Nissan to axe Pulsar name

AFTER 25 years with the one nameplate, Nissan will axe the Pulsar name in Australia and fall into line with international branding of its new small carcontender.

The Pulsar’s hatchback and sedan replacement will be called the Tiida when each arrives next February.

In line with the new name, the newcomer is expected to go more upmarket in quality and safety as well as offer a roomier interior.

To impart a sense of luxury, soft-feel materials are used on the instrument panel, door trim and headlining. Softer material is also used on thecentre console.

In Japan, two four-cylinder engines are available – a newly developed 1.5-litre and a reworked version of the current 1.8-litre – mated to either a five-speed manual or Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission.

The first application of the latter will be made with the Murano crossover wagon next month. Both engines are expected to be available locally.

The 1.5-litre develops 80kW at 6000rpm and 148Nm at 4400rpm, while the 1.8-litredevelops 94kW at 5200rpm and 176Nm at 4800rpm, up from the current 1.8-litre’s 90kW at 5600rpm and 163Nm at 4400rpm.

Suspension comprises a strut-style suspension up front and a space-saving H-shaped torsion beam system at the rear.

Although offering roughly the same footprint on the road as the current Pulsar, some measurements have been massaged. Compared to the current Pulsar, the Tiida sedan and hatch have a wheelbase of 2600mm, 65mm longer than the Pulsar. Overallwidth of 1695mm remains the same.

Interior dimensions have grown dramatically, however, the Tiida hatch is just 26mm longer, while the sedan is 100mm shorter than the Pulsar sedan.

The sedan and hatch are claimed to offer plenty of headroom and legroom and the sedan’s rear seat has a load-through facility and a 467-litre boot.

Nissan has provided added versatility on the hatch with a sliding rear seat to improve luggage capacity. The seat slides fore and aft up to 240mm.

With the rear seats moved back the luggage capacity is a maximum 289 litres. This can be increased to 463 litres with the seats folded.

The name Tiida was coined from the English word "tide", referring to the ebb and flow of the ocean.

Nissan Australia chief Shinya Hannya has also made no secret of his desire to get the high-performance hot hatch here, based on the Nissan Sports Concept.

Tiida SSS? Bring it on.