Nissan ALMERA TINO dCi RANGE
Common Rail Diesel Engines Have Found Their Way Into The Almera Tino
Mini MPV.
Nissan Have Also Taken The Opportunity To Give The Car A Subtle Freshen Up. By Andy Enright
Nissan is a company on the up. The design excellence of its latest Primera, Micra, X-Trail and 350Z models has resulted in a newfound confidence within the company, helped in no small part by a healthy injection of cash from
Renault. The Almera Tino mini MPV at first seems a little becalmed by this frenzied maelstrom of
smart design, but look a little closer and youll appreciate that Nissan have gone to great lengths to make this car one of the best in class. Unfortunately, the product development has gotten a little ahead of the marketing push.
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Right now, Nissans dCi diesel-engined versions of the Almera Tino might just be the best
mini-MPVs the British public never heard of.
Two engines are available, both of 2.2-litre capacity. Dont fall into the trap of mistaking them for Nissans old 2.2TD diesel these are vastly improved common-rail units, the entry-level version cranking out a healthy 112bhp while the more powerful engine generates no less than 136bhp, making it the most powerful diesel engine fitted to a mini-MPV to date.
As claims go, this oness not the most earth-shaking, granted, but then the Almera Tino is that sort of car, quietly impressive when you delve deeper but without the hook that nets big sales. Perhaps these diesel engines will rectify that situation a little. The 136bhp version is satisfyingly punchy through the gears, accelerating to 60mph in 10.3 seconds and yet still returns a scarcely credible 42.
8mpg. Opt for a little less power and the fuel goes even further, with nearly 45 miles being eked from each gallon of diesel oil. Prices start at £14,000 for the 112bhp S with SE and SVE trim levels retailing at £15,000 and £17,000 respectively. Plump instead for power and the six-speed 136bhp car opens at £15,350 in SE trim whilst the range topping SVE version still only costs a modest £17,350.
Compare those prices to an equivalent
Renault Scenic or
Vauxhall Zafira and you start to get some idea of the Tinos value proposition, making its slow take up all the more mystifying.
"Compare the prices to an equivalent Renault Scenic or Vauxhall Zafira and you start to get some idea of the Tinos value proposition "
The Tino has long offered one of the better mini-MPV driving experiences and the dCi diesel versions certainly dont detract from this reputation. Both are tractable from low revs with a broad spread of torque and good, if not class-leading, refinement. At motorway cruising speeds, the 136bhp car is barely registering above 2,000rpm in sixth gear, making it a very effective long distance tool. The handling is well up to snuff due to a relatively low centre of gravity, very stiff body and highly regarded QT multi-link beam axle suspension.
Its worth bearing in mind that keen handling often rates low on the priority lists of many mini-MPV customers. Versatility is the key and this
Nissan had better be up to the task in hand. At first glance, you might wonder. After all, there are only five seats in a market where other rivals offer six or even seven.
Like Renault, Nissan believe that most buyers dont want or need that many chairs (but have covered their bets by secretly developing a seven-
seat version just in case). Instead, theyve concentrated on getting better use out of the space available, rather than filling it with pews: its an approach that actually makes a lot of sense. The interior has been thoroughly updated in line with the Almera hatch. Like its smaller sibling, the Tino adopts a version of the Primeras N-FORM dashboard, with many of the minor controls being marshalled by a 16 big buttons and an LCD screen. The entry-level S version gets a 6-inch screen, the SE adds a rear parking camera to the equation whilst the range topping SVE versions monitor grows to seven inches and offers DVD satellite navigation.
Equipment levels have been given a welcome boost across the Tino range with even the entry-level car now getting electronic climate control, a trip computer and a CD-based stereo in return for a price increase of £95. Not bad business by anybodys standards. As well as the rear view camera, the SE adds plusher seat trim, rear electric windows, an electric tilt and slide sunroof and 15" alloy wheels. The SVE version adds the DVD navigation system, 16" alloys, a leather rimmed steering wheel, front fog lamps and wipe clean leather and Alcantara seats. An Electronic Stability Program is also fitted as standard. Side airbags and active front headrests have also been fitted, and seat back tables and a rear storage drawer under the front passenger seat add more versatility. Not that the Tino was in any way lacking in this regard.
As with other rivals, there are three individual rear seats, each with its own triple-point seatbelt (though only the outer two have Isofix child seat mounts). These seats are infinitely flexible, with no fewer than 24 different positioning configurations. They can of course be removed and/or folded forward, which in the case of the middle seat means you instantly create a picnic/activity table, with two cupholders and a ribbed section to hold pencils and crayons. Alternatively, you can slide them backwards and forwards on runners that allow 90mm of travel with the centre seat in place and 200mm without.
With kids in the back, you can push them right forwards to create a huge luggage area: with adults however, you might wish to slide them right back for extra legroom and that mini-Limo feel. With only two rear passengers, that feeling could be further enhanced by taking the middle seat out completely and moving the two outer chairs inwards by six inches. For valuables, theres a covered compartment under the boot floor big enough for a handbag. Nissans attention to detail even extends to optional sick buckets that fit into the rear floor storage compartments for kids who dont travel very well.
Despite the excellence of the diesel engines and the thoughtful changes Nissan have made to the Tino interior, its doubtful if that will be enough to propel this engaging mini-MPV onto the class podium. Nissan are realistic about the cars prospects and cite modest targets for the Almera Tino dCi. Those that do take the plunge will end up with a very capable and very undersold car.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Nissan Almera Tino dCi range
PRICE: £14,000-£17,350 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUPS: 6-8
CO2 EMISSIONS: 175-181g/km
PERFORMANCE: [2.2dCi 136] 0-60mph 10.3s / Max Speed 116mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: [2.2dCi 112] (extra-urban) 53.3mpg/ (combined) 44.8mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front and side airbags, ABS WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE: length/width/heightmm 4264/1758/1608mm
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