new Almera are not as enigmatic, given that the model has been out since 2019. As far as design is concerned, the car’s streamlined profile yields a 0.28 drag coefficient, allowing it to cut through the wind with ease. Interior amenities include a new D-shaped steering wheel, semi-digital instrument cluster, and an 8-inch advanced touchscreen that supports Apple CarPlay.
Expect an interior that's not only more spacious but offers more tech
One more thing to expect on the new Almera is the inclusion of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility driver-assist suite, comprising features such as a 360-degree camera array, Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Blind-Spot Warning, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. How much will all these enhancements ultimately cost? We’ll have to catch the big reveal on October 8 to find out.
We’ll have you looking forward to the hottest automotive releases at Philkotse.com.