Nissan Releases All-New Teana 'A Luxury Sedan for Sophisticated Drivers'

Tokyo -- Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today announced the domestic launch of the all-new Teana, which has been developed around the concept of "a luxury sedan for sophisticated drivers."

Teana 230JM (fitted with optional equipment)

The most salient feature of the new Teana is its elegant interior reminiscent of a modern living room. Provided with features such as wood panel trim for a subdued, fresh look and seats resembling a luxury sofa, the interior offers a completely new feeling of luxury. The cabin envelops its passengers in a relaxing, comfortable environment.

Volume-selling grades are fitted with a new 2.3-liter V6 engine that has been specifically developed to deliver a broad torque band in the practical speed range of everyday driving. In addition, models equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine feature the belt-drive XTRONIC CVT continuously variable transmission, the world's first CVT designed for use on front-wheel-drive cars powered by a large displacement engine. This hardware combination provides exceptionally smooth driving performance with seamless shifting.

The Teana will also be marketed in China and other Asian markets. It is positioned as a strategic model that will contribute to increasing Nissan's global sales by one million additional units by the end of fiscal year 2004, which is one of the commitments of NISSAN 180, a medium-term business plan aimed at achieving further growth.

The unique features distinguishing the Teana include:

 ·  An elegant interior reminiscent of a modern living room
 ·  Stylish and attractive body proportions
 ·  Amply powerful and comfortable driving performance for sophisticated drivers

Origin of the Teana model name:
The name Teana comes from a Native American word meaning "dawn." This model name was selected because it is suitable to the dawn of an all-new luxury sedan and because it has an elegant ring befitting the car's appearance.

Sales target:
Globally 100,000 units/year (including 25,000 units/year in Japan)

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

Sales launch events:
Saturday and Sunday, February 8-9, and Saturday and Sunday, February 15-16, 2003

Teana Overview
1. An elegant interior reminiscent of a modern living room
Expressing a new sense of luxury, the interior design embodies the themes of relaxation, hospitality and ingenuity, representing the values that most typify Japanese lifestyles today.

Highlighted by the bold use of wood-grain trim, the instrument panel resembles a furnished piece of high-class furniture. The center console, connecting the front- and rear-seat areas in a gentle arch, is like a side table that facilitates lively conversation among those around it. The seats call to mind the image of a luxury sofa.

Pearl suede covers the upper surface of the instrument panel, seats, door armrests and center armrest. This technique of inserting a third colored material into the basic two-tone color coordination scheme gives a fresh expression to the interior.

The interior abounds in premium-quality materials that project a sense of calm composure, such as the straight-grained wood trim inserts of the instrument panel, center console and other locations and the satin-like metal adopted for the center instrument cluster and shift knob.

The impression of perceived quality that customers get by actually looking at, touching and using the interior appointments has been enhanced to create an elegant cabin befitting a luxury sedan.

The Teana comes with a full roster of hospitality features for the front-seat passenger, including a power front-passenger seat incorporating a power ottoman and a fully automatic air conditioner with dual-zone temperature controls, among other comfort amenities.

With the adoption of the FF-L (Front engine, Front-wheel drive, Large) platform, the Teana provides spacious comfort in both the front and rear seats, including best-in-class knee room.

2. Stylish and attractive body proportions
The beautifully balanced exterior creates a distinct sense of dynamism while hinting at the exceptional roominess and comfort found inside.

The stylish side view is well balanced with the generous interior spaciousness.

The exterior styling pursues a superior level of perceived quality, with the entire body giving the impression of being a solid mass.

3. Amply powerful and comfortable driving performance for sophisticated drivers
The new VQ23DE engine adopted for the Teana has been developed with meticulous care paid to its torque output in the practical speed range of everyday driving. This powerful engine delivers solid driving performance in all situations, from in-town driving to high-speed cruising.

The VQ35DE engine is paired with the XTRONIC CVT, the world's first CVT developed for use on front-wheel-drive cars fitted with a large displacement engine. This hardware combination results in smooth, powerful performance in the practical speed range combined with low fuel consumption.

The QR25DE engine used on the 4WD models incorporates Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control (CVTC) for a substantial improvement in low-end torque.

Incorporating a 6-speed manual shift mode, the XTRONIC CVT-M6 is a large-capacity, belt-drive CVT that has been newly developed for application to front-wheel-drive cars fitted with a large displacement engine. As a result of expanding the gear ratio range and the lockup operating region, this CVT provides smooth acceleration, improved fuel economy and sporty driving performance.

A newly developed multi-link rear suspension has been adopted to achieve comfortable driving performance with superb handling and stability.

The Teana is remarkably easy to drive, thanks to its minimum turning radius of 5.3 m and a hood design that readily enables the driver to see the outer edges of the car.

4. Practicality
An optional feature on all models is a card-type Intelligent Key system that enables users to lock/unlock the doors, open the trunk lid at the touch of a button and start/stop the engine, simply by carrying the key fob with them. The card incorporates an emergency key and includes an engine immobilizer function.

The center control switch adopts an eight-way independent push-switch controller for simple and easy-to-understand operation.

Nissan's CARWINGS telematics service is optional on all models to give users both "enjoyable connectivity" and "peace-of-mind connectivity."

5. Safety and environmental performance
Standard safety equipment on all models includes SRS side airbag systems for the driver and front passenger and front-seat Active Head Restraints.

All models have ultra-low emission vehicle (U-LEV)* certification because they emit 75% fewer exhaust emissions than the levels mandated by Japan's 2000 exhaust emission regulations.

*Vehicles certified as U-LEVs under the low-emission vehicle certification system of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and hydrocarbon (HC) emissions by an additional 75% from the levels required by the 2000 exhaust emission standards. This system was inaugurated in April 2000 to encourage the penetration of low-emission vehicles through their selection by ordinary consumers.

Suggested Nationwide Retail Prices (excluding consumption tax)

*Model in the photo
E-ATx: Full-range electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission
XTRONIC CVT-M6: Continuously variable transmission with a 6-speed manual shift mode

The Teana lineup also includes the 230JM F-Collection model, which features enhanced interior quietness and various improved appointments and is targeted at government offices, corporations and other customers that provide courtesy vehicles. This model has U-LEV certification because it reduces exhaust emissions by an additional 75% from Japan's 2000 exhaust emission standards, and it also qualifies for tax reductions* under the Green Tax program by complying with Japan's 2010 fuel economy standards. The 230JM F-Collection also complies with the procurement standards for general official government vehicles under the Law on Promoting Green Purchasing and with the standards of the designated low-emission vehicle system adopted by seven prefectures and cities in the Kanto region.

*For vehicles complying with the requirements of the Green Tax program, the automobile acquisition tax on newly registered vehicles for personal use is reduced by 15,000 yen until March 31, 2003, and for U-LEVs the automobile tax is reduced by 50% for two years beginning from the next fiscal year after a vehicle is registered.

Suggested Nationwide Retail Price (excluding consumption tax)

E-ATx: Full-range electronically controlled automatic transmission

Autech Japan Releases Teana Driving Helper

Autech Japan, Inc., a Nissan affiliate, today announced the domestic release of the Teana Driving Helper lifecare vehicle (LV)^*1 that it has newly customized in conjunction with the launch of the new Teana. The Teana Driving Helper is fitted with various driving-assistance features that are primarily designed to enable users with leg disabilities to drive.

^*1Nissan 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.

Teana Driving Helper with Autech Driving Control Package Type e (fitted with optional equipment)

Overview of Teana Driving Helper with Autech Driving Control Package Type e
The Teana Driving Helper comes with the newly developed Autech Driving Control Package Type e, a set of hand-activated driving controls for operating the accelerator and brakes. The Autech Driving Control Package Type e adopts an electronic control system for the control lever used to operate the accelerator, thereby achieving a more compact device with improved operating smoothness. Standard components of this package include a control lever for operating the accelerator and brakes with the left hand and a steering wheel knob for the right hand. The major features of the package are outlined below.

 ·  Operating ease and comfort
The accelerator can now be manipulated with the left hand resting on the palm rest. This feature improves upper body stability and significantly reduces the load on the arm during long hours of driving. The control lever unit itself has been reduced in size to about one-half that of the device in the previous Autech Driving Control Package, giving the driver more leg space.

 ·  Reliability and safety
Besides constructing the brake mechanism with a double wire system, care has also been taken, for example, to reduce the time lag in braking operations. This was accomplished by revising the structure of the control lever unit and adopting the new accelerator control system.

 ·  Design
The control lever consists of a combination of genuine leather and aluminum, featuring a black and silver motif, and the steering wheel knob is wrapped in genuine leather. This gives the package a sporty and novel design.

Dealers selling the Teana Driving Helper:
Nissan and Motor channel dealers of the Nissan Blue Stage (including Nissan Red & Blue Stage dealers that handle all models)

Suggested Nationwide Retail Price (consumption tax exempt)
(AT or CVT models of other grades can also be fitted with the Autech Driving Control Package Type e.)

*Model in the photo
E-ATx: Full-range electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission

###