For over a year reports have detailed Nissan Motor's
interest in a reskinned Mitsubishi Xpander to replace the decade-old Grand
Livina. According to a new post from jpnn.com, this model is ready in the
metal.
The next-gen Nissan Grand Livina’s production would
be on a line alongside the Mitsubishi Xpander at the plant in Bekasi
Prefecture, West Java (Indonesia). A source privy to plant schedules has told
the Indonesian publication that Nissan has shown the mechanical twin to some employees
at the facility. The report is confident that the MPV is ready to hit the
production line, but other reports place its debut in early 2019.
The next-gen Nissan Grand Livina will have a front
fascia completely different from Mitsubishi Xpander. It should feature the
latest version of the signature V-motion grille flanked by boomerang LED
headlamps with integrated LED DRLs. It may not look as aggressive as its donor
model, and that may be its differentiating factor. Inside, one can expect a
differently designed steering, new textiles and a proprietary infotainment
system.
Under the hood, the 2019 Nissan Grand Livina could
have the 4A91 1.5-litre MIVEC engine. In the Mitsubishi offering, this
naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol unit produces 105 PS at 6,000 rpm and
141 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm, and it sends channels power to the wheels via a
5-speed manual transmission or a 4-speed automatic transmission.
The all-new Nissan Grand Livina could go on sale in
Indonesia by early 2019, and then in ASEAN markets including Malaysia. It will
compete with the Toyota Avanza, Suzuki Ertiga (Maruti Ertiga) and the Honda
BR-V.
