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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday September 13, 2006 - 31 The all-new 2007 Nissan Versa her/him will find they still have full legroom with no pinching. Total interior volume is 2,772 litres (94.4 cu ft) in the hatchback version and 2,659 litres (93.9 cu ct) in the sedan. That is larger than some compact crossover SUVS currently on the market. It also adds up to 479 litres (16.9 cu ft) of trunk space in the hatch and 391 litres (13.8 cu ft) in the sedan. While I did drove this car earlier in the year, I wanted to spend more time with it because of the increasing Canadian family shift away from minivans to smaller cars due to a number of factors, not the least of which is the cost of fuel. Ergo a Nissan invitation to take the Versa out for day in perfect summer sunshine was a case of perfect timing. The front seats are bigger and wider to suit the North American's evolution into taller and more robust people. But because the Versa is wider than it looks, front seat occupants won't be butting shoulders. According to Nissan, the Versa is the longest car in its class and has the longest wheelbase and well as having the largest interior and passenger volume and cargo volume There is one engine, but three transmissions. A six-speed manual is standard, and is the only one offered in this segment. There is also an optional four-speed automatic and Nissan's new Xtronic CVT (Constantly Variable Transmission). Nissan is in the midst of converting its fleet to the CVT. In theory, the CVT offers improved gas consumption because it can better match fuel requirements to engine needs. Fuel numbers for the manual are 7.9/6.3L/100 km (36/45 mpg) city/highway; automatic, 8.5/6.2L/100 km (33/46 mpg); and 7.9/6.1L/100 km (36/46 mpg) for the CVT. While these look similar, Nissan said testing has showed the CVT proved better at matching speed and power. The engine is a new 1.8-litre 16-valve, four-cylinder making 122 hp and 127 lb/ft of torque. It's lusty, but because it is placed so close to the cabin, it can be loud under full throttle. My test Versa was equipped with the CVT that Nissan plans to expand to all its sedans. My first leg on was superhighway asphalt were the greater power of the 1.8-litre made itself felt in the on-ramp into traffic flowing at 120 km/h. With subcompacts of the past, this meant trying to pick a gap in the traffic and then hope to the heavens you could get up enough steam to make it. The Versa made short work of this but the CVT takes some getting used to. When you punch it, the engine revs right up to the peak power point at 5,500 rpm and stays fixed at that spot. What you have is the engine wailing away as the CVT uses its multi gearing to get you up to speed. It takes about the same time is as standard automatic but without the drop in revs as the tranny jumps up to the next cog. It's different but by mid-afternoon, I didn't notice it anymore. Considering its squarish sides, the sightlines are pretty good, but a careful sighting of the mirrors will be required to minimize the blind spot. The use of "soft" and "super soft" trim is a new experience. I'm not an armrest user but my driver partner on the test driver earlier this year is and he couldn't stop cooing about how much he enjoyed it back then. On gently meandering roads north of Toronto, the Versa sailed along with surprisingly positive steering. And when I drove the earlier car, I noticed the electric power steering had some deadness of feel on centre but it was not evident during my more recent drive. Turning too is more fluid and weighted without a ratcheting feeling of the steering wheel you can get with electric power steering. Pricing for the Versa 1.8 S with manual transmission starts at $14,498 and the automatic adds $1,000. ABS is an option on the S. The 1.8 S with the VOP package is $15,898 and the automatic is $16,898. The VOP includes air conditioning, power locks and windows; remote keyless entry and some minor trim additions. The VOP should be the volume seller. The $17,098 1.8 SL ($17,098 for the automatic) is the VOP plus 15-inch alloy wheels, ABS, six-way driver's seat Auto EVERYTHING adjust, cruise control and more minor trim details. Instead of the automatic, the CVT is optional for a sticker price of $18.398. The top of the Versa ladder is the 1.8 SL Tech at $18,098 with the manual, $19,398 with the CVT. This is the glamour model with Bluetooth hands-free telephone, Rockford Fosgate audio system with six speakers and six-CD changer and leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. In the fall, there will a Sport model with power glass sunroof rear and side sill spoilers, front and rear chin spoilers and fog lights. As mentioned above, the Versa is just the first of a flood of new products coming from Nissan with the all-new Sentra coming in the fall. If the Versa, with its class-leading size, power and interior space is any clue, there are good things to come from Nissan. ** OR 0% OWN IT! FINANCING 5-STAR CRASH TEST RATING § On all in-stock 2006 models and 2007 Magentis. BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND -- OFFER EXTENDED UNTIL SEPTEMBER 30TH! There's no safer minivan. 2006 SEDONA MSRP $29,495* 2006 SORENTO MSRP $27,895* MONTHLY FINANCE PAYMENT DOWN PAYMENT 32 MPG 8.8 L/100 KM highway fuel consumption> 26 MPG 10.7 L/100 KM highway fuel consumption> MONTHLY FINANCE PAYMENT DOWN PAYMENT $328* $344* $351* $1,950 $595 $0 Sedona EX model shown Sorento EX model shown OWN IT! * $318* $335* $343* $1,995 $595 $0 PURCHASE FINANCING $3,950 DOWN PAYMENT $ 304 0 * PER MO./60 MOS. % FINANCE APR* PURCHASE FINANCING $3,550 DOWN PAYMENT $ 299 0.9 PER MO./60 MOS. ** % FINANCE APR* OR DON'T PAY UNTIL 2007 ** OR DON'T PAY UNTIL 2007 OR 0% FINANCE APR FOR 48 MOS.§ · 3.8 L V6, 244 hp CVVT engine · 5-speed automatic · Fold-away rear seats , · Tri-zone climate control · Cruise control · 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS · Front & side curtain airbags · Cruise control · Air conditioning · Fog lamps · Power windows & door locks · Heated front wipers & power mirrors Visit kia.ca Oakville Kia 1450 Speers Road, Oakville, ON (905) 847-1511 *Based on an MSRP of $29,495/$27,895 on 2006 Sedona LX (SD7526)/2006 Sorento LX MT (SR55X6) with annual purchase financing interest rate of 0.0%/0.9%. Purchase financing interest rate of 0.0% on Sedona LX only available if financed through the Bank of Nova Scotia. Purchase financing interest rate is 1.9% on Sedona LX if not financed through the Bank of Nova Scotia. Monthly payment is $304/$299 for 60 months, amortized over an 84-month period with $3,950/$3,550 down payment. Estimated remaining principal balance of $7,298/$7,113 plus applicable taxes due at end of 60-month period. MSRPs and purchase financing offers exclude delivery and destination of $1,395/$1,395. Licence, registration, insurance, delivery and destination, dealer administration fees and taxes are not included, unless otherwise stated. Dealers are free to set individual prices. Prices subject to change without notice. **"Don't pay until 2007" purchase financing, available on approved credit (OAC). Example: $10,000 at 0.0% purchase financing per annum for 4 months, monthly payment is $0, cost of borrowing for the 4 months is $0 and total owing after 4 months is still $10,000. After 4 months, $10,000 financed at 1.1% equals $213.05 per month for 48 months; C.O.B. is $226.40. For "Don't pay until 2007" purchase financing, 1.1% will be added to the applicable interest rate. Available on new 2006 and 2007 Kia models. See your local participating Kia dealership for full details. §0% purchase financing is available for a maximum of 36/48/60 months on selected new 2006 Kia models and up to 48 months on 2007 Magentis. Purchase financing example: $10,000 at 0.0% purchase financing equals $278 per month for 36 months; C.O.B. is $0 for a total obligation of $10,000. Offer varies depending on vehicle model. Monthly payment and cost of borrowing will vary depending on amount borrowed, the term and down payment/trade. Other lease and finance options available. Certain restrictions may apply. Use regular unleaded fuel (242 HP @ 6,000 RPM/torque 251 lb. ft. @ 3,500 RPM). For maximum power, use premium unleaded fuel (244 HP @ 6,000 RPM/torque 253 lb. ft. @ 3,500 RPM). Please refer to owner's manual for details. Featured models are not exactly as illustrated. Images contain available accessories. NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) test results. Visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap for full details. 2006 Sedona awarded 5-star crash test rating by the NHTSA and the Gold Top Safety Pick by the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. Visit www.nhtsa.dot.gov/ncap or www.iihs.org for full details. >Fuel consumption for 2006 Sedona LX (SD7526) is 32.1 mpg (8.8 L/100 km)/2006 Sorento LX MT (SR55X6) is 26.4 mpg (10.7 L/100 km) Highway. These estimates are based on the Government of Canada's approved criteria and testing methods. The actual fuel consumption of these vehicles may vary. Refer to the Government of Canada publication EnerGuide Fuel Consumption Guide. Kia's "Worry-Free Comprehensive" warranty covers most vehicle components against defects under normal use and maintenance conditions. Price, availability and specifications are subject to changes without notice. Information in this advertisement is believed to be accurate at the time of print. KIA is a trademark of Kia Motors Corporation.