Nissan relaunches Pulsar SSS hatch

Following May’s initial pricing and equipment announcement, Nissan has officially launched the new Pulsar hatch today, with sales expected to commence immediately.

Available in four model grades, the new five-door Pulsar hatch offers two engine options and a choice of six-speed manual or ‘next-generation’ X-TRONIC CVT automatic transmissions.

With a starting price of $18,990 (MRLP) the entry-level Pulsar ST is sharply focused on value, undercutting not only its sedan sibling by $1000 but also sliding conveniently under Toyota’s entry-spec Corolla Ascent ($19,990) and the segment-leading Mazda3 in baseline Neo specification ($20,330).

Pulsar ST’s aggressive pricing may raise the question “What have they left out?” but the Pulsar ST also compares favourably to its rivals in standard equipment levels. It’s fitted with the same 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine found in the Pulsar sedan, generating 96kW/174Nm through a standard six-speed manual transmission. The CVT version commands a $2250 premium, which is about par for a self-shifter in this market segment.

While 16-inch alloys come standard with the Pulsar ST hatch, inside there’s cloth trim, air-conditioning, cruise control and power windows. Four-speaker audio with MP3/AUX (but no iPod) capability and steering-wheel mounted operation, Bluetooth connectivity and central locking with remote keyless entry add further convenience.

Six airbags, along with the usual safety acronyms TC, VDC, ABS with EBD and Brake Assist are all present and accounted for. Although the hatch has not yet been through the ANCAP process, the Pulsar sedan was recently awarded five stars with similar safety features.

Stepping up to Pulsar hatch ST-L ($22,490 MRLP) adds deft exterior touches, like front foglights and a rear roof spoiler. Interior entertainment is enhanced via a 4.3-inch QVGA colour display and six-speaker audio with iPod connectivity as well as the usual MP3/AUX capabilities. More tactile, ‘Premium’ cloth trim, a leather-accented steering wheel and a rear centre seat that folds into an armrest highlight the ST-L’s increased comfort levels.

Both variants return combined fuel consumption figures of 7.2L/100km in manual form, with the CVT dropping this down to 6.7L/100km.

If the ST and ST-L variants appeal to the masses then the turbocharged twins, the ST-S and SSS, will rate more with the enthusiast.

The ‘DIG’ (short for ‘Direct Injection Gasoline Turbo’)  1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol powerplant provides a 140kW/240Nm punch, requires 95 RON premium unleaded fuel and can also be had with six-speed manual or X-TRONIC CVT transmissions (the latter a $2500 option for either model), including a Manual mode not available in non-turbo variants.

The ST-S commences at $24,990 (MRLP) for the manual, immediately presenting great value on a dollar per kiloWatt basis. It retains the specification of the naturally aspirated ST-L, but adds 17-inch alloys and metallic interior highlights to the mix.

The SSS flagship, meanwhile, starts at $29,240 and comes feature-packed, with a 5.8-inch colour touch-screen offering satellite-navigation and rear-view camera capabilities in addition to audio control.

Bluetooth audio streaming, dual-zone climate-control, keyless entry/start and leather accented seat fabric complete the internal upgrades, while auto-levelling xenon headlights with integrated washers vie with side and rear skirts and front/rear spoilers for your attention externally.

All variants have localised suspension tuning, with the SSS in particular benefitting from firmer springs and tauter damping.

Impressively the turbocharged engine is still frugal, testing at 7.7L/100km with the manual gearbox; oddly, the CVT in this guise increases fuel use to 7.8L/100km on the combined cycle.

Each Pulsar variant receives the industry-standard three-year/100,000km warranty and qualifies for Nissan’s six-year/120,000km capped price servicing plan.

Read the first drive impressions of the Nissan Pulsar SSS

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