Nissan Serena C28 e-Energy spied in Malaysia – 1.4L three-cylinder hybrid MPV lastly launching quickly?

You’re trying on the elusive Nissan Serena C28 e-Energyjust lately noticed in Malaysiaas posted to the paultan.org Automotive/Automobile Dialogue Group on Fb, hinting at a attainable launch within the close to future. Or at the very least we are able to hope. The sixth-generation MPV mannequin has certainly taken its personal candy time coming right here – it was first unveiled in Japan method again in 2022.

We did get a little bit of a false hope in early 2023 when a C28 check mule was seen alongside Genting Highlandsmaybe signaling an unusually early native debut (by Tan Chong requirements, at the very least) however alas, we’ve heard no official phrase on it since. The present C27-generation Serena has been round in Malaysia since 2018with a delicate facelift arriving in 2022.

Our understanding is that there’s a little bit of a barter commerce between Nissan Malaysia and Thailand, with us supplying the previous C27 for our neighbours, after which receiving the brand new C28 in return. The C27 – imported from Malaysia – was launched in Thailand in end-2024, priced at 1,469,000 baht (RM189k) and bought alongside the CKD C28 that goes for 1,690,000 baht (RM218k).

Whether or not the two-prong strategy can be mirrored right here is but unknown, but when the reply is sure, it positive doesn’t bode effectively for the brand new C28 to be competitively priced. Domestically, the C27 is priced between RM148,888 and RM163,888, so including on one other 15 or 20% (might effectively be extra contemplating it is going to be a CBU-taxed mannequin) would carry it near the RM200k mark.

Nonetheless, it’s not with out its strengths. The C28 Serena will get an upgraded model of Nissan’s e-Energy hybrid system, now that includes a 98 PS/123 Nm 1.4 litre HR14DDe naturally-aspirated three-cylinder petrol engine that powers a single electrical motor with 163 PS and 315 Nm of torque by way of a 1.77 kWh battery.

Like within the Kicks e-Energy, there is no such thing as a mechanical hyperlink between the engine and entrance wheels, so the electrical motor is the one technique of motivation for the Serena e-Energy. In essence, it’s going to drive like a real blue electrical car, however one which will get its juice from a petroleum engine performing as an influence generator. Lengthy distance highway journeys can be a breeze, solely requiring common fill ups on the petrol station.

Whether or not that’s going to be a sufficiently big benefit over extraordinarily effectively priced electrical MPVs from Chinese language manufacturers – plus the odd few PHEV fashions as effectively – stays to be seen. For those who’re searching for a household MPV in Malaysia, would the Nissan Serena C28 e-Energy be in your radar? Remark under!

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