Nissan Almera Tino
Nissan Almera Mk II N16
Launched early in 2000, the second generation Nissan Almera looked better than its predecessor with classic, smooth, curved lines. Some still thought it was bland in comparison with its rivals although the Almera was selling strong worldwide.
The N16 Almera was based on Nissan's global MS-Platform which is Nissan's first new platform to be developed after the partnership with Renault. The MS Platform is also the base for the new Primera and Almera Tino.
The N16 Almera offered great improvements over the previous generation Almera in terms of handling, tyre-grip and drive dynamics. The N16 Almera felt much more sure-footed on the road and was exceptionally nimble for a plain family car. Even today the Almera is considered to be one of the best handling small family cars on the market while still maintaining its predecessor hallmarks for rock solid build quality and cast iron reliability.
While the previous generation Almera was considered spacious of its class, the N16 Almera was lacking in rear passenger legroom due to a shorter then category average 2.53 meter wheelbase.
The second generation Almera could be had as a three- or five-door hatchback or a four-door sedan, with 1.5 and 1.8 Nissan QG engine series petrol engines as well as a 2.2 direct injection turbodiesel (YD22DDT) or common-rail turbodiesel (YD22DDTi).
Almeras can be also equipped with 1.5 common-rail turbodiesel from the Renault Megane II - Nissan had recently ventured with Renault and the Almera's diesel engine was the first instance of Nissans and Renaults sharing mechanicals.
In 2003 the Almera has undergone another update which included a face-lift, re tuned suspension, new engines and an updated interior.
First, the Almera's Macpherson strut front suspension and award winning multi-link rear suspension (Nissan's name for its double letteral link twist beam suspension) have been re tuned. This results in a quieter ride and a reduction in the amount of rear bump-through experienced when heavily laden, improving high-speed stability, driving dynamics and making the car more controllable after an emergency manoeuvre. The new suspension tunning also proved to produce almost zero body rool on tight turns. Overall, Nissan says, the Almera has slighter firmer damper settings and marginally stiffer spring ratings, though there has been no loss of ride comfort or increase in noise levels in normal motoring. The suspension revisions have been executed in such a way as to only come into play at the upper edge of the dynamic envelope.
The face lift also included new chrome, projector-style headlights that are set in a titanium-coloured surround with separate lights for main and low beams set behind an enlarged translucent cover. The front bumper now has an integrated engine air intake that runs almost the full width of the car while a honeycomb mesh grille adds visual benefits to the frontal image. Some models also get small circular fog lights.
The interior of the face-lifted Almera has also been redesigned with better quality materials and a large color or monochrome center screen which controls all of the car's functions (climate control, CD player and trip computer). Higher trim levels also include Nissan's Bird-eye GPS system.
The face-lifted Almera is built in Sunderland, UK and are exported to parts of the Asia-Pacific where they are sold as the Nissan Pulsar. In 2006 the second generation Almera reached its sixth year of production but was still selling strong world wide.
Nissan Almera Mk II N16
Launched early in 2000, the second generation Nissan Almera looked better than its predecessor with classic, smooth, curved lines. Some still thought it was bland in comparison with its rivals although the Almera was selling strong worldwide.
The N16 Almera was based on Nissan's global MS-Platform which is Nissan's first new platform to be developed after the partnership with Renault. The MS Platform is also the base for the new Primera and Almera Tino.
The N16 Almera offered great improvements over the previous generation Almera in terms of handling, tyre-grip and drive dynamics. The N16 Almera felt much more sure-footed on the road and was exceptionally nimble for a plain family car. Even today the Almera is considered to be one of the best handling small family cars on the market while still maintaining its predecessor hallmarks for rock solid build quality and cast iron reliability.
While the previous generation Almera was considered spacious of its class, the N16 Almera was lacking in rear passenger legroom due to a shorter then category average 2.53 meter wheelbase.
The second generation Almera could be had as a three- or five-door hatchback or a four-door sedan, with 1.5 and 1.8 Nissan QG engine series petrol engines as well as a 2.2 direct injection turbodiesel (YD22DDT) or common-rail turbodiesel (YD22DDTi).
Almeras can be also equipped with 1.5 common-rail turbodiesel from the Renault Megane II - Nissan had recently ventured with Renault and the Almera's diesel engine was the first instance of Nissans and Renaults sharing mechanicals.
In 2003 the Almera has undergone another update which included a face-lift, re tuned suspension, new engines and an updated interior.
First, the Almera's Macpherson strut front suspension and award winning multi-link rear suspension (Nissan's name for its double letteral link twist beam suspension) have been re tuned. This results in a quieter ride and a reduction in the amount of rear bump-through experienced when heavily laden, improving high-speed stability, driving dynamics and making the car more controllable after an emergency manoeuvre. The new suspension tunning also proved to produce almost zero body rool on tight turns. Overall, Nissan says, the Almera has slighter firmer damper settings and marginally stiffer spring ratings, though there has been no loss of ride comfort or increase in noise levels in normal motoring. The suspension revisions have been executed in such a way as to only come into play at the upper edge of the dynamic envelope.
The face lift also included new chrome, projector-style headlights that are set in a titanium-coloured surround with separate lights for main and low beams set behind an enlarged translucent cover. The front bumper now has an integrated engine air intake that runs almost the full width of the car while a honeycomb mesh grille adds visual benefits to the frontal image. Some models also get small circular fog lights.
The interior of the face-lifted Almera has also been redesigned with better quality materials and a large color or monochrome center screen which controls all of the car's functions (climate control, CD player and trip computer). Higher trim levels also include Nissan's Bird-eye GPS system.
The face-lifted Almera is built in Sunderland, UK and are exported to parts of the Asia-Pacific where they are sold as the Nissan Pulsar. In 2006 the second generation Almera reached its sixth year of production but was still selling strong world wide.