My FH5 Log: Not everyone's Sylphy

Obtained from the FH5 Horizon Road Trip Hot Season Playlist, the not-for-Japan NISMO version of the Nissan Sylphy B17 is now under my care and looks like we're gonna have some one-on-one time with the hot Sylphy that Japan never got.

The Sentra Nismo is powered by the same 1.6L DIG Turbo engine that powers the Nissan Juke. It produces 188HP of power and 177ft-lb of torque and the gearbox of choice is an XTRONIC CVT and a 6-speed manual gearbox. Apart from the Juke-sourced engine, the Sentra NISMO handles pretty much like a hot hatch because of the NISMO-tuned suspension, NISMO-tweaked Electric Power Steering, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and sports tires.

Of course, with the Sylphy removed from Nissan's lineup in Japan with no direct successor, meaning it's too late for a Sylphy NISMO due to such cowardice, it's time to give the Nissan Sylphy B17 with the NISMO version not available in Japan a quick send-off with a little race, a fitting tribute to the last FF sedan to be removed from Nissan's Japanese lineup. Roll the tape.

With that, goodbye my dear Sylphy. You made us proud until the very end.

Enjoy your new ride!

Forza Horizon 4: The hot Sylphy we can't have

The Nissan Slyphy B17 is a global compact midsize sedan that doesn't live up to the ranks of the Toyota Corolla and the Honda Civic when it first came out half a decade ago and during its lifespan, feels like the Sylphy never changed at all while the competition does. However, in America, they've performed the unfair measure by giving it a minor change that is not available in Japan and the rest of the globe, and then this, a NISMO version no one saw it coming.



Called the Sentra Nismo in the United States, this is the hot Sylphy we can't have and there are plenty of good reasons for that.

The Japan-spec Nissan Sylphy B17 was made to cater to middle-aged people rather than young drivers while international versions, even the United States, served people who are just too sophisticated to drive their entry-level saloon, the Latio (known as the Sunny, the Almera, or the Versa saloon). The United States is a strong market for this saloon and that's why, the B17 was blessed with a minor change for the 2016 model year, a minor change that the Japanese-spec Sylphy never had. If that wasn't enough, Nissan introduced a NISMO variant for the 2017 model year, which is also unfair for Japanese motorists wishing for a hot Sylphy to come knocking on the door.



The Sentra Nismo is powered by the same 1.6L DIG Turbo engine that powers the Nissan Juke. It produces 188HP of power and 177ft-lb of torque and the gearbox of choice is an XTRONIC CVT and a, wait for it, a 6-speed manual gearbox. A 6-speed manual gearbox! Not even a Japanese Sylphy has this! Apart from the Juke-sourced engine, the Sentra NISMO handles pretty much like a hot hatch because of the NISMO-tuned suspension, NISMO-tweaked Electric Power Steering, 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, and sports tires. With all of that mentioned, this gives the NISMO-fied Sylphy the dynamics and performance that raises the question "WHY ARE WE NOT HAVING THIS?"



Like a Japanese video game that when it went on sale overseas, it comes with a collector's edition that is not available in Japan, the NISMO-fied Sylphy is one of the finest examples of how Japan became cowards when it comes to selling their cars globally but not in Japan. Whatever their reason, cars like these showcase Japan's isolation from the motoring world like how America's foreign policy of today separates this great nation from the rest of the globe. I guess this is how Japan's motoring equivalent of the so-called independent foreign policy stands for but never mind all that because I want to show you this clip of the NISMO-fied Sylphy B17 in action but everyone in Japan might drown themselves with tears upon seeing the hot Sylphy that didn't make it to Japanese stores. Whatever, let's play this video.





Had Nissan done it sooner, they could have launched a facelifted Sylphy with the NISMO version along with it but it's too late now. With Nissan's plans to discontinue the Sylphy anytime soon, the dream of seeing a minor change with the NISMO variant in it on Japanese roads is all gone to waste. Thanks, Nissan for ruining the dream. In the meantime, I want every Japanese people to take a wistful look at the Sentra NISMO, the hot Sylphy B17 they'll never get in the Japanese market. Once sampled in Forza Horizon 4, they'll be driven into tears for the rest of their lives. Sigh.

Impul's new body kit for B17 Nissan Sylphy/Sentra

IMPUL SYLPHY

The Nissan Sylphy B17, launched since December 2012, is an everyday midsize sedan that no owner has even dared to modify one because...well, let's face it, it's already as boring as it went out from the factory. You don't really see any B17 Sylphy owner from Japan modifying their own for some unknown reasons but not today.

The folks at Impul provided a body kit specifically for the Nissan B17 Sylphy/Sentra and for 207,000 Japanese Yen, you can have your B17 Sylphy equipped with Impul's front half, side steps, rear skirts, and rear wing. These 17-inch Impul-made rims will cost 36,000 Yen each and the optional IMPUL emblem costs 7,000 Yen.

First time seeing a modified B17, though?

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

Nissan Sylphy TB17

Now there's a new midsize sedan from Nissan that combines the aesthetics of a luxury sedan with a fuel economy and pricing of a compact car. It's called the Nissan Sylphy TB17 (previously referred to as G12, later referred to in Nissan press releases as TB17) and the evidence of what we're about to see that it's going to be driven by some complete idiot...

(audience laughing)

One day, probably in the hospital, you would normally noticed a price list covered in the classified ads section of something something something Shinbun and if I'm looking for a car that costs under two million yen plus VAT, I could be thinking something hmmm....all that money I've spent on a sub-two million yen car could have been used to buy something interesting like...Toyota Premio, Toyota Allion, Suzuki SX4 Sedan, Mitsubishi Galant Fortis, look! You could even have a Nissan Sylphy. Mind you, you could be a complete idiot to buy one of those...

2013 Nissan Sylphy

This is the new one. The new Nissan Sylphy TB17, pretty much known to be a cheaper alternative to the Nissan Teana J32. You can pick one of these up for 1,937,250 Japanese Yen but don't because with such pricing, it's less expensive than the Toyota Premio and Allion. Besides, it's a price worth a bag of bolts. On the upside though, it's less pricey than the less appreciated Suzuki Kizashi and hey, it's a Nissan. Every Japanese likes to drive one of those. So, why do I like it then?

2013 Nissan Sylphy interior

I like the tan interior, looks luxurious. I like the view. I like the optional sat-nav system, I like the 180kph speedo, the instrumental clusters, everything. I like that way. Somewhere up front is Nissan's brand new MRA8DE engine which was based on the MR18DE engine but with added twin variable valve timing system on both the intake and exhaust valves and uses a diamond-like carbon coating. When you put your foot down...nothing happens. You get a bit more noise and you might go a bit faster but it's a complete waste of time even though this comes with a new generation XTRONIC CVT. Might as well...relax, drink a cup of coffee, and calm myself down while driving the Sylphy. Handling? Well, I can move the furniture at home but for this new Sylphy though when I turn the steering wheel...nothing.

So it's rubbish to drive, I'm going slower than you, and I feel like a geography teacher with some elbow patches on my coat. But hey, I'm in a new Sylphy though.

2013 Nissan Sylphy

 

There's also one thing the new Sylphy ruined my life though. It's now a global midsize car built for the world market. China has one, USA has one, emerging markets may soon get one, Thailaind has one, this new model is becoming a global trendsetter as part of Nissan's so-called Power 88 plan. There's one thing...it's built on the same platform as the Nissan March K13 and the Nissan Latio N17. It maybe built from the people from Fukuoka Prefecture and it's a Nissan Latio underneath it but the Nissan Sylphy is what I referred to it as a Nissan Teana in Toyota Premio money.

Who cares if they gave it a poor rating by the eyes of foreigners? Who cares about depreciation? It's just something that goes everytime at Megamall or a nice house somewhere in Tagaytay. It's something that never hurts you all the time. For that, you need a Sylphy. Every time I'm driving one of these, it kicks me in the head and runs off my wallet. It costs me a thousand yen to fill it up and does 15.6km/L if I'm careful, I could rent a king-size garage to keep her in and I need to save some more for a car wash. Servicing wasn't so bad but it has to go several times as often.

Cheap thrills? Wanna try this...it's bloody terrifying.

Available Colors: White Pearl, Brilliant Silver Metallic, Deep Iris Grey Pearl Metallic, Sapphire Black Pearl, Radiant Red Pearl Metallic, and Steel Blue Metallic.

PRICE LIST:
1.8 S - 1,937,250 Yen
1.8 X - 2,094,750 Yen
1.8 G - 2,389,800 Yen

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Is this the Sylphy G12?

Nissan Sylphy G12

Well, it could be a Nissan Sylphy G12 but as seen on the AUTO CHINA 2012, this new 2013 Nissan Sylphy G12 is now a global midsize sedan. The new Nissan Sylphy G12 will be produced at the Dongfeng Nissan Huadu Plant facilities in Guangzhou, will be released in mid 2012. Also, the G12 will be launched in most major markets worldwide during the course of 2012 and approximately 120 countries by 2014. This is part of the Nissan Power 88 master plan, a master plan that in the next six years, there's a new Nissan for every six months.

Nissan Bluebird Sylphy G10 (2000-2005)

Nissan Bluebird Sylphy G11 (2005-2012)

The first Bluebird Sylphy, designated as G10, was launched in 2000, and it was produced in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. The second generation Bluebird Sylphy, designated as G11, was launched in 2005 and currently on sale in Japan. The question is, will this new Sylphy G12 available in Japan soon? I reckoned that this new model will drop the Bluebird name for good.

Further reading: http://www.netcarshow.com/nissan/2012-sylphy_concept/