2015 Nissan Versa Sedan gears up for 2014 New York Auto Show

Following the introduction of an all-new Versa Note hatchback for the 2014 model year, the Versa Sedan receives an extensive makeover for 2015 - including new front and rear fascias, a range of interior refinements, and new grade level and packaging content.The starting price of $11,990 is unchanged, despite adding a refreshed exterior and interior along with standard Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System.

"Versa Sedan is the entry point for the dynamic Nissan sedan lineup, attracting many first-time new car buyers to the brand," said Pierre Loing, vice president, Product Planning, Nissan North America, Inc. "It's critical that we keep Versa's look and feel fresh and its value equation high, with a rewarding driving and ownership experience."

A Refreshed Exterior

Most prominent of the changes to the 2015 Versa Sedan is the bold new front end treatment anchored by larger headlights, a more substantial looking fascia and standard chrome plating on the grille - all of which strengthen the family ties of the Versa Sedan with the Nissan stable mates - Sentra, Altima and Maxima.

The list of exterior upgrades also includes a new fog light finisher design, new side mirror designs for SV and SL trim levels (with integrated turn signals for SL), and a more dynamic rear fascia design. A new, Versa Sedan-exclusive 15-inch V-spoke aluminum-alloy wheel design is also available with SV models.

"While keeping Versa Sedan's efficient dimensions and packaging intact, the enhancements to the exterior give it a stronger, more contemporary presence," said Loing.

Other exterior design elements include a fixed roof antenna, available blacked-out B-pillars, chrome door handles and front fog lights. Smart aerodynamic engineering helps create a coefficient of drag is just 0.288 (Xtronic-equipped models), which aids in the Versa Sedan's impressive real-world fuel economy.

The 2015 Versa Sedan is offered in two new exterior colors: Graphite Blue and Amethyst Gray - along with Metallic Blue, Super Black, Brilliant Silver, Red Brick, Fresh Powder and Titanium.

A Roomy, Refined Interior

For 2015, Versa Sedan again offers five-passenger practicality with a high degree of comfort and refinement - the perfect combination for commuting on weekdays, running errands on weekends and transporting family and friends all week long.

Enhancements for the 2015 model year include a new center stack shape, which is similar to that found on the sporty Versa Note, a revised meter display with white LED display (previously orange illumination color) and a new, more substantial, steering wheel with standard audio and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System controls. Versa Sedan S and S Plus grades feature a wide AM/FM/CD audio system with standard auxiliary-in and Radio Data System (RDS), standard assist grips, a passenger-side vanity mirror and new seat fabric.

Versa Sedan SV adds an outside temperature display, USB/iPod® controls, upgraded fabric headliner, map light with key-linked illuminated entry and silver finishers on the center instrument panel cluster. SL models include Nissan Intelligent Key® with Push Button Ignition and an AM/FM/CD/USB-iPod® audio system with 5.0-inch display and NissanConnectSM with Mobile Apps.

"Like the exterior changes, the interior refinements and new standard features such as Bluetooth® provide a more substantial, higher quality look and feel," added Loing.

All 2015 Versa Sedans continue to provide a roomy interior volume of 90.2 cubic feet, with more rear legroom than many mid-size sedans. Trunk volume measures 14.9 cubic feet. The trunk design itself focuses on useable space, taking into consideration everything from the size of the hinges to the shape of the sidewalls. A 60/40-split fold-down rear seat is standard on SV and SL models for even greater cargo versatility. Two interior colors are available, Sandstone (SV and SL only) and Charcoal (all trim levels).

Other available interior features include trip computer with outside temperature display, power windows with driver's one-touch down, speed-sensing auto door locks and remote trunk release lever. Also offered are SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately) and RearView Monitor.

The NissanConnectSM with Navigation and Mobile Apps system, which is offered as part of the SL Technology Package, includes a 5.8-inch color touch-screen display, Nissan Voice Recognition for audio and navigation, SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately). Available apps include Facebook, Pandora, iHeartRadio and Google® Search.

Advanced Engine Technology and an Efficient V-Platform

The 2015 Versa Sedan utilizes Nissan's global lightweight "V" platform and is powered by a 1.6-liter HR16DE 4-cylinder engine rated at 109 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 107 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. The engine features a range of fuel efficiency enhancing technologies, including a dual injector system that allows a wider injection of fuel than a traditional single-injection system. The smaller nozzles deliver a finer spray to help achieve stable combustion.

The dual injector system also uses around half the amount of rare metals in the catalyzer by reducing the amount of unburned fuel and hydrocarbon emissions.

The compact, lightweight engine also employs a twin Continuously Variable valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) mounted on intake and exhaust camshafts (versus conventional CVTC systems, which are mounted only on the intake camshaft), similar to the system used on the flagship Nissan Maxima.

Using CVTCS on the exhaust camshaft increases thermal efficiency, decreases inhalation resistance and offers an approximate four percent improvement in fuel efficiency (over the previous engine design). The engine also includes a piston oiling jet, specially tuned piston top shape and expanded exhaust manifold diameter.

The 1.6-liter engine is matched with a choice of three transmissions - a 5-speed manual transmission or 4-speed automatic (S models only), or a next-generation Xtronic transmission with D-mode step shift programming. The Xtronic design allows continuous change of the transmission gear ratio by connecting the two pulleys with a metallic belt and changing their diameter by using hydraulic pressure. It incorporates an auxiliary planetary gearbox to broaden the effective gear ratio helping improve efficiency. The Xtronic transmission's gear ratio of 7.3:1 is broader than those of typical 7-speed automatic transmissions.

Fuel economy for the 2015 Versa Sedan is rated at 31 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 35 mpg combined with the Xtronic transmission. Versa Sedan models equipped with the 5-speed manual offers 27 mpg city, 36 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined, while the 4-speed automatic-equipped models are rated at 26 mpg city, 35 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined.

All Xtronic-equipped 2015 Versa Sedans carry the PUREDRIVE™ designation, worn by 2015 Nissan vehicles that achieve an EPA fuel economy rating of 40 mpg. The PUREDRIVE™ badge reflects Nissan's commitment to developing more environmentally friendly transportation.

All Versa Sedans are equipped with an independent MacPherson strut front suspension and torsion beam rear suspension, with front and rear stabilizer bars. For 2015, the suspension dampers and electric power steering have been retuned for a more comfortable ride and improved handling. Other standard equipment includes power-assisted front disc/rear drum brakes, an Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.

Versa S, S Plus and SV models are equipped with 15-inch steel wheels with covers and 185/65R15 all-season tires. New 15-inch 6-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels are available with the SV Alloy Wheel Package. The Versa SL model features 16-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with 195/55R16 all-season tires. Low rolling resistance tires are standard on all models.

Standard safety features include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) (includes dual-stage front supplemental air bags), seat-mounted driver and front passenger side-impact supplemental air bags, and roof-mounted curtain side-impact air bags for front and rear outboard occupant head protection.

Additional safety features include standard LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system, child safety rear door locks, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), Easy-Fill Tire Alert (SL only), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) and Traction Control System (TCS).

Four Well-Equipped Models, Two Option Packages

The 2015 Nissan Versa Sedan is available in four well-equipped models - Versa Sedan S (offered in 5MT and 4AT versions), Versa Sedan S Plus (Xtronic only), Versa Sedan SV (Xtronic only) and Versa Sedan SL (Xtronic only).

With the previous optional content of the SV Convenience Package now found as standard equipment on the S or SV grades, just two options are offered for 2015 - the SV Alloy Wheel Package and SL Tech Package.

The SV Alloy Wheel Package includes unique V-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels. The SL Technology Package now includes RearView Monitor, plus NissanConnect with Navigation and Mobile Apps with 5.8-inch color touch-screen display, Nissan Voice Recognition for audio and navigation, SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link (fuel prices, weather, movie listings and stock info) (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately).

The 2015 Versa Sedan is assembled at Nissan's Aguascalientes, Mexico assembly plant that also assembles Nissan Sentra models for the United States market.

"With its bolder appearance, more standard content and no increase in starting MSRP, the 2015 Versa Sedan has more to offer than ever. Combined with the equally high-value Versa Note, we expect Versa's segment sales leadership to continue for a long time to come," concluded Loing.