The Nissan Sylphy is a global C Segment sedan which was unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show in April 2012. The car is undergoing a phased launch throughout the world. It entered Australia this year, calling itself as the Nissan Pulsar Sedan.
The Australian New Car assessment Program (ANCAP) recently bestowed the car with the maximum crash rating of 5 stars, making it one of the safest sedans in the market.
Its strict competitors in this segment namely the Honda Civic and Holden Cruze (rebadged Chevrolet Cruze) have also managed to get the same 5-star rating.
The coveted safety rating was achieved, thanks to standard safety features like Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and six airbags including front-to-rear curtain airbags. Front seat belts get load limiters and pre-tensioners as standard. The rivals also pack in similar safety equipment.
William F. Peffer Jr, Nissan Australia’s Managing Director and CEO said, "The new Nissan Pulsar Sedan’s maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating is further proof that the Nissan Pulsar should be on every Small Car buyer’s shopping list. The Pulsar Sedan has been equipped and priced to deliver more to Australian customers, in terms of safety, value and driving comfort."
A 2.5L four-cylinder 182bhp petrol engine mated to the next generation 6-speed X-CVT gearbox drives the car. The Nissan Pulsar range starts at AU$ 19,990 (around Rs. 10.83 lakhs).
Nissan had announced that the Sylphy will be sold in over 100 international markets. When we asked about is prospects in India to the then marketing head of Nissan Mr. Sanjay G., he said: "We are working on it. As the market matures, as we get a right opportunity, we will definitely look at it."
If the Sylphy lands in India, it will be competing against the likes of the Hyundai Elantra, Chevy Cruze, Renault Fluence and the incoming 2013 Skoda Octavia. This segment has been shrinking over the last year and XUV500's numbers hint that SUVs are increasingly preferred in the 15+ lakh rupee price segment.
[Source: Theautochannel.com]
