Nissan Primera (P12) Overview Manufacturer Also called Production 1990–2007 1990–2006 AssemblyBody and chassis / Chronology Predecessor Successor (Japan) The Nissan Primera is a which was produced by the automaker from 1990 to 2007, for the Japanese and European markets. In Japan, it replaced the, and was exclusive to locations. It was a platform upgrade, with engine performance and suspension modifications of the. In North America, it was the entry level luxury sports sedan for the brand. The word ' primera' is for 'first class' or 'finest'. See also: Since 1986, Nissan had been building — it was essentially a re badged home market – for the European market at its factory in,. In the autumn of 1990, Nissan replaced the 's Bluebird with the smaller Primera, which evolved from the.

1. Nissan Primera Manual

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, a 1.6 litre injection gasoline was introduced at the end of 1993. The 1.8 litre version was not sold in the rest of. Bodystyles were four and five door. A five door was also offered as Primera Station Wagon, however it was not based on the sedan, but derives from the and was only made in Japan. Nissan had deliberately targeted the car at the European market.

The Primera saw Nissan's multi link front suspension applied to 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 British, Primeras were exported back to (as the Primera UK GT), and. In the United States, the Japanese built version of the Primera was rebadged as the, part of Nissan's upper scale brand.

Trim levels The Primera range came in six trim levels at launch: L, LS, SLX, 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 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 during 1994, 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. A rare AWD option was available known as a T4 with 150 bhp (112 kW; 152 PS). At this time, SE also replaced SGX.

A new ' version, the joined the line up from 1994, and this had a choice of 1.6 or 2.0 litre petrol engines. There was also a very rare version of the P10, Built and tuned by the Japanese tuning company. Less than twenty are purported to have been constructed. These models came with special suspension and interior packages and a tuned SR20DE 2.0 litre engine, making 180hp.

Nissan Primera UK GT. The UK GT was the Sunderland built Primera hatchback exported to Japan as a captive import.

Nissan Primera Manual

As before, in Europe the Primera was sold with 1.6 L and 2.0 L petrol engines and a 2.0 L diesel, with hatchback, saloon and estate bodystyles. While the estate was now based on the Primera's platform, it was assigned a model code of WP11.

In Japan the Primera was initially offered with the SR18DE, SR20DE and SR20VE-for Japan only engines, and initially only as a sedan. The hatchback assembled in the United Kingdom was available only with the SR20DE engine and automatic transmission and began production from November 1997, a captive import known as the Primera UK GT. Estate began production from September 1997.

Nissan Primera Camino in Japan Alongside the original Primera, the Nissan Primera Camino was launched as a badge engineered model for different dealer networks. The Japanese models also introduced a CVT automatic transmission during the P11 series, including a six speed tiptronic version in the M6 G-V and edition wagons and Te-V saloon. Nissan Primera HP11 TE-V was equipped with SR20VE and CVT-M6 automatic transmission only. Nissan continued selling the Primera in the as the Infiniti G20 until 2002, when it was replaced by a rebadged version of the Nissan Skyline V35 as the Infiniti G35. The G20 used the same grille and rear lamp alterations from the Primera Camino. 1998 P11 SMX Primera NZDM In 1998, released a limited edition Primera SMX with association with Steve Millen (Stillen Sports Parts). Features include cross drilled brakes, Eibach springs and a more aggressive body kit.

There were a total of twenty six (including the prototype numbered 000) made in five colour choices (the prototype was the only white one made). This was because until 1998 (due to lifting of import tariffs on cars) had an automotive assembly operation in, and for a short time between 1997 and 1998 the P11 Primera was assembled in,. The winning Primera The Primera won the manufacturers and team titles thanks to in and, in 1999 British Touring Car (P.O.S) backing from the factory took the Independents Cup in 1999 and 2000. To celebrate the two victories in 1998, Nissan UK released a limited edition of 400 'GTSE' Models, with 16' AZEV alloy wheels, two tone 'flip' 'Mystic' green paint, following the special theme to the interior which featured full leather seating with green piping seats, steering wheel and a Momo gearknob. To celebrate the 1999 'clean sweep', they released a limited edition 'GTLE' model with 16' multi spoke Enkei alloy wheels, full leather interior with silver piping, Momo gearknob and a colour choice of flame red, kuro black, starburst silver, and Nordic blue. Nissan Primera Traveller in Europe Facelift In the autumn of 1999, gave the Primera a facelift, giving it a more modern front end with clear style headlamps featuring projector units, instead of the traditional type.

Nissan also introduced their 'corporate identity' front, with the 'flying wing' grille. The new code name for this model was 'P11-144'. 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. A new 'lean burn' 1.8 L petrol engine, the was added to the range.

This facelift was not generally applied outside Europe and was not available in Japan when Nissan 'formalized' the fronts of other Primeras and Caminos instead, bringing them into line with the look of the American Infiniti model. Wagon In December 2001, introduced the third generation Primera, its first all new car since the alliance with was formed two years earlier. The new Primera was more radically styled than previous versions. No equivalent was released; the based replaced the G20 in the United States. New Zealand Primeras were introduced in 2002, and are all equipped with; there is no manual option. In that market, Japanese built sedans and wagons were available.

This was until 2006, when assembled hatchbacks and estates were made available. 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). Falling sales saw the Primera withdrawn from sale in the, United Kingdom in November 2006. However, production ceased during 2007.

In Japan, production of RHD Primeras also continued until 2007. In 2011, a large number of brand new Primeras appeared in the Irish market, after apparently being in storage since 2006. The 2.0 L six speed Manual Primera 20V has 's engine with variable valve lift and timing. It produces 150 kW (204 PS) of power at 7200 rpm and 206 Nm (21.0 kgfm) of torque at 5200 rpm. Replacement Speculation in the motoring press suggested that a 'tweaked' version of the would be the replacement, but this was never confirmed by Nissan. In August 2006, reported pictures of an disguised prototype testing in. However, it was actually the then new, which was built in rather than at Sunderland for European buyers.

However, such has been the success of the Qashqai in Europe, that Nissan has not launched a direct replacement for the Primera, despite earlier plans for such a model to be developed for at least some European markets.