The Indian-built Magnite is Nissan South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicle year to date, with 6973 units registered (by the end of October 2023). Now the Japanese firm’s local division has expanded its Magnite line-up by launched a trio of new automated manual transmission (AMT) variants.
Before now, cog-swapping duties in the local Magnite range were taken care of by either a 5-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). But now there’s also an AMT option (which Nissan brands “EZ-Shift”), growing the range to as many as 13 derivatives.
Note the new “EZ-Shift” badge on the tailgate.
While the so-called “X-Tronic” CVT is limited to the 74 kW turbocharged 1.0-litre, 3-cylinder petrol engine (which offers 160 Nm when linked to a manual ‘box and 152 Nm in continuously variable form), the new AMT is offered exclusively in conjunction with the entry-level naturally aspirated 3-pot of the same displacement.
As with the manual versions, this atmospheric motor generates 53 kW and 96 Nm in AMT guise, offering a claimed combined fuel economy of 5.9 L/100 km and a top speed of 150 kph (figures identical to those of the 5-speed manual models).
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The Magnite 1.0 Visia AMT is priced at R243900, while the 1.0 Acenta AMT comes in at R263900 and the 1.0 Acenta Plus AMT at R279900. Check out full range pricing below.
For the record, the Visia grade does without alloy wheels (featuring steel wheels instead) and LED daytime running lights, while also ditching the touchscreen infotainment system (settling for a double-din radio), Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, the driver display, the start-stop button (instead relying on an ignition barrel), height adjustment for the driver’s seat and the 60:40 split function for the rear bench.
The turbocharged models stick with the option of a CVT.
Meanwhile, the Acenta grade gains the items mentioned above, and the Acenta Plus further adds features such as LED headlamps, a 2nd 12-volt power outlet (handily sited for rear passengers), leather trim for the steering wheel, cruise control and Nissan’s around-view monitor.
As a reminder, Nissan launched the front-wheel-driveMagnite locally in April 2021, before adding theRed Editionvariants late in 2022 and the entry-level naturally aspirated engine in May 2023.
Magnite 1.0 Visia – R227900
Magnite 1.0 Visia AMT – R243900
Magnite 1.0 Acenta – R247800
Magnite 1.0 Acenta Plus – R263100
Magnite 1.0 Acenta AMT – R263900
Magnite 1.0 Acenta Plus AMT – R279 900
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Visia – R287600
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta – R306900
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Red Edition – R315000
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Plus – R326000
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta CVT – R335500
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Red Edition CVT – R343500
Magnite 1.0 Turbo Acenta Plus CVT – R358 800
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