Beijing show: Nissan goes electric with Sylphy

NISSAN has crossed its Sylphy (Pulsar/Sentra) small sedan with its Leaf electric hatchback to create the first Nissan EV destined for mass production in China.

Revealed at this week’s Beijing motor show, the China-only Sylphy Zero Emission (ZE) will be one of 20 electrified vehicles to be launched by Nissan and its Chinese partner, Dongfeng, in China under the Nissan, Venucia, Infiniti and Dongfeng brands in the next five years.

The Sylphy ZE will be wheeled into Nissan showrooms in China in the second half of this year, lining up alongside the imported second-generation Nissan Leaf with which it shares its electric platform.

Although few details have been released, Nissan claims the Sylphy EV will have a range of 338km on a full charge under the official Chinese test. Nissan claims a 400km range from the 40kWh Leaf to be sold in Australia from late 2018.

Says Nissan: “The Sylphy Zero Emission inherits the Leaf’s core technologies while offering the stability and reliability of a full-size wheelbase. The EV platform allows the battery to be placed under the seats. This results in a comfortable, spacious cabin with class-leading legroom.”

Announcing the new model, Nissan chief performance officer Jose Munoz said the company was launching “a major EV technology effort” in China to ensure sustainable growth.

“We’re unleashing a new era of EVs in China, providing Chinese customers with electrified products that are safer, more stable and offer a better customer experience,” he said.

Nissan Australia dropped its petrol-powered version of the Sylphy, the Pulsar, from its line-up a year ago due to underwhelming sales and the cost of updating to the latest emissions standards, although it has not ruled out a return to the fold at some point with a future model.

The Sylphy ZE is being shown in Beijing alongside two Nissan-developed concept vehicles – the Nissan IMx Kuro crossover and Dongfeng Venucia X large SUV.

The IMx Kuro is said to be fitted with Nissan’s brain-to-vehicle technology (B2V) that Nissan claims can detect various driver thought patterns to speed up various actions such as steering and braking.

The technology was revealed at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, although it is yet to be applied to a production vehicle.

The Venucia X SUV is said to reflect the Dongfeng brand’s new, advanced design language, although unkind observers might suggest the styling owes plenty to Range Rover.

The get-out-of-jail clause appears to be the little V shape on the leading edge of the bonnet.

Also on the Nissan stand at Beijing is the new Nissan Terra, a previously announced SUV based on Navara and destined for western markets, including Australia where it will bump heads with the likes of Ford’s Everest, Holden’s Trailblazer and Mitsubishi’s Pajero Sport.