A new rival for the Ford Focus and
Vauxhall Astra
The Nissan Pulsar is a new family car that
will fight for sales with the Ford Focus, Kia Ceed and Vauxhall Astra. Nissan
claims it will beat its rivals because it has superior rear space, more
striking styling and class-leading technology that is fitted as standard –
ingredients that it believes are also behind the smash-hit sales success of our
reigning Car of the Year, the Nissan Qashqai.
Integral
to its elegant, sporty style are a statement rear spoiler, racy contours, LED
stop lamps, razor indicator lights, front fog lights that help cut glare and
illuminate the road in challenging weather conditions and under car protectors
that not only add to the premium styling but advanced aerodynamic design.
What is it?
The Pulsar marks Nissan’s return to a small
family hatchback market it has been absent from since it stopped selling the
Nissan Almera back in 2006. The firm subsequently launched the Qashqai, but is
now trying to lure buyers in the conventional hatchback market.
‘By stepping back from building
conventional hatchbacks we were able to see the market from a distance, and
make decisions more clearly,’ marketing manager Andrew Limbert explained ‘All
the while we’ve learned from the Qashqai and Juke, and the lessons from those
cars about what customers want and expect have really informed where we’ve gone
with the Pulsar.’
The car’s styling draws cues from the
Qashqai and Juke SUVs, such as the ‘boomerang’ rear headlights. ‘Just because
the small hatchback class is traditionally seen as more conservative, it
doesn’t mean the car can’t be exciting or innovative,’ says Limbert. ‘A buyer
is investing emotion as well as money in buying the car, and we want to do
things that can represent that excitement.’
What’s under the bonnet?
The Pulsar will come with a choice of two
engines at launch: a 108bhp 1.5-litre diesel and a 113bhp turbocharged 1.2-litre
petrol. As in the Qashqai, the diesel will have CO2 emissions of less than
95g/km, although Nissan has yet to reveal specific figures.
A 187bhp 1.6 petrol will join the range in
early 2015. All three engines will be offered with a six-speed manual gearbox
or an Xtronic CVT automatic.
What comes as standard?
As has become a Nissan hallmark, even
entry-level Visia trim is well equipped, and comes with 16-inch alloys,
Bluetooth, cruise control, air-con, and steering wheel audio controls. Acenta
specification adds dual-zone climate control and a leather steering wheel and
gear lever. It also has automatic lights and wipers, emergency braking and
keyless entry.
The
Pulsar SSS takes the tech to an all new level with Intelligent Key and Push
Button Start/Stop, Bluetooth® audio streaming, rear-reversing camera and fully
integrated Satellite Navigation with a 5.8" colour touch screen with ECO
route that configures the navigations system to look for the most fuel
efficient route to follow.
N-tec specification gets upgrades such as
17-inch alloys and LED daytime running lights. A reversing camera and Nissan’s
Connect2 infotainment and sat-nav system are also standard. Range-topping Tekna
cars have leather upholstery and heated front seats, Nissan’s Around View Monitor
camera system, plus safety kit such as lane-departure warning and blind spot
monitors.
‘Nissan stands for making technology
accessible, and we want to really push that with Pulsar,’ says Limbert. ‘A lot
of the technology we are offering is innovative, and a lot of it isn’t
available for the low prices we are charging. We like to think we are
democratising technology.’
What’s it like inside?
The Pulsar is claimed to have the longest
wheelbase of any car in its class at 270cm (6cm more than a Focus), yet is no
less compact than most rivals at 438.5cm (2.7cm longer than a Focus). Nissan
claims this makes it spacious inside, but still easy to park and manoeuvre.
‘The rear space is the equal of most cars
from the class above,’ says Limbert. ‘We’ve achieved that without compromising
the front seat space or boot – both of which are good for the class – or making
the size of the Pulsar any greater than the likes of the Ford Focus or VW
Golf.’
What will it be like to drive?
We expect it won’t stray too far from the
Qashqai’s successful formula of being predictable and involving, without being
especially exciting. Limbert believes the handling balance will err towards
comfort over driver engagement.
The
SSS Nissan Pulsar Hatch combines the above features with stunning 17-inch
alloys, front, side and rear lower body skirts for that extra-sleek and
super-slinky low look.
‘It’s about finding a balance, and we hope
to have given the Pulsar the inherent Nissan character of being pleasing to
drive,’ he said, ‘with a slight bias towards comfort over sportiness.’
How much will it cost?
The Pulsar goes on sale this October, from $26,500.
Although we haven’t got firm Target Price data, we’ve already found initial
broker discounts of around $2,800 on pre-ordered cars.
