2014 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

2014 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

What you're looking up here is a Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, the Nissan equivalent of the third-generation Mazda Premacy that was launched in 2011. But now, for the 2014 Model Year, it comes with the same PE-VPS engine and the 6-speed dual-clutch transmission that you get in the 2014 Mazda Premacy SKYACTIV. This means that it will still have the same JC08 Mode-rated fuel economy of 16.2kmpl as well!

PE-VPS engine

Mazda's SKYACTIV-DRIVE transmission

There's also the top-of-the-line model for the Lafesta Highway Star called the SUPREMO and exclusive features for the Supermo model includes shift switch on the steering wheel, ASCD, automatic anti-glare rear view mirror, Jacquard leather, piano black paneling, 205/50R17 89V tire and 17-inch rims, side turn lamp, chrome door panels, and tailpipe finisher.

Scoop: http://autoc-one.jp/news/1309737/

No Nagare, no problem

2011 Mazda Premacy

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

Indeed the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, launched yesterday, was essentially Nissan version of the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5. When I observed what's the difference on the exterior view, it's kinda appreciated that the new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star ditched Mazda's Nagare design placed on the third-generation Mazda Premacy. Why did Nissan do with that kind of approach?

First off, the Highway Star range on most Nissan minivans such as the Roox, Elgrand, and Serena, are hughly successful when it comes to styling and for the latest Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, this model focuses on style. First off, take a third-generation Mazda Premacy as a donor car, modify the front, remove the waves from the side view, and style is a necessity. Without Mazda's Nagare design, the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star looks good. No Nagare, no problem.

The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is now here and feel free to schedule test drives at your nearest Nissan Red Stage dealers or Nissan Blue Stage dealers throughout Japan. If you have to choose between the third-generation Mazda Premacy (CWEFW) and the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star (CWEFWN/CWEAWN), what would you prefer?

All New Nissan Lafesta Highway Star (CWEFWN/CWEAWN)

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

The arc Nissan fans been waiting for has arrived! The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star provides a perfect blend of style, performance, comfort, and ecology, fused into one unique package. The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is sourced from the Mazda's Hiroshima Plant and in fact, the new Lafesta Highway Star is essentially an OEM version of the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5 (CWEFW).

When Nissan asked Mazda for their own version of the third-generation Mazda Premacy, there is only one condition before this Nissan version of the third-generation Premacy became a reality; discard the Nagare design.

It's good to say that the all new 2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star looks good without Mazda's Nagare design flowed from the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5 because the Nagare design will ruined its Highway Star status. How did the Highway Star trim became a sub-name for the new Lafesta? It's simple, the Highway Star variants in most Nissan minivans such as the Elgrand E52, Serena C26, and the Nissan version of the Suzuki Palette/Palette SW known as the Roox are highly successful and the reason to create a spin-off model is to provide a blend of style, performance, comfort, and ecology for the customers. What we're worrying now is Nissan halted production of the old Lafesta and the remaining will be sold under a new name "LAFESTA JOY" to differentiate it to the Mazda Premacy-sourced spin-off.

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star interior

Open those two sliding doors with the use of the remote and you are ready to explore its 6+1 seater capacity. The middle seat at the 2nd row can be adjusted to make it as an armrest of as an access to the 3rd row seats. The new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is born to be a multipurpose passenger vehicle and we salivated over it if we want to find one as a converted grey market import. Hey, does this Nissan version of the Mazda Premacy would come to Hong Kong soon? Not sure but be patient.

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star is available in three engine types. First is the LF-VE (2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC S-VT) engine, second is the LF-VD (2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC S-VT DISI) engine, and third is the LF-VDS (2.0L 4-cylinder DOHC S-VT DISI) engine with the Idle Stop & Go feature. The LF-VE engine has 139PS/6,500rpm of power output, 17.9kg-m/4,000rpm of torque output, and fuel economy of 11.2km/L (10-15 mode). This LF-VE engine is exclusive to the 4WD variants. Meanwhile, the LF-VD Gasoline Direct Injection engine contributes a power output of 150PS/6,200rpm, 19.0kg-m/4,500rpm of torque output and 15.0km/L (10-15 mode) of fuel economy. Available at the Lafesta Highway Star J Package. The LF-VDS engine has the same specs as the LF-VD engine but it is equipped with the idling stop function, making it the sixth member of the Nissan Pure Drive range. This function can shut off this engine when stationery like for instance, stopping at the red light. With this feature, fuel economy is 16.0km/L (10-15 Mode) so this makes it a class-topping minivan because of its superb ecology.

The all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star comes with five exterior colors such as Crystal White Pearl, Aluminum Silver Metallic, Metropolitan Grey Pearl, Sparkling Black Pearl, and Copper Red Pearl.

My Comment:

Perhaps this is a spin-off, I can't call it a new generation but with the all new Nissan Lafesta Highway Star, you can experience a new blend of family carrier on the go. Without Mazda's Nagare design, this is something we can fall in love at. It's odd that the front view has the grille of the Nissan Serena C26 while the whole body was derived from the third-generation Mazda Premacy/5. This minivan felt like it was taking a face off against its rivals face-to-face. I'm sure we can pray to have one as a converted gray market import from Subic, Manila, Port Irene, or wherever the heck Japan surplus cars are sold. The all new Lafesta Highway Star looks good without the plain-looking Nagare lines. Sounds cheesy but flattering.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

CONFIRMED: Nissan's version of Mazda's third generation Premacy is... the 2012 Lafesta Highway Star!

2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star

Those JDM fans wondering what would the Nissan version of Mazda Premacy (Mazda 5) CWEFW will look like finally met their answer. The Nissan version of the latest Mazda Premacy/5 is the 2012 Nissan Lafesta Highway Star.

Scoop (Japanese): http://www.carview.co.jp/news/0/145527/

Details remain slim for now but what I'm guessing is that the second-generation Nissan Premacy, I mean, Lafesta Highway Star would be equipped with the idling stop function and the 2.0L LF-VDS engine found on the Premacy. We'll have to wait more for details on the Nissan version of the Mazda Premacy such is the new Lafesta Highway Star.

Also, the previous Lafesta will have to keep it under the new name, Lafesta Joy, which means that there will be two kinds of Lafestas to choose. Sales of the new Lafesta Highway Star commencing this summer 2011.