Nissan X-Trail revealed – RM149,500, CBU, 2.0 CVT, 2WD

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Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) has unveiled the new Nissan X-Trail to the media today. As previously speculated and captured on this blog, the X-Trail is imported CBU from Indonesia, which is the production hub of the SUV for our region. It is priced at RM149,500 OTR including insurance.

We only get one engine option – the MR20DE 2.0-litre engine that also powers the Sylphy. However, in the X-Trail this all-aluminium CVTC equipped engine makes 137 bhp and 198 Nm of torque, slightly more than the Sylphy’s 131 bhp/191 Nm. Like the C-segment sedan, the engine is mated to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT, but the stepless gearbox gets a manual shift mode here with six virtual ratios to play with. Power goes solely to the front wheels.

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Size wise, the X-Trail is longer than the old model by 175 mm and slightly wider too, although wheelbase is only up by 5mm to make 2,630 mm. I believe that the picture above shows where all that extra length has gone too – the silver X-Trail is the new model, and the section aft of its rear doors is obviously longer.

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That makes for a huge boot. Despite carrying a full sized spare tyre inside the vehicle, the versatile cargo area has a square space of 603 litres. That’s in the single floor mode; in the double floor mode, the “false floor” covers 2 drawers, the right one with configurable compartments, the left one for long items like umbrellas. Like its predecessor, the luggage board is washable, perfect for the mountain bike! A tonneau cover is standard.

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The interior ditches the central instruments for a more conventional layout. Fit and finish as well as material quality is good – the main dash moulding and all door caps feature soft touch plastics. Here, you’ll find a 2-DIN stereo with USB/AUX/Bluetooth and SD card capability sandwiched by two cubby holes.

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The air-con may be manual, and the steering has no buttons or leather wrap, but the X-Trail does come with features like rear air-con vents, powered front seats (6-way adjustable for driver, 4-way for passenger), keyless entry and start and bi-xenons with washer and auto levelling. Two cupholders up front and two behind have cooling functions. Safety kit includes 2 airbags, ABS, EBD, Brake Assist, pre-tensioner seatbelts and active head restraints. According to ETCM, this is the exact same spec that attained six stars in JNCAP crash tests.

On a separate note, ETCM has confirmed that the D-segment Teana, which has been spotted on our roads, will be launched at the “end of the year” in Malaysia. The Camry/Accord fighter will be locally assembled and priced competitively, unlike their previous CBU attempt at this model.

Proton Emas

hello to all. If you still don’t know Malaysia’s national car manufacture, Proton is currently developing their own concept car or maybe will go into production soon, here I tell you. The name of new Proton’s concept car is EMAS which stand for “Eco Mobility Advance Solution” and for the first time, it was shown at Geneva International Motor Show. Proton EMAS, it is a great name in my opinion.

This Proton EMAS concept car is the result of Proton collaboration with Lotus and Italdesign-Giugiaro, and as you can see from several pictures that I have shared below, only one word pop up in my mind “WOW!”. Something totally different from what Proton have produced before. I know some of you may say this is the result of foreign company, but well, knowing that this car is the result of collaboration of engineers from Proton and Lotus and designer from Italdesign-Giugiaro, I think as Malaysian, we should proud of this result. Well, I don’t know you, but me, I’m proud of it.

Well, just enjoy the pictures and leave some of your comments, words, opinions or maybe constructive critics about this new Proton EMAS concept car. All the pictures below are credited to Paultan.org and respected photographers who photograph these pictures.

I’m just hoping Proton will do mass production for this car, even I know it is still “concept” which is most probably won’t be produced. However, if Proton decided to mass produce it, I would be proud to drive it. Price? Wait and see or do you have any expected price in your mind? Do mind to share?