My FH5 Log: Sunny with a Chance

If memory serves me right, it appears that the "most requested car" in Forza Horizon 5 is none other than the ancient Nissan Sunny B13. Why?

You can request whatever car you want to see in the Forza game via the official forums but of all the cars that deserve to be featured in the game, why the B13 Sunny? It's not as fast and as loud as the best cars offered in the game but there's a fairly good reason. But first, some little introduction.

The Nissan Sunny B13 made its debut in 1990, making it the first Nissan Sunny of the Heisei era. While retaining the styling from its B12 predecessor, the B13 features a more rounded look to keep it clean and simple. All petrol engines are equipped with the DOHC with the introduction of the 1.6L VVT engine and the first for the Sunny, a 1.8L petrol engine. Although production ended in 1994, it managed to live longer in Mexico, where it was sold as the Nissan Tsuru, which is in fact, the best-selling car in its class until it was discontinued in 2017.

The reason why the Mexican-spec Nissan Sunny B13 is the best-seller in Mexico in its class is because of its size and cheaper maintenance cost. It also became a popular car of choice for taxi drivers across Mexico because of its reliability and low maintenance costs. It's no wonder why this car became the most requested car with over 4000 votes garnered in the forums.

Driving the B13 Nissan Sunny in Forza Horizon 5 kinda reminded me of the one my brother-in-law drove in the real world. Driving from our relative's home in Quezon City to Resorts World Manila (now Newport World Resorts), that B13 Sunny showcased the charm point only 90s kids truly understand and I'm starting to get sentimental now.

No time to get sentimental, it's time to give Forza Horizon 5's most requested car a leisurely drive in the woods in the middle of nightfall, the kind of experience that my brother-in-law has done a long time ago when he, my big sister, and their kids are going home from the mall. Roll the tape.

Are we there yet? Is this Soldiers Hills? Whatever, but the important thing is, we're home.

Although out-of-context in this game chock full of fast and loud cars, the Nissan Sunny B13 is all about stirring nostalgia to anyone who experienced it. For Mexicans who are enjoying this game, it's a dream come true to experience the car that became a staple in Mexican motoring culture.

Welcome home.

IMPUL now offers body kits for 2013 Latio, NV350, and Note

IMPUL Latio N17

A couple of months ago, while in Malaysia, Edaran Tan Chong showcased an IMPUL version of the Nissan Latio/Sunny/Almera N17 and it was offered in Malaysia. We are pondering when will this be available in Japan and turns out, yes, they will. IMPUL now offers body kits for the all new 2013 Nissan Latio compact sedan and if you happen to own a low-cost sedan from Nissan, which was an import from Thailand with the 1.2L engine and CVT on it, you can pay about 134,400 Japanese Yen for a full aero kit plus 35,700 Yen for the 6.0J-16 (+38) wheels, 7,350 yen for the IMPUL badge, and 3,150 Yen for a number plate lock.

URL: http://www.impul.co.jp/products/model/N17_LATIO.html

That's not all, it seems that the all new Nissan Note E12 and the NV350 Caravan are joining the IMPUL band as well...

IMPUL Note E12

IMPUL NV350 Caravan E26

If you happen to own an all new 2013 Nissan Note E12 and if you have enough money for this project, well yes. Aside from the styling enhancements, IMPUL will also provide some performance boost on either the HR12DE or the HR12DDR engine, Hyper Power Control Unit, OHLINS shock absorbers, coil springs, brake system, anything that will boost the E12's performance. You don't have to tell me what are those but these will make worth your while to add some pepper to your all new E12 Note.

URL: http://www.impul.co.jp/products/model/E12_NOTE.html

Here on the NV350 Caravan model, IMPUL will provide some of the finest aero parts available on Nissan's latest commercial van made for the entrepreneurs or dads who are busy carrying his family. It really packs a swagger on it.

URL: http://www.impul.co.jp/products/model/E26_NV350_CARAVAN.html

Be sure to check them out!

2013 Nissan Latio N17 gets the IMPUL treatment?! Ahem...

2013 Nissan Latio with IMPUL aero kit

The 2013 Nissan Latio (known in other countries as the Almera or Sunny) compact sedan was recently launched a few weeks ago in Japan with the starting price of 1,388,100 Japanese Yen.

In Malaysia, Edaran Tan Chong Motor (ETCM) decided to spice up the Almera a little bit with the help of Nissan tuning firm, IMPUL (URL: http://www.impul.co.jp/index_top2.html).

The N17 Latio tuned by IMPUL comes with an IMPUL Blast 2 Exhaust Muffler and 16-inch HS-06 alloy wheels in silver and black with a matte finish. The rims equpped by IMPUL helped reduced its weight by 20 to 30%. Also, it has been lowered by 30mm thanks to its IMPUL-made suspension.

Scoop: http://www.motortrader.com.my/news/nissan-almera-tuned-by-impul/

Malaysia is the first to get this spiced-up Latio/Almera/Sunny N17. We still don't know when this will be offered in Japan...

Nissan Latio N17

2013 Nissan Latio

This is what the fuss is all about. Sure it may be a compact sedan imported from Thailand but what this is, is part of the plan, well Nissan's Power 88 plan where they add every new model for the next six weeks up until fiscal year 2016. Anyway, no time for fussing about their master plan. Back to this compact car, anyway, as you can see, this is somewhat a different kind of compact sedan. In America, this is what they called the Versa. In China, they call it Sunny. In ASEAN and others, it's called the Almera. Here in Japan, they called it the Latio.

2013 Nissan Latio

With the Fit Aria from Honda axed in late 2008 and the Toyota Belta dead in the summer of 2012, the all-new Nissan Latio N17 is a class of its own. Yep, it's in a class of its own but underneath, it's just a Nissan March/Micra K13 because it uses the Nissan V Platform, which is a kind of platform applied on the K13 March and the latest Note E12. Also, the new Latio N17 carries the fuel-efficient HR12DE engine mated with the new-generation XTRONIC CVT and is equipped with an idling stop feature that turns off the engine when stopped at the red light and then starts again when you set off. Sure, the HR12DE produces 79PS of power but in terms of fuel efficiency, because this is classified as an eco-car, the N17 Latio/Almera/Sunny/Versa will keep going all the way to 22.6km/L based on Japan's JC08 test cycle. This is about as fuel-efficient as the eleventh-generation Toyota Corolla (Axio).

2013 Nissan Latio

Also, the inside of the new Latio does really look like the March because as I said, the all-new Nissan Latio N17 is just the sedan version of the Nissan March/Micra K13. So, am I gonna talk about the interior? Nah, let the owners decide.

2013 Nissan Latio

So, how can I sum this up? Well, the things I like about the Latio are its fuel efficiency, the front view, the HR12DE, and of course, the reasonable price because the Latio starts at 1,419,600 Japanese Yen or better yet convert this price to Thai Baht, Philippine Peso, Indonesian rupiah, Malaysian Ringgit or whatever means necessary. What I don't like about it is the rear view because it looks hideous and the interior looks similar to the March.

Malaysians, take note, if this arrives soon, please be careful about it. Sure, Malaysia is a very notorious country because of its reputation for "modified cars" (type that on your Google Trends and you'll see), I mean, if you want to have the so-called Nissan Latio/Tiida/Versa/Sunny/Almera, do it properly because, like most Japanese cars of today, it has a 180kph speedometer and converting it is proven "ILLEGAL" and a higher chance to "break the law".

Available Colors: Titanium Grey, Pure Black, Burning Red, Brilliant Silver, White, White Pearl.

PRICE LIST:

1.2 S - 1,419,600 Japanese Yen

1.2 X - 1,470,000 Japanese Yen

1.2 G - 1,698,900 Japanese Yen

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.