ohtourist.com: Nissan Latio gets facelifted – range now down to two variants, a hatchback and a sedan; hatch goes 1.8L

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Nissan Latio gets facelifted – range now down to two variants, a hatchback and a sedan; hatch goes 1.8L

Edaran Tan Chong Motor has announced the introduction of the facelifted Nissan Latio. The model range, which previously consisted of four variants (three sedan, one hatchback), has now been scaled down to two, a hatchback and a sedan, both in Comfort level specification.

The biggest change, aside from the cosmetic enhancements, is with the hatchback, which is now available only in 1.8 litre guise. The car gets the MR18DE mill, which offers 126 PS at 5,200 rpm and 174 Nm of torque at 4,800 rpm.

As for the sedan, that which has been retained is the entry-level unit previously, and it wears the trusted HR16DE 1.6 litre engine, with 109 PS at 6,000 rpm and 153 Nm at 4,400 rpm the figures. It’s only available with an auto transmission.

For the facelift, the Latio hatchback gets a newly-designed front grille and front bumper, as well as a new rear bumper, which the company says “gives a presence of motion and energy.” The car also gets new headlamps, and in the case of the hatch, new rear lamps as well. The sedan gets the front bumper and grille job, but no changes to the rear.

Inside the cabin, the Latio hatchback now comes with steering wheel audio controls and a new audio head-unit player with an Auxiliary input for portable audio devices. It also features a new white background meter display, replete with silver trim for the instrument dial cluster. Elsewhere, the hatchback is now equipped with an automatic air-conditioner system with digital display, and the trip meter readout now offers instant and average fuel readings.

The Latio 1.8 AT hatchback is priced at RM99,800, while the 1.6 AT sedan goes for RM89,800, both on-the-road inclusive of insurance; Latio buyers will also get a Solar Gard Armorcoat tinting package worth RM1,400 thrown in for free.