Nissan Grand Livina in Malaysia

The Nissan Grand Livina must be one of the most anticipated new models in Malaysia, its introduction having been mentioned as far back as April this year. Back then, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) revealed that they would launch an all-new MPV before the end of the year and when the new Nissan model was launched in Indonesia, it was obvious what the MPV would be. MTM as well as some other publications had also been given an opportunity to join the media preview in Bali in April and in contrast to ‘the old days’, we were told that we did not have to hold back our stories so long as we did not release them prior to the Indonesian launch.

So those who came to our website in April already found out about the Grand Livina and from the test-drive report provided, it was evident that this MPV was impressive. The launch of the model in Indonesia, which has one of the two plants in the world which makes the model (the other being in China), proved that the design was spot-on to consumer needs as a few thousand orders were received within the first two weeks of appearing in showrooms. According to Nissan Asia-Pacific, it is now the best-selling Nissan model in Indonesia with 12,500 units sold between April and November.

Finally, the Grand Livina has come to Malaysia, ETCM keeping its word that the model would be in the market ‘before the end of 2007’. This is the second country in Asean to launch the model and because there are advantages to assembling locally, ETCM required extra time for the CKD program (setting up of assembly equipment, localisation of certain parts, etc). The Grand Livina is assembled at the new plant in Serendah, outside Rawang in Selangor, which also assembles the Latio.

The Grand Livina has styling which breaks away from the usual MPV form in that it is sleeker. The frontal presentation follows that of the Murano with different grilles for the two versions. Size-wise, its 4420 mm length falls between that of the Toyota Avanza and Innova although it would be more in contention with the Avanza.

The Grand Livina was developed with a choice of three all-aluminium engines, all petrol. For Malaysia, the HR16DE and MR18DE units are offered, these having displacements of 1598 cc and 1798 cc, respectively. If they sound familiar, that’s because they are also found in the Latio. However, the HR16DE for the Grand Livina is slightly different from the unit in the Latio as it does not have Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control (CVTC). Apparently, Nissan makes a few variants of the engine and the Grand Livina gets a simpler variant which nevertheless has an electrically-operated throttle (drive-by-wire).

A point of note is the high position of the air intake, showing that Nissan engineers did a thorough study of market conditions and understood that in this region, flooded roads are not uncommon (and people do drive through them too!). As Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s CEO, who ‘dropped in’ on today’s media preview (via a pre-recorded video message) said: “The Grand Livina is not a model that has been adapted from other Nissan models sold in the USA, Europe or Japan and has been specially developed to meet the specific needs of customers in Asean.”

While the HR16DE develops 77 kW/105 bhp at 5200 rpm and 150 Nm of torque at 4400 rpm, the MR18DE, which has CVTC) develops 93 kW/126 bhp and 174 Nm. A comparison of the bore and stroke dimensions will show that the smaller engine has a longer stroke which means it should deliver stronger torque while the short-stroke MR18DE is likely to be a more ‘rev-happy’ engine.

The Grand Livina 1.6L comes with a choice of a 5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed electronically-controlled automatic transmission while the Grand Livina 1.8 is available only with the automatic transmission.

Zoe Tan, who headed the product planning team for the Malaysian Grand Livina, emphasised that a key difference between the Grand Livina platform and that of its obvious rivals is that it uses a passenger car platform, the same one as found under the Latio. The suspension consists of independent MacPherson struts in front and a simple H-shaped torsion beam axle with stabilizer at the rear, very much like a passenger car. Ripple-control shocks absorbers, like those in the Latio, are claimed to enhance ride comfort. Ms Tan said the Grand Livina was developed with comfort in mind and this will be very obvious to those who travel in it.

There is not a great deal of technical difference between the two versions as both have the same wheels sizes (15 x 5JJ) and tyres sizes (185/65) as well as electric power steering. It’s commendable that ETCM has also made ABS +EBD and Brake Assist standard for both versions. This is important considering that the Grand Livina would often have many people on board and EBD, which distributes braking forces between front and rear optimally, is extremely valuable to ensuring stable and safe braking.

The cabin of the Grand Livina takes up to seven people on three rows of seats, something which seems to be important to many buyers these days. It has something to do with our culture of having extended families in the same household, hence the need for a vehicle which can take more people. In Indonesia, a 5-seater has also been launched recently with 2 rows of seats but when asked if this will be available in Malaysia, Ms Tan said that it’s still under study (“let us launch this variant first, see how the market likes it and then we can talk about the other variant later on,” was all she would say).

Having a female in charge of product planning has probably provided a different perspective to how the Grand Livina is appointed and it is appropriate considering this is targeted towards families. A light cream colour is used throughout, giving a sense of spaciousness and as with the Latio, the touchpoints are good. The seats have woven velour upholstery, a nice soft material, and if you like leather, ETCM offers it as an extra-cost option. The 1.8-litre version gets wood trim as standard while the other version has metallic trim.

There are a lot of useful storage spaces around the cabin and as many as 7 cupholders. One of the cupholders is positioned between the front seats where it gets cool air blown at it, a very clever way to keep the drink cold! The glove compartment is also very deep, able to take larger bottles of mineral water.

The ventilation system of the Grand Livina has been specially ‘tuned’ to ensure that the airflow reaches right to the rear. One of the vents in the centre section of the dashboard is aimed towards the ceiling so the cool air is ‘thrown’ further back, reaching the third row. The occupants in the second row also get enough cool air as there is a vent between the front seats.

If there is a need to carry lots of cargo, especially long items. Both rear backrests fold completely flat to provide a giant cargo volume. Additional space is also available in a hideaway tray below the boot floor which has made it necessary to hang the spare wheel on the outside.

Six colour choices are available, five of them metallic. Peninsula Malaysia prices (inclusive of insurance) are as follow: RM82,800 for the Grand Livina 1.6 with manual transmission; RM86,600 for the 1.6 with automatic transmission; and RM95,300 for the Grand Livina 1.8.

According to Dato’ Dr Ang Bon Beng, Executive Director of ETCM, even before today’s official launch, the company has received around 1,800 orders which means that the initial stock would have all been taken up. So if you did not order one earlier, you won’t get it for Christmas or the New Year and if you order one today, it is likely to be delivered only during January 2008.

Source : Motor Trader