NISSAN SUNNY COMES TO INDIA

Nissan Motor India has unveiled its model for the midsize segment in India – the all-new Sunny. The tenth generation Nissan Sunny is based on the popular V (Versatile) platform, the same as the one used in the Nissan Micra.

The Sunny made its global debut at the eighth International Automobile Exhibition in China (Guangzhou) in December last year and its Indian launch is expected to coincide with the festive season. At the time of the launch, the Sunny will be available only with a 1.5-litre petrol motor. In a market where diesel cars are out-selling its petrol competitors, it’s a glaring omission by Nissan not to offer the saloon with a diesel motor from the onset. However, the carmaker will showcase a 1.5-litre diesel powered Sunny at the Auto Expo 2012, with official launch in the first quarter of 2012.

In terms of looks, the Sunny appears to be quite large, especially when viewed from the rear three-quarters, with its big boot, long wheelbase and massive cabin. It gets some of its styling cues from the bigger Teana as well. On the inside, Nissan has tried to make the cabin look upmarket. Overall plastic quality and fit and finish are up to expectations.

The Sunny is very spacious from the inside too – it has more rear legroom than even a Mercedes E-class and Indian customers will just love that. The rear sets are pretty comfortable with decent under-thigh support on offer. The rear passengers also get twin AC vents with a dedicated control for the blower.

Speaking on the growing Nissan product portfolio, Dinesh Jain, CEO, Hover Automotive India said, “Unveiling of the Nissan Sunny could not have been at a better time than this. We have built a chain of 40 dealerships nationwide in a period of over one year and we are on schedule to open up another 100 dealerships by the end of 2012.”

The petrol variant of the Nissan Sunny will be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan alliance Oragadam facility in Chennai. Prices will be revealed only at the time of its launch, which is expected in the next few months.