2012 Nissan Sunny (Almera) To Launch In Malaysia For RM71K? (Update: Nissan Responded)

Edaran Tan Chong Motor, Nissan's Malaysia distributor, appears ready to bring in the 2012 Nissan Sunny, or Nissan Almera if we go by the B-segment sedan's official name in Thailand. And it should be a very competitive price starting from RM 71,000 if what a reader saw at the Tan Chong Motor showroom on Jalan Chan Sow Lin is the real deal.

More than just the tentative pricing were spied; the reader spotted an advertisement banner listing the Sunny in 1.5 automatic and 1.5 manual variants. A price point of RM 71K means that the 1.5 manual will undercut the Toyota Vios 1.5J manual, the cheapest variant of the Sunny's main rival. 

(UPDATE) Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd clarifies:

Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd (ETCM) hereby would like to clarify the contents of the ad are inaccurate and the posting of this ad is not officially authorised by ETCM. However, ETCM is pleased to see the overwhelming interest in Nissan Almera and we would like to thank all our Nissan fans for your enthusiastic support. Rest assured, ETCM will keep you informed soon. 

The 1.5-litre engine in question should be the HR15DE unit with 109 HP at 6000 rpm and 148 Nm at 4400 rpm, though that output may differ since the same engine in China produces 112 HP at 5600 rpm and 139 Nm at 4000 rpm. The transmission choices, Nissan's Xtronic CVT and a five-speed manual, should make it here unchanged.

Performance has never been the main selling point of its predecessor, the Latio sedan, which instead counted on its class-leading spaciousness thanks to a 2600 mm wheelbase. The Sunny should hold on to that reputation since it comes with an unchanged wheelbase. Headroom could however be compromised compared with the Latio, as the Sunny is lower by 35 mm, though the width stays the same at 1695 mm. Enjoy the 2012 Nissan Sunny official gallery below!