Nissan will be rolling out a new hatchback version of its Sentra sedan for the European market
Hatchbacks
While a number of automakers, most notably Ford and Mazda, have embraced the hatchback body style for their C-segment vehicles, the rest of the major players in the U.S. market seem hesitant to follow in the footsteps of the Focus and Mazda3.
Among those holding back are the Japanese big three: Toyota, Nissan and Honda.
We were reminded of that statistic when, late last month, Nissan announced that it would be bringing "technology, style and sector-leading space to the C-Segment in Europe" with the introduction of the new Nissan Pulsar.
The Pulsar name, for some, may cause flashbacks to the 80's-era Nissan Pulsar NX. The second-gen version could be converted from a coupe to an open-topped vehicle or hatchback by either removing the rear window/decklid or swapping the coupe's rear quarters for a larger cube-shaped module.
But the newest Pulsar is hardly as adventurous as its progenitor and is, in fact, the hatchback version of the current Nissan Sentra.
2015 Nissan Pulsar
In addition to standard LED headlamps, the latest Pulsar boasts smartphone integration, Google Send-to-Car as well as optional Forward Emergency Braking, Moving Object Detection, Lane Departure Warning and Blind Spot Warning.
The engine choices from an all-turbocharged menu include 113 horsepower 1.2-liter DIG-T and 187 horsepower 1.6-liter gasoline engines as well as a 1.5-liter dCi turbodiesel that generates 108 horsepower and 2192 lb.-ft. of torque. An even more powerful turbocharged gasoline engine will be added in early 2015.
Specifications
Wheelbase: 2,700 mm (106.3 inches)
Length: 4,295 mm (169.1 inches)
Width: 1,760 mm (69.3 inches)
Height: 1,520 mm (59.8 inches)
Curb weight: 1,206–1,257 kg (2,659–2,771 lbs.)
