The Nissan Tiida is a small car produced by the Japanese manufacturer Nissan since 2004, spanning two generations. The name "Tiida" is from the Okinawan language and means "sun", continuing the naming tradition started in 1966 with the Nissan Sunny.
For the first generation of Tiida manufactured between 2004 and 2012, the series is designated C11 and was sold as a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan. This model straddled the subcompact and compact car segments. It retailed in North America as Nissan Versa, in parts of South America as Dodge Trazo, and in Southeast Asia for the sedan only under the title Nissan Latio. The C11 bridged the subcompact and compact car classes, acting as an intermediate model between the smaller Micra/March and larger Bluebird Sylphy and Sentra models within the global Nissan portfolio. Therefore, depending on the market, the C11 replaced different models and engrossed different segments. For example, in Japan the Tiida replaced the Nissan Sunny (B15) in Nissan's lineup as the smallest sedan. In most markets it slotted between the March and Bluebird Sylphy; for North America it became a new entry-level model below the Sentra; and elsewhere Tiida tended to occupy the role performed previously by the Nissan Almera/Pulsar/Sentra/Sunny (N16), sold in Japan as the Bluebird Sylphy (G10). The G10/N16's successor, the Bluebird Sylphy G11 was not widely sold outside Japan. The C11 started to be phased out in China first, during 2011 when partially replaced by the larger, compact class C12 Tiida/Pulsar hatchback. In 2012, the C11 began to be withdrawn from more markets as its main production bases ceased manufacture. The C11 was also replaced by the subcompact Nissan Note or Versa Note (E12) hatchback, and on the sedan fronts, by the subcompact Almera/Latio/Sunny/Versa (N17) and the compact Nissan Pulsar/Sylphy/Sentra (B17).
Nissan introduced a second generation of Tiida, the five-door hatchback C12 series in 2011 to the Chinese market. Starting in 2013, sales began in Thailand, then Australia and New Zealand as the Nissan Pulsar. The C12 represents a departure from the C11, increasing its dimensions to comfortably occupy the compact class. The C12's development was anchored with the Nissan Pulsar/Sylphy/Sentra (B17) which is effectively the sedan version of the C12.
First generation (C11; 2004â€"2012)
2008 Nissan Versa (Tiida) review and test drive - VOTD - This auto review is on the 2008 Nissan Versa (Tiida) with the 1.8L motor. It has a lot of "off the line" get up and go which makes it fun to drive around town.
Nissan revealed the C-Note concept car in 2003 to preview the styling of the upcoming Nissan Tiida (C11). It is a concept hatchback based on the same platform of the Renault Megane. It included bright beige color interior. The vehicle was unveiled in 2003 Tokyo Motor Show.
The Tiida hatchback and the Tiida Latio sedan debuted in 2004 in Japan, and in select European countries in 2007. It is based on a stretched-wheelbase variant of the Nissan B platform, and was manufactured as a five-door hatchback and a four-door sedan. The engine range included 1.5-, 1.6- and 1.8-litre gasoline engines and a 1.5-liter diesel engine.
In January 2008, Nissan introduced facelifted versions of both the hatchback and the sedan. They were enhanced with some key changes including new exterior features and interior designs, retuned power steering, powertrain enhancements and a new Plus navi HDD package called CarWings in Japan.
The exterior features a new grille, front bumper, headlamps, taillights, rear bumper and new wheel covers. The interior sports a more modern look as well as better visibility and usability, new instrument cluster design and metallic-finish dash panels.
Engines include a 1.5-litre or 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine, the larger of which can be coupled to a six-speed manual transmission. There are also two optional dealer packages: the Nismo S-tune Aero Package and Nismo Performance Package.
Marketing
- Asia
In mainland China, the Tiida is produced by the Dongfeng Motor Company, a joint venture between Nissan and a local company. In Taiwan it is produced by Yulon.
In Singapore, the Tiida and Tiida Latio were initially sold alongside the older and cheaper Sunny N16 and the bigger and more expensive Sylphy.
In Indonesia, the Tiida 1.8 hatchback was marketed for private use, while the 1.6 sedan was for taxi fleet only.
In Hong Kong, the Tiida was used as a police car by the Hong Kong police. Some were police patrol cars whereas some were airport police cars.
In Taiwan, both Tiida hatchback and Tiida sedan are produced by Yulon Motors. The Tiida sedan was still in production until May 2018.
- Europe
In 2007, the first European countries began receiving imports of the Tiida. Although it has not been officially launched in the United Kingdom, some cars destined for the Irish market have been sold in the UK as grey imports.
- North America
The Versa was introduced in the United States and Canada in July 2006 as a 2007 model. North and Latin American models of the Tiida use a DOHC 1.8-liter gasoline engine and are assembled at Nissan's Aguascalientes, Mexico assembly plant. It is also the only Nissan four-door passenger car in the United States and Canada to be sold worldwide, since the Sentra, Altima and Maxima are exclusive to North America.
According to a Nissan press release in 2008, "versa" is short for "versatile space" meant to imply the spaciousness of the interior and configurable cargo arrangements.
The North American Versa debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January of the same year. The hatchback model was introduced first, with the sedan arriving later at the end of the year, both as 2007 models. A 1.6-litre sedan replaced the 1.8-liter sedan in Canada for the 2009 model year, that year in the United States the 1.6 sedan was added to the lineup along the 1.8 sedan.
The Versa is powered by a 1.8 L I4 MR series engine producing 122 hp (91 kW) and 127 ft·lbf (170 N·m). Three transmissions are offered: a four-speed automatic, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a six-speed manual. Two trim levels include the S and SLâ€"the SL offering air conditioning, power accessories and ABS, all of which are options on the S. The Versa SL also has features/options not available on the S such as cruise control (available on some S models), alloy wheels, optional CVT (the four-speed automatic is only available for the Versa S but CVT is available on some S models), optional Bluetooth connectivity for electronic devices, and a sport package which adds a power moonroof, rear spoiler, and underside aero kit.
Introduced for the 2009 model year in sedan form only, is the Versa 1.6-liter which uses the HR16DE inline-four gasoline engine, rated at 107Â hp (80Â kW) and 111Â lbâ‹…ft (150Â Nâ‹…m) of torque. The base transmission is a five-speed manual; a four-speed automatic is optional.
The Versa 1.6 features black trim (instead of body-colored) for the exterior mirror housings, license plate trim, and front grille; 14-inch steel wheels; black interior; four radio speakers with pre-wiring for a radioâ€"but no radio itself. Safety features include six airbags, active front head restraints, and a tire pressure monitoring system. Air conditioning, AM/FM/CD audio system, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, and keyless entry are offered as part of a value package. Anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution (EBD) and brake assist are optional ($250) on top of the value package.
When it was introduced in fall 2008, the Versa's base price of US$9,990 made it the least expensive new car available in the United States, but a price cut to the Hyundai Accent usurped that distinction by $20. The Versa 1.6's $12,498 Canadian base price also undercut its competitors at launch.
2010 models featured a redesigned grille and a new design for the 1.8S model's wheel covers. In North America, the sedan was replaced by its second generation starting the 2012 model year (hence, 2011 being its last). The fate of the hatchback was however extended for one more year, 2012 being its last. Production of both for that market stopped in mid-2011.
The Tiida sedan is still sold in Mexico as of 2017.
- South America
On 11 January 2008, Chrysler LLC and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced an agreement for Nissan to supply Chrysler with a new car based on Nissan Versa sedan for limited distribution in South America in 2009.
Electric prototype
The EV-11 prototype electric car was based on Tiida and used an 80Â kW (110Â hp) and 280Â Nâ‹…m (210Â lbâ‹…ft) electric motor, 24Â kWh lithium-ion battery pack rated 160Â km (99Â mi) distance, navigation system, EV remote control and monitoring.
The prototype vehicle was unveiled in Nissan's Yokohama headquarters on 8 February 2009. Production version was set to begin sale in US and Japan in 2010.
Second generation (C12; 2011â€"present)
The second generation, C12 series of the Nissan Tiida was unveiled in April 2011 at the Shanghai Auto Show. Sales in China commenced in June 2011. It is available only as a five-door hatchback, and is notably not sold in Japan. The C11 Tiida sedan was instead replaced by the Nissan Latio (N17) and Nissan Sylphy (B17). The C12 Tiida is in fact heavily related to the Sylphy B17â€"both base their construction on the Nissan V platform and share substantial mechanicals. The Thai manufactured versions even share the Sylphy B17's interior; the original Chinese and Taiwanese models feature a distinctive design. Powertrains also remain common between C12 and B17 models.
Instead of being sized and marketed as both a subcompact or a compact car depending on the country, the new, noticeably larger Tiida will be marketed as a C-segment worldwide as the March/Micra and Latio will take the place of the B-segment markets.
It is available with the 188Â hp turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine, with gasoline direct injection paired with a continuously variable transmission. Other engines will be announced closer to the release date.
Marketing
- Asia
In Thailand, the Tiida hatchback is called the Nissan Pulsar, which went on sale by February 2013. The Tiida hatchback comes with MRA8DE, which it shares with the Nissan Sylphy. In Taiwan, the Tiida hatchback is known as the Big Tiida in advertisement due to the size upgrade and went on sale in January 2013.
- Australia
In Australia, the Tiida name has been dropped in favour of a return to using Nissan Pulsar, which was a very popular nameplate up to 2005.
The SSS high performance version with 1.6-litre turbocharged arrived in late 2013. It is aimed at the "warm" hatch market which is a category placed between standard and hot hatches. It features a 140 kilowatt turbocharged MR16DDT engine found in the Nissan Pulsar ST-S variant. It is also found in the Nissan Juke ST-S and TI-S. The engine is connected to either a close ratio 6 speed manual gearbox or Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) automatic. Premium features include push start ignition, keyless entry, dusk sensing headlights, dual climate control and satellite navigation.
- Middle East
In the Middle East it is available with a 1.6 or 1.8-litre engine.
iTiida
Instead of updating to the C13 Tiida/Pulsar, the C12 Tiida was facelifted exclusively in the Taiwanese market conducted by Yulon Motors. The facelift was a budget update to keep the appearance of the C12 Tiida in Taiwan in line with the C13 Tiida in other markets. The facelift replaces the front and rear light units with redesigned set up and light strips, front and rear bumpers, and the front grille. The new front grille features the updated Nissan V motion styling and the rear bumper was designed to mimic those on the C13 Tiida.
C13 (2015â€"present)
Since March 2015, the Nissan Pulsar (C13), as sold in most of Europe, is sold in Russia and China under the Nissan Tiida badge.
References
External links
Media related to Nissan Tiida at Wikimedia Commons
