Could PH get Nissan Kicks with 1.3L turbo?
Nissan Kicks gets new 1.3-liter turbo engine in India
by Marcus De GuzmanA few weeks ago, Nissan debuted the 2020 Kicks in Thailand. Not only did the subcompact crossover get a more dashing exterior and interior, but the automaker also gave it a new powertrain called e-Power. With its launch in Thailand, it might not be long before other countries in the Southeast Asia region might get their hands on one.
Other parts of Asia (like India) might be stuck with the current Kicks for another few years. But instead of just soldiering on with no upgrades whatsoever, Nissan India gave its own Kicks a power boost. Out goes the old 1.5-liter turbo-diesel as it has been replaced with a new 1.3-liter turbocharged gasoline inline-four.
The new engine (dubbed HR13DDT) produces 156 PS along with a generous 254 Nm of torque. It then can be mated to either a new continuously variable transmission with a seven-speed manual mode or a good ol' six-speed manual gearbox. For those that still prefer the naturally-aspirated four-cylinder, the 1.5-liter HR15 has been carried-over and continues to put out 106 PS with 142 Nm of torque.
Apart from getting a more powerful engine option, the Indian-spec Kicks also gets a few more technical upgrades. The crossover is now equipped with the new NissanConnect infotainment system which is also available on the Thai-spec Kicks, automatic engine start/stop with remote start function, 8-inch touchscreen display with voice control, automatic headlights, Intelligent around-view monitor (AVM) system with reverse camera and bird's-eye view system, and rain-sensing wipers.
Could this mean that the 2020 Kicks for ASEAN might get a different engine option besides the e-Power hybrid system? Perhaps, but until the B-segment crossover officially makes its way here, we cannot be sure. What we do know is that Nissan Thailand is currently selling the Kicks (for now) with just e-Power. But maybe in the future, the company might expand its engine options beyond the innovative e-Power system.
Should the PH-spec Kicks come with a turbocharged engine, or should it only be available with e-Power once it debuts in the country? Chime in your comments below.