New Mitsuoka Galue (L33)

2016 Mitsuoka Galue

In the tradition of Mitsuoka kitting out modern Japanese cars with exterior cues similar to classic British luxury cars, the small Japanese carmaker has introduced us to the new Galue, which is now based on the current-generation Nissan Teana/Altima L33 midsize saloon. Because the previous model is usually a Teana in a Rolls-Royce suit, this new model is still a Teana in a Rolls-Royce suit while featuring some bits and bobs from the Teana L33.

2016 Mitsuoka Galue

There's no need to explain why this is basically a Nissan Teana L33 with some Rolls-Royce-inspired front and back like most Mitsuokas had for their so-called exclusivity because this is basically a Nissan Teana L33 in a Rolls Royce getup. And before I'm going to say it again and again before someone gets bored, the new Galue has some of the Teana's bits and bobs such as high-tensile steel and aluminum bodywork, three-spoke steering wheel, larger front door pockets, a higher dashboard, new instrumental panel, and a reclining front passenger seat.

2016 Mitsuoka Galue interior

2016 Mitsuoka Galue interior

The new Galue, like the Teana is based on, a QR25DE 4-cylinder, in-line, 16V engine with a Twin C-VTC system, which takes care of the intake and exhaust valves for added efficiency, and clean combustion, and is economical. It produces about a measly 170PS of power output and 245Nm of torque, connected to a new-generation XTRONIC CVT gearbox.

Because it's a million yen more than the Teana it's based on, the new Galue from Mitsuoka starts from 3,866,400 up to 4,644,000 Yen. That sounds a lot for a faux Rolls Royce but if you want your new Teana L33 to be more "exclusive" than the average Teana L33, book one of these and see if your next dinner date will turn out.

Available Colors: Waterfall Blue, Radiant Red, Diamond Black, Dark Metal Grey, Brilliant Silver, and Brilliant White Pearl.

Photo: Mitsuoka Motor Co., Ltd.

Nissan Teana L33

2014 Nissan Teana

After six years at last, the Nissan Teana is now on its third-generation, and unlike its predecessors, the new Teana stays true to being a car as relaxing as a day off at a hot spring. This isn't what you are really supposed to be because even though this is an all-new model, the new model looks suspiciously familiar...

What's so familiar about it?

Beginning in the chassis code; it seems that Nissan no longer does the J thing and instead gave it the L letter so for this third-generation Teana, it's now labeled as L33. Not J33 as previously foretold, it's L33. It's a similar case we looked at on the Nissan Sylphy two years ago when at first glance, it should be coded G12 but instead, TB17 is the codename for the Sylphy. What's going on with those twists in the Nissan archives? There's got to be some conspiracy going on around here as to why full model changes now come with totally different chassis codes but this is no time for debunking stuff. I'm here to check out what's going on with the new Teana.

But hey, the new Teana kinda looks like...

I know, the new Teana is now an international-class midsize car, and by the looks of it, the new Teana is now a lot like North America's Nissan Altima, again in L33 chassis code, so for the first time in Teana history, it now rose into international status. Last year, it was launched in China and Thailand as well as Australia so by no means a coincidence, it tries to capture a much broader audience much the same thing as the X-TRAIL T32 crossover. Think of it like Nissan's idea of the "One Ford" approach, except this isn't Ford. Sorry...

Okay then, so what to expect?

2014 Nissan Teana

Because it was inspired by North America's Altima, the brand new Teana is beautiful to look at and as similar looking as its little brother, the Nissan Sylphy B17. Even though it's bigger than the old J32 six years ago, the new L33 Teana now weighs 10kg less thanks to extensive use of high-tensile steel and aluminum. Quite an improvement as such but seems so irrelevant to me.

The interior?

2014 Nissan Teana interior

2014 Nissan Teana interior

Speaking of the interior, the new Teana L33 is now well-civilized. There are numerous changes occurred such as the steering wheel, which is now three-spoke, a higher dashboard, front door pockets are now larger than the old one and now more usable, and the instrumental panel now comes with a screen display that displays lane departure and blind spot visual alerts.

Seating in one of these, though, and you might have the same experience as what you expect from European saloons. Why am I not surprised? If that wasn't enough, the trademark reclining front passenger seat, as what you get from previous models, stays because having this kind of seat is a trademark of the Teana's omotenashi trait. It tries to be a hospitable saloon and because it focused on being a comfortable car, feels like my mind's getting chilled now. The same experience as you expect from a groin massage or relaxing in the bathtub.

Is it mellow?

Mellow? What do you mean mellow? Well, it can be a lot too mellow for me but the new Teana comes with a multi-link suspension and MacPherson strut independent front suspension with a stabilizer steel bar and rebound spring. This means this new suspension system is capable of having a smoother ride, enhanced stability, and good traction. Wow, looks like Nissan is truly on a roll now, the new Teana L33 wants to be on par with its European rivals such as the VW Passat and the Peugeot 508.

What about performance?

Uh...you know what? You might wanna look away now because, for the new Teana L33, the only engine available is an updated QR25DE 4-cylinder, in-line, 16V engine with a Twin C-VTC system, which takes care of the intake and exhaust valves for added efficiency, clean combustion, and economical. It produces about a measly 170PS of power output and 245Nm of torque, connected to a new-generation XTRONIC CVT gearbox. I know CVTs can make a car boring but for the Teana L33, it matches the vehicle speed instead of closely, but you do get a little bit of a "rubber-band" trait.

With this powertrain, the fuel economy is a moderate 14.4km/L, as calculated by Japan's JC08 Mode standards. Quite a small improvement there, but an insider has told me that there's going to be a hybrid model in the works. That's too early to tell but a normal 2.5L petrol engine seems legit to us.

Should I buy one?

Well, of course, you can because the new Teana L33 now starts at 2,429,700 Japanese Yen, that's about a hundred thousand less than the outgoing J32 model, which makes it a great value for a saloon that now comes with an international status, a sophisticated suspension system, a nice interior, and a fuel-efficient engine that seems a bit legit. Seems legit but close enough.

Available colors: Brilliant White Pearl, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Dark Metal Grey Metallic, Diamond Black Pearl, Radiant Red Pearl Metallic, and Waterfall Blue Titanium Pearl Metallic.

Photo: Nissan Motor Corporation