In Cars, International News, Nissan / By Gerard Lye / 16 April 2019 5:01 pm / 35 comments

Did the next-generation Nissan Almera from a few days ago wow you? Well, it appears Nissan isn’t planning to slow down with its shock and awe approach, as it has presented the all-new, fourth-generation Sylphy at this year’s Auto Shanghai. Intrigued?

Visually, the new Sylphy sports a more aggressive front end bearing the brand’s signature V-motion grille. This is joined by angular headlamps with a distinctive “boomerang” lighting signature within them, as well as concaved sections in the lower apron that accommodate the L-shaped trim surrounding the fog lamps.

Strong creases on the bonnet leading from the grille to the A-pillars project a sense of strength, and the overall stance of the car is wider as well. Along the sides, the result of the sculpted bonnet is made more obvious, as are the prominent shoulder lines across the wheel arches.

A carryover from the outgoing Sylphy is the kinked beltline close to the C-pillar, although this has been further worked on to incorporate a blacked-out area for a “floating roof” look. This trend was first presented on the IMQ Concept, and is present among recent Nissan models like the Almera, Altima, Leaf, March and Maxima.

At the rear, the sleek, wraparound taillights feature the same “boomerang” look reminiscent of the headlamps. Meanwhile the boot lid blends in neatly with the rest of the bodywork, with the black C-pillars providing further visual drama. Down in the lower apron, a faux diffuser contributes to the sporty look that Nissan is going for.

Nissan says this new shape also allows for a lower centre of gravity than before, as well as decreased wind resistance, with a drag coefficient of just 0.26. Barring any official dimensions, there’s also claims of a roomy and luxurious interior.

On the inside, a completely new dashboard greets passengers, and is dominated by an 8-inch central display placed just above the triple air-con vents and climate control switchgear. If you’ll notice, the “Gliding Wing” that Nissan talks about is evident here, and incorporates slim air vents at the edges.

A flatter centre console is where the gear lever, USB/AUX inputs, cupholders and engine start button are located, but strangely, the car seen in these photos still comes with a foot-operated handbrake although this could be specific to certain markets like China – there looks to be a place for an electronic handbrake.

For the driver, there’s a new steering wheel design similar to those on other Nissans, and the instrument cluster sports both analogue dials and a middle seven-inch screen. Soft 3D Multilayer ergonomic seats are available with black, light gray or tan upholstery, with the last option benefiting from a diamond-cut quilting pattern as you see here.

Safety technologies that are available include Intelligent Forward Collision Warning, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning, Cross Traffic Alert and Intelligent Driving Alert, which support the driver in anticipating and avoiding hazardous situations.

Engine-wise, the Sylphy gets a HR16DE Gen3 1.6 litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine, which is paired with an Xtronic CVT. Specific output figures have yet to be revealed, but Nissan promises a boost to engine stability and fuel efficiency. Further possible engine options have yet to be revealed for now.

The car also comes with something called Integrated Dynamic Control Module that uses targeted brake applications after the vehicle encounters a bump or undulation to immediately improve the level of the body, enhancing ride quality. Other drive-related technologies include Intelligent Trace Control, Intelligent Ride Control and Emergency Brake for Pedal Misapplication.