Nissan Sylphy Details, Photos and Videos

The Nissan Sylphy (previously until 2012 known as Nissan Bluebird 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.

Nissan launched the G10 or N16 series Bluebird Sylphy in August 2000 as replacement in the Japanese market for the Nissan Pulsar (N15), 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 (N16) 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 (B15).

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 (the Nissan Almera Tino or Nissan Tino) 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 (with the Nissan emblem moved onto the grille) and an all-new rear end with Teana (J31)-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 (G11 series) 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 Slyphy 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.

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 (imported from the UK). 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.

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 88 kW (118 hp) and 94 kW (126 hp). 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 (ABS) 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.

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.

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, (except in Chile where it was sold as a Samsung). 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.

The G11 series Bluebird Sylphy uses Nissan's B platform, and the model code is G11. This car was launched at the Tokyo Motor Show 2005.

In Japan, it replaced the Nissan Sunny (B15) 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 (Xtronic-CVT). 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 (2700 mm) and the biggest boot (504 L) 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. Pricing ranges between 143,800 and 214,800 yuan (20,710 to 30,930 USD).

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