Surprise! Nissan Sunny diesel prices, tech specs revealed; Bookings start today

In what can be termed as a bolt out of the blue, Nissan today opened up bookings for the Sunny diesel model.  In an email received moments ago, Nissan shared the vehicle's spec sheet and press release describing the launch comprehensively. The car comes in two variants with a 1.5-liter CRDI engine paired to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Ex-showroom prices for Delhi for the Sunny diesel

• Rs 7,98,000 (XL) (1.1 lakh over the XL petrol variant)
• Rs 8,78,000 (XV) (1.1 lakh over the XV petrol variant)

It is powered by a 1.5-liter 4cylinder K9K diesel engine, borrowed from the Micra but produces a much better 86PS @ 3,750 RPM and 200 Nm @ 2000 rpm (IAB was bang on with the specification in our scoop post!). The mileage stands at an impressive 21.64 kmpl (ARAI certified). It is impressively spec-ed too with the both diesel variants equipped with ABS brakes, EBD, Brake Assist besides the driver side Airbag.

Nissan has sold about 3,000 examples of the three petrol variants and it looks like their strong performance in India will continue with the launch of the diesel Sunny.

Press Release - NISSAN LAUNCHES SUNNY DIESEL IN INDIA

- The new variants offer one of the best in class fuel efficiency and power –

Mumbai/Chennai, December 12, 2011: Nissan Motor India Private Ltd. (NMIPL) today opened the booking for the diesel variant of its hugely successful mid-sized sedan, the Nissan Sunny, in India. Available in two variants, the XL and the XV, the Sunny Diesel offers one of the best in class fuel efficiency and targets the fast growing demand for diesel cars in the Indian market.

Built on the global ‘V’ platform, the Sunny Diesel is competitively priced and will be available for Rs 7,98,000 (XL) and Rs 8,78,000 (XV), ex-showroom, New Delhi. Customers can now book the car at any of the 47 Nissan dealerships across the country.

The Sunny Diesel, a result of significant inputs from the Indian market and powered by the most notable K9K diesel engine to emerge from the Renault-Nissan alliance, has a fuel efficiency of 21.64 kmpl (ARAI certified) and is ideal both for a city drive as well as for exploring the countryside.

Built at the Nissan plant in Chennai, the diesel variant is powered by a modern 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder K9K engine that churns out 86PS of power @ 3750 rpm and a maximum torque of 200 Nm @ 2000 rpm, and five speed manual transmission. It is the first time Sunny is offered anywhere in the world with a K9K Diesel engine.

Mr. Kiminobu Tokuyama, Managing Director & CEO, Nissan Motor India Pvt. Ltd, said, “We are delighted to introduce the diesel variant of Sunny for the Indian market. At a time when Indian market is witnessing an increase in demand for diesel cars, Sunny Diesel with Nissan technology of high performance and fuel economy will be the right choice for our valued customers in their search for the most suitable sedan.”

Mr. G M Singh, Vice Chairman & MD, Hover Automotive India, Nissan’s Marketing & Sales partner said, “Introduction of Sunny is another major milestone in Nissan’s efforts to grow fast in the Indian market which is growing at much faster pace compared to many other parts of the world now. The fact that we are able to clock over 3000 sales for the Petrol Sunny so far reinforces our belief that Indian customers prefer Nissan’s products which are filled with innovation and excitement.”

Aimed at India’s fast-growing group of young professionals, the Sunny Diesel mirrors the petrol variant’s sophisticated style and roomy interiors. It is the second model after the Micra hatchback to use Nissan’s pre-eminent ‘V’ platform that carries advanced engineering to deliver a modern, light weight structure, that provides integral strength, robust ride refinement and dynamic on-road behavior.

The Sunny Diesel carries high levels of active and passive safety features and technology designed to enhance both the driving and ownership experience. The new variant is available in six colors – Bronze Grey, Blade Silver, Storm White, Sapphire Blue, Onyx Black and Brick Red – and is equipped with advanced safety features such as Anti-Lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Engine Immobilizer and Airbags.

Departing from the industry norm, Nissan has adopted a uniform pan-India pricing strategy, whereby the ex-showroom price of the Sunny Diesel will remain the same across all states. The only variations will be in terms of VAT, Entry Tax, Octroi and other local taxes levied by states/cities.

High on Style Quotient

The Sunny Diesel mirrors the petrol variant in style with sleek and dynamic proportions. Nissan’s signature grille dominates the front and is flanked by jewel-shaped headlights with discreet but elegant chrome touches. Wide opening doors offer better passenger ingress and egress while muscular haunches, stylish curves and a neat rear spoiler adds a sporty touch to the silhouette.

The diesel variant is 4425mm long with a 2600mm wheelbase that directly translates into roomy interiors. It offers rear-knee room that is on par with luxury sedans and gives passengers the opportunity to cross their legs in comfort. The large central armrest with cup holders adds a touch of luxury while the roomy 490 Liter trunk illuminated with a boot lamp provides loads of luggage space.

Independent front MacPherson struts with coil springs makes the ride smooth while the compact torsion beam rear axle further minimizes intrusion into the luggage area. Sub-frame mounted suspensions and anti-roll bars at both ends help reduce road noise and vibration. The long-travel suspension kits make the Sunny Diesel’s response much better to the most challenging of road surfaces.

Nissan Motor India Private Ltd, which launched the petrol variant of the Sunny last September, received wide appreciation from auto experts who viewed it as a best in class entry-level petrol sedan in India.