I thought I had resigned myself to just judging some cars for a highly notable publication's "Car of the Year (COTY) 2011 Awards" and not writing much reviews about them. Humbly, I do admit my lack of energy in penning a few paragraphs and to followers (if any few left) of my blog, my sincere apologies. Largely due to my clinical plus other domestic commitments et al. Also the Nissan Teana in 4-pot, 2.0-litre form that I sampled more than a few weekends ago didn't seem to excite my senses very much. Imagine my awakening today when I stumbled upon my friend's blog - a hugely popular one - which featured the MMC (minimal model change) - that's facelift to you and me - new Honda Accord. I am not here to criticise the mid-cycle refreshed Honda. After all, I was quite a Honda fan owning the last-generation 2.0 Accord for a brief spell. Well, let's just say that I am re-energised to share with you my brief flirtation with the latest D-segment offering from Nissan in Malaysia, after reading the post by another esteemed "colleague" on the new Accord.
In a nutshell the new Teana is huge, soft-riding, comfy and looks the part of a towkay (big-boss) saloon. BMW 5-series. The way I look at it, it's for fans of Camry's soft plush damping who don't want a Toyota and couldn't stand Accord's harder riding suspension settings. And a Mazda won't cut it because they don't want a brand that makes the world's sole rotary-powered sportscar. Despite its bulk and size, the Teana's brakes are good and reassuring. Its interior looks and feel Infiniti-esque, though I suspect the V6s versions with more cow-leather plastered interiors and some steering control button/switches splattering would make this executive sedan feel decidedly more upmarket. It's so silent on the move that it makes you wonder whether there are low-pressure-near-vacuum-stretches on highway - almost devoid of wind noise - when you are doing, say 160 km/h. So there you have it, another popular D-segment sedan for you to consider in Malaysia, apart from the perennial favourites of Camrys or Accords. Oh by the way, has Honda Malaysia solved the Accords (and likely Civics) brake judder issues due to premature-warping of front rotors? I hope these huge Nissans don't have such quality issues, not when it comes to brakes. Admittedly, the Teana could do better with its instruments detailing though, because this isn't a Sunny, Latio or Sylphy for that matter. The rear end detailing, however - no need to buy Eagle-Eyes brand Taiwan-made aftermarket LED rear lights - is great though. In my strictly personal and humble opinion, the clean-design execution by Nissan here even leaves the new Mercedes-Benz W212 E-class' arse for dead. You can't win (or have) 'em all I suppose.
This Tiguan can be ordered in the "Trend & Fun" and "Sport & Style" equipment lines. This most fuel-efficient petrol engine of the Volkswagen Tiguan has a combined fuel consumption of 6.5 l/100 km (equivalent to 152 g/km CO2) and develops its maximum power at 5,000 rpm. The turbocharged TSI's maximum torque of 200 Newton metres is available between 1,500 and 4,000 rpm. The four-cylinder engine enables a top speed of 185 km/h. The Tiguan with the 1,390 cm3 engine handles the classic 0 to 100-km/h sprint in 10.9 seconds. At the next power level, Volkswagen will be introducing a turbo- and supercharged twincharger engine with 118 kW / 160 PS (at 5,800 rpm) some time after the market launch of the new Tiguan. It will be offered with either front-wheel drive (as "Trend & Fun" or "Sport & Style") or in a BlueMotion Technology version with all-wheel drive (as "Track & Field" and "Track & Style").
The TSI develops a maximum torque of 240 Newton metres between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm. The Tiguan 1.4 TSI BlueMotion Technology with a power of 160 PS and a top speed of 203 km/h has a combined fuel consumption of 6.7 l/100 km (equivalent to 156 g/km CO2). Completely new to the Volkswagen programme is the 2.0-litre TSI with 132 kW / 180 PS. This engine, specially configured for the new Tiguan, replaces the 125 kW / 170 PS TSI of the previous model. The new four cylinder shares the same technical platform as the larger 155-kW TSI which is also new in the Volkswagen Tiguan. Like that engine, the 132-kW TSI has a displacement of 1,984 cm3. Thanks to turbocharging, the direct-injection engine delivers a constant maximum torque of 280 Newton metres between a low 1,800 and a high 5,000 rpm; the four cylinder unit produces its maximum power over a range from 4,500 to 6,200 rpm. As an option, this TSI may be ordered with a 7-speed DSG transmission.
In this case, its combined fuel consumption is 8.6 litres (also at 199 g/km CO2). The top speed of the DSG version is slightly lower at 202 km/h, but its 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time is better at 7.9 seconds. All of these figures illustrate why the DSG is one of the most efficient automatic transmissions in the world. This TSI may be combined with any of the equipment lines. The new Tiguan with the most powerful petrol engine will follow shortly after market launch. It produces 155 kW / 210 PS (between 5,300 and 6,200 rpm) and replaces the 147 kW / 200 PS TSI of the now discontinued previous Tiguan model. Its maximum torque of 280 Newton metres is constantly available from 1,700 to 5,300 rpm. The 210 PS engine takes the vehicle to a top speed of 215 km/h; this Tiguan accelerates to 100 km/h in 7.8 seconds. Despite its high power output, the TSI is also fuel-efficient: in the 180-PS TSI, for example, combined fuel consumption is 8.5 l/100 km (equivalent to 199 g/km CO2) with a manual 6-speed gearbox. Volkswagen will also offer the large Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0 TSI with an optional 7-speed DSG.
