A Nissan Pulsar for the ‘lost generation’

Seán Creedon

‘A CAR for the lost generation’. That’s Nissan’s marketing ploy for their new Pulsar as they return to the competitive

‘C’ motoring segment after a seven-year absence.

In the

‘C’ segment they will be taking on old reliables like the VW Golf, Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla and Auris, Opel Astra and Hyundai i30.

Peter Dynan, head of product at Nissan Ireland, says they are hoping to gain a 7-8% share of the market next year with the Pulsar. Nissan’s new hatchback, which replaces the Almera, was launched at the Ploughing Championship at the end of September, but only made it to the showrooms last week.

It’s a very comfortable motor to drive and travel in, but I thought the interior was a bit too black for my liking. There is huge leg room for back seat passengers and you get a space-saver spare wheel.

I will have a proper review in a few weeks, but for now I can tell you that prices will start at

?¬19,995 for the 1.2 petrol. However, Nissan expect the 1.5 diesel, which starts at

?¬21,595, to be the big seller in Ireland.

Jeanne McGann, marketing manager for Nissan, says they hope to recover some of the

‘lost generation’ with an attractive PCP offer where you can get a new Pulsar for

?¬134 per month. PCP seems to be way to go for many people right now and in Britain, 30 per cent of all new buyers opt for PCP, where you can change your car every three years but will never own it.