WHEN the current generation of the Nissan Serena S-Hybrid was first introduced, it was already equipped like a premium MPV – but without the premium price.
Local assembly kept its price a long way down from the big Japanese MPVs and it very quickly established itself among businessmen wanting a mobile office and large families.
That it was already good value for money and selling very well made it tricky for the product planners to make it better.
Nissan has updated the model, which is also very popular in Japan, and refreshed the styling a bit as well as enhanced safety.
This updated model was launched in Malaysia this week with two variants – the Serena S-Hybrid Highway Star and Serena S-Hybrid Premium Highway Star, priced at RM149,888 and RM162,888, respectively (without insurance).
The cosmetic changes on the exterior include redesigned dual projector LED headlamps on either side of the new V-motion grille that now has a sophisticated chrome pattern over its expansive surface.
The front bumper has also been redesigned with integrated foglamps incorporating daytime running lights at each corner.
At the rear the bumper is also a new moulding and has Gloss Black finishing for a classy touch.
The latest models have a range of intelligent mobility technologies to increase safety and comfort. These technologies make up the 360° Safety Shield to give complete all-round protection.
For the new MPVs, the 360° safety shield has enhanced active safety with five new systems added. These systems not only improve the driver’s awareness of the surroundings but can also autonomously take action to prevent an accident.
They are intelligent predictive forward collision warning & intelligent forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot warning and rear cross traffic alert.
The long and spacious cabin has three rows of seats, with captain’s seats in the second row. These provide more comfortable seating with their generous width and like the front seats, have a “zero gravity” design which creates a neutral posture position to reduce fatigue
Entertainment on the move is provided by a 6-speaker infotainment system managed from a new 9-inch full-colour touchscreen.
Besides the standard functions, there is also Apple carplay and android auto connectivity, enabling favourite apps from compatible smartphones to be transferred onto the display panel.
This means that navigation apps like Google Maps or Waze can be viewed and accessed from the touchscreen and/or voice-activated too.
Retained from the 2021 model are the highly appreciated dual back door and hands-free dual power sliding doors.
Hybrid technology continues to power the MPV and the hybrid drivetrain incorporates an energy control (ECO) electric motor which controls the idle-stop system.
It also provides torque assistance from a stand-still start, the period when the 2-litre petrol engine is under high load. The assistance reduces this load, thereby improving fuel efficiency. It gives some of the benefits of a hybrid powertrain without the associated high costs.
The drivetrain is paired with the Nissan Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) with adaptive shift control to coordinate control between engine and transmission.
The intelligent control system interprets the driver intentions from acceleration and steering and determines the optimum transmission ratios to deliver class-leading fuel economy.
