Mitsubishi Xpander based new Nissan Grand Livina spied in Indonesia

KUALA LUMPUR: Thanks to the Instagram user Indra Prasetya, we get a sneak peek into the next-generation Nissan Grand Livina. The vehicle spotted was a test mule with covered bumper elements and while the rest of the car was reminiscent of the Mitsubishi Xpander MPV.

The Xpander has been doing well and since Nissan has a big stake in Mitsubishi it only makes sense to collaborate. Both companies are part of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance, and the Xpander based Livina is just the makeover the model needs. Looking at the pictures, it is quite obvious that this is indeed the Xpander with a tweaked front end. All the elements of Mitsubishi’s ‘Dynamic Shield’ design philosophy are present. This includes the 3-tier lighting arrangement, where the main beams are situated lower in the bumper with a thin DRL lighting strip above it. Gone are the Mitsubishi chrome strip ‘cheeks’ making way for the Nissan ‘V-Motion’ nose. The lower end of the bumper is slightly different, comprising a full-width silver lip and angular fog lamps (Xpander has round fog lamps). Differences are also seen in the front wheel arch design, which is round instead of the squared-off look that Mitsubishi uses. Minor design changes to the DRLs can also be observed.

The test mule was wearing the Nissan favourite orange-bronze color and had a ‘floating roof’ design. This look was made possible thanks to a small strip which joins the side and rear glass areas. To add some character to the side profile, there is a single deep wedge running the length of the body. Moving to the rear, the design seems to be unaltered.

Competition for the new Livina is seen in the form of the Toyota Avanza, Honda Mobilio, Daihatsu Xenia, and Proton Ertiga. Powering the new Nissan will be a 1.5-litre non-turbo engine making 104 PS and 141 Nm of torque. Power is sent only to the front wheels via a 5-speed manual or 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission.