[Automotive topic]: Nissan Sylphy B17 launched in Malaysia, the Nissan Sentra nameplate retired from Malaysia markets.

The all new Nissan Sylphy B17 was launched in Malaysia last months, the long running Nissan Sentra Sport N16 was finally disappeared from Nissan Malaysia website, meanwhile its predecessor (G11) is still appeared on Nissan Malaysia official webiste.

This means that Nissan Sylphy B17 is our Nissan Sentra N16 replacement, especially the 1.8 litre range.

When the Nissan B17 launched in Malaysia, the B17 is not called as Nissan Sentra, instead Sylphy due to the price. Nissan Sentra nameplate was disappeared in Philippines too.

In mid 2000's, Nissan Sylphy G11 and Latio Sedan were the Nissan Sentra N16 actual replacement. Our Nissan Malaysia distributor Edaran Tan Chong did not intend to replace Nissan Sentra N16 with any model, but sold it as budget model like Singapore, where Nissan Sylphy slotted above than Sentra.

Regarding to the price of Nissan Latio sedan C11, its price is closed to Nissan Sentra N16 1.6 litre range, but the price of Nissan Sylphy B17 is closed to Nissan Sentra N16 1.8 XGL.

Nissan Sentra nameplate was used in Malaysia for 28 years, since 1986 until 2014. In the 1980's, Nissan Sunny B11 130Y was sold well in South East Asia countries like Thailand and Malaysia. Edaran Tan Chong Motor did not intend to replace Nissan Sunny 130Y B11 with B12 model, so ETCM used Sentra nameplate for B12 model and slotted it above Nissan Sunny 130Y, but lower than Nissan Bluebird and Langley. The B12 was fully imported model, meanwhile N13, B13, B14 and N16 was locally assembled model. Nissan Sunny 130Y was discontinued in Malaysia since 1996.

The first generation of Nissan Sentra (B12; 1986-1987):

Here's the first generation of Nissan Sentra in Malaysia in boxy design, launched here around year 1986. This was considered rare model, body looked like Nissan Bluebird U11 and Stanza T12. This B12 had been used as taxis in Malaysia before (but retired since early 2000's). In 1990's, we could see not only the new B13 Genting Taxi, but we also could see this B12 as taxi in Genting. Only 1 spec offered in Malaysia, there was 1500 cc engine (E15S; same engine with Nissan Langley N12 Sedan) with manual transmission gearbox. It was replaced by N13 since 1987.

The second generation of Nissan Sentra (N13; 1987-1991):

 

Nissan Sentra N13 was launched in Malaysia in 1987 as the short life B12 replacement. In addition, this N13 was also Nissan Langley (N12) replacement. N13 had two variants for Malaysia markets, there were 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback. Powered by 1500 (GA15S) and 1600 cc (GA16S)engine with auto or manual transmission.

The third generation of Nissan Sentra (B13; 1991-1995):

The Nissan Sentra returned to B-series in 1991 after its predecessor, B12 was discontinued in 1987 here. This car was very popular in Malaysia during early 1990's. In 1991, the B13 front grille was Sunny logo (JDM logo) which same with B12, but replaced with Nissan logo in 1993. It was also used as taxis in Genting, even we still can see this car on the road until today. The B13 Genting Taxi still use today due to good fuel efficiency and powerful. It was powered by 1600 cc GA16DE engine with auto or manual transmission optional. Its siblings were Nissan AD Resort Y10, Nissan 100NX Coupe and Nissan Pulsar N14 which its platform was same with B13.

The fourth generation of Nissan Sentra (B14; 1995-2001):

Come to mid 1990's, the B14 launched in Malaysia in late 1995. Europe, New Zealand and Australian markets did not received this model due to there already offered Nissan Pulsar/Almera N15. No hatchback variant (N15) offered in Malaysia. Actually Tan Chong should offer two variants, there were sedan (B14) and hatchback (N15). In 1998, the facelift of B14 was launched, the grille looked like Nissan Bluebird U14 and Cefiro A32. Only 1600 cc engine spec offered. In US and Japan, the B14 had coupe version.

The fifth generation of Nissan Sentra (N16: 2000-2013):

The Nissan Sentra N16 was launched in Malaysia in late 2000, this car was the successor to Nissan Pulsar N15 and Nissan Presea R11 in Japan. In Europe and Australia, this car had hatchback version (3/5 door), but the grille looks like Primera P12 (V-curve design). In Malaysia, the N16 Sentra offered 1500 cc (1.5 SE; auto or manual), 1600 cc (1.6 XE; auto) and 1800 cc (1.8 GXE; auto) specs. N16 was shared platform with Nissan Sunny B15, Wingroad Y11, Tino V10 and Primera P12. In 2004/05, there had two facelift of this N16. The facelift of Nissan Sentra N16 looked like Teana J31 and Latio Sedan C11 in terms of rear ends. The 1500 cc range was dropped after the facelift of Sentra launched in 2005, meanwhile 1800 cc spec was dropped since 2010. Actually this Nissan Sentra was ended production in 2012/13, but Nissan Malaysia Website was still presented this model before the B17 Sylphy launched.