Offering an early look at a vehicle that will be sold here as the next-generation Nissan Sentra, the automaker took the wraps off of its new "Re-imagined Global Sedan" in China this week. Known elsewhere as the Nissan Sylphy, it will make its official U.S. debut in Sentra guise this summer before going on sale here in the fall. While company execs provided few technical details about the American variation on the theme, the firm did admit that the Sylphy will provide the basis for our vehicle and also released a short teaser video of the 2013 Nissan Sentra SR model which will be unique to our market.
Like the Nissan Versa that was redesigned last year, the all-new new Sylphy/Sentra is a ground-up rethink that elevates every key aspect of a package that ultimately will be part of the automaker’s lineup in 120 countries around the world. This "one-class-above" thinking starts with a more elegantly rendered exterior that features sleeker-looking sheetmetal and LED infused front/rear lighting. Inside the cabin is quieter and has a more upscale character with enhanced people and cargo space. It also will offer primo items like dual-zone climate control, Intelligent Key and push-button starting. Beyond cosmetic enhancements, the redesign of Nissan’s new Global Sedan also provided it with a stronger, stiffer structure and a revamped suspension system that delivers smoother ride and better control.
While neither output or mileage numbers were offered at this point, the front-drive 2013 Sylphy/Sentra will be powered by a new and more fuel-efficient 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that features a long-stroke design and Twin Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control (C-VTC) to optimize combustion plus a new Diamond Like Carbon (DLC) coating on its valve lifters and "beehive" shaped valve springs to further reduce internal friction and inertial losses. The engine will be linked to the automaker’s next-generation Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable automatic Transmission) that’s smaller and lighter than its predecessor but features an even wider gear ratio range for better efficiency.
