Nissan Sylphy


The Nissan Sylphy is a compact car, produced by the Japanese car maker Nissan, as the successor to the Nissan Pulsar. Built since 2000 and currently in its third generation, the second generation is still manufactured for certain markets. Sylphy has also been marketed in export markets under several other model names, including Pulsar and Sentra.
The initial Bluebird Sylphy nameplate was a continuation for the larger Nissan Bluebird which was phased out in 2001. It was renamed the Nissan Sylphy in 2012.

First generation (G10, N16, 2000)

Nissan launched the G10 or N16 series Bluebird Sylphy in August 2000 as replacement in the Japanese market for the Nissan Pulsar, and it was exclusive to Japanese dealerships called Nissan Blue Stage. The model code of "G10" used in Japan differed from most other markets which retained the legacy N-series naming scheme inherited from the Pulsar. The change in name from Pulsar to Bluebird Sylphy in Japan came about as Nissan was about to phase out the long-running Bluebird, and this kept the old name alive. Export markets received this same vehicle under a myriad of alternative names: Almera in Europe and Brunei; Pulsar in Australasia; Sentra in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan; plus Sunny in Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Sri Lanka and the Middle East. It was not available in North America; instead, there was the Sunny-based Nissan Sentra.
Bluebird Sylphy was made available in a single body style, a luxuriously equipped small four-door sedan. The factory in the UK also manufactured three- and five-door hatchback versions—with limited exports outside of Europe. These European models featured slightly different frontal styling—a unique grille, bonnet and bumper accommodated the headlamp design shared with Japanese models. Some European markets also received the sedan model, which featured the same frontal styling as the hatchbacks.
The new platform spawned a compact MPV version for the first time. The Nissan Wingroad continued to be sold as the Pulsar wagon or Almera Traveller in many countries.
The original release Bluebird Sylphy had a vertical chrome grille with Nissan emblem on the bonnet. In February 2003, the Bluebird Sylphy received minor changes with a revised grille and an all-new rear end with Teana -inspired tail lights. This update also applied to the Sunny and Sentra models in Southeast Asia. Australian Pulsar sedans received the same update, although a horizontally-stated grille featured instead.
In October 2005, the second generation Nissan Bluebird Sylphy was previewed at the Tokyo Motor Show. In Japan, the Nissan Tiida hatchback and Tiida Latio sedan replaced also replaced the G10/N16 range, particularly in export markets where the G11 was not offered.
Although the release of the G11 series Sylphy and Tiida signified the withdrawal of the G10/N16 from many markets, it was facelifted for an October 2005 release as a budget model to sit beneath the G11 Sylphy and Tiida in Southeast Asian markets such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. This more substantial front-end facelift allowed for the fitment of reshaped headlamps, a revised front bumper and fenders, and a new grille and bonnet.

Regions

Asia

In Japan, the Nissan Revival Plan was implemented, and saw the reorganization of Nissan's Japanese dealership network, introducing Nissan Red Stage as the sole provider of all Sunny/Pulsar vehicle platforms formerly available at Nissan Satio/Nissan Cherry/Nissan Prince locations. Engine choices consisted of the 1.5- QG15DE, 1.6- QG16DE, 1.8- QG18DE, and the 2.0-litre QR20DD. A five-speed manual transmission is only available for the 1.5-litre, the other models featuring a four-speed automatic transmission with the 2.0l motor mated to a CVT. The four-wheel drive version was only offered with the 1.8-litre model.
In Thailand, where the Sunny name was used, alongside the sedan, the five-door was also sold. Consequently, each body style has a different front end. China, Singapore and Sri Lanka also received the sedan model only under the Sunny name. In China, it was produced by the Dongfeng Motor Company, a joint venture with Nissan.
In Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan, the Bluebird Sylphy is sold as the Nissan Sentra. For Indonesia, Nissan sold the Sentra between 2002 and 2004 in small numbers for private buyers in a single trim level, the 1.8 Super Saloon. It featured standard ABS, dual airbags, leather interior, and CD player with MP3. The facelifted model N16, the Sunny Neo was powered by the 1.6-litre engine was and intended for taxi use only.
After the Japanese production ended in 2005, the N16 maintained in production in Malaysia and the Philippines as the Sentra—albeit, sporting new front-end styling treatment. The models for Malaysia are SG and SG-L, with the choice of Comfort or Luxury Package. The Sunny continued to be offered in Singapore until 2009 in the following trim levels: EX Saloon, Super Saloon, and Luxury Edition. Exclusive for the local market, the Malaysian-built N16 was made available until 2014 as the Sentra Sport 1.6 in Comfort and Luxury trim levels. It is unrelated to the North American Sentra.

Australia

In Australia and New Zealand, Nissan continued to use the Pulsar name for the N16 series. The four-door sedan sourced from Japan and the five-door hatchback from the UK were offered. Consequently, each body style has a different front end.
Trim levels were LX, ST, Q and Ti. Engine choices consisted of the 1.6- and 1.8-litre petrols. Power output was and. The four-door was available in four trim levels—an LX with the 1.6, the ST and Ti with the 1.8-litre engine as standard, and a Q version with the 1.8-litre and a sportier level of trim, including a rear spoiler and alloy wheels. In the five-door range there was no LX version. Nissan launched the hatchback model with the ST trim level and a sporty Q version. As such, all hatches were 1.8-litre powered. The base-model LX sedan came with a driver's airbag, air-conditioning, remote locking and power mirrors, although no anti-lock brakes or power windows were offered. The ST five-door gained an extra front airbag, whereas the four-door model did not have one as standard. In Ti form, the four-door gained both front airbags, ABS, climate control air-conditioning, alloy wheels and power windows. The Q model was similar to the Ti four-door, although there were slight discrepancies between the sedan and hatch, with the latter version having an extra air-bag and 15-inch alloy wheels versus the 14-inch alloys on the sedan.

Europe

For the European market, Nissan sold the N16 series as the second generation Nissan Almera from 2000. Produced in the United Kingdom, the Almera range comprised three- and five-door hatchbacks and the less common sedan. Compared to other markets, the European-manufactured cars featured unique frontal styling—while the headlamps remained common with Japanese models—a restyled grille, bonnet, and bumper did feature. A facelift was released in 2003, with production continuing until the Almera's demise in 2006.

Renault Samsung SM3

Since 2006, a derivative of the Bluebird Sylphy, the Renault Samsung SM3 was sold in Ukraine and Russia as the Nissan Almera Classic. The same year, the car was launched in Central and South America as Nissan Almera,. Also since 2007, the Renault Samsung SM3 is sold as the Nissan Sunny in the Middle East, with a solitary trim that comes with a 1.5-litre engine. The Samsung SM3 is also sold as the Renault Scala in Mexico, Egypt and Colombia.

Second generation (G11, 2005)

The G11 series Bluebird Sylphy uses Nissan's B platform, and the model code is G11. This car was launched at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show.
In Japan, it replaced the Nissan Sunny and the previous Bluebird Sylphy as Nissan's compact sedan. The Nissan Bluebird Sylphy uses the same engine as the Nissan Tiida/Versa/Latio, which is the HR15DE 1.5 L engine and a whole new MR20DE 2.0 L engine. The 2.0 L version of Nissan Bluebird Sylphy uses Nissan's Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission. This combination results in smooth and powerful acceleration combined with the fuel economy of a 1.8 L engine.
The Sylphy has the most spacious interior space due to its enlarged wheelbase and the biggest boot in its class. The rear legroom almost matches that of the Nissan Teana and Toyota Camry.
Starting from 2008, the Bluebird Sylphy is also available for the export market, as the Nissan Sylphy. The Sylphy has been sold in China since 2006 under the Sylphy Classic name or 日产轩逸经典 in Chinese. In terms of styling, the Chinese variant has amber turn signals on the front compared to clear ones sold in international markets. The rear was the same style as international variants until 2008 where it was given a facelift for 2009. The rear was given new taillights as well as an extra foglamp on the bottom of the rear bumper. Trim levels consisted of the 1.6XE, 2.0XE, 2.0XL, 2.0XV and 2.0XV Navi. Engine and gearbox options consisted of the 1.6 litre HR16DE and the 2.0 litre MR20DE paired to a 5 speed manual, 4 speed automatic or CVT gearbox.
Some Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Taiwan have also sold the Sylphy. The Yulon Motor Company of Taiwan is manufacturing the Bluebird Sylphy as the Nissan Bluebird.
In Malaysia, the G11 Sylphy was launched in June 2008. Two variants were offered: Comfort and Luxury. Both variants were powered by Nissan's MR20DE engine paired to a CVT. In June 2009, 'Tuned by Impul' accessories were made available and consisted of a front grille, front and rear lips, side skirts, a rear wing spoiler, suspension and alloy wheels. In January 2010, a new variant dubbed 'Luxury Navi Package' offered navigation and a reverse camera. In March 2012, the facelift G11 Sylphy was launched in Malaysia and was available with three variants: 2.0 XL Comfort and 2.0 XL Luxury and 2.0 XV Premium. In June 2012, revised 'Tuned by Impul' accessories were launched.
In Russia, the Bluebird Sylphy was available between 2012 and 2018 as the Nissan Almera. The production started in fall of 2012 in the AvtoVAZ plant in Tolyatti. The car is available with the 1.6-liter engine and five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission.
Pre-facelift styling
Post-facelift styling

Third generation (B17, 2012)

The 2013 Nissan Sylphy was revealed at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show. The design of the car is based on aerodynamic and premium design with LED-bordered headlamps, LED tail lamps, sharp angled trunk lid and chrome trim and featuring large interior space and class leading trunk. It also features an intelligent key with push start button and a dual-zone climate control in certain markets. This model was envisioned to debut in over 120 countries around the world by 2014.

Regions

Japan

In Japan, Nissan Sylphy debuted on 5 December 2012, and built at the Oppama plant in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture. The "Bluebird" nameplate was dropped from "Bluebird Sylphy".

Africa

In South Africa, the B17 is called Nissan Sentra and comes in Acenta trim only, with 1.6-liter engine and five-speed manual or CVT automatic.

Asia

In China, the Sylphy is available with HR16DE 1.6-liter or MRA8DE 1.8-liter engine with a five-speed manual or CVT transmission. The equipment levels are 1.6 XE, 1.6 XL, 1.8 XE, 1.8 XL, and 1.8 XV; pricing is from around RMB119,000 to 169,000. As of 2018, an electric version was available for the Chinese market, featuring a slightly revised front and rear end design.
An all-electric Sylphy EV version is due for China only in 2018.
In Thailand, the second country to get the Sylphy, the car uses same engines as Chinese market version but the power is reduced somewhat. The Thai lineup consists of 1.6 S, 1.6 E, 1.6 V, and 1.8 V, all with standard features like air conditioner, CD player, electric windows and electrically adjustable and folding mirrors, with dual airbags across the range. There is a navigation option for the 1.8 V and dual zone climate control with rear air ventilation. The sales target is 20,000 units per year. Nissan also confirmed that they would be exporting Sylphys to the Australian and Middle Eastern markets in December 2012 or January 2013.
On 15 October 2015, Nissan Thailand introduced the MR16DDT into the Sylphy lineup during a mid-model refresh. Producing 140 kW/240 N⋅m, the MR16DDT is a direct injection, turbo petrol engine able to run on 95 or 91 RON, E10. Additionally, trim lines were reduced from eight to seven: 1.6 S, 1.6, E, 1.6 V. 1.6 SV, 1.8 V, 1.8SV, 1.6 DIG Turbo. Cruise control and NissanConnect were added to the trim options.
In the Philippines, The Nissan Sylphy unveiled on 7 March 2014, shortly after the Nissan press event, alongside the Nissan Altima mid-size sedan. The Sylphy, replacing the N16 Sentra, comes in white, black, gray, silver, and bronze.
The B17 Nissan Sylphy was launched in Singapore in March 2013 where two variants were offered: 1.6 and 1.8. Over 5 years later, the Sylphy was updated in Singapore. Changes include a new grille, front and rear accented lights and the use of glass black plastic for interior trim. The two variants now offered are: 1.6 Lite and 1.6 Premium. The facelifted Sylphy was launched on 10 January 2019 at the Singapore Motorshow with restyled headlamps similar to the Taiwanese Sentra.
On 29 April 2014, the Sylphy has made its debut in Malaysia. Safety features such as 6 SRS airbags, VDC, TCS, ABS, EBD and BA were standard. There are two variants available in the market, 1.8E and the more luxurious 1.8VL. These are complete built unit from Thailand. In August 2014, 'Impul' accessories became available and consisted of a bodykit, lowered suspension, wheels and tyres. The Sylphy has since been discontinued in Malaysia as evidence from the absence of the Sylphy from official price lists and absence from Nissan's Malaysia official site.
In the Middle East, it's called Nissan Sentra and available with 1.6- and 1.8-litre engines.

Australia

The Nissan Pulsar nameplate returned to the Australian and New Zealand markets on 28 February 2013. Announced at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney in October 2012 and available in three trim levels: ST, ST-L, and Ti. Manual and CVT automatic transmissions are available. All models feature six airbags, alloy wheels, Bluetooth and cruise control; the ST-L gets added leather gear shift and steering wheel, fog lamps, and a rear spoiler while the Ti adds Xenon headlamps, leather seats, dual-zone climate control, satellite navigation, and rear view camera. Pricing started from AU$19,990 in ST manual to AU$28,990 in Ti and sales started in February 2013.
A five-door Pulsar hatchback was added later in 2013, but this is based on the Nissan Tiida.

North America

Nissan unveiled the seventh generation Sentra in North America in August 2012 for the 2013 model year. It is the third region to get the B17 Sylphy model after China and Thailand. The new Sentra is completely redesigned inside and out, with styling upscaled to look more similar to Nissan's other sedans, the Altima and Maxima including LED taillights, LED accents in the headlights, and a new navigation and electronics system.
It is longer than the previous generation Sentra by 2.3in, with a 0.6in longer wheelbase, but 150 lb lighter than its predecessor. The new MRA8DE 1.8-liter 16-valve DOHC inline-four is offered for better fuel economy than the previous model, ratings are 30 city/39 highway. The engine output returns and of torque. It provides less power than the outgoing Sentra, but due to a new platform, it is 150 lbs lighter in weight. It is also offered with a 1.6 turbo engine borrowed from the Juke making 188 hp and mated with 6-speed manual or CVT transmission, and return combined 34mpg EPA fuel economy. The FE+ version available in S and SL models can returns 40mpg highway.
Similar to the outgoing model, the new Sentra is offered in S, FE+ S, SV, FE+ SV, SR, SR Turbo, SL and NISMO trim levels. All trims will be equipped with a reworked CVT except the base S model, which has an optional six-speed manual transmission. There is no SE-R or SE-R Spec V version of this model. The SR is the sporting model, come with rear spoiler, 17" alloy wheels and silver trim. Satellite navigation, intelligent key with start button, and dual-zone climate control are available in high spec models.
In Canada, the only trim levels are S and SV; SL and SR models are options for SV models. Air conditioning is an option in both S and SV models. Pricing starts from CA$14,848.
The Sentra is built at Nissan's Canton, Mississippi plant since December 2012. However, early units were built in Mexico.
2014
Enhancements for 2014 include:
For the 2016 model year, the Sentra received a facelift including new front and rear bumpers, lights, hood, trunk and wheels to closer resemble the Maxima and Altima. The 2016 Nissan Sentra is offered in five models: S, FE+ S, SV, SR and SL, with only the S available with manual transmission. Key features of the 2016 Sentra exterior include a new front fascia, grille, fenders, hood and signature boomerang-shaped headlights. On the Sentra SR and SL, new LED low-beam headlights with LED DRLs are offered. There are also two new 17-inch wheel designs for SR and SL grades, as well as a new SV 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheel design. New for 2016 is one exterior color, Blue Pearl.
There is a new steering wheel, available six-way power driver's seat with power lumbar, a new center cluster design, a new console and shifter knob, and improved seat fabrics. It also has NissanConnect which is standard on SV and SR grades.
2017
For the 2017 model year, the Nissan Sentra received two new trim levels called SR Turbo and NISMO. They feature the MR16DDT. They were the first turbocharged Sentras ever offered by Nissan in the North American market. The NISMO model gets a lowered performance-tuned suspension, racing seats, LED taillights, red interior trim as well as a NISMO specific body kit with bumper equipped LED DRLs and NISMO wheels.

South America

In Brazil, the B17 is called as Nissan Sentra and comes with the 2.0-liter MR20DE flex-fuel engine, the same used in the previous Sentra model due to market demands. The model exported and sold in Brazil is built in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
In Trinidad and Tobago, the B17 is called the Nissan Sentra. It is sold and serviced by Massy Motors, the dealership chain for the Nissan brand locally.

Russia

Nissan Sentra debuted in Russian market in 2014. The car is powered with 1.6 engine fitted with 5-speed manual or CVT. Sentra for Russian market is locally built in Izhevsk.

2018 Taiwanese Sentra facelift

In the Taiwanese market, the B17 Nissan Sentra has not been facelifted apart from receiving a sportier variant called the Sentra Aero in 2014. The B17 Sentra was finally updated with the V motion front fascia in November 2017 for the 2018 model year, but the facelift was a version exclusive to the Taiwanese market conducted by Yulon Motors, the manufacturer of Nissan products in Taiwan. The facelift preserves the pre-facelift front fenders and hood with only the headlights and front bumper redesigned to save cost. The rest of the vehicle is inline with the international 2016 facelift versions, including new alloys, new taillights and new rear bumpers.

Fourth generation (B18, 2019)

The fourth generation Sylphy was unveiled on 16 April 2019 at the 18th Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition. It was also unveiled as the Sentra at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show.
The 2.0 L MR20DE replaces the 1.8 L MR18DE engine from the previous generation and will not offer a manual transmission option in North America. The 1.6 L HR16DE is still available in some European and Asian markets. An independent rear suspension replaces the torsion beam rear suspension found in the past three generation Sylphy/Sentra's.

North America

Nissan unveiled the eighth generation Sentra for the North American market at the LA auto Show in November 2019. It is powered by a naturally aspirated, 2.0-litre MR20DE inline four-cylinder gasoline engine, producing and of torque, along with a standard Nissan X-Tronic Continuously Variable Transmission. No manual transmission option is offered. There is three trim levels of the 2020 Sentra: base S, midlevel SV, and range-topping SR. The base S is equipped with standard features such as such as push-button ignition and sixteen-inch tires and steel wheels with full wheel covers. The SV adds features such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, sixteen-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, a six-speaker audio system, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, dual-zone automatic climate controls, Intelligent Cruise Control, and an upgraded cloth interior. The SR adds features such as eighteen-inch tires and aluminum-alloy wheels, a dark chrome "V-Motion 2.0" front grille, LED headlamps and daytime running lamps, LED front fog lamps, a sport cloth interior with orange stitching, a rear spoiler, and lower body sill side extensions. The Nissan Safety Shield 360 system of driver assistance technologies come as standard equipment on every Sentra trim levels. The 2020 Sentra went on sale in the United States in late January 2020.

Sales