Nissan Pulsar launched

All-new Pulsar hatchback launched – Nissan’s answer to the bestselling Ford Focus, VW Golf and Vauxhall Astra.

The Pulsar marks Nissan’s re-entry into the highly competitive family hatch segment for the first time since the Almera ceased production in 2006.

Bearing a front-end family resemblance to the new Qashqai and Pathfinder, the Pulsar is an attractive car, not a million miles away from the Astra.

Nissan says it’s “instantly recognisable thanks to its trademark Nissan V-motion grille, boomerang signature headlamp characteristics and bold, muscular curves”.

The Pulsar was designed and engineered for Europe and will be built at Nissan’s Barcelona production facility.

Thanks to the longest wheelbase in the class, it’s claimed to have class-leading packaging including “more rear legroom than the average D-segment offering”.

The Pulsar will feature technologies usually reserved for premium or luxury models including Nissan’s Safety Shield system with Moving Object Detection, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Warning. There’s also the latest-generation NissanConnect system which offers seamless integration with smartphones and full satellite navigation functions.

The car comes with two engines – a 1.2-litre DIG-T petrol unit and a 1.5-litre dCi diesel, both said to offer “exceptional performance, economy and refinement”.

The 1.2-litre DIG-T is capable of 0-62mph in 10.7 seconds with fuel consumption of 56.5mpg on the combined cycle and emissions of 117g/km.

The Pulsar’s diesel option takes the form a four-cylinder 1.5-litre dCi turbodiesel. This 110PS Renault-Nissan Alliance-developed unit emits just 94g/km of CO2 and offers a combined fuel economy figure of 78.5mpg.

The entry level Visia, priced from £15,995, is well equipped and features an array of standard equipment including a 5″ colour screen, steering wheel mounted controls, Bluetooth and air conditioning.

Those choosing the Acenta model, priced from £17,645, benefit from added extras such as Forward Emergency Braking, automatic lights and wipers and Nissan’s ingenious i-Key system.

The n-tec, which starts at £18,995, adds large 17″ alloys, privacy glass and Nissan’s signature LED lights. It also offers a colour reversing camera and NissanConnect 2 – an infotainment system offering full smartphone integration, Google® Send-to-Car and access to a wide variety of useful and informative apps.

The range-topping Tekna, priced from £20,345, adds further Nissan Safety Shield Technologies including Forward Emergency Braking, Moving Object Detection, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Warning for the ultimate in passenger protection.