Nissan Releases New Bluebird Sylphy Sedan

August 30, 2000

Tokyo -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the domestic release of the new Bluebird Sylphy sedan.

Completely updating the traditional Bluebird brand, the new Bluebird Sylphy has been created around the product concept of "a right sized compact sedan with elegant and fine quality atmosphere and the most advanced environmental technologies." It has been developed specifically for owners who want an easy-to-use car that matches their individual lifestyles, people who are conscious of environmental protection and whose taste emphasizes the excellence and quality of materials. The principal features of the Bluebird Sylphy are outlined below.

Insistence on the fine quality
Outstanding materials have been fully utilized in achieving the fine quality embodied in its both exterior and interior. The exterior styling is distinguished by the graceful round roof form. Caffe latte-colored interior trim, handsome wood-grain panels and comfortable seats with luxurious upholstery and beading seams are among the many appointments contributing to an interior of the fine quality.

Cutting-edge environmental technologies
Nissan has also developed a number of new environmental technologies that make their debut on the Bluebird Sylphy. This new gasoline-fueled sedan features dramatically improved emission performance, achieving exhaust emission levels that are more than 50% lower than the standards of the "cleanest exhaust emission" level^*1 specified under the Ministry of Transport's low-emission vehicle certification system. It provides emission control performance equivalent to that of the Sentra CA Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV)^*2 that has been certified as "the world's cleanest gasoline-fueled car." This emission control technology will be used on volume-selling 1.8-liter (2WD) grade models.

The 20XJ G Package 2.0-liter model is fitted with Nissan's newly developed Nissan Di QR20DD 4-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine that delivers improved fuel economy and higher torque in the practical speed range of everyday driving. The quietness and power performance of this new engine rank among the best for a 4-cylinder power unit.

Superb driving ease and convenience
A minimum turning radius of 5.0 m^*3, one of the smallest in its class, assures nimble maneuverability, which combines with a suitably light steering effort for outstanding driving ease. Typical of the convenience appointments provided in the interior are a split-level console box with a pop-up feature and a rearview mirror with a two-level point mechanism. These and numerous other features are indicative of the meticulous pursuit of comfort and convenience for the driver and passengers.

Origin of the model name
The name Sylphy has been coined from the English word "sylph", expressing the elemental spirit of the wind (air), which, along with earth, water and fire, is one of the four major elemental spirits. Together with the distinct peace of mind and reliability that have traditionally characterized the Bluebird brand, it symbolizes the fine quality and environmental friendliness that hallmark the Bluebird Sylphy.

<Sales target>
3,000 units/month

<Dealers selling the Bluebird Sylphy>
Nissan Blue Stage: Nissan and Motor channel dealers, including Nissan Red and Blue Stage dealers that handle all models.

<Showroom debut dates>
Saturday & Sunday, September 2-3, 2000

Overview of Bluebird Sylphy
1. Exterior styling expressing an insistence on the fine quality
The graceful round roof form gives the exterior styling an elegant look while also creating a feeling of openness in the interior.

The radiator grille is formed with a double construction that combines the two front and rear parts to project a chiseled look with a sensation of depth.

The front and rear bumpers and protective side moldings incorporate an elegant-looking chrome-plated insert.

2. Comfortable interior ambience of the fine quality
The interior is trimmed in a two-tone caffe latte color scheme that creates a bright, warm ambience.

Handsome wood-grain panels and finishers applied to the door trim, instrument cluster, center console and other places serve to accentuate the caffe latte-colored trim.

Seats in the G Package models are upholstered with a premium-quality material featuring a fine jacquard weave. Beadwork is also tastefully used to give the interior a look of the fine quality.

The interior abounds with appointments that provide both the fine quality and thoughtful convenience. The split-level console box has a pop-up feature that provides a comfortable armrest for the driver while driving. Incorporating a two point support mechanism, the rearview mirror allows both the angle and height to be adjusted to match the driver's stature. Lidded cup-holders are built into the rear center armrest for the added convenience of the rear-seat occupants.

3. Engines featuring both cutting-edge environmental technologies and driving pleasure
The 18Vi grade 1.8-liter models (including the G Package) that attain the "cleanest exhaust emission" level are fitted with Nissan's QG18DE engine. This same powerplant is used on the Sentra CA that was released in the California market this spring as "the world's cleanest gasoline-fueled super-ultra-low-emission vehicle (SULEV)." The emission control technologies used on the Sentra CA have been further improved and the exhaust system has been made more compact largely by reducing the number of catalysts. Yet, emission control performance equal to that of the Sentra CA is achieved to reduce emissions to levels where the exhaust gas is cleaner than the surrounding air in urban areas of Japan.

The exhaust emission levels attained by these models are more than 50% lower than the standards of the cleanest exhaust emission category specified by the Ministry of Transport under its low-emission vehicle certification system. That remarkable performance makes these Bluebird Sylphy models the cleanest of the gasoline-fueled vehicles that have attained this stringent level. The specific exhaust emission values are given in the table below.

Exhaust emission levels under Japan's 10-15 test mode (g/km)

Principal technologies used on models attaining the "cleanest exhaust emission" level

• A combustion system with high-velocity jet air induction and a high swirl ratio for effectively reducing engine-out emissions.
• A catalyst substrate with an ultra-low heat mass that quickens catalyst light-off after engine start and improves the catalyst's emission control performance (improved model).
• A two-stage, high-efficiency HC trap catalyst system that temporarily adsorbs HCs after engine start for subsequent conversion (improved model).
• A high-accuracy air-fuel ratio control system that improves catalyst conversion efficiency.

Moreover, combustion efficiency has been improved through optimized control of the electronically controlled continuously variable swirl control valve, high-response electronically controlled EGR valve and other components and effective use of the high-accuracy air-fuel ratio control system. As a result, these Bluebird Sylphy models also comply with Japan's fiscal 2010 fuel economy standards and substantially reduce CO2 emissions as well.

Powering the 20XJ G Package model is the newly developed 4-cylinder, direct-injection QR20DD gasoline engine that delivers substantially improved fuel economy (16.4 km/L, Ministry of Transport's inspection value measured under the 10-15 test mode), thanks largely to its direct-injection system, lower idling speed and pairing with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). It also operates more quietly owing to its highly rigid construction, incorporating an aluminum ladder frame, and the use of a compact balancer system. Furthermore, low-end torque has been increased by approximately 15% over that of the SR20DE engine for enhanced driving comfort under ordinary conditions and ample power output such as for climbing hills. The QR20DD engine provides quietness and power performance ranking among the best of the 4-cylinder engine class.

4. Environmental friendliness
Nissan has been pushing ahead with a vigorous company-wide program aimed at promoting environmental protection and effective utilization of natural resources.

All the models of Bluebird Sylphy meet Japan's 2000 exhaust emission regulations and 2WD models also comply with the 2010 fuel economy standard, contributing to the prevention of air pollution and global warming. Therefore, the Bluebird Sylphy qualifies for a reduction of the automobile acquisition tax*4. Customers may receive a tax reduction for compliance with either one, but not both, of these requirements. Additionally, models fitted with the QG18DE engine or the QG15DE engine also qualify for a reduction of the automobile tax*5 that is levied only on vehicles registered in Tokyo.

The model's compliance with the regulations and standards

Drive configuration		2WD				4WD
Engine		QR20DD (NEO Di)	QG18DE	QG15DE		QG18DE
Transmission		HYPER CVT-M6	E-ATx	MT	E-ATx	E-ATx
Regulations and Standards	Japan's 2000 exhaust emission regulations		The cleanest exhaust emission level	The low exhaust emission level*6		The low exhaust emission level
	The fiscal 2010 fuel economy standard					-

Other vigorous efforts that have been made to enhance environmental friendliness include the attainment of a recyclable rate of 90%^*7 by weight and the adoption of lead-free parts in place of those that previously used lead.

5. World-class safety performance
The Bluebird Sylphy features Nissan's high-strength Zone Body construction that provides world-class crashworthiness for top-level safety performance. This includes compliance with the safety standards of countries around the world as well as with Nissan's own safety test criteria that are even more rigorous. Among other safety standards, the Bluebird Sylphy meets the requirements for full overlap frontal impacts at 55 km/h, offset frontal impacts at 64 km/h, side impacts at 55 km/h and rear-end impacts at 56 km/h.

Suggested Nationwide Retail Price (excluding consumption tax) ('000 yen)

HYPER CVT-M6: CVT with a 6-speed manual shift mode
E-ATx: full-range electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission
5MT: 5-speed manual transmission

SPECIFICATIONS OF THE BLUEBIRD SYLPHY

Autech Japan, Inc., a Nissan affiliate, today released throughout Japan the Bluebird Sylphy Enchante lifecare vehicle^*, which it has newly customized in conjunction with the release of the Bluebird Sylphy. 

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

Overview of New Bluebird Sylphy Enchante
The new Bluebird Sylphy Enchante is fitted with a swivel front passenger's seat as standard equipment for easy ingress/egress by senior citizens, persons with lower limb disabilities and others who experience difficulty in entering and exiting vehicles. Key products features of this vehicle include:

• The front passenger's seat swivels 90&Mac176; with a simple manual operation.
• This swivel front passenger's seat enables easy ingress without twisting the body.
• The front passenger's seat is within the driver's range of view even while driving, allowing greater peace of mind.
• Besides persons with lower limb disabilities and senior citizens, this seat is also ideal for those who wear traditional Japanese clothing.

Suggested Nationwide Retail Price (excluding consumption tax) ('000 yen)

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