Avenir Undergoes Minor Model Change

Tokyo - Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the domestic release of the Avenir following the implementation of a minor model change.

Since undergoing a full model change in August 1998 under the design concept of a "dynamically styled tourer," the Avenir has enjoyed widespread popularity as a wagon that combines a sporty character with versatile practicality. Among its outstanding attributes, the Avenir is distinguished by nimble driving performance delivered by the HYPER CVT-M6 continuously variable transmission and a highly convenient luggage area with abundant storage capacity.

As part of this minor model change, the Avenir's sporty image has been further accentuated by reworking the exterior appearance, especially around the front end, and by completely changing the interior trim, including the instrument panel. Equipment features have also been further improved and expanded, including adoption of the world's first Adaptive Cruise Control system that works in tandem with a CVT and a class-first TV/navigation system with a 7-inch-wide screen.

Excluding the turbocharged versions, 4WD models newly combine the HYPER CVT-M6 with the lightweight, compact Auto Control 4WD system to achieve approximately 20% better fuel economy than that of their previous 4WD counterparts. Moreover, the output characteristics of the SR20DE engine have been further improved for a snappier throttle response.

In the area of environmental friendliness, all models fitted with the QG18DE engine comply with Japan's 2000 exhaust emission regulations, set to be enforced on October 1 this year. Under the low-emission vehicle certification system initiated by the Ministry of Transport in April, they have also been certified as vehicles that reduce exhaust emissions by an additional 25-49% from the amounts allowed under the 2000 exhaust emission standards.

In conjunction with this minor model change, Nissan is offering the V Limited Series value package to commemorate this year's 10th anniversary of the Avenir's debut.

<Sales target>
2,000 units/month

<Dealers selling the Avenir>
Nissan Blue Stage: Nissan and Motor channel dealers (including Nissan Red & Blue Stage dealers that handle all models)

<Showroom debut dates>
Saturday & Sunday, June 3-4

<Overview of New Avenir>
1. Updated exterior appearance
Previously, the GT4 Series and the Salut Series each featured a different front-end design. The front view has now been unified to the popular GT4 Series design, and a large-size aero bumper has also been adopted at the front on all models.

The exterior now conveys a sharper, cleaner impression largely as a result of adopting newly styled 16-inch aluminum wheels, full wheel covers, a different lens color for the rear combination lamps and body-colored door handles on all models.

2. Interior equipment and trim changes
The instrument panel has been entirely reworked to a sporty design incorporating multiple rounded surfaces. Moreover, a liquid crystal monitor with a 7-inch-wide screen is centrally positioned atop the instrument panel for superior visibility. All models also come with "Fine Vision" instrumentation featuring a twin-gauge design.

The door trim has been changed to a design that emphasizes continuity with the instrument panel, the seat upholstery has also been completely changed, and a two-tone color coordination scheme based on gray as a new interior trim color has been adopted. All of these refinements contribute to the interior's sporty, elegant-looking ambience.

A foot-operated parking brake is provided in all models for enhanced operating ease.

3. Improved and expanded equipment features
Working in tandem with the CVT, the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) system uses information obtained with a laser radar unit to recognize the host vehicle's lane and the presence of a preceding vehicle. It automatically controls the host vehicle's speed by adjusting the throttle opening angle and CVT ratio accordingly, so as to maintain a set headway distance to the vehicle ahead, thereby reducing the driver's workload in high-speed cruising and on long trips. Not only does the system reduce driver fatigue, it is also expected to improve fuel economy in everyday driving.
The Avenir multi-information display, incorporating a function for showing vehicle operating information, is available as an optional feature of the TV/navigation system with a 7-inch-wide screen.

4. Powertrain changes
The HYPER CVT-M6, widely acclaimed for delivering sporty driving performance, is offered for the first time in a 4WD wagon, excluding the turbocharged models. This advanced transmission can be combined with the lightweight, compact Auto Control 4WD system, another newly adopted feature, for an improvement in fuel economy of approximately 20%, from 9.6 to 11.6 km/l.

The output characteristics of the SR20DE engine have been further improved for a snappier throttle response.
Power [kW (ps)/rpm]:
(old) 4WD models: 103 (140)/5600; 2WD models: 107 (145)/6400 (new) 4WD & 2WD models: 107 (145)/6000
Torque [N-m (kgm)/rpm]:
(old) 4WD models: 186 (19.0)/4800; 2WD models: 178 (18.2)/4800 (new) 4WD & 2WD models: 186 (19.0)/4800

5. Environmental friendliness
All models fitted with the QG18DE engine comply with Japan's 2000 exhaust emissions regulations, set to be enforced on October 1 this year, thereby qualifying for a reduction of the automobile acquisition tax*. Moreover, under the low-emission vehicle certification system inaugurated by the Ministry of Transport in April, they have been certified as vehicles that reduce hydrocarbon (HC) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by an additional 25-49% from the levels permitted under the 2000 exhaust emission regulations. In addition, these eco-friendly models also meet the new standards of the designated low-emission vehicle system adopted by seven prefectures and cities in the Kanto area as well as the new standards of the designated low-NOx vehicle system adopted by six prefectures and cities in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe region.

*For vehicles complying with the 2000 exhaust emission regulations, the automobile acquisition tax is reduced by 1% until September 30, 2000 and by 0.1% from October 1, 2000 to February 28, 2001. 

6. Safety
The 2WD models now come with an Electronic Braking Force Distribution (EBD) system as standard equipment to reduce variation in the stopping distance related to changes in the number of occupants and payload. This system has been newly added to the antilock braking system (ABS) and Braking Assist that were standard safety features on the previous models.

7. Body color changes
Sherbet Silver TM, Athletic Silver M and Super Red have now been added as three new handsome body colors, joining the previous color selection of White Pearl 3P, Cobalt Pearl M and Super Black. (The notation TM signifies Titanium Metallic, M denotes Metallic and 3P means three coats of Pearl.)

8. V Limited Series models commemorating the Avenir's 10th anniversary
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Avenir's 1990 debut. To commemorate this milestone, Nissan is offering V Limited Series value package for all trim grades except for the GT4-V. Among the standard features of these commemorative models are the TV/navigation system with a 7-inch-wide screen, the Avenir multi-information display and an electronically tuned AM/FM radio with an integrated CD player.

Suggested Retail Price in Each Region (excluding consumption tax)
('000 of yen)

E-AT, E-ATx: full-range electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission
HYPER CVT-M6: CVT with a 6-speed manual shift mode

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE AVENIR

Autech Japan, Inc., a Nissan affiliate, will continue with the role of customizing the Avenir Enchante Lifecare Vehicle^* with the minor-changed Avenir.

*Nissan Group companies use the term Lifecare Vehicle (LV) to refer to vehicles that are specifically designed to assist persons with special mobility needs in their everyday lives.

<Overview of Avenir Enchante>
Similar to the previous model, the Avenir Enchante features a swivel front passenger's seat as standard equipment designed for easy ingress/egress by senior citizens, persons with lower limb disabilities and others who experience difficulty in entering and exiting vehicles. Some of the major product features of the Avenir Enchante include:
The front passenger's seat swivels 90 degrees with a simple manual operation.
This swivel passenger's seat enables ingress/egress without twisting the body.
Besides senior citizens, persons with lower limb disabilities and others, the swivel front passenger's seat also allows easy ingress/egress by persons wearing kimono.

Suggested Retail Price in Each Region (excluding consumption tax)
('000 of yen)

E-ATx: full-range electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission