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THEY say
looks can be deceiving. But if the eyes can’t lie, then
what could be more convincing than feeling the real
thing?
This is
exactly what the Nissan Grand Livina “Grand Drive”
meant.
Motoring
journalists were gathered by Nissan Motors Philippines
Inc. (NMPI) for a two-day event which showed what its
newest car can do. The Grand Livina, which is the latest
global car NMPI officially launched today at the One
Esplanade, is a crossover vehicle that links identity
crisis between a sedan and an MPV. Hence, the questions:
“Is it an MPV or a sedan?” and “Who can tell the
difference?”
Amazing
first impressions
The
steering wheel and pedals actually did the talking. At
the Grand Drive, which was held on May 22 and 23, the
media drove the Grand Livina in “family groups.” This
writer drove with BusinessMirror’s Rodel “Tito Rod”
Suarez and Chinese Commercial News’ Mon “Tito Mon”
Quiogue. To further emphasize the Livina as a
recreational car, each one played family roles in a
typical home, which was part of the “amazing race”
challenge.
We
started from Total Slex on the fuel economy run under
normal, mixed driving conditions all the way to Subic in
Zambales. It was Tito Mon who drove us through
Manila’s
potholes, infinite PUJ load-unload zones and tight
traffic that required flexible city car maneuverability.
Surprisingly, despite its wagon-like body, the Livina
managed the route really well, thanks to its responsive
driving dynamics.
The
eco-run concluded at Total Nlex. Our team had consumed
an estimated 15 km/l of unleaded gasoline, which is
dazzling considering a 106-km air-conditioned mixed,
city-highway drive in a four-speed automatic lifestyle
cruiser.
Means
business under the hood
Tito Rod
drove from Total Nlex to
Subic. Upon entering the SCTex in Mabalacat, we started throttling
for real. Considering its MPV-ness, the Livina’s DOHC
1.8-liter MR18DE engine allowed us to maintain an
average speed that nearly reached 200 kph. The
speedometer ticked past 180 kph at 5,000 rpm. Indeed,
the engine’s 126 hp and 174 Nm of torque with Nissan’s
Continuously Variable-valve Timing Control (CVTC) beheld
itself praiseworthy. Despite such speed, the Livina ran
smooth like a midsized sedan, proven by subtle ripples
in the bottled water in the armrest cup holder.
According to Nissan, the MR engine was tuned for
improved torque at low and middle engine speeds, with
minimal NVH, making the Livina a comfortable rider.
Rides to
emotions
Ending
Tito Rod’s Juan Pablo Montoya imitation was Subic’s
traffic laws. We then headed to Anvaya Cove over at the
beach shoreline. It was another challenge for the
Livina’s prowess. It comfortably rode like a touring car
as it handled the sharp curves of the mountain’s paved
trail, thanks to “Grand Ride” front and torsion beam
rear suspension and electric power steering. We headed
back to the Lighthouse for dinner and presentation of
the economy driving results.
Figures
did talk
On
paper, the Livina’s average fuel economy consumption is
14 to 17 km/l: Eco-run results were 26.43 km/l for the
manual transmission by Subic International Raceway’s
(SIR) Georges Ramirez and BusinessWorld’s Arcee
Estabillio and 14.98 km/l by C! Magazine’s Francis
Pallarco, Chris Van Hoven and Lucio Pua for the
automatic. The totally incredible fuel economy award
went to Dino Directo, Bam Olivarez and Gabby Quiambao,
who yielded a 47.7-km/l run.
The
second day was held at the SIR, where we further
experienced the Livina’s acceleration. This is an MPV
street racers should not mess with. For the acceleration
relay, the fastest time result was an incredible 47.29
seconds in an automatic transmission courtesy of
BusinessMirror’s Tet Andolong (driver) and passengers
Fort Manahan
and Bess Zamora of the Manila Times.
On our
shores at last
The
Grand Livina has officially entered the Philippine
market in its launching today. It will be offered in
three trims: entry-level XL Elite, midrange XL Luxury
and top-of-the-line XL Elegance. Starting price is
P848,000.00 for the Elite, which is the only one fitted
with a six-speed manual gearbox. Each comes standard
with seven-seating capacity, DOHC MR18DE CVTC engine,
15" wheels and “Grand Ride” suspension system. Safety
acronyms are available on select models.
Grand
indeed
Be it an
MPV for running errands or a sedan for simply enjoying a
ride, the Livina is good for everything one can imagine.
“The idea is to conceptualize a modern vehicle for the
new generation family,” explained Steven Hu, assistant
vice president of NMPI. As such, the Livina was truly
one MPV—be it lifestyle or track driving, for soccer
moms to throttleheads.
The
Grand Livina lived up to its name and scored well on
paper and in metal. This writer had a chance to push it
on the racetrack and can say that it really drives like
a sedan, definitely even better than a non-Nissan car
that this writer frequently drove on commutes. However,
even after sitting behind the wheel, this writer still
has no idea what to call it, especially when it has a
face resembling the Murano and a rear end reminiscent of
the Quest.
It has
the authentic drive of a sedan and the versatility of an
MPV. So, which is which?
Call it
whatever you like. It sure is grand. |
