Nissan's Thai-built Tiida adds ABS for $17,990

NISSAN has released an ABS-equipped, Thailand-sourced Tiida sedan and hatch ST for 2007, priced from the same bargain-basement $17,990.

The Japanese maker’s UK-built Tiida range replaced the long-running Pulsar nameplate in January 2006, but base pricing was slashed in August by $2000 to $17,990, following slow sales of Nissan’s vital small car range. At the same time, mid-spec Tiida ST-L pricing dropped by $2250 (from $22,240 to $19,990).

As forecast by GoAuto, Nissan Australia will make those super-sharp campaign prices the new retail price points from January 1, in a bid to make Tiida as popular as Pulsar was.

Opening the revised Thai-built range, the entry-level Tiida ST sedan and hatch variant will come with anti-lock brakes, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist as standard equipment, bringing it into line with the rest of the range.

The Tiida ST will continue to come as standard with twin front airbags, air-conditioning, a CD player, remote central locking and power mirrors.

For the same $19,990, the Tiida ST-L sedan and hatch continue to add alloy wheels, side curtain airbags and power windows.

While the sports-oriented Tiida Q hatch remains priced at the $22,990 campaign price, the auto-only Ti sedan flagship (which also adds a rear spoiler) rises to $25,240 – instead of the campaign price of $24,990.

In a first for Tiida, cruise control is now also available on all automatic variants, while a four-speed auto is a $2250 option and metallic paint also costs extra. There is no change to Tiida’s 1.8-litre DOHC four-cylinder engine.