Nissan Launches 2008 Serena in Japan

Anthony Fontanelle
December 28, 2007

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. continues to release new models in its home town Japan. The automaker has recently announced that it has launched the 2008 Serena minivan in Nissan dealer showrooms all over Japan, under the "SHIFT_family ties" tag line.

The automaker aims to continue the Serena's moniker as the best selling minivan model in the Japanese market for the first eleven months of 2007 starting from January to November. According to the Japanese automaker, the 2008 Nissan Serena is "Highly acclaimed by customers for its class-leading interior roominess, excellent outward visibility, flexible seating configurations and driving ease, features revised exterior and interior styling, leading technology features and a new model lineup."

Outside, the 2008 Nissan Serena comes with a refined and enhanced exterior packaging. Exterior highlights of the new Nissan Serena include new grille, new headlights, new front bumper and fenders, remote controlled power folding body-colored outside mirrors, redesigned wheel covers, AFS to bi-xenon headlamps, and large side sliding doors. A choice of eight body paint colors completes the overall exterior package for the Serena minivan.

On the inside, the 2008 Nissan Serena also gets revised interior amenities. These include ample legroom and headroom, adjustable seats to 11 different positions, third-row seats with assist springs, revised instrument panel with standard Fine Vision instrumentation, new front- and second-row head restraints and seat cushions, new seat fabric with ATO-GUARD treated seat covers, and water-repellent fine velour seat covers. The interior features continue with the wide range of in-car technologies including the advanced Around View Monitor, CARWINGS navigation system, and the intelligent air-conditioning system.

On the technical side, the 2008 Serena comes with an exclusive suspension system and offers two- and four wheel drive model variants. Under the hood of the new Nissan Serena minivan is a fuel efficient and environmental friendly engine that offers 75% reduced nitrogen oxides (NOx) and non-methane hydrocarbons (NMHC) emissions. Unfortunately, Nissan did not release the complete and detailed specs of this engine.

The 2008 Nissan Serena rolls out in the Japanese market carrying a base manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) from 2,131,500 to 2,709,000 Yen (about $18,665 to $23,722 USD). Anyway, Honda (maker of Acura models like Acura CL equipped with Acura CL brake booster) should also releases their new minivan model in Japan to compete with Nissan.

Source:  Amazines.com