Here’s the 2021 Nissan Almera, now in Malaysia with turbocharged engine

The 2021 Nissan Almera lands in Malaysia, nine months after it made its ASEAN debut in Thailand. Select members of the motoring press have been given a special preview of the fourth-generation N18 B-segment sedan, which will be called the NAlmera Turbo for the local market and is already available for pre-order. 

A sleeker silhouette defines the fourth-generation Nissan Almera

From the awkward pubescent proportions of the outgoing third-generation, the new model steps into adulthood with a more elegant air, its design and platform shared with the Nissan March N14 (known as the Nissan Micra in Europe). Dimensions include 4,495 mm in length, 1,740 mm in width, and 1,460 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,620 mm. Three variants will be available, comprising the base VL, midrange VLP, and the range-topping VLT. 

All-LED exterior lighting will be standard on the top-spec trim

All trims have the prominent V-motion grille up front, flanked by arrowhead-shaped headlamps (halogens on the VL and VLP, LEDs on the VLT), although the new Nissan corporate logo will not be making an appearance on the new release just yet. Sharp lines on the fascia and profile give the new Almera a sleeker and more sophisticated stance. A semi blacked-out C-pillar gives the appearance of a floating roof, while LED tail lamps come standard across the range, with the VLT sporting a black trunk spoiler. The VL rides on 15-inch alloys while two-tone 16-inch wheels are standard on the VLP and VLT.

The new Nissan logo is not going to appear just yet

Even the interior has been redone, with more space resulting from the increased length. There’s still room for up to five occupants sitting on two-tone zero-gravity inspired seats adapted from the X-Trail and Teana, rendered in the fabric on the VL while the VLP and VLT offer leather upholstery. The rear bench can be folded 60/40 to access the large 482-liter trunk.  

Higher-spec trims sport a two-tone dashboard with leather tiller and an 8-inch touchscreen

Sporty bits include the flat-bottomed multi-function steering wheel that can be adjusted for reach and rake, as well as faux carbon-fiber accents on the shift knob. The VL trim carries conventional analog gauges, while VLP and VLT-spec units use a semi-digital instrument cluster comprising a fully-analog speedometer and a digital tachometer.

A standard AM/FM head unit with USB and Bluetooth is the default for the base variant, while the midrange and top-spec trims feature an 8-inch Nissan Connect touchscreen with Apple CarPlay support.

All Almera units benefit from a forced-induction, small-displacement engine

All Nissan Almera units will feature a single powertrain configuration, composed of a 1.0L gasoline turbo generating 97 hp and 152 Nm of torque across a wide rev range. The engine uses an electronic wastegate and mirror ball coating lifted from the GT-R, reducing friction on the piston rings and improving efficiency. A Nissan Xtronic CVT featuring D-step Logic shifts power to the front wheels. Nissan claims fuel consumption of 18.4 km/l on the Almera with a 650-km maximum range, despite the somewhat small 35L fuel tank. 

For safety, dual airbags are present on the VL, while the VLP and VLT have a total of six. Anti-lock brakes with EBD, traction control, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), hill start assist, and the autonomous emergency braking are standard across the range. The top-of-the-line VLT adds cruise control and Nissan Intelligent All-Around View Monitor, which includes Moving Object Detection, Blind-Spot Warning, and Rear-Cross Traffic Alert. 

Nissan Intelligent All-Around View Monitor is standard on the range-topping VLT

No official prices have been divulged ahead of the expected October release date, although the Almera is expected to hover within the realm of RM80,000 to RM100,000 (Php 936,000 to Php 1,173,132 at current exchange rates). The car can be seen at select Nissan Malaysia dealerships from September 11 to 13. No word yet on when it will come to our shores, but we bet this will get Pinoy Nissan fans excited.    

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