Nissan is preparing to roll out the all-new Serena e-Power in Malaysia, bringing its range-extender hybrid tech to a family MPV that already has a loyal following here.
The sixth-generation C28 Serena, previewed by Edaran Tan Chong Motor, will be the second Nissan model in Malaysia to use the e-Power system after the Kicks crossover.
Set to launch in Q1 2026, it would be the first e-Power model to be locally assembled at Edaran Tan Chong Motor’s Serendah plant.
The Serena name is hardly new. Since the 1990s it has been Nissan’s staple mid-sized MPV, known for space, dependability and sensible running costs.
The previous C27 Serena S-Hybrid was different. It had a mild-hybrid set-up, using a 2.0-litre petrol engine to propel the MPV. It came with a small “eco motor” to assist and handle idle stop. In effect, the engine was doing almost all the driving.
This latest model goes a big step further by making the motor do all the driving. The Serena e-Power’s wheels are powered 100% by an electric motor, while a new 1.4-litre three-cylinder petrol engine works only as a generator to charge a compact 1.769kWh lithium-ion battery pack and feed electricity to the motor.
There is no plug to worry about, no hunting for chargers and no range anxiety; you simply fill up with petrol as usual and let the system manage the rest.
Nissan said the high-output motor produces 163PS and 315Nm of torque, which should give the MPV brisk, near-silent pull from low speeds. Because the engine is not mechanically connected to the wheels, it can run in its most efficient range, and features such as Mirror Bore Coating on the cylinders are designed to cut friction, vibration and noise even further.
Edaran Tan Chong Motor chief executive officer Khoo Cheng Pah described the Serena as “a key model in our portfolio, not only in sales volume but as a beacon that truly reflects the Nissan brand – a product that delivers excitement, innovation and value.”
He added that the new e-Power version would offer better performance, refinement and fuel efficiency, along with a smooth, instant response.
As before, the Serena targets the heart of the mid-sized MPV segment, but the new drivetrain is meant to raise the bar for how a people-mover drives and how little fuel it uses.
Local specifications, equipment levels and prices would be announced closer to the model’s official launch.
