Nissan Philippines has slightly revamped the Almera’s variant lineup for the 2023 model year, changing the subcompact sedan’s top-spec trim offering.
The Alemra VL Turbo N-Sport has been dropped from the variant lineup. Replacing it is the VE Turbo N-Sport, which now serves as the new top-of-the-line Almera variant in the Philippines. Nissan Philippines has yet to release an official statement as to why it has revamped the Almera’s model lineup. But, looking at it, the Japanese car brand could be aiming to make the top-spec Almera more competitive price-wise.
To put things in perspective, the previous VL Turbo N-Sport top-spec variant is priced at Php 1,098,000. This price point makes the top-spec Almera more expensive than the Honda City RS by a mere Php 5,000. But, as compared to the Toyota Vios GR-S, the outgoing top-of-the-line Almera trim is Php 63,000 pricier.
The new top-spec Nissan Almera VE Turbo N-Sport is now priced more competitively when compared to the two mentioned Japanese subcompact sedans. It retails at Php 1,049,000, a price tag that could be more enticing in comparison with its segment rivals. At that price point, the Nissan Almera VE Turbo N-Sport undercuts the Honda City RS by Php 44,000. It is also positioned closer to the Toyota Vios GR-S’ price tag of Php 1,035,000.
Aside from its Japanese counterparts, Nissan PH could be wanting to make the Almera competitive when compared price-wise to the Chinese sedans newcomers such as the MG GT. The naturally aspirated or the non-turbo MG GT trim retails at Php 938,888 introductory price. The MG GT sport equipped with a 1.5-liter turbo gasoline engine, on the other hand, is priced at Php 1,098,888 intro price.
The new top-spec Nissan Almera VE Turbo N-Sport is fitted with variant-specific design details that separate how it looks from other trims. It has an N-Sport front and rear bumper design as well as an N-Sport dark chrome V-motion grille. The said variant also has a set of 16-inch N-Sport alloy wheels, and a silver finish on the side mirrors.
Inside, it still has an eight-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as a seven-inch digital gauge cluster, and automatic climate control.
The Nissan Almera VE Turbo N-Sport also comes with Intelligent Around View Monitor, Forward Emergency Braking, and Hill Start Assist.
Under the hood, it is powered by a 1.0-liter turbo gasoline that puts out 99 hp and 152 Nm of torque. The engine is connected to a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Nissan Almera Variants & Pricing:
- Almera EL Turbo MT - Php 779,000
- Almera VE Turbo MT - Php 949,000
- Almera VE Turbo CVT - Php 999,000
- Almera VE Turbo N-Sport CVT - Php 1,049,000
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