Nissan Almera NISMO Package Test Drive Review
After a harrowing experience with the Sylphy Impul early in my motoring career, I have developed a great sense of caution, even dread, when it comes to Nissan’s optional Impul tuning packages offered to their bread and butter models. Quite why comfort-oriented models such as the Latio, Sylphy, and Grand Livina require aggressive sports body kit and suspension packages is beyond me, but what I do know is that there enough takers (of the body kits at least) to justify their continued existence.
The original Sylphy Tuned by Impul was let down by its super-stiff suspension and sports exhaust that took away the base car’s plush ride and pristine refinement, leaving us with a vehicle that was bereft of composure – the slightest sign of an undulation sends it bouncing all over the place. I have since tested only one other Impul-tuned Nissan, and although the Latio Impul felt like a marked improvement, emotional scars from the first encounter remained, and meant that I was less than enthusiastic in receiving the keys for a Nissan Almera test car fitted with the newly-introduced NISMO Performance Package.
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Pricing & Specifications
The full NISMO Performance Package consists of an all-round bodykit, 16″ alloy wheels with 205/50 Continental MC5 tyres, stainless steel sports exhaust, and the NISMO sports suspension system. The full price of the package is an eye-watering RM13,000, but all items can be ordered individually, and those more concerned with looks than actual performance can settle for just the bodykit and bigger wheels at a reduced price of RM8,000; the package can be ordered with the Almera brand new and existing owners can have these items retrofitted to their vehicles at the same price.
Our test car for this review started life as the top-spec VL model, which hits the road at RM79,813. In addition to the full works of the NISMO Performance Package above, it comes further equipped with Tan Chong Auto Tooling’s locally-developed multimedia navigator with reverse camera (RM2,800), door visors (RM240), and sports pedals (RM150). The combined effect of these items and the NISMO package come to the tune of RM16,190, and we’re not even done yet.
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| Boot lid spoiler and diffuser enhances the rear appearance. |
There is an additional set of NISMO parts fitted into our test car for which prices have yet to be fixed. They consist of a pair of carbon fibre side mirror covers, Alcantara trimmed sports steering, semi-bucket seats, and a set of NISMO carpet mats. Barring the unlikely event that the combined cost of these items do not exceed RM4,000, the test car that we are reviewing here rings the cash register with a six-digit sum; not the kind of money I would anticipate paying for an Almera, NISMO-enhanced or not.
As it is with the Impul-tuned Nissan models, the NISMO enhancements to the Almera is restricted to the suspension and exhaust. Brakes retain their original disc/drum configuration, and the 1,498cc HR15DE engine produces an unchanged 101hp and 139Nm. A 4-speed automatic transmission is standard fit in our VL-spec test car, but if your starting point is the basic E model, you have the option of a 5-speed manual.
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| Front lip gives the Almera a more menacing fascia, but be careful of scratching it at bumps. |
Exterior
Because of its hatchback origins, being based on the Nissan March, the Almera’s bulbous proportions precludes it from winning any beauty contests. The bodykits of the NISMO package gives its appearance a much-needed lift, but it is ultimately an upgrade which I would refrain from making, particularly the front lip, which does not go well with tall bumps and sharp ramp angles.
The various bodykit bits of the NISMO Performance Package conform to the ‘concept’ that was previewed at last year’s Super GT several months ahead of its official launch at the KL Motor Show. Aside from decorative stickers, the only items that did not survive the ‘concept-to-reality’ transition were the 17-inch alloys, which were replaced by a set of more sensibly-sized 16-inch alternatives. Buyers can still pursue the 17-inch option via the Impul route, but that’s an overkill size for 101 horses.
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| The NISMO kit fails to cure the Almera’s awkward proportions, but it does lift the appearance. |
Interior
Nissan trumps class-leading legroom and boot space as among the Almera’s USPs with neither claims being idle boasts. The boot’s measured volume of 490 litres speaks for itself, and rear passengers have enough space to cross their legs like a boss. The fitment of ISOFIX mounts as standard is another plus point to consider for young family buyers.
Yet, while Nissan did a fantastic job freeing up space at the rear, the effort up front was less sterling – the dashboard and centre console were found lacking in storage spaces, and the glove-box felt too far out of the driver’s reach. The four cup holders along the centre console were neither deep nor wide enough to go beyond their brief of holding bottles and cans. In this respect, lessons from Honda are in order.
As mentioned earlier, prices of the interior NISMO bits of our test car have yet to be specified, but from a pragmatic viewpoint, it is difficult to make a case for any of the items except the semi-bucket sports seats, which do offer decent side support. The sports steering option is not recommended if you’re coming from the VL-spec model, as it forces the deletion of steering-mounted audio controls.
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| NISMO semi-buckets offer good lateral support. Worth considering, but price yet to be specified. |
Driving Experience
Whilst the visible bits of the NISMO package are largely superficial, there is nothing superficial about the handiwork on the suspension setup, which successfully expands the dynamic repertoire of the Almera in multiple directions. Compared to the standard setup, the NISMO-tuned suspension adds considerable composure to the chassis, giving the driver more confidence to carry greater speeds along straight lines and even into corners
The basic Almera handled corners surprisingly well, but felt all over the place when pushed beyond 120-130kph on the highways; with the NISMO package, our test car held steady at speeds up to 140-150kph although getting there requires the engine putting an extra shift. No improvement was felt on the steering, but the added stability of the NISMO suspension meant that the Almera tracked its lines more faithfully and with far less body roll.
As you would expect, the NISMO suspension’s firmer settings meant an inevitable compromise on ride comfort, but the actual sacrifice is minimal and very much worth making considering the significant improvements made in other areas. It substitutes the plush ride of the standard model for one that is decisively firmer but still able to convincingly deal with a variety of surface harshness. It is by far a superior set up to the regular suspension and one that is highly usable on a day-to-day basis.
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Verdict
Regardless of your disposition, the overall qualities of this suspension set up mean that it will be RM3,000 well spent if you decide to order your Almera with it. It is uncertain how big a role the enlarged wheel-tyre combo plays in Almera NISMO’s enhanced dynamics, but if the combined RM4,400 asking price (RM2,800 rims + RM1,600 tyres) is too much, cheaper options are aplenty in the aftermarket.
Like what we have seen with the Impul packages on other Nissan models, the likelihood is that most buyers of the Almera looking at the NISMO package will sacrifice the sports suspension and just go for the aero package, even if the reverse decision is actually the smarter one.
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