NISSAN / TEANA
Focus on comfort and luxuryzNew 2.5-litre V6 and CVT 'box / Eyes premium saloon customers / On sale in Thailand before mid-2009
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Like before, Teana's interior focuses on comfort and luxury; steering wheel from new Murano SUV. |
Design : The second-generation Teana is a mild evolution over its predecessor launched in 2004 that signalled revival of the Nissan nameplate in Thailand.
Plenty of design elements, particularly the lights and side profile, have been influenced by the Intima concept car first shown in Tokyo last year and to the Thai public at the recent Bangkok motor show.
The Teana utilises sleek-looking headlights, contrary to the swooshed themes used in the Maxima sibling sold in North America (see Motoring, Apr 11). However, spy shots released abroad suggest that the all-new Fairlady 350Z, to be unveiled at the end of this year and rebadged 370Z, will use the Maxima's controversial headlight theme.
Like before, the cabin focuses on what Nissan describes as "living room concept" encompassing space, comfort and luxury - three important elements Thais like much in large saloons which have also enabled the Teana, as well as archrivals Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, to steal customers from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Unlike the sporty black trim and three-spoke steering wheel in the US-only Maxima, the Teana uses the traditional cream/brushed wood combination and a new four-spoke steering wheel first used in the all-new Murano, which has yet to replace the current one in Thailand.
Note the stack of instruments on the centre dash: this is becoming a trademark in Nissan cars, as well as those wearing the posh Infiniti nameplate.
Technical credentials
Nissan has revealed only a limited information for the new Teana. All it says is there will be two engines: 2.5- and 3.5-litre V6s from the VQ engine family, plus a 2.0-litre MR inline-four for special markets like China.
Since the Thailand has a 2,000cc tax barrier, Honda, Nissan and Toyota have 2.0-litre engines for Thais to choose from since the previous generations. This means that the new Teana will keep getting it.
The 2.5-litre variation has been upped from the previous 173hp 2.3-litre. No power outputs were released, although it is likely that the new V6 should comfortably exceed the Accord's 180hp derived from a 2.4-litre inline-four.
The smooth-shifting CVT gearbox would boost the Teana's stance against its rivals which still use conventional automatics, although the four-speed slusher should remain in the entry-level Teana 2.0.
It is still not confirmed whether Nissan will join its two competitors in offering a 3.5-litre to boost its image, even though the 2.5 will remain the core-seller.
Retaining the 2,775mm wheelbase, the new Teana is just as long (4,850mm) and tall (1,475mm) as the current one, but 30mm wider at 1,795mm. This suggest the legroom may not better what is available in the class leading Accord (with 2,800mm wheelbase) and also likely not the interior hip/shoulder widths for the Honda exterior is still 80mm wider.
Like the Maxima, the Teana sits on Nissan's large front-wheel-drive platform. The car's wider tracks should enable the Teana to regain its edge in driving dynamics in the segment.
Market positioning
Once again, premium players from the European camp can expect some competition from the new Teana when it is launched next year in Thailand - expect to see it at the Bangkok Motor Show next March.
The usual formula includes metal, space and specification at one third the price of executive cars like the Audi A6, BMW 5-series, Mercedes-Benz E-class and Volvo S80.
Motoring has heard that Nissan product planners are targeting clients of European car rather than just the Accord or Camry, which they described as "piece of cake". Prices should kick out at around B1.25 for the 2.0, the 2.5 at B1.4m and nudge B1.7m in full specification.
Since navigation system is now found in both the Camry and Accord, the Teana is unlikely to miss out in this regard. Expect further gimmicks like parking assist with camera, digital accommodation and probably a high-end audio from Bose.
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