Nissan Serena 3rd Generation

The most popular version was the 2.3 diesel engine version and it was unusual in that it had eight seats instead of the expected seven.

In the early nineties, Nissan produced a version with the turbocharged SR20DET to carry people very rapidly.Nissan produced many different trim levels - FX, SX etc. The 2.3 non turbo diesel was never manufactured for the Japanese market and its seating arrangement and interior fittings are not the same as the 2.0 petrol (SR20DE), 2.0 Diesel CD20 and Turbo Diesel CD20T models manufactured in Japan for the local market.


The Nissan Vanette was a series of small vans manufactured in Spain by Nissan Motors.

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Toyota Hilux Reputation

The Hilux currently rests as one of the background decorations in the Top Gear studio.In the TV series of 2006, (series 8, episode 3), a Hilux was chosen by Jeremy Clarkson as his platform for creating an amphibious vehicle. Once recovered, the vehicle was moved back to the Top Gear Studio, where a confident Clarkson stated that he would be the only one capable of driving his truck home, since it was the indestructible Hilux.

In 2007, Top Gear ran a special program in which Clarkson and James May raced a customized 2005 model Hilux to the 1996 magnetic north pole from Northern Canada against Richard Hammond using a dog sled, and won. This episode, known as the Top Gear Polar Special, made the truck the first motor vehicle to make it to the magnetic north pole.

The Toyota War between Libya and Chad was so named because of the use of Hilux trucks as light cavalry vehicles by the army of Chad. The Toyota War saw use of the Hilux as a towing vehicle, serving to tow aircraft and tanks, including the T-62 heavy tank from the former Soviet army. The Toyota Hilux has been widely used by Pakistan Army. However, Mitsubishi L200s were bought instead of seventh-generation Hilux recently to replace worn out vehicles. US Special Forces also use specially modified Tacoma and Hilux in Afghanistan. After the test Toyota stopped the sales of Hilux equipped with 16 inch wheels in Europe.

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Toyota Hilux Seventh Generation

Hilux models sold in Australian, Middle Eastern, and Asian markets are built and assembled in Thailand, where the vehicle is called the Hilux Vigo, or simply Vigo. For the European, South African and Icelandic markets the Hilux is built in Durban, South Africa.

In Malaysia, the Hilux is only available in 2.5 L with the option of single cab or double cab.The double cab model has an automatic transmission variant. In Singapore, the Hilux is available as a single cab with the 2.5 L engine or a double cab with the 3.0 L engine.

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Hyundai Santa FE

The Hyundai Santa Fe is a mid-size crossover SUV based on the Hyundai Sonata platform. The Santa Fe quickly became Hyundai's best seller and contributed to Hyundai's success in the United States. The 2nd Gen Hyundai Santa Fe topped the “20 least expensive 2009 vehicles to insure” list by Insure.com. 2009 saw only minor changes for the Santa Fe. The 16" wheels on the base GLS model (USA specification) were dropped and replaced with black steel wheels and plastic covers. Additionally, the GLS received black plastic mirrors opposed to the body-colored mirrors of the higher-tier SE and Limited models. For 2008, only minor changes were applied to the Santa Fe. The next-generation 2007 Santa Fe debuted at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. The first production Santa Fe rolled off Hyundai's Montgomery, Alabama assembly line on April 18, 2006. Newly standard on the latest iteration of the Santa Fe are all the safety features the previous model lacked or charged as extra. The rear seat head restraints caused visibility problems in the previous model due to their size. LATCH child seat anchors are also standard, and a optional 50/50 third row seat allows Santa Fe to seat seven passengers.

In Malaysia, Hyundai Santa Fe is available as a Complete knock down model rebadged as Inokom Santa Fe. The Inokom Santa Fe is only available in CRDi 2.2-liter I4 Diesel and 2.7-liter V6.

A mid-cycle refresh designed in Germany for the Santa Fe was implemented for the 2010 model year. All Santa Fes now include standard Bluetooth hands-free phone connectivity and steering wheel audio controls, new darker wood trim, and a metallic steering wheel inlay. Both generate a higher power as well as obtain higher fuel economy than the previous model.

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