Almera hits from $17,990

The sedan version of Nissan’s Micra hatch will go on sale late next month with a drive-away price of $17,990.

Named Almera, the new city-sedan will be sold in two variants. It is one of a number of important new passenger car models Nissan will launch over the next 12 to 18 months – with the view to stealing sales from key rivals Mazda and Hyundai.

The Almera ST manual will be the entry-level model of the new range and wears the sub-$18K drive-away price. Metallic paint adds $495.

Nissan will also offer a top-of-the-range auto-only Almera Ti variant priced at $22,490 drive-away and fitted as standard with alloy wheels, foglights, rear parking sensors, keyless entry, rear spoiler and an upgraded climate-control air-conditioning system.

Six airbags, stability control and ABS brakes will be standard across the Almera line-up, along with Bluetooth telephony, an MP3-capable audio system, steering wheel-mounted audio controls for air conditioning and a trip computer.

Both models are powered by a 1.5-litre DOHC four-cylinder petrol engine, with the five-speed manual ST boasting only average economy for the segment at 6.3L/100km.

Nissan's six-year/120,000km Capped Price Servicing plan will be offered to buyers of the Almera, which will be officially launched on August 24.

According to a consumer newsletter sent to Nissan’s mailing list today, buyers who sign up before August 31 and purchase a new Almera before September 30 will also receive a free myNissan Gift Card worth $500.

Known as Sunny in some markets and Versa in North America, the Almera will join only a handful of other sedans in the light segment, including the Holden Barina, Ford Fiesta, Honda City, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Proton S16 and Toyota’s segment-leading Yaris, which is priced from $18,190 plus on-road costs.

Nissan’s sharp Almera starting price is $1500 higher than the manufacturer’s list price (minus statutory fees) of the cheapest Barina sedan ($16,490) and $1000 higher than that of the Accent ($16,990), but $1000 lower than the base Fiesta sedan price ($18,990).

Fresh from launching its LEAF EV and the Japanese company’s Infiniti luxury brand, Nissan says value for money, attractive exterior design and exceptional interior space will be key features of its all-new entry-level sedan, which will be produced in Thailand.

Based on the same ‘V’ platform as the fourth-generation ‘K13’ Micra launched here in December last year, the Almera rides on a 2535mm wheelbase, measures 4495mm long, 1695mm wide and 1445mm high.

The Micra, meantime, is powered by the same 1.5-litre engine as well as a smaller 1.2 for entry-level models. It rides on a shorter 2435mm wheelbase and measures 3780mm long, 1665mm wide and 1525mm high.

The Almera will be the first of three new Nissan sedans to launch here by the end of next year, and the first of eight new or additional Nissans to arrive here within the next two years.

They include the born-again small Pulsar sedan and hatch, which will make its Australian debut at the Sydney Motor Show in October before replacing the unloved Tiida in January, and the Maxima-replacing Altima large sedan due in local showrooms later next year.

Also playing an important role in Nissan’s quest to become Australia’s number one full-line importer will be the redesigned Patrol SUV in December, plus replacements for its volume-selling X-TRAIL compact SUV, Pathfinder medium SUV and Navara ute models.

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