The new Nissan Serena S-Hybrid arrives in Malaysia in locally-assembled (CKD) form. Pricing
starts at RM 135,500 for the Highway Star variant and RM 147,500 for the Premium
Highway Star. All prices are on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of a
five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and a three-year/60,000 free service
package.
Power comes from a carryover MR20DD 2.0 litre
direct-injected four-cylinder petrol engine, now making slightly more power at
150 PS at 6,000 rpm and 200 Nm at 4,400 rpm. It’s fitted with a new dual-arm
tensioner to reduce tension on the arm belt and improve fuel efficiency, and is
mated to an Xtronic CVT.
Working alongside it is a 2.6 PS/48 Nm ECO electric
motor that replaces the starter motor, controls the Idling Stop System and and
energy regeneration. The motor also offers acceleration assistance to the MPV,
providing a 50 Nm torque boost for up to one second when moving away from a
standstill. As for fuel consumption, Nissan claims the Serena is good for 14.2
kilometres per litre on the European NEDC cycle.
The Serena features a more
distinctive design compared to its predecessor, with dual-tier headlights, a
more expressive V-motion grille and a character line that sweeps downwards,
contrasted by the upswept window line. Vertical tail lights feature as before,
while blacked-out A- and D-pillars provide a floating roof that is emphasised
by the Premium Highway Star’s two-tone colour scheme.
The interior is more modern with a stitched
soft-touch dashboard, a flat-bottomed steering wheel and a floating centre
console. The larger digital instrument cluster features a seven-inch multi-info
display that shows the rev counter and the around view monitor with Intelligent
Moving Object Detection (i-MOD).
The new model
has seven seats with second-row captain’s chairs with armrests. This means that
the outgoing model’s second-row centre seat, which could be folded and slid
forwards to double as a storage console in front, is missing here. On the plus
side, the first- and second-row seats feature Zero Gravity technology for
improved comfort, and there are also seven USB ports all around the car –
including two each for the second and third rows. The third row can now also be
slid forwards and back for either increased legroom or a larger boot.
As standard, the Serena comes with LED headlights,
front and rear fog lights, 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button
start, single-zone auto climate control, rear air-con controls and a Clarion
head unit with a 6.75-inch touchscreen and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
compatibility. Safety wise, there are now six airbags instead of two, joining
the existing ABS with EBD and brake assist and stability control.
The Premium Highway Star variant adds 16-inch
alloys, door visors, combination leather upholstery in either black or two-tone
Truffle Brown and Chestnut, a 10.1-inch roof-mounted LCD rear display, a
Tech-On tray mat on the second-row picnic table for holding tablets or other
devices, an LED interior room light and V-Kool 4Mil security film tinting.
The new Serena will be offered in Brilliant White,
Tungsten Silver, Diamond Black and Cashmere Gold colours. The Premium Highway
Star adds three two-tone exterior colour schemes, including Cashmere Gold with
an Imperial Umber roof as well as Tungsten Silver and Brilliant White with a
Diamond Black roof.
