Nissan Primera
November 18th, 2008
In the autumn of 1990, Nissan replaced the UK Bluebird with the Primera. It had a conventional front-wheel drive chassis and five-speed manual gearbox, with some versions getting the option of a four-speed automatic. Power came from 1.6-litre carburetor and 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre injection gasoline engines; a 2.0-litre diesel followed from 1992 onwards. The 1.8-litre version was never sold in Europe. Bodystyles were four- and five-door saloons and five-door estate (the last of which was imported from Japan).
Nissan had deliberately targeted the car at the European market. The Primera saw Nissan's multi-link front suspension applied to front-wheel drive for the first time. The 2.0-litre gasoline engine received a power upgrade in 1992 which gave the then eZX, (later renamed the eGT) 150 bhp from the standard 2.0-litre engine and a top speed of around 219 km/h (or 137 mph).
Some five-door UK Primeras were exported back to Japan, as well as to New Zealand, Russia and Ireland. In the United States, the Japanese-built version of the Primera was rebadged as the Infiniti G20, part of Nissan's upper-scale Infiniti brand. This version sold well in the Canadian market.
The Primera range came in six trim levels at launch: L, LS, LSX, GS, GSX and ZX. The 1.6-litre engine was available in L, LS and LSX trim and the 2.0-litre 115 bhp (86 kW/117 PS) engine was available in LS, GS and GSX trim. The ZX model had a 2.0-litre 150 bhp (112 kW/152 PS) engine. From 1992 onwards, the range was facelifted and new L, LX, SLX, SGX and eGT trim levels replaced the original naming scheme. A 2.0-litre diesel version was available from 1992. L cars were basic, and had the 1.6-litre petrol engine only. LX was slightly plusher, but 2.0-litre petrol and diesel versions were also available. SLX was the mid-range model, and this also had a choice of 1.6 and 2.0 petrol, or 2.0 diesel engines. The SGX trim level was the luxury specification version; powered by the 2.0-litre 115 bhp (86 kW/117 PS) engine. The eGT was the sporting version, with a 2.0-litre 150 bhp (112 kW/152 PS) engine. Engine power was slightly increased in mid-1993 with the 1.6 model now producing 102 bhp (76 kW/103 PS) and the 2.0 model, 123 bhp (92 kW/125 PS).
From 1994, the range received another facelift, and the trim levels were (almost) the same; although Equation replaced the basic L as the entry-level trim; like its predecessor, it had a 1.6 petrol engine, but there was no diesel option. At this time, SE also replaced SGX. A new "hot hatch" version, the SRi joined the line-up from 1995, and this had a choice of 1.6- or 2.0-litre petrol engines.
In the autumn of 1999, Nissan gave the Primera a facelift, giving it a more modern, front end with clear style headlamps featuring projector units—instead of the traditional Fresnel lens type. Nissan also introduced their "corporate identity" front, with the "flying wing" grille.
Along with the exterior changes, improved specification levels were present; with the entry level models such as the "S" featuring automatic climate control, driver, passenger, and side airbags. Further up the model range, other features were seen such as Xenon headlamps.
A new "lean burn" 1.8 L petrol engine, the QG18DE was added to the range, and the 2.0 SR20VE Neo VVL engine with Variable Valve Lift and Timing could now be had with 6-speed sequential semi automatic CVT transmission in the style of a racing car—this was called the M6. OBD-II was also introduced along with a 32-bit ECU.
This facelift was not generally applied outside Europe, with Nissan "formalized" the fronts of other Primeras and Caminos instead, making them look for like the Infiniti models in the US.
In late 2001, Nissan introduced the third-generation Nissan Primera, its first all-new car since the alliance with Renault was formed two years earlier. The new Primera is more radically styled than previous versions. No Infiniti equivalent was released; the Nissan Skyline-based Infiniti G35 replaced the G20 in the United States.
In New Zealand, for example, there is only an automatic gearbox. The CVT is also available in the European 2.0 L and the Japanese 2.0/2.5 L (an engine not available in Europe). In that market the saloon was the mainstream model, until 2006 when the liftback variant supplanted it.
Falling sales saw the Primera withdrawn from sale in the UK at the end of 2006, though production will continue for export markets until the launch of its successor before the end of the decade.
The 2.0 L 6-Speed Manual Nissan Primera 20V has Nissan's SR20VE Neo VVL engine with Variable Valve Lift and Timing. It produces 150 kW (204 PS) of power at 7200 rpm and 206 N·m (21.0 kgf·m) of torque at 5200 rpm.
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