Nissan Sunny officially launched

Nissan has officially launched its model for the midsize segment in India – the all-new Sunny. The car is available in three versions – the base XE, the mid-level XL and the top-end XV.

The XE is priced at Rs 5.78 lakh. It gets body-coloured bumpers, an on-board drive computer, manually adjustable anti-dazzling mirror, headlight-on and key-inserted warning lamp, ABS, EBD and Brake Assistance, Driver Airbag and Door Ajar warning.

The mid-level XL, priced at Rs 6.88 lakh, gets all features of the XE along with body-coloured, electronically adjustable outside rear-view mirrors, chrome-plated outside door handles and radiator grille, rear defroster, an integrated audio system with four speakers and AUX, steering-mounted audio controls, rear A/C vents, auto-down feature on driver-side power window, remote keyless entry, front passenger airbag, anti-theft alarm and speed-sensing automatic door locks. The top-end XV, at Rs 7.68 lakh, gets all this as well as alloy wheels and electronically folding rear-view mirrors

The tenth-generation Nissan Sunny is based on the popular V (Versatile) platform, the same as the one used in the Nissan Micra. The Sunny made its global debut at the eighth International Automobile Exhibition in China (Guangzhou) last December. The Indian launch, expected to coincide with the festive season, will see the Sunny come in with a 1.5-litre petrol motor only. The carmaker will showcase a 1.5-litre diesel-powered Sunny at the Auto-Expo in Delhi next year, with the official launch in the first quarter of 2012.

In terms of looks, the Sunny appears to be quite large with its big boot, long wheelbase and massive cabin, especially when viewed from the rear three-quarter. It gets some of its styling cues from the bigger Teana as well. On the inside, Nissan has tried to make the cabin look upmarket. Overall plastic quality and fit and finish are up to expectations.

The petrol variant of the Sunny will be manufactured at the Renault-Nissan alliance Oragadam facility in Chennai. Bookings will start from September 21, 2011, with deliveries commencing on October 3, 2011.