One of the things that has changed about how cars are being launched into the market nowadays is that the period of ‘teasing’ and ‘previewing’ can be quite long. It can be many months from the time the first official pictures are taken and first details released, until the time the car is actually ‘launched’ and deliveries start. In the past, delays were usually due to price approvals being slow and while the cars were already in the stockyards, customs duties could not be paid as the price was not approved by the government (only for locally-assembled models).

Nowadays, companies stretch the ‘preview’ over months to get maximum publicity. In some cases, due to competition, it is necessary to reveal details and the estimated price so as to make some customers who are considering another model pause and hopefully wait. The manufacturers themselves do it too – unveiling a new model at the beginning of the year and then starting production at the end for deliveries the following year!

Anyway, you would have read about the new Nissan Almera Turbo over the past few months and we even wrote about it in some detail, as well as provided some initial driving impressions. Today, the model is officially launched with confirmed prices.

There are three variants – VL, VLP and VLT – with prices shown on the chart below.

3-cylinder turbo engine
Only one engine is available, this being the HR10DET that is a compact powerplant with a 1-litre displacement and 3 cylinders. It’s another example of downsizing that has taken place over the past decade. With advanced technology as well as turbocharging, it can generate up to 100 ps/152 Nm – comparable to a 1.5-litre engine. It’s a bold move by ETCM to introduce this small engine in what is its mainstream model. Malaysians still see a need for at least 1.3 litres or more to have ‘enough performance’ and are not convinced that today’s smaller engines are actually much more powerful than the old 1-litre units that usually had a carburettor only.

The engineers have made the engines smaller to save weight and reduce fuel consumption, while boosting performance at the same time. And for Malaysian motorists, a smaller engine size also means paying lower roadtax each year.

Related article: The Nissan Almera Turbo Engine

Generous equipment list
The standard equipment and features are fairly generous, even with the lowest-priced Almera Turbo VL variant. For instance, across the range, there is pushbutton engine starting, and the Active Safety system includes Intelligent Forward Collision Warning & Emergency Braking, besides the usual ABS, EBD, Stability Control, etc.

The extra money charged for the upper two variants gets you a colour touchscreen, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, digital display instrument panel, automatic air-conditioning and 6 airbags,

The top VLT variant has LEDs for the headlamps, foglamps, and daytime running lights, along with cruise control, around-view monitor, blind spot warning and rear cross-traffic alert.

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) provides a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and to lower running costs, there 5 scheduled maintenance services will be free (parts and labour included) during the first 5 years (terms and conditions apply).

Special financing schemes
For those who require financing for their purchases, ETCM is offering a special hire-purchase Flexi Financing Promotion with monthly instalments ranging from RM688 to RM788, depending on the variant.

Additionally, customers who purchase their insurance for the Almera Turbo from Tan Chong Insurance Business Stream will get free Personal Accident Insurance coverage with a sum insured up to RM75,000, Key Care cover reimbursement up to RM 1,500, and Flood Relief allowance up to RM 1,500. Terms and conditions applicable.

Those who test-drive the new Almera Turbo at any Nissan showroom nationwide  stand a chance to win an Apple iPhone SE worth RM2,199. And for those who buy one, there are also prizes worth up to RM88,888 to be won in the ‘Buy & Win’ Contest. They must register their new car before the end of 2020 to qualify for the contest.

For more information or to locate a showroom, visit www.almeraturbo.com.my or call the Nissan Customer Care Centre hotline at 1800-88-3838.

Click here to view a Nissan Almera Turbo brochure

First Look at the all-new Nissan Almera Turbo (N18), with brief driving impressions