The new Nissan Almera SXE packs a punch, reports Motoring Editor Malcolm Baylis

NISSAN is topping its recently-revised Almera range with a new performance diesel version named SXE with 136PS of grunt, a six-speed gearbox, electronic stability programme and DVD satellite navigation system. It is priced at £14,500 with three doors or £15,250 with five.

Its new dCi engine gives the company an even more comprehensive diesel line-up.

Sitting alongside the 110PS 2.2-litre direct injection engine, still offered in the Almera SE and SVE, the new 136 dCi develops full power at 4,000rpm and 304Nm of torque at just 2,000rpm.

With a 0-62mph time of 9.2-seconds, this engine will make the Almera SXE the fastest car in the Nissan range - until the 350Z arrives - as well as being the quickest diesel in its class... if you do not count the £3,085 more expensive Golf GT TDI 150, that is.

Despite this power, the Almera dCi SXE is economical.

The 2.2-litre dCi 136, which is mated with the six-speed manual gearbox from the Primera, returns 47.9mpg on the combined cycle and produces a CO2 mass emissions figure of 161g/km.

Company car banding remains at 18 per cent (including three per cent diesel penalty), rising to 19 per cent for the 2003/4 tax year.

The new range-topping SXE is also available with a 1.8-litre 116PS petrol unit.

Prices start from £13,250 for the 1.8 three-door, rising to £14,000 for the five-door; the three-door 136 dCi is £14,500 and the five-door is £15,250.

Not to be left out, the just-demoted from top-of-range SVE now gets DVD satellite navigation. Prices of the SVE models will increase by £900.

There are eight versions of the SVE available, including 1.5, 1.8 manual or automatic and the 2.2 Di diesel engine, all of which share the same standard equipment.

Prices start from £12,250 for the 1.5-litre three-door rising to £14,650 for the 2.2 Di five-door.

Updated: 15:35 Thursday, March 20, 2003