With this year’s theme of ‘Shaping Mobility,’ few other brands take that to heart as much as Nissan. The brand has been shaking up the automotive sector with its new and innovative offerings. Whether it’s in the form of Nissan Intelligent Mobility convenience and safety features that improve the drive and reduce the likelihood of accidents, or offering a new way to power their vehicles, be it an EV or hybrid e-Power. Both of these aspects of shaping mobility will be on display at Nissan’s booth at the 2023 Manila International Auto Show. Nissan has long been promoting its electrification technologies. It was one of the first brands to offer a fully-electric vehicle in their lineup in the form of the LEAF.

LEAF

As you can expect, the 2023 LEAF will be present at the event. The updated vehicle sports new headlights, more curved bodywork, and tail lamps reminiscent of the 370 Z sports car. It even comes with a unique one-pedal driving mode where you only step on the throttle while regenerative braking takes over once it is released. With the right accessories, it too can use its batteries to power small appliances or charge phones in the event of a power outage. Despite being a 2023 model, it still sells for the same price as before at P2.798M.

Kicks e-Power

The Kicks, on the other hand brings an EV-like driving experience without the range anxiety thanks to its 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that charges the battery pack on demand. This powers the electric motor that drives the front wheels of the Kicks – providing instantaneous torque and acceleration electric vehicles are known for. Like electric cars, it also provides a quieter drive and can also regain power from systems like regenerative braking. The Kicks comes in several variants, starting at P1.209 million, all the way up to P1.509 million.

Terra Sport

Making an appearance at the show will be the Terra SUV’s newest variant, the Terra Sport. This latest addition is designed for adventurous heads of families who crave exploration and seek out thrilling experiences for them and their loved ones. The Terra Sport has been reimagined with black exterior trims and a new black alloy wheel design that give it a sleek and bold appearance. The interior trim is also all-black, adding a touch of sophistication to the SUV's design. The Nissan Terra Sport comes in both 4x4 and 4x2 configurations and the full suite of Nissan Intelligent Mobility features such as Intelligent Around View Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Warning, Intelligent Rear View Mirror, Lane Departure Warning, Intelligent Forward Warning with Emergency Braking, Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, and Driver Attention Alert. It also includes an 8-inch touchscreen display complete with Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity plus a premium BOSE eight-speaker setup. Exclusive to the new Nissan Terra Sport are 2 new colors: Stealth Pearl Gray and Fiery Red. Along with the other variants of the Terra, the new Terra Sport also comes with Nissan’s class-leading 5-year warranty on parts and labor, giving customers security and peace-of-mind.

New Patrol

Those looking for something a little bigger than a Terra will be delighted by the presence of the new Patrol. Nissan’s flagship SUV boasts of up-to-date styling, featuring Nissan’s brand new logo, trademark V-motion grille seen on all Nissan’s current models and C-shaped signature daytime running lamps on its headlamps. The side features a cabin with tall windows, a subtle stepboard, and sculpted wheel arches that house 20-inch wheels. Behind is a broad tailgate, a Nismo-inspired rear bumper, and C-shaped taillights with sequential turn signals. Inside, the Patrol comes with an overhauled interior. The dashboard is bathed in leather, ash wood and gloss black. Those that opt to have their Nissan Patrol in the Brilliant Silver exterior color will be treated to the exclusive tan interior leather. Buyers of Pearl White or Black Obsidian Patrols will get an interior in black leather. Nonetheless, all will benefit from the new interior with a new center stack that features a wide 12.3—inch infotainment display. This screen serves as the display for the entertainment system that has Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity, and 13 Bose speakers for a surround sound experience. It also comes with many of the Nissan Intelligent Mobility features, like a bird’s eye view of the vehicle when navigating around tight parking spaces to the display of the front, rear and curbside cameras when parking into a space. It also highlights a corner of the car if it detects a moving object there. Powering it is a 4 massive 5.6-liter DOHC V8. It makes 405 horsepower and 560 newton meters of torque, which is more than enough to haul a full load as well as trailer. It’s paired with a seven-speed automatic with manual mode to truly make the best use of the power. Its standard 4WD system is also easy to switch into 4-High and 4-Low with just a twist of the knob. It even includes preset modes for the road, sand, rocks, and snow.

A possible sports car?

Besides its other offerings like the Navara pickup, X-Trail, Urvan, and new Livina, there could be something that offers adrenaline and excitement. We’re talking about the possible appearance of a sports car that many Pinoy fans have been eagerly awaiting. We can’t say for sure, but it’s possible that this model — which pays tribute to one of Nissan’s most legendary sports cars of the 70s — may be at the show. The best way to find out is to head to the 2023 MIAS and see it their booth for yourself.