MAY this year saw the introduction a mid-life spritz to the Dualis crossover, one of Nissan Australia’s biggest-sellers.

Along with adding satellite navigation and a reversing camera as standard kit across the range, the Japanese car-maker also added a diesel engine under the bonnet for the first time.

It was destined to fix one of the few chinks in the British-built Dualis’ armour – a lacklustre 102kW/198Nm 2.0-litre petrol engine thumped by the competition in the performance – and fuel economy – stakes.

However, Nissan has been forced to take a gamble by launching it in auto-loving Australia with only a six-speed manual gearbox.

It’s a big call when few customers can be bothered slotting their own gears, and in a fast-growing field where competitors do offer one, albeit for much more money.

Is an almost Toyota Prius-fighting fuel economy figure enough to bolster sales?

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