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The sporty handling does not upset the ride either, as this car exhibits the best ride of any car that’s cheaper than a small house. Bumps, potholes, manhole covers, concrete joints, even dead cats all disappear, isolating the Cefiro’s occupants from the problems of the outside world. What’s the only signal that you’ve hit a nasty one? The CD changer skips a beat. The suspension is complemented by comfort-oriented 205/65 VR 15 Goodyear NCT3 tires. To the untrained eye, the all-new Nissan Cefiro looks similar to the model it replaces. But despite the conservative redesign, the Cefiro is of a wholly new body construction. The overall length has increased to 4920 mm from 4770 mm; width has increased by 10 mm and the overall height by 20 mm. The slab-sided panels have been ditched in favor of a slightly angular look. In combination with more visible fender flairs, it gives the Cefiro a more masculine look. Touches of luxury have been added such as the chrome grille, wide horizontal tail lamps and quadruple complex-surface-reflector headlamps. Nissan, as it always has, goes over the top with its high end model. The Cefiro Brougham VIP for instance features additional exterior features which border on the cheesy side. This includes the two-tone black and gray paint job (the one and only color combination for the Brougham VIP) and of course, the prerequisite hood ornament. Somehow the Ace of Spades-meets-Pagcor logo on the hood doesn’t have quite the same chest-beating effect as its rivals’, but it is quite helpful in indicating where the long hood ends. Inside, the Nissan Cefiro Brougham VIP has most of the luxury toys as standard. Aside from all power features, the new car boasts electronically adjustable seats for both front and rear passengers. The driver gets the most position adjustments at eight, the front passenger gets six and even the rear passengers get two. There’s also—take a deep breath now—a 6-disc CD / VCD changer with TV tuner and a re-designed 6-speaker system, full-leather interior trim with tufted seats, wood grain finish that actually adds class, an Infiniti-inspired analogue clock, a full automatic climate control system with rear control override, white-glow gauges (with dimmer, thankfully), rear reading lamps, chromed door handles and rear aircon vents! All the gadgets are easily recognizable and within reach. The driving position is also very comfortable thanks to the almost unlimited variations of motorized adjustment. The Cefiro Brougham VIP offers the best interior fit and finish of any Japanese sedan available in the Philippines today. The quality is consistently high through the cabin with all the cubby holes featuring soft touch mechanisms that glide out with ease. Even the glovebox and the door handles, often the most neglected of interior trimmings, get a nice luxury feel to them. All the compartments have been lined with felt or cushioning to lessen the rattling, especially the coin holders. All in all, this results in a very quiet interior cabin that is even more hushed than the previous model. Whether cruising on the highway or negotiating Makati City traffic, the Cefiro isolates the passengers pretty well from anything that Metro Manila could throw at them. Though the triple door seals have been phased out, the Cefiro improved NVH levels that make it as tranquil as watching a televised golf game. The deep and comfortable seats lined with top-notch leather easily add to this feeling of peace and tranquility inside the Cefiro Brougham VIP. The rear seat is comfortable just for two, though; the middle person will be boosted up close to the ceiling by the seat’s center bulge. Progress is steady and uninterrupted. At speed, there’s virtually no mechanical or road noise. You’d think that you were inside the comfort of your living room, when you’re actually cruising at triple-digits along the South Superhighway. The Cefiro Brougham VIP contains the latest safety equipment as well. Like before, the Cefiro has the standard dual SRS airbags and four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System). This time, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BAS) have been introduced. All these work well to bring the car to a dead halt with the best pedal feel and brake response this side of a Porsche. Overall, the brake actuation is quick and precise—the brake pedal being nicely weighted. The overall brake feel is confidence-inspiring, particularly when compared to the Honda Accord’s. |
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