Bangkok, Thailand – The new Nissan X-Trail, Nissan's smart urban SUV, recently showcased its superior Intelligent Cruise Control capabilities and Intelligent Driving features during a series of recent test drives that took participants from Thailand to Myanmar.
This drive experience, the latest in the "Nissan Intelligent Driving Experience (NIDE) Go Anywhere" series, also broke new ground as the first and official caravan trip in Myanmar to traverse the country from south to north.
As part of this experience, Nissan in Thailand offered automotive experts and journalists a chance to drive the new Nissan X-Trail from Yangon to Mandalay and push its limits during a series of inspiring activities and challenges. This allowed them to experience the many embedded Nissan Intelligent Mobility features that transform the way people drive and live.
Nissan also took advantage of Myanmar's varied topography and terrain, which is perfectly suited to showcasing the new Nissan X-Trail's capabilities.
"We are delighted to have the new Nissan X-Trail out on the roads in Myanmar to showcase how the Nissan Intelligent Driving Experience lets you literally 'Go Anywhere' you want. While Myanmar's transport infrastructure continues to improve, it is a place where a smart SUV like the X-Trail comes in very handy indeed," said Ramesh Narasimhan, president of Nissan in Thailand. "Participants experienced and used the many Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies, helping ensure drivers could easily navigate rough terrain or winding roads with ease. These technologies are redefining the way people drive and live.
The long drive along Myanmar highways proved an ideal testing ground for the new X-Trail's Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), which can maintain a preset distance from the vehicle ahead, reducing the driver's workload. Instead of sticking to a fixed speed, it senses what the caravan vehicles in front are doing and speeds up or slows down depending on conditions.
On other parts of the drive, Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) enhanced overall drive comfort and safety. Intelligent Forward Collision Warning (FCW) together with Intelligent Emergency Braking (IEB), detect sudden movements of any vehicle ahead in the same lane, alerting the driver and engaging the vehicle brakes so as increase safety by reducing potential risks.
Before departing the busy streets of Yangon, participants frequently used the Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intelligent Around View Monitor and Moving Detect Objection (MOD) when parking in tight places. These also proved useful when the group departed Yangon for Mandalay along the Bagan highway. - the best expressway in Myanmar where most of the road is in good condition.
As such, participants got to test how the new X-Trail performed on the open highway while enjoying the beautiful scenery of Mandalay. The X-Trail's signature panoramic sunroof (available on select models) gave them a wide view of Myanmar's lush countryside through the panoramic glass roof. Participants found the new X-Trail incredibly comfortable, roomy and fun to drive - even over the long distances.
The routing involved driving through Naypyidaw, where they went on a city tour, and ended at Uppatasanti Pagoda, a smaller replica of Yangon's famed Shwedagon Pagoda, to catch the sunset. After nightfall, drivers took advantage of High Beam Assist, which automatically adjusts the headlights, lowering the high-beam to avoid blinding oncoming traffic, then switching back as needed.
The drive also helped showcase the two engine choices for the new X-Trail: the 2.5L ICE and the 2.0L Hybrid. The powerful 2.5-liter powertrain boasts 171 PS and 233 Nm of torque while the 2.0-liter hybrid engine delivers output of 144 PS and 200 Nm of torque along with output of 41 PS plus 160 Nm of torque from the electric motor. Both offered power to spare as the group drove to Bagan, stopping off at a sweet palm factory along the way.
In Bagan, the group visited Nyaung Oo Market to take in daily Myanmar life, and filled the X-Trail with handicrafts and local fabrics such as the country's icon "longyi" sarong fabric. The new X-Trail's Hands-free Auto Lift Gate proved extremely useful when loading the vehicles as well as for urban loads and outdoor activities or when traveling with lots of equipment or luggage as this trip required. After loading up the SUV, additional stops included a visit to the historic Bagan Railway Station before watching another dramatic sunset over the pagodas of Bagan.
The routing also included Sagaing and Mingun, another of Myanmar's ancient capitals. They are famous for the numerous white, silver and gold pagodas that dot its hilly landscape, and proved to be an ideal setting to conclude the Nissan X-Trail adventure.
"The new X-Trail's ingenious combination of strength, versatility and full suite of Nissan Intelligent Mobility technologies makes it a perfect match for Myanmar's demanding weather and varying road conditions, giving both drivers and passengers the confidence to take on any adventure with families and friends," Narasimhan concluded.
The first group of NIDE Go Anywhere participants blazed the trail across the border from Kanchanaburi, Thailand, to Yangon, Myanmar. The second group travelled from Yangon to Mandalay, while this third group drove from Mandalay to Mai Sae in northern Chiang Rai province.
In total, the three groups combined will drive more than 3,000 kilometers, enjoying the splendors of Kanbawzathadi Palace, Shwemawdaw Pagoda, Uppatasanti Pagoda, Bagan Railway Station, Mandalay Hill, Inle Lake, Inn Paw Khon weaving village, Namsang, Palaung village, the Salween River, Wat Tham Mu and Wat Zom Kam in Kengtung. In addition, the route includes a visit to Tachileik Market as well as more than 2,200 temples and pagodas dotting the roadside along the way.
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About Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Nissan was established in Japan since 1933 with the commitment to create Innovation that Excites for customer satisfaction. Nissan wants to improve quality of life for people in society by pursuing a goal of zero emission vehicles and zero fatalities on the road with "Nissan Intelligent Mobility". The company plans to introduce autonomous drive vehicles across regions for safety and more enjoyable driving experience. Nissan started business in Thailand since 1952. Currently, the Nissan Group of Companies in Thailand has subsidiaries five companies, including two of the production bases, over than 180 showrooms and service centers nationwide network. Vehicle range cover all segments includes 10 models spanning the entry level Eco-Car, SUV, Premium Sedans and Pickup Trucks.
About Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Nissan is a global full-line vehicle manufacturer that sells more than 60 models under the Nissan, INFINITI and Datsun brands. In fiscal year 2017, the company sold 5.77 million vehicles globally, generating revenue of 11.9 trillion yen. On April 1, 2017, the company embarked on Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, a six-year plan targeting a 30% increase in annualized revenues to 16.5 trillion yen by the end of fiscal 2022, along with cumulative free cash flow of 2.5 trillion yen. As part of Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022, the company plans to extend its leadership in electric vehicles, symbolized by the world's best-selling all-electric vehicle in history, the Nissan LEAF. Nissan's global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan, manages operations in six regions: Asia & Oceania; Africa, the Middle East & India; China; Europe; Latin America; and North America. Nissan has partnered with French manufacturer Renault since 1999 and acquired a 34% stake in Mitsubishi Motors in 2016. The Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance sold 10.76 million vehicles combined in calendar year 2018.
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For more information, please contact:
Kamolchanok Charoenjindarat
Nissan Motor (Thailand) Co., Ltd. – Communications Department
Tel +66 (0) 2339 3400 Ext. 4113-4114 / Fax +66 (0) 2253 1022 www.nissan.co.th
Kanit Vannapin
TQPR (Thailand) Co., Ltd. – Consultant
Email: ink@tqpr.com
Tel +66 (0) 2260 5820 Ext. 119
