The New 2005 Nissan Tiida Is Now on Sale in Japan

The benefits of a lower powered motor aren't exactly obvious at first, especially in a class where 135 to 140 horsepower is the

It's hard to believe that a car the size of a Volkswagen Golf could have the same interior length as an Infiniti Q45. (Photo: Nissan Canada)

norm. Nissan has put extra effort into reducing the friction within the motor and has improved its thermal efficiency in order to make the motor as green and economically friendly as possible. The Tiida manages to gain SU-LEV (Super-Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) title, emitting 75 percent fewer emissions than levels required by Japan's 2005 exhaust regulations, and achieves the standards set for 2010 as well. Like the Insight and Prius, buyers of the Tiida will also qualify for tax rebates. Good news for Californians, after news of stricter emissions standards.

Nissan will offer the Tiida with a choice of two drivetrain combinations, depending on the model. The 15S and 15M models are front wheel drive and feature Nissan's XTRONIC CVT transmission for optimized fuel economy and performance. 15S FOUR and 15M FOUR models feature a four-speed automatic gearbox in place of the CVT, but gain the unique e-4WD system which employs a pair of electric motors to drive the rear wheels in slippery situations. The e-4WD's advanced technology was pioneered in the

The Tiida Latio notchback sedan gives a glimpse at what the next Sentra might look like. (Photo: Nissan Canada)

March/Micra and Cube subcompacts and proves that part-time four wheel drive doesn't require heavy and complex differentials.

Although the news of a new compact car available in Nissan's home market of Japan hardly seems important, it's much more so in the grand scheme of things. Many of the technologies represented with the Tiida, including the HR motor, the low-drag body design and the CARWINGS telematics system, are all brand new and soon to be integrated to other Nissan offerings. And although it is common knowledge that Nissan is currently working to replace its American and European compact cars, whether they receive such technology is a mystery. For now, all we know is that the Tiida and several other vehicles are an important component in Nissan's three-year 180 degree turnaround plan, which is to add an additional one-million vehicles to yearly sales between October 2004 and September 2005. That said all that's left to do is play the waiting game and see how things unfold.