Nissan has just unveiled the all-new Serena in Japan, with a new appearance on the outside, and a myriad of fancy new tech inside. The all-new Nissan Serena will succeed the C27-generation model that has been around since 2016.
In Japan, the all-new model will be offered in a wide range of variants, including a new “Luxion” variant that seats atop the previously range-topping Premium Highway Star. Prices for the family MPV ranges between JPY2.8 million to JPY4.8 million (approx. RM90k-RM156k) in its home country.
Appearance wise, the design of the all-new Nissan Serena is really more of an evolution than a revolution. To be fair, though, there isn’t much room for Nissan to toy with, anyway, on a mostly square-ish MPV shape.
With that being said, the all-new C28-generation model does still manage to look refreshed and modernised, thanks to a new front fascia that somewhat looks like a family-friendly Transformer robot.
The latest reiteration of the signature Nissan V-motion grille up front sees a much wider grille aperture, with the headlights neatly integrated into the surrounding ‘V’ trim. The dramatic shape also influences the new front bumper design, where the triangular air breathers on both ends also double as daytime-running lights on certain variants.
As for the back, the vertical tail lights have also been redesigned to better integrate into the natural lines and ‘curves’ of the body silhouette, giving it a much cleaner appearance. The signature dual-opening split tailgate is also still retained here.
The cabin of the all-new Nissan Serena is also suitably refreshed and modernised, highlighted by the twin 12.3-inch displays on the dashboard (for the range-topping Luxion variant), replacing the old (and weird) two and a half screens set-up. The climate control panel has also been reworked, and the gear lever has also been jettisoned, replaced instead by a bank of buttons.
Despite the complete overhaul to its interior design, the all-new model still retains all of the Serena’s greatest hits, including the fully flat cabin floor, airline-style fold-down table, waterproof seats, and the improved ‘Zero Gravity’ seats for the first and second-row passengers – now enhanced with 120 mm more legroom for the driver.
In an effort to improve ride quality, Nissan has also fitted the all-new Serena with a reworked suspension system, with a 20% stiffer shocks and suspension set-up to better resist body roll.
The most significant change to the Serena, however, is actually found underneath its bonnet. Regular petrol powertrains are still available, but the previous S-Hybrid system has now been replaced by the newer e-Power series hybrid system. Similar to Honda’s e:HEV set-up, Nissan’s e-Power system also utilises an electric motor to drive the wheels, with the small engine running as a generator.
On the all-new Serena, the powertrain consists of a 1.4-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor, the latter making 163 hp and 315 Nm to drive the wheels. The e-Power system also returns an impressive fuel consumption figure of just 4.85 l/100km, based on the WLTC test cycle.
Also new on the latest C28-generation Nissan Serena is the ProPilot 2.0 advanced driver assistance suite, exclusive to the range-topping Luxion variant. The ProPilot 2.0 suite adds on several new autonomous features to the Nissan Serena, including hands-free driving above 40 km/h, as well as ProPilot Parking and ProPilot Remote Parking.
Other variants will still get the standard suite of ProPilot ADAS system, consisting of autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and a new collision avoidance steering assist system, which helps drivers autonomously steer out of potential dangers.
Intrigued? Well, don’t hold your breath for its launch here in Malaysia. With Edaran Tan Chong Motor only introducing the facelifted C27-generation Nissan Serena here on our shores earlier this year, we don’t expect to see the all-new C28-generation model here in Malaysia anytime soon.
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Keyword: All-new Nissan Serena revealed in Japan with Transformer-esque looks, e-Power hybrid