New Nissan Serena Launched

Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) today launched a new generation of the Nissan Serena with a big jump in price to RM139,000. However, this higher price is perhaps justified in view of the equally big jump in the overall package and specifications, propelling the new Serena upmarket in image.

The new Serena appears to be a hybrid type of bodystyle – part window van, part MPV and part minivan. According to Tan Hoe Pin, Deputy Managing Director of ETCM, there are now varying definitions of people-carriers and Nissan’s definition of the MPV has two variations.

“Nissan has categorised the MPV into two types – the semi-cab type and the minivan type,” he explained. “The new Serena is considered as a semi-cab type and not a minivan such as models like the Kia Carnival or Hyundai Trajet.”

This is where it gets a bit vague because the new Serena also has a monocoque construction, like a passenger car’s, whereas many window vans have a body bolted onto the chassis; minivans usually have monocoque construction where the body and chassis are welded as a single unit. It is likely that Nissan’s definition is intended to refer to vehicles which can double up as load carriers while the minivan is strictly a passenger carrier with cargo carrying as a lower priority.

BRAND NEW DESIGN
The new design is substantially changed from the round-edged predecessor and has a sharper profile with a more slab-sided appearance. This is in keeping with current trends, as evident in a number of new Japanese models which are more boxy. Nevertheless, the Nissan designers have managed to make this box appealing to the eye as well (compared to some other designs on the road).

Size-wise, the new Serena is longer by 165 mm but retains the same 1695 mm width. Its wheelbase is also shorter – 2695 mm now against 2735 mm previously. However, the tracks are wider, suggesting better stability. According to Hiroki Nishio, Nissan’s Chief Product Specialist for the segment that the Serena is in, the shortened wheelbase is the result of optimising packaging for better performance. But this does not seem to have negatively affected cabin space and the volume is exceptionally large with three rows of seats as standard. Of course, if all three rows are in use, there is really very little luggage space.

INTERIOR
With so much interior space to play with, tremendous flexibility possible. Nissan claims that up to 162 different seating variations are possible within the new Serena and in maximum cargo configuration, there is floor space that is 1.46 metres in length. It is also possible to carry five persons and one mountain bike without removing its front wheel or, if just two people are on board, then two mountain bikes (with front wheels on) can be accommodated. This, however, requires removal of the second and third row of seats.

Another nice feature is the wide gap between the front seats which makes it possible to walk from the front area to the middle area. More commonly found in American minivans (and also the Honda CR-V), this is a very convenient facility and allows the driver to nip behind to stretch out while waiting for others. There’s also enough headroom to avoid having to bend down much.

In order to have this walk-through facility, the location of the shift lever has been moved to the steering column. It has also been possible because the engine is now ahead of the cabin and not under the front seats as before. Virtually all new van designs now have to position the engine ahead due to strict safety regulations in Europe concerning collision protection. With the old engine-under-seat layout, the crumple zone was fairly limited.

Two side sliding doors are now provided, making ingress and egress easier. These have power windows for extra convenience. For older folks, the 20 mm lower floor will be welcome as getting in will be easier.

The dashboard has a functional design with lots of storage spaces. It is much more car-like now than the previous Serena which was essentially a derivative of a window van. In the central position is a 2-DIN audio unit with a graphic display (according to Mr Tan, customers like such displays); presumably in Japan where the new Serena was launched in 1999, that area would be used for a navigation monitor.

As far as the convenience features are concerned, this latest Nissan comes loaded. Functional cupholders are provided for everyone and taking an idea from aircraft (and also the Renault Scenic), there are fold-down trays behind the front seats – with integral cupholders too. The backs of the second row of seats can also be used as tables and for powering appliances, there’s an extra socket (cigarette lighter type). On the more expensive ‘Highway Star’ version, leather upholstery and a CD-Changer are provided and it is also possible to install a VCD monitor in the ceiling as there is a fold-away console.

SAFETY
As with the new Sentra, the new Serena has also received huge doses of safety features. For starters, it has much better headlamps which are CSR (computer-designed Complex Surface Reflector) halogen types. These are claimed to have 50% better illumination compared to conventional headlamps and a broader spread.

The strong body structure is 40% more rigid torsionally and follows Nissan’s Zone Body concept which divides the body into two zones: one zone for impact absorption and another for safety restraint. All doors have built-in anti-intrusion bars. Much effort has also gone into making the cabin interior more ‘friendly’ during accidents by having design and materials that will reduce the risk of serious injury. For example, synthetic resin is used for the roof pillars and has a rib construction to absorb impacts.

The brake system has ABS as standard, along with Electronic Brake Force Distribution to enhance stopping performance, and Brake Assist which boosts pedal pressure in emergency situations.

In view of increasing consumer demand, airbags are standard for the driver as well as the front passenger.

Drivers will also appreciate the provision of parking sensors not just for the rear but also for the front. Some may wonder why front sensors would be needed but they do come in handy when you want to park your vehicle so that the rear end doesn’t stick out in the rain. The front sensors can be switched off when not needed so you don’t get them beeping away in traffic.

ENGINE
The new Serena will be available only with a 2.0-litre engine. This is the same 4-cylinder DOHC powerplant, the SR20DE, as that fitted in the previous generation. However, internal changes, particularly in the reduction of friction, have enabled the engineers to boost power and torque output by around 11% to 107 kW/145 ps at 6000 rpm and 183.5 Nm at 4800 rpm. 95% of maximum torque is now available at 2800 rpm, making for good low-end acceleration.

The gearbox is a fully automatic electronically-controlled type with four forward speeds. Typical of such vehicles, the final drive ratio appears to be a rather low 4.425:1 although, with the engine efficiency increased, fuel economy is not negatively impacted. In fact, Nissan claims an improvement of about 27% to 9.75 kms/litre (27.5 mpg).

CHASSIS
The chassis of the new Serena make use of the latest M/S-Class platforms that Nissan has developed for coming years. Both front and rear suspension layouts are independent with the front ones using MacPherson struts supported from a subframe and the rear ones employing trailing arms with a multi-link arrangement. A subframe is also used, allowing the suspension to work more effectively and also giving better isolation of road shocks.

FORECAST
The introduction of the new Nissan Serena is probably a surprise and bookings were in fact only open a few days back. Since then, ETCM has already received over 100 orders. Mr Tan said that the company expects to sell between 100 and 120 units a month.

With the new Serena, ETCM is moving into a higher segment in the people-mover segment. There is now a big gap in the RM100,000 – RM120,000 bracket which rivals are likely to exploit. Mr Tan said that the still-popular C22 Vanette, which is about half the price of the new Serena, will remain in production for the foreseeable future as demand is still good.

“It is demand-dependent and we don’t see it being phased out soon. It suits the needs of many customers and they even change to new ones every few years,” he revealed, adding that ETCM now sells C22 parts to Nissan and is also designated as the global supplier for this model. Units assembled in Malaysia are exported to southwest Asian markets.

“Anyway, the C22 is in an entirely different segment and caters to a different clientele. With the new Serena, we are targeting individuals who want to be different and it is therefore a more upmarket product,” Mr Tan said. “It’s a great vehicle to use for a variety of purposes and I believe it is the ultimate modern multi-usage vehicle for Malaysians.”