2015 Mk6 Nissan Pulsar

Background Information
Nissan re-enter the C-segment after being absent for 8 years with the Almera last appearing in the segment for Nissan, since then Nissan have replaced the Almera with a combination of the crossover Qashqai and part supermini and part small MPV the Note. While the Qashqai has been hugely successful Nissan says the demand is high in the C-segment for a traditional hatchback.

The Pulsar will be manufactured in Barcelona, Spain rather than Sunderland, United Kingdom which surprised a few.

Nissan claims the Pulsar brings "technology, style and sector-leading space to the C-segment".

Prices and trims have been announced for the UK. Prices start from £15,995 for base Visia trimmed model equipped with the 1.2 DIG-T 115PS with a 6 speed manual transmission to £21,945 for a top spec Tekna 1.5 dCi 110PS with a 6 speed manual transmission.

Trims range from base Visia, to Acenta, up to n-tec and topping off with Tekna. All trims come generously equipped as is now typical of Nissan.

Visia trims come equipped with as standard: 5-inch colour touchscreen infotainment system, 16-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, 6 airbags, a single-slot CD player with 4 speakers, bluetooth connectivity, iPod connectivity, steering wheel mounted audio controls, body colour exterior mirrors and door handles, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors, cruise control, speed limiter, stop-start technology called "idle start/stop", manual air conditioning, tyre pressure monitoring system, ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), ESP (Electronic Stability Control), EBD (Electronic Braking Distribution), remote central locking, active trace control and finally "follow me home" lighting.

Acenta trim comes with in addition to Visia trim: 6 speakers, forward emergency braking, auto lights, auto wipers, auto dimming interior rear view mirror, i-Key (keyless entry), engine starter button, dual zone automatic climate control, front fog lights, heated exterior mirrors, leather wrapped steering wheel, leather wrapped gear knob, rear armrest and unique Acenta interior trim.

n-tec comes in addition to Acenta trim: 17-inch diamond cut alloy wheels, rear privacy glass, LED headlight signature, NissanConnect 2 (sat-nav with Google maps, smartphone integration, apps for music/fuel stations with their latest prices, DAB digital radio) with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system and reversing camera.

Top spec Tekna trims come equipped in addition to n-tec trim: leather interior, heated front seats, around view monitor, lane departure warning system, blind spot warning system, moving object detection and electric folding exterior mirrors.

Engines
Petrol
1.2 DIG-T 115PS (113BHP) single turbo 4 cylinder
1.6 DIG-T 190PS (187BHP) single turbo 4 cylinder (available from early 2015)

Diesel
1.5 dCi 110PS (108BHP) single turbo 4 cylinder

Torque figures have only been released for the 1.5 dCi 110PS with 260Nm. Torque for the other engines have yet to be released.

A hot Pulsar Nismo is in the works for the future and is expected to come equipped with a 1.6 DIG-T engine tuned to at least 250PS.

6 speed manual transmission is available on the 1.5 dCi 110PS and 1.2 DIG-T 115PS with an Xtronic CVT transmission available as an option on the 1.2 DIG-T 115PS.





Size
Full dimensions have yet to be announced but Nissan promises class leading space in the Pulsar with the longest wheelbase in the class at 2.7m compared to the popular VW Golf mk7 which has a 2.637m long wheelbase and Nissan claims it's more spacious than many vehicles in the D-Segment which include vehicles like the Ford Mondeo, Vauxhall Insignia and VW Passat.







Interior
The interior takes design cues from the Nissan Tilda with a similar look. The center stack looks like as though it was an afterthought as it seems like someone designed a oval center stack and then stuck it on top of the dashboard.

The 3 spoke design steering wheel is lifted straight from the Nissan Qashqai and X-Trail, along with the touchscreen infotainment system and the ventilation controls.






Exterior
The front has a typical Nissan "V-motion" grille along with "boomerang" shaped headlights with "bold and energetic curves on the body sides".

It seems Nissan has tried to inject a sense of style into the otherwise conservative styling of the Pulsar.









My Opinion
I find the Pulsar rather bland with unnecessary curves and creases in the body as though it's trying too hard to be stylish and compete with cars in the segment like the Peugeot 308 and Seat Leon.

I find the shape of the Pulsar rather ungainly too with the rear end particularly ugly IMHO.

The VW Golf may look rather conservative but it doesn't overdo it and try to shout about it's styling.

Overall I see the Pulsar selling in rather reasonable numbers as Nissan have done their research and have found demand for this type of vehicle to justify building it but personally I would go it's rivals or even Nissan's in house brother to the Pulsar, the Qashqai and I would assume many other customers would opt for it once they see it alongside the Pulsar.