When was the last time you saw an all-new vehicle being tested on Philippine roads? While it may be more common to see a quick run or two of camouflaged vehicles running around the automotive city of Santa Rosa, Laguna, Nissan seems to be going the distance with a much-awaited new vehicle.
Gathering all the photos we could online, we pretty much surmise that Nissan’s doing some extensive work right in our own backyard (camouflaged, naturally). It’s surprising given no announcement about any possible local production of this SUV has been made, so why go through all this trouble?
Actually, this is something Nissan’s been doing for quite some time. For instance, their Navara pick-up truck has done testing in some of the most remote locations in the world. Before its launch in Europe for example, it’s crawled around the forests of Norway, the snowy flatlands of Sweden, the limestone mountains of Majorca, and the sand dunes of Morocco. Only when Nissan was satisfied was the Navara released for the European market.
Now, given the Philippines is one of the biggest markets in ASEAN for 7-seater mid-sized SUVs, Nissan probably wanted to make sure that they left no stone unturned. Although we could only guess how far they’ve gone around the main island of Luzon, based on the photos we gathered, they likely looped the Luzon portion of the Pan-Philippine Highway once. How long is that? A staggering 1,000-plus kilometers. Oh, and this doesn’t even include detours to places like the Paoay Sand Dunes and even a roadside gotohan.
Based on the set of photos, we could gather that the Terra (or whatever name Nissan settles down on) comes with a 360-degree Around View Monitor (as evidenced by the side mirror protrusions), the same 18-inch alloy wheels as the model that debuted in China, and integrated roof rails. The windshield cutout also indicates rain-sensing wipers and with that, automatic headlamps (LEDs) that go well with the LED daytime running lights and LED brake lights. The front fog lights do look like LEDs too. Oh, and it can’t enter Metro Manila on Mondays because it’s coding then (FOI 041).
Did you spot this Nissan SUV running around?
This will get hit with Train step 2 definitely.
ReplyDeleteMaganda ang kuha ng mga angles sa online pictures. Parang pang press release na halos.
ReplyDeleteMalamang may problema pa ang modelong ito... kung nailabas na to sa china dahil "pulido" na e dapat sabay na rin nilabas sa ibang merkado... kaso bakit hanggang ngayon sinusubok pa rin sya dito sa atin?
ReplyDeleteHindi lang tayo yung mahilig sa Mid-size suv pinapraoiridad nila ang mas mayamang bansa bago ibenta satin.Ginagawa lang nila to para magkaroon ng atensyon sa publiko itong kotse.
DeleteProbably for suspension tuning. Hope it comes soon considering Navara: Mercedes X class. Terra should be a good all rounder
ReplyDelete@2:33PM
ReplyDeleteProbably. Just like what the Australians do to every vehicle from I suppose every car manufacturer that plan to release there.
hindi dumaan sa ganyan katagal na testing sa pinas ang mitsu, toyo at ford
DeleteDoesn't matter what they do, these type of vehicles will stil have that 3rd world drive and ride quality.
ReplyDeleteBakit 1st world na ba tayo, ang mga daan natin, ang ugali ng mga drivers at pedestrians natin, ang traffic natin para mag 1st-world drive tulad ng mga Pilot or Highlander? Epal world ka.
DeleteCan't wait for this thing.I hope it's as good as my Fortuner if not better.Looks solid I bet it will have a resonable price.
ReplyDeleteAgree, and with a fold-flat 3rd row, unlike the Fortuner's hook to the sides. It's the only thing I hate with our Fortuner, aside from the rear drum brakes.
Deletemahina ang toyota sa design ng interior seats kaya hirap silang ipwesto ang 3rd row pag tiniklop. lahat halos ng modelo nilang may 3rd row ay ganito. etong nissan navarra naman sablay ang design ng manibela hindi kumportable sa trapik.
Deletenot a fan of fortuner, pero their models now are all disc brakes, wala na pong drum brakes. Yung mga unang modelo na lang po yun.
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