EXCLUSIVE! 2013 Sentra Reveal Q&A with Nissan

[AZhitman]

Exclusive Nissan Sentra Chat on NICOclub

On Tuesday, September 4, 2012 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm CDT, join us here on NICOclub (in this thread), where we'll be joined by Andrew Jennings, Nissan Sentra Product Planner. Andrew will be answering your questions about the new Sentra (B17).

This weekend, Nissan is sending me to the official 2013 Sentra unveiling in Dallas, and I'll be covering the event for you guys here on the forums.

(Pics and videos of the 2013 Sentra below.)

If you have any questions you'd like Andrew to answer, feel free to post them up here. Discussion will occur AFTER the live chat - QUESTIONS ONLY for now. Thanks all!

NOTE: If your question disappears, don't panic - it just means 1 of 2 things: we already have received the same question, or it's something that the Product Planner can't answer until closer to the release date. Also, keep it respectful, relevant, and quick - We'd like to make this a regular occurrence with Nissan!

















[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TfVFO0SOgs&hd=1[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0itPy_yIOE[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZzpsGcEktA[/youtube]

[WDRacing]

How long before NISMO will be offering parts?

What are the performance numbers?

[bundy26]

Will there be an SER or Spec-V version and what would the numbers look like for it?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

(Legit question, but by no means a top priority for me)- Will it come with a spare tire?

[nissangirl74]

Who is your target demographic?

[zach7685]

Will it be available with the birds-eye view 360 camera

[krash]

How does it stack up against the B16? How were the goals for this car different from the goals of the B16?

[PapaSmurf2k3]

Will it have any of the innovative simple technology that the Altima has, such as the tire fill assist beep?

[asoomal]

Why is it so big?

Also...will there be a station wagon with 4WD, not AWD?

[Eikon]

Will it have any of the innovative simple technology that the Altima has, such as the tire fill assist beep?

Does the Sentra get the anti-gravity seats as well?


Can you share any of the advertising plans? Any really cool commercials to keep an eye our for?


Will there by customer modification and personalization parts available?

[Eikon]

We note that this basic Sentra design was unveiled in China a few months ago.. Where was the design created for this platform? Was it a Japan corporate project, or was the Nissan US design studio in MI part of the project or was it heavily influenced by Europe or China?

Does the partnership/acquisition of Autovaz have any impact on upcoming designs?

[MinisterofDOOM]

The compact car market has changed a LOT over the past few years. Kia and Hyundai are well-respected and selling (arguably) attractive cars that even manage to be fun to drive. The Ford Focus is selling insanely well and has earned a lot of good press and respect from buyers. Chevy's building their first worthwhile compact car since the Chevy II/Nova of the 1960s. Meanwhile the redesigned Civic (once the poster child for fun/reliable/practical compact cars) is being pretty universally panned as cheap and lazy.

Considering all of that, what's Nissan doing to make the Sentra truly competitive in today's intense compact car marketplace? Why should I buy a Sentra rather than a Focus, or a Forte?

[Eikon]

Any plans for a "clean diesel" engine in the Sentra in the future? Maybe at the half-way refresh?

[Eikon]

What can you tell us about the NissanConnect Infotainment system? Do you love it? How's the interface? Does it come with Ipod and USB connections? Subwoofer pre-outs?

Some recent competitors have included a 7" Nav screen as a standard feature. The only interior shots I've seen so far show that screen as well. Is that a standard feature or an upgrade in only the high end models?

[Eikon]

We heard that there will be a 6 speed manual option available on the base "S" model, just like the Cube. Is this true?

[nissangirl74]

Are there any plans to offer the Sentra as a coupe or a 2-door sedan?

All previous-generation Sentras have been very capable performers in a track environment - Will you market this car to the enthusiast community as an option for autocross competition?

Can I test drive one for 6 months and give you a very thorough and honest review?

[Jesda]

Weight -- Is it getting any lighter even though its getting larger?

[Rex]

What previous "perceptions" about the Sentra will the B17 Sentra change?

What key new features will separate the B17 from its competitors?

What other makes/models are considered the B17's competition?

Do you expect the B17 to be the next "new" Nissan brought to market?

[MaximA32]

How much of this segment do you anticipate to take from the Corolla and its half million units sold over the previous two years?

It's obvious that the new Sentra has taken some styling cues from the latest generation of Maxima - was this the same design team from the Maxima?

Will the SL and SR be the only trim levels offered?

With the new CAFE mpg rules in place, how will the new Sentra stand heading towards model year 2016?

[Eikon]

With the new Altima rated at 38mpg highway, can we assume that the smaller and lighter Sentra will attain 40mpg hwy or better?

Where was this car designed? Is it primarily North American design work or a global product?

How long is the typical product design cycle? For example, when did Project B17 launch?

Did Mr. Ghosn have any direct input on the design?

Will Nissan begin to recommend 0W20 oil for higher gas milage?

Will the car come with all season tires or "low rolling resistance" tires?

How do Korean automakers' recent successes influence Nissan product design and planning?

[Kompresshun]

Why is it only capable of 39mpg (or 40 in FE+ trim), when the larger, more powerful Altima with the 2.5L 4cyl is capable of 38mpg? Why should I be more inclined to purchase a Sentra over an Altima? Will the price difference be considerable enough to warrant losing the extra space?

While it is lighter, why is Nissan continuing to make its vehicles larger as well? The B17 looks like it's nearly the size of the previous generation Altima.

Why is the engine being reduced to a less powerful 1.8 liter? Was the efficiency really a large enough difference between the MR18 and a larger displacement option?

[AZhitman]

The Nissan Cube, although it was alleged to be the same "platform" as the Versa and Sentra, shares very, very few parts with either of those cars - Wouldn't it be more cost-effective to have them nearly identical under the skin?

If Nissan decides to do an SE-R or Spec-V variant, can we expect the MR16DDT powerplant or a tuned MR20?

[RicerX]

I read this morning that the SE-R and SE-R Spec V trims have been confirmed eliminated from the lineup. Does this officially mean there will be no performance versions of the new Sentra, or will the performance versions bow under the upcoming Nismo and Nismo RS trims?

[Meinnocenthah]

Wow!. can i put those headlights on the 13 altima? lol i love the little led strip.

what about a SER/SER-Spec V? a turbo would be nice and it would get awesome gas mileage! (i fell in love with the juke...that 1.6L turbo..wow...if they threw that in the sentra, id be buying one....but for now i am getting a 13 altima.)

[NissanAndrewJennings]

Hey everyone! Andrew Jennings here from Nissan North America. I'll be posting live for the next hour to answer your questions about the all-new 2013 Sentra. Let's rock!

[NissanAndrewJennings]

(Legit question, but by no means a top priority for me)- Will it come with a spare tire?

Yes! All 2013 Sentras will come with a spare tire as standard.

[Eikon]

Welcome sir!

From all of us, THANK YOU very much for joining us.. It's an awesome opportunity to speak directly with someone at Nissan.

[NissanAndrewJennings]

Will it be available with the birds-eye view 360 camera

No, 2013 Sentra will not be available with the Around View Monitor. However, the RearView Monitor will be available with the new NissanConnect with Navigation option.

[NissanAndrewJennings]

Will it have any of the innovative simple technology that the Altima has, such as the tire fill assist beep?

You bet! The Easy-Fill Tire Alert feature will be available on the 2013 Sentra too. It will also have the innovative new Smart Auto Headlights that turn on automatically when the wipers are in constant motion.

[NissanAndrewJennings]

We note that this basic Sentra design was unveiled in China a few months ago.. Where was the design created for this platform? Was it a Japan corporate project, or was the Nissan US design studio in MI part of the project or was it heavily influenced by Europe or China?

The 2013 Sentra was styled at Nissan Design Japan.