Images claiming to reveal a facelift for the Nissan Almera have appeared on a Chinese website ahead of a reported September launch for the updated small car.
The images, first published by Auto Sohu, uncover revised styling for the Micra-based compact sedan.
Larger headlights and front grille and a redesigned bumper with chrome highlights take inspiration from the mid-sized Altima sedan.
New side mirrors now feature integrated indicator lights, while the rear is distinguished by mildly revised tail-light fixtures and a chrome strip above the licence plate holder.
The upgrade is also expected to bring subtle cabin revisions. The Almera’s four-cylinder petrol drivetrain is likely to carry over unchanged.
The images reveal a Chinese-specification model, and it is unclear at this stage if the updates will be rolled out globally or apply only to select markets.
The Japanese brand’s city-sized sedan was originally unveiled in December 2010 in China where it is badged as the Nissan Sunny. It launched in the US as the Nissan Versa in April 2011, and arrived in Australia in August 2012 under the Almera nameplate.
Nissan sold 1345 Almeras in Australia in the first half of this year, a figure that when combined with Micra sales gives Nissan a 5.6 per cent share of the sub-$25K city car segment.
Priced from $16,990 to $20,990, the Nissan Almera is powered by a 75kW/139Nm 1.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine and is available with the choice of a four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmission.
