Impul-Improved Nissan Grand Livina
If you want to own a Nissan Grand Livina, but want a look that is more exclusive, you can now opt for a new Grand Livina with the Impul package, supplied by Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd. What you get is a body kit that enhances the looks of the standard car, larger wheels, an exhaust system to give you a more pronounced roar as you pass others on the road, a set of shockers and springs. We took one off the shelf from the friendly PR representative of Edaran Tan Chong Motor, and took it on a 1,000 kilometre ride to shake it down and check it out.
The body kit for the Grand Livina consists of four items, namely a body kit, made up of a front grille, front and rear bumper spoilers, and a rear wing that fits over the rear tail end. The modified wheels are a set of 17-inch Impul Aura SX-10 alloy wheels with Dunlop Formula D 01 205/45 R17 tyres.
Put together, it translates into improvements in the overall handling, in particular cornering performance, a stiffer ride, a louder, sporty-sounding exhaust note, and a nicer-looking car.
There are no engine modifications, but the new muffler does encourage the engine to be extra free revving, and the throatier exhaust note makes it feel like the car is faster, although the improvement, if any, is quite marginal. The body kit gives the Grand Livina a fiercer demeanour, and during our test drive, it did incite many other racer wanna-be’s to give chase and try to overtake us. We also noted that some regular Grand Livina owners gave our test car yearning looks of envy!
On the road, we noticed that the cornering abilities of the car improved tremendously, allowing me to take corners and fast sweeping bends at higher speeds; ride comfort however, went out the window, and on the bumpy stretches, driver and passengers alike get quite a thumping as you get to feel every ripple and pothole. Being way past the age when extreme handling excites me, I conclude that this suspension must only appeal to young petrol heads who want a car that corners on rails, and don’t give two hoots about a comfortable ride.
The ride is made worse by the fact that the larger 17-inch and 45 series low profile tyres provide even lesser cushioning than the standard tyres; I really do not mind the larger wheels, but if I were to go for the Impul kit, I would consider it without the Sports Suspension. The wheels alone would beef up the cornering abilities, since the contact patch would be larger, and the lower profile would reduce sidewall flex enough to provide stability around corners.
The exhaust note is sporty sounding, and whilst it would be appealing to some of my younger colleagues, I am at the stage where silence is golden. Without a doubt, the fact that Edaran Tan Chong is making it available for general sale, there would be takers amongst the younger set, and it sure beats having to go to an exhaust shop to cut out the standard muffler and fit another.
The Impul Grand Livina will no doubt find its audience amongst the young owners who want something different to personalise their vehicles, and what ETCM has done is allow it to be done at source, at the point of purchase, and gives the reassurance that warranties are not void.
