What's all this about?
Nissan is going to give a shot in the arm to its underwhelming C-segment hatchback, the Pulsar.
Why is it underwhelming?
Have you driven one? It's safe, predictable motoring by the numbers and nothing like as nice as a Qashqai. Hopefully, the addition of the 1.6-litre DIG-T engine with 190hp will change things.
Has Nissan done anything else to the Pulsar?
Yes, there are styling, suspension and chassis upgrades to make it sportier. Returning to the engine for now, it makes 240Nm from 2,000- to 4,000rpm, meaning an impressive 0-62mph time of 7.7 seconds (given it's a sub-200hp machine). Nissan says it has engineered it to 'provide exceptional responses at low engine speeds'. Not only that, but given it is an example of a downsized engine (i.e., it provides the power of a traditional 2.0-litre engine from less swept capacity), Nissan also says it delivers 49.5mpg and CO2 emissions from as little as 134g/km (depending on which alloy wheels are fitted).
OK, that's the straight-line stuff covered. What about the chassis?
This could be the key area that transforms the Pulsar from disappointing to decent - given it has a lower centre-of-gravity than a Qashqai to allow it to be a capable performance machine. The power steering has been retuned to give more direct feedback and quicker responses, while front spring and damper settings have been revised with increased stiffness and spring length - this is aimed to improve body control without sacrificing ride comfort. The Pulsar DIG-T 190's torsional rigidity is also beefed up with additional bodyshell reinforcements. New rear dampers and wider 18-inch wheels (spec depending) are the final touches.
Crikey, they've gone to town on it. Anything else to add dynamically?
The ESP stability control has been altered, the gearbox gets shorter gearing for sharper acceleration and the engine uses low friction technologies and cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) to help deliver its grunt.
Right, I'm interested. What about the styling?
Pulsar DIG-T 190s can be had in three trim levels: Acenta, n-tec and Tekna. All get bespoke alloy wheels (17s as standard on the first two, with the aforementioned 18s on the Tekna) in a diamond-cut, two-tone black and silver finish, unique headlamps with black bezels and a chrome exhaust finisher at the back. Inside, the DIG-T gets special trim that runs the width of the dashboard and white stitching on the three-spoke steering wheel and leather seats (Tekna models only).
And the price of all this?
Available to order right now, the Nissan Pulsar DIG-T 190 is priced from £19,645. Let's hope the on-paper goodness translates into reality.
Matt Robinson - 20 Mar 2015
