Nissan Releases New Primera

Tokyo -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the domestic release of the new-generation Primera.

Primera sedan (20L)<optional body color> Primera wagon (W20L)

Both the Primera Sedan and Primera Wagon have been popularly acclaimed not only in Japan but also in overseas markets as models that provide an optimum blend of excellent driving performance and ride comfort .

The new-generation Primera Sedan and Primera Wagon have been created around the product concept of "an intelligent sedan and wagon for trend-setting adults who are one step ahead of the times." They are targeted at adult men and women who enjoy active lifestyles and prefer distinctive and original products. Inheriting the Primera heritage of superb handling, stellar ride comfort and rational packaging, among other notable qualities, the latest Primera also features novel styling and exceptional operating ease, thanks to its enhanced human-machine interface. These attributes are intended to make the Primera the next-generation mainstream benchmark for next generation models of all competitors. The principal features of the new Primera are outlined below.

Advanced exterior and interior design and layout
The Primera heritage of highly rational packaging and beautiful styling is masterfully blended in an advanced design. The Sedan exterior is distinguished by a monoform silhouette that integrates the hood, cabin and trunk in a single elegantly flowing body line, and the Wagon exterior has been executed in an elegant yet sporty profile formed by the slanted back door, while the distinctive interior combines sportiness with a spacious feeling. Both the exterior and the interior have been executed in an advanced, functional design that projects a premium-quality image.

Human-machine interface based on cutting-edge technologies
The control switches, monitor and three sporty-looking analog center instrument dials are all laid out in the center of the instrument panel. This arrangement gives the driver instant access to all sorts of information needed for driving, including the vehicle status and traffic information, and also enables all occupants to share such information. The 7-inch wide LCD monitor^*, concentrated control switch layout with the switches ergonomically located within easy reach of the driver's fingers and other cutting-edge technologies ensure that the equipment is exceptionally easy to see and operate even during high-speed cruising. The Primera thus proposes new forms of communication between people and their cars.

^*Models not equipped with a car navigation system are fitted with a fluorescent display tube monitor.

Optimum balance of handling and ride comfort surpassing that of rival models
The new Primera comes with a new multi-link front suspension, multi-link beam rear suspension, high body stiffness comparable to that of the R34 Skyline and a Schukra lumbar support in the driver's seat. These and other features create a car that delivers the joy of a faithful response to one's wishes, superb driving pleasure and also stress-free driving even on long journeys. In addition to these qualities, it also provides remarkable quietness, smooth driveability and low fuel consumption, as a result of adopting such powertrain units as the QR25DD engine, QR20DE engine, HYPER CVT continuously variable transmission and HYPER CVT-M6.
Blending an advanced design with high functionality, world-class driveability and impeccable ride comfort and proposing new forms of communication between people and their cars, the new Primera is thus set to become the next-generation mainstream sedan and wagon.

Sales target:
Primera Sedan: 2,000 units/month; Primera Wagon: 3,000 units/month

Dealers selling the Primera:
Nissan Red Stage: Satio, Prince and Cherry channel dealers, including Nissan Red and Blue Stage dealers that handle all models

Weekend fair debut dates:
Saturday & Sunday, February 3-4, 2001

Overview of Primera
1. Exterior design/ Interior design
The Sedan exterior has been rendered in a graceful yet dynamic "monoform silhouette" that unites the hood, cabin and trunk in one elegantly flowing body line.

A spacious interior has been created by extending the wheelbase and enveloping the passenger compartment in an arch-shaped cabin.

The Wagon exterior has been executed in an elegant yet sporty profile formed by the slanted back door.

Stylish outside door mirrors ensure excellent visibility while minimizing wind noise.

The interior is tastefully upholstered in fine-quality materials to create a highly functional cabin of stellar quality.

A choice of seven body colors is offered, including two new colors, Silica Brass (Multi flex color) with premium-quality image and extremely vivid Urban Bronze (Pearl Metallic) with high metallic image for both sedan & wagon.

2. Human-machine interface
- Enhancement of visibility and operating ease for ITS Age
Three analog instrument dials and a 7-inch wide LCD monitor are positioned in the center of the instrument panel for excellent visibility.

The concentrated control switch layout puts all the switches for operating the air-conditioning system, audio system, navigation system and other equipment within easy reach of the driver's fingers. In addition to this convenient layout, the control switches have been reduced in number and increased in size for substantially enhanced operating ease and visibility.

A DVD-based TV/navigation system has been adopted for enhanced driving comfort. The amount of map data has been significantly increased and the system can quickly search and display a wide variety of map information.

A built-in electronic toll collection (ETC) unit is offered as a factory-installed option on models equipped with the navigation system. By simply inserting an ETC card in the unit in advance, drivers can pass through toll gates without stopping. (The smart card used with this unit is obtained separately by concluding a contract with a credit card issuer. This system will be available from the start of the service.)

The Primera also adopts an adaptive cruise control system that reduces the driver's workload by assisting with acceleration and braking operations primarily when traveling on expressways and auto routes. (This system is available as a factory-installed option on the 25X, 20L, 20C, W25X, W20L and W20C models. Production of cars which adopt this system will begin in March.)

3. Packaging
Sedan
The longer wheelbase, arch shape that envelopes the cabin and ample headroom and knee room combine to provide a roomy interior in which adults can travel in relaxed comfort.

The height of the hip point from the ground has been set at 534 mm in the front seats and at 565 mm in the rear seats and the level difference between the floor and the sills has been reduced. This construction allows remarkably easy ingress and egress. Moreover, excellent visibility has been secured by setting the height of the eye point from the ground at 1,169 mm in the front seats.

The trunk adopts double-link hinges and gas stays for unobstructed loading and unloading of cargo. Ample trunk capacity(420 liters) is provided to accommodate four long golf bags or two extra-large suitcases stacked vertically.

Wagon
With a capacity of 440 liters, the luggage area has the voluminous cargo space one would expect in a wagon.
For enhanced convenience and utility, the luggage area adopts a foldable hinged floor board that allows reversible use, a large-capacity luggage box under the compartment floor, side storage cubicles and a flap-equipped tonneau cover that moves together with the back door and can be stowed under the floor^*.

^*2WD

4. Driving performance and ride comfort
A new multi-link front suspension has been adopted that combines the advantages of both a double wishbone suspension and a MacPherson strut suspension. As a result, the Primera provides excellent straight-line directionality on rough roads and improved cornering response while also minimizing unpleasant vibrations and shocks to ensure supple ride comfort. To match the high performance of the front suspension, the previous multi-link beam rear suspension has also been significantly improved to provide high stability and a supple, comfortable ride.

Although light in weight, the body achieves high rigidity comparable to that of the R34 Skyline owing to its optimum framework constructed on the basis of minute computer analyses and extensive use of ultra-high-strength sheet steel.

The shapes and materials of the seatback and cushion of both front seats have been changed to provide a more comfortable ride.

A Schukra lumbar support is a standard feature of the driver's seat. In addition to increasing the area of back support, the lumbar support is sustained by springs to provide more pliant support for the curvature of the lower spine and greater posture support.

All models are fitted with four-wheel disc brakes, with front ventilated discs used on 2WD versions and four-wheel ventilated discs used on 4WD versions. The front brake assemblies also adopt "fine corrective pads" incorporating the latest fine chemical technology to deliver an optimum balance of powerful stopping force together with excellent noise and vibration performance.

5. Engine/Drivetrain
A choice of two 4-cylinder engines is offered_]the NEO Di QR25DD engine and the NEO QR20DE engine. Both engines adopt a compact balancer system and a highly rigid construction achieved with an aluminum ladder frame to attain operating quietness approaching that of 6-cylinder engines. They also feature continuously variable valve timing control (CVTC) and an electronically controlled throttle for improved torque output and throttle response in the low to medium speed ranges. Torque output is particularly improved by approximately 15% at 2000 rpm to provide greater driving comfort in ordinary driving situations and ample power for climbing hills. The engines themselves are also lighter in weight and produce less friction for enhanced fuel economy. Both engines enable the 2WD models fitted with a CVT to attain one of the best fuel economy figures in their class at 13.0 km/l for operation under Japan's 10-15 test mode.

The QR25DD engine features a direct-injection fueling system that injects fuel directly into the combustion chamber. Depending on the driver's operational inputs, it selectively uses a stratified charge combustion process for outstanding fuel economy and a homogeneous charge combustion process for high power output. This engine provides high power output combined with one of the top fuel economy figures in their class at 13.0 km/l for operation under Japan's 10-15 test mode.

The transmission choices offered include the HYPER CVT and the HYPER CVT-M6 with a 6-speed manual shift mode. These CVT units vary the transmission ratio continuously depending primarily on the operating conditions and the driver's accelerator inputs. With the new Primera, the application of the HYPER CVT has now been extended to 2.5-liter engines. For both of these transmissions, integrated control with the engine has been further improved to provide even better fuel economy in the practical driving range and an enhanced linear acceleration feel. (The HYPER CVT is used on the 20L, 20C, W20L and W20C models and the HYPER CVT-M6 on the 25X and W25X models.)

6. Environmental friendliness and world-class safety performance
Models fitted with the QR20DE engine contribute to the prevention of air pollution, as they are certified as low-emission vehicles (LEVs)^*1 under the low-emission vehicle certification system of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport.

Models equipped with either the QR20DE engine or the QR25DD engine achieve an excellent fuel economy figure of 13.0 km/l^*2, thereby contributing to a reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

The Primera attains a recyclable rate of more than 90%^*3 by weight, and the fuel tank, wiring harness and various other parts are lead free.

High-level safety performance has been secured by adopting Nissan's high-strength Zone Body construction that provides world-class crashworthiness. The Primera complies with the safety standards of countries throughout the world as well as meeting Nissan's own safety test criteria which are even more stringent. Among other safety standards, the Primera complies with 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.

SRS curtain airbags, which deploy instantly from both sides of the ceiling in the form of curtains, are offered as factory-installed optional equipment to protect the heads of front- and rear-seat occupants.

Suggested Retail Pricse in each region (Excluding consumption tax)

Primera sedan (thousands of yen)

Primera wagon (thousands of yen)

E-ATx : Full-range electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission
HYPER CVT : Cintinuously variable transmission
HYPER CVT -M6 : Cintinuously variable transmission with 6 speed manual shift mode

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Autech Japan Releases Primera Enchante

Autech Japan, Inc., a Nissan affiliate, today announced the domestic release of the Primera Enchante lifecare vehicle^*, which it has newly customized in conjunction with the release of the Primera.

^* 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 Primera Enchante
The Primera Sedan Enchante and Primera Wagon Enchante are fitted with a swivel front passenger's seat as standard equipment for easy ingress and egress by senior citizens, persons with lower leg disabilities and others who experience difficulty in entering or exiting vehicles.

This swivel front passenger's seat is already available in many Nissan sedans and wagons, totally 11 models, and has received high praise from persons with disabilities and senior citizens for facilitating easy ingress to the passenger's seat without twisting the body.

The major product features of these Primera Enchante models include:
The swivel front passenger's seat can be turned manually 90 toward the outside of the vehicle.
The seat is equipped with a step that folds up below the cushion so that it is out of the way during travel or when an occupant stands up to exit the vehicle.

Suggested Retail Prices in each region (excluding consumption tax)

(thousands of yen)

Autech Japan is also customizing a Primera Driving Helper model fitted with the Autech Driving Control package with an original hand-operated driving control lever that enables persons with leg disabilities to drive. This model is scheduled to be released this spring.

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