A beautiful, comfortable hatchback

Nissan has been roaring ahead in the Thai automobile market these past several years, thanks to vehicles that respond directly to consumer demands.

For example, when Thai car buyers started to look for smaller and more fuel-efficient vehicles due to rising fuel prices, Nissan was the first company to offer an eco-car, introducing the March back in March 2010. It was also the first auto-maker in the country to launch a second eco-car, the Almera sedan (a rebadged Sunny N17), that followed later in October 2011.

Both the March and Almera come with a 1.2-litre 3-cylinder engine and CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) offering fuel economy of 20 km per litre. Both cars have grown into a major dough earner for Nissan in Thailand, and they combine to make Nissan the largest retailer of eco-cars in the country.

The auto-maker doesn’t have a vehicle in the B-segment (sub-compact), as the Almera offers more interior space than sub-compacts on the market, but Nissan is very much present in the C-segment (compact) with its Sylphy sedan and Pulsar hatchback. 

Okay, so a pulsar is a highly magnetised, rotating neutron star that emits a beam of electromagnetic radiation. But the Pulsar we’re referring to is a car – one that I had mixed feelings about after driving version 1.8 V around for several days. The mixed feelings, I must add, were mainly due to preconceptions. In the past, the Pulsar badge usually referred to Nissan compact cars that were on the sporty side, featuring powerful engines and gripping suspension.And judging from how the new Pulsar looked (with a waistline resembling the 370Z), I was completely sure it would provide me with something more than just an exciting drive. That didn’t happen.

While the other two players in the compact hatchback market – the Ford Focus and Mazda3 – are both highly sporty and entertaining, Nissan saw a clear opening in the market.Nissan says that the priority of the Focus and Mazda3 are on the 2.0-litre versions that are fully equipped and cost more than Bt1 million, but there are compact hatchback customers who prefer fuel economy and comfort over sportiness.

To start off, the Pulsar’s 1.8-litre engine capable of producing 131 horsepower and 174Nm is mated to an Xtronic CVT, which is well-known for offering seamless acceleration as well as excellent fuel consumption due to minimal power loss. The long-stroke engine also comes with diamond-like carbon coating that helps smoothen engine operation.

The Pulsar accelerates quite well too, with the revs shooting up quickly as you floor the throttle, and remains there as the speed starts increasing. But there aren’t shift points, and after a while it starts to get boring – just like sitting in a plane.

At low speeds you’ll appreciate the comfortable suspension setting of the Pulsar. But again, as you go faster and start swinging it around, the hatchback starts to feel sloppy.This is when I realised that the Pulsar was designed not for those looking for a sporty hot hatch, but for “urbanistas” looking for a beautiful and comfortable sub-compact that excels in day-to-day driving. And this is what it does very well.

There is plenty of space in the cabin and lots of rear legroom, while the equipment level offered is pretty much competitive against others. There are three headrests at the rear (all with 3-point seatbelts), meaning that a fifth passenger is always welcome.

This is a car that you can drive upcountry with your friends, carry lots of stuff and still feel comfortable in when you use the right highway speed.

Apart from the usual stuff, you get smart entry with a push-start button, bi-xenon headlights (auto-levelling and auto on/off), Bluetooth connectivity, 17-inch alloy wheels, a 5.8-inch touch-screen navigation system (with Thai language support), cruise control, multi-function steering wheel and sunroof.Visibility is excellent all-round, thanks to the wide and opening-angle front windshield and rear glass and pillar design. A small setback here is that the windshield wipers are not automatic – Nissan should have thrown that in as standard equipment as well. Meanwhile, there is also rather poor-quality finish on some of the interior plastic parts, such as the centre tunnel.

A small feature that I really appreciated is the turning lights – just tap the stalk once and the turning light blinks three times. This is very convenient when changing lanes on the highway, and is usually found in European cars like Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

Now you can see why I used the term “mixed feelings”. I was disappointed that the Pulsar isn’t the hot hatch with a solid suspension and razor-sharp steering I expected. But then I am delighted with the nice design and good comfort, and very importantly the efficiency that it has to offer. Nissan has also made it easier for the consumer here. Go for the Focus and Mazda3 if you want sportiness, but get the Pulsar if you want comfort and fuel economy, as well as a price tag that’s lower than Bt1 million. 

 

 

Nissan Pulsar 1.8 V Sunroof Navi

Engine: 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve Twin C-VCT

Displacement: 1,798cc

Bore and stroke: 79.7x90.1mm

Compression ratio: 9.9:1

Max power: 131ps/6,000rpm

Max torque: 174Nm/3,600rpm

Transmission: CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)

Ratios: 4.006-0.550

Suspension (f/r): McPherson strut, stabiliser/torsion beam, stabiliser

Steering: speed-sensitive rack and pinion

Turning circle: 11.0 metres

Brakes (f/r): vented discs/discs

Dimensions (mm)

Length: 4,295

Width: 1,760

Height: 1,520

Wheelbase: 2,700

Track (f/r): 1,530/1,530

Weight: 1,257 kg

Wheels: 17-in alloys

Tires: 205/50R17

Fuel tank capacity: 52 litres

Price: Bt976,000

Distributor: Nissan Motor (Thailand)