TITIVATED TINO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1 April 2003

TITIVATED TINO

Nissan’s compact MPV, the Almera Tino, is being changed from the inside out with new diesel engines, one being the most powerful available in this type of car, and added technology including electronic climate control across the range.  A rear parking camera and DVD satellite navigation are also now available on the Almera Tino – but not on any rival.  The range has been simplified, the equipment tallies boosted yet prices still start from under £13,000.

Family friendly transport is the aim of the compact MPV and the Almera Tino is designed to appeal to adults and children alike.  And particularly the driver in the Almera Tino’s case which is why a revised engine line-up is central to this round of revisions.  Compact MPVs and diesel engines go together like Harry and Potter … or Common and Rail which is what the revised Almera Tino offers, in a choice of two power outputs.  The engines are a development of Nissan’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel, now carrying the dCi moniker to signify their newly common railed status and with either 112 or 136PS.  The latter is the most powerful diesel engine currently offered in a compact MPV.  So powered, the Almera Tino will accelerate to 62 mph in
10.5 seconds yet still returns 42.8 mpg on the combined cycle.  Predictably, the 112PS version does even better returning 44.1 mpg.

There used to be two petrol engines offered in the Almera Tino.  Now there’s just one and it’s a 1.8-litre unit as before but with more power (115PS up from 114) and torque (163 Nm up from 158) for better performance, fuel economy and even CO₂

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emissions – the BIK banding for this version falls to just 18%.  The 2.0-litre CVT has gone, a victim of economics, to be replaced by a four speed automatic boxed 1.8-litre that’s not only much more affordable but also a lot less punishing on a company car driver’s pay packet – CO₂ emissions drop from 223 g/km to 199. 

Nissan has also been making advancements in dashboard design with a driver control layout first seen on last year’s new Primera which aims to reduce the ever increasing number of switches.  It’s called N-FORM and has since been incorporated into the Almera’s design.  Now it’s the Almera Tino’s turn.

A colour screen is used to display climate control, CD radio and trip computer information which are operated by 16 large and easy-to-understand switches mounted below.  Top-of-the-range models have DVD satellite navigation fitted as standard and this is operated through the same layout – the only change is that the display screen grows to 7 inches.  That same screen doubles as the rear parking camera display, as it does in the Primera.  The rest of the Almera Tino’s interior has also had something of a makeover with a much smarter look so it’s suited for any family occasion.  Or member.

Where there used to be six differently designated Almera Tino trim levels, now Nissan offers a simpler range of just three: S, SE and SVE.  The price jumps required to step around the range have also been rounded off.  Most affordable is the 1.8 S priced at £12,995; automatic transmission or the 2.2 dCi 112 engine would both add £1000 to this.  Prices rise by £95 over the outgoing versions but as well as all the mechanical and design upgrades described above, the S also gets more equipment.  Electronic climate control, a trip computer and a CD player to be precise.  Not a bad stash for £95.

Safety has always ranked high on the Almera Tino’s benefits list – the last time N-CAP tested crash tested compact MPVs, it came top with four stars.  Versatility has also been designed in with three individual rear seats that move or lift out into
24 different positions and enough storage areas for even the most spoilt child (or parent).  The SE version adds more of both. 

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Side airbags and active front headrests join the safety list while seat back tables and a storage drawer under the front passenger seat add more versatility.  Rather more enticing, though, are the SE’s rear parking camera, plusher seat fabric, rear electric windows, an electric tilt/slide sunroof and 15” alloy wheels.  All this for an extra £1000 over the S.  And for an extra £350 over the price of the 2.2 dCi 112 SE, the more powerful 136PS dCi engine is available.

But for the ultimate in compact MPV luxury, consider the Almera Tino SVE.  Available in 1.8-litre manual or automatic and both versions of the 2.2 dCi, it’s priced at £2000 more than the equivalent SE.  In return, Nissan adds DVD satellite navigation, 16” alloy wheels, leather rimmed steering wheel, front fog lamps, Electronic Stability Programme and leather/Alcantara seat trim which, being wipe-cleanable, is more family friendly than you might think.

All these revisions and not a mention yet of exterior styling changes.  That’s because you’d have to be very intimately acquainted with the Almera Tino to spot them.  The
S and SVE wheel designs are new, the badges are Nissan’s latest style, the colour range has been borrowed from the revised Almera, and the headlamp lenses have gone one-piece projector.  And that’s it.  After all, as far as these changes are concerned, it’s what’s inside that counts…  Note, optional (sick) buckets that fit into the rear floor storage compartments are a dealer fit accessory.

(ends)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Wayne Bruce              Head of PR                                         01923 899930

e-mail:                                     wayne.bruce@nissan.co.uk

Linda Robinson                       Senior Press Officer, Product Affairs 01923 899932

e-mail:                                     linda.robinson@nissan.co.uk

Gloria Maydew                        Senior Press Officer, Product Affairs 01923 899937

e-mail:                                     gloria.maydew@nissan.co.uk

All Nissan news releases and pictures can be downloaded from the Newspress website at http://www.newspress.co.uk

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