Shortly after accepting bookings for the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has officially previewed the seven-seater MPV. The official launch will happen sometime in May 2018 and deliveries will commence after that.
The Serena S-Hybrid will be offered in two trims – Highway Star and Premium Highway Star, the latter packing additional accessories and features. Both variants are motivated by a MR20DD 2.0-litre Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control) four-cylinder hybrid system paired to an XTRONIC CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission).
QUICK FACTS
| Name | Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid Highway Star | Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star |
| Engine | 2.0L; MR20DD 4-cylinder Twin CVTC Hybrid | |
| Transmission | XTRONIC CVT with Adaptive Shift Control | |
| Max Power | 150 hp @ 6,000 rpm | |
| Max Torque | 200 Nm @ 4,400 rpm | |
| Est. Price (OTR without insurance) | RM140,000 | RM155,000 |
Total system output is rated at 150 hp and 200 Nm of torque while drive is deployed exclusively to the front wheels. Although the hybrid system is similar to the outgoing model, Nissan has introduced a new Dual Arm Tensioner (DAT) and improved ECO motor to give the car better performance and fuel economy. The improved hybrid system is said to give the MPV best-in-class fuel economy of 14.2 km/L, based on the New European Driving Cycle.
The new Serena also benefits from increased steering rack ratio for quicker turning and smaller turning radius, variable assist electric power steering, stiffer front and rear suspension mounting for better stability as well as additional wheelhouse sound-absorption material.
As standard, all variants of the Serena come equipped with LED projector headlamps with LED positioning lamps, twin V Motion grille, fog lamps, dual power sliding doors and LED combination taillamps. Inside, you’ll find seven USB charging ports, 7.0-inch Advanced Drive-Assist Display LCD instrument cluster, 6.75-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto compatibility, soft-padded dashboard, flat-bottom leather multifunctional steering wheel, second-row captain seats, sliding third-row seats and dual opening tailgate standard across the board.
Stepping up to the range-topping Serena Premium Highway Star model, it adds significantly more kit – 16-inch alloys (15-inch for the lower variant), leather upholstery available in two-tone Truffle Brown & Chestnut or single-tone Black, a 10.1-inch Roof-Mounted LCD Panel rear passenger display, Tech-on Tray Mat, Driving Video Recorder (DVR) dash cam, LED Room Lamp, Door Visor, 4 mill V-Kool Security Film Tinting and ThreeBond Ultra Glass Body Coating.
Those who considering the Serena Premium Highway Star have the option for two-tone exterior colours available in Cashmere Gold with Imperial Umber roof, Tungsten Silver with Diamond Black roof and Brilliant White with Diamond Black roof. Are the additional features, larger alloys and the dual-tone colour option(s) worth the additional RM15k (estimated)? You decide.
Safety wise, the Serena S-Hybrid is adequately equipped with six airbags, ABS with EBD, Brake Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS), Hill Start Assist (HSA), two ISOFIX mounting points, Driver Attention Alert as well as first-in-class Intelligent Around View Monitor (I-AVM) 360-degree camera and Intelligent Moving Object Detection (I-MOD) that detects moving objects surrounding the vehicle. Unfortunately, we will not be getting the Nissan ProPilot semi-autonomous driving technology.
All purchase of the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid comes with a 5-Years Unlimited Mileage Warranty and 3-Years or 60,000 km maintenence service package. Order books of the Serena is now open at all authorised Nissan dealers nationwide.
IMAGE GALLERY
Nissan Serena 2.0L S-Hybrid Highway Star
