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NISSAN Primera Sedan Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

Generations: 5
First production year: 1990
Engines: Gasoline, Diesel
NISSAN Primera Sedan photo gallery

In 2001, Nissan introduced the third generation of the Primera, also known as the P12, in Japan, and it waited for another year to unveil the hatchback and the station wagon versions for it.

The Primera P12 was the first vehicle released by the Japanese automaker after it formed an alliance with the French automaker Renault. It was a far departure from the previous P11, and many considered it to be a car ahead of its time. Besides the unusual, UFO-like look, the P12 came with unique features such as a reversing camera and a cabin designed like nothing else on the market. Nissan had invested a lot in this car and offered it in three shapes: sedan, hatchback, and station wagon. So, after it unveiled it in Japan at the beginning of 2001, in September, it unveiled it at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

While the previous generations’ look was behind the market’s trends, the P12 was spot on, with one foot in the bio-design, but sported some influences from the rising new-edge styling movement. The upper grille followed the Flying-wing design theme that was more obvious than on the P11. and was flanked by the swept-back, angular-shaped rhomboidal headlights. On the lower side of the bumper, Nissan installed an additional broad air intake where it placed the fog lamps.

From its profile, the 2001 Primera sedan showed ample, curved lines and a few sharp angles. The entire range was now available with body-colored grab-type door handles. Nissan created a greenhouse that looked like an arched line that connected the hood with the sloped-down trunk lid. The base version sat on steel wheels with caps, while the rest of the range was available with alloy wheels. Finally, at the back, the corner-mounted taillights flanked the wide trunk opening.

But such an advanced-looking vehicle couldn’t be complete in its aspect by a dull interior. As a result, Nissan installed a dashboard where the instrument cluster sat atop the dashboard. It sported a layout similar to the previous generation, with the coolant gauge on the left, followed by the speedometer, the tachometer, and the fuel level. On the center stack, the automaker placed a color display with a control panel underneath it for the infotainment system. Moreover, it offered a rear-view camera, which was automatically activated when the reverse gear was selected. Even if the display’s resolution was poor, it was good enough to avoid obstacles, such as a parking pole or the car behind. At the front, the bolstered bucket seats were separated by a low center console that housed the gear stick, the handbrake, two cup holders, and an armrest with a storage bin underneath it. In the back, a bench seat could accommodate up to three passengers.

Under the hood, the Primera P12 was available with a choice of six engines, gasoline or turbodiesel. Besides the two least powerful engines paired with a five-speed manual gearbox, the other four were mated with six-speed transmissions. A CVT was also available.

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NISSAN Primera Sedan photo gallery

Nissan refreshed the second generation of the Primera lineup for the 1999 model year in an attempt to boost sales of its mid-size vehicle that was offered in three body styles.

The four-door sedan was one of the most important body versions of the Primera's second generation. Nissan claimed that along with the upgrade, it changed or improved more than 600 parts of the vehicle. Furthermore, since the styling was the one that was most often criticized by customers, the automaker drastically improved that, even though it knew that soon it would have to replace the model entirely with a new generation.

Nissan came late to the bio-design party when it launched the Primera's second generation and tried to recover with the facelifted version. As a result, the car's front fascia revealed the reshaped headlights that were curved on their upper areas and pinched down on their inner side. The corner-mounted turn signals were on the upper outer area. The grille integrated into the hood sported the company's new identity design language, "flying wing." Lower, on the apron, customers could get a pair of fog lamps that flanked a broad rectangular air intake.

From its profile, the Primera Sedan sported body-colored door mirrors and handles, while the side sills were black to create a slimmer look for the vehicle. But still, the short and tall deck out back remained identical to the one offered on the 1996 Primera. The automaker offered the car in a few trim levels, where the lowest ones got steel wheels with caps, while the range-topper was available with Xenon headlights. Finally, at the back, the facelifted Primera N11 had smoked taillights that emerged from the quarter panels onto the trunk's lid.

Nissan worked hard to improve the car's interior. The dashboard was more rounded than the non-facelifted version, and the automaker covered it with a soft-touch plastic material. As a result, the perceived quality of the cabin rivaled some premium cars from that era. Moreover, the center stack integrated the stereo, which was available with a CD changer and tape player. Lower, the Primera sported the HVAC control panel. Fronting the driver was a rounded-shaped instrument cluster that Nissan filled with large dials for the speedometer and tachometer and two smaller gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. The front passengers sat on comfortable, velour-covered bucket seats. At the same time, those in the back shared a bench seat fit for three adults, although the middle-seated one didn't have enough legroom.

Under the hood, Nissan added a new 1.8-liter gasoline engine that was already Euro 3 compliant. The automaker offered the car with either a five-speed manual transmission, a four-speed automatic, or a CVT, depending on the engine. All versions sent their power to the front wheels only.

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NISSAN Primera Sedan photo gallery

Nissan introduced the second generation of the Primera in 1995 in Japan and in the following year in Europe, trying to catch up with the sales of its main rivals, the Mondeo from Ford and the 406 from Peugeot.

The Japanese automaker launched the second generation of the Primera just six years after the nameplate’s introduction on the market in 1990 and just two after the refreshed previous model. But that rush was justified by the quickly changing European market, with strong competitors made by Ford, Opel/Vauxhall, Renault, and Peugeot. As a result, Nissan pushed harder and launched the P11 Primera in 1996. Unfortunately, even if the exterior was drastically improved, an untrained eye could have mistaken it with its predecessor, the P10. Right off the bat, Nissan offered the car in two shapes: the sedan and the hatchback. The former aimed at those looking for an upscale-looking vehicle with an independent trunk in the back.

The second generation of the Primera boasted wide headlights with narrowed-down inner areas towards the badge that took center stage on the front fascia. Nissan installed the flying wing design-themed grille that still looked like a pair of leaves. On the lower side of the bumper, the P11 featured an apron that sported a broad air intake needed to cool the engine. A set of fog lamps was available as an option.

From its profile, the narrow nose of the car continued with an ascending beltline that went all the way to the back of the vehicle. Finally, Nissan introduced body-colored door handles on the Primera, which made the car look more upscale when it sported any other color than black. Depending on the grade, the P11 sedan featured light alloy wheels, but the base version still sported steel wheels with caps. At the back, the tall and short deck created the image of a sporty-looking vehicle. Finally, the rear fascia featured wide taillights with clear upper sides for the reversing lights.

Inside, Nissan worked hard to provide customers with a better-built cabin. While some of the plastics were not at the same level as the ones from other brands, the fit and finish were very good. In addition, on the center stack, the automaker installed a stereo that was paired with the car’s ECU and didn’t work on any other vehicle. After all, those were the years when car stereos were often stolen from vehicles. The car greeted its front occupants with low-mounted bolstered seats that offered a sporty feeling. Thanks to the longer wheelbase than on its predecessor, the knee room for the rear passengers was better. Furthermore, the taller greenhouse also led to an increased headroom for all occupants.

While some powerplants were carried over from the previous P10 Primera, Nissan introduced a new version of the two-liter gasoline engine that provided 150 PS (148 hp). The new platform featured a multi-link rear beam suspension that greatly improved comfort and driving experience.

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NISSAN Primera Sedan photo gallery

In 1994, Nissan slightly refreshed the Primera’s first generation, trying to keep its sales up until its replacement came two years later, in 1996.

Nissan launched the first generation of the Primera in 1990, and customers were pleased with it. Its new platform and fuel-efficient engines made it a darling for everyone who bought it. Moreover, its slightly upscale interior was pleasant. But soon, other automakers caught up with it. In 1993, Ford introduced the Mondeo, and Opel/Vauxhall was also ready to take big parts of the mid-size segment with its Vectra/Cavalier lineups. In addition, Renault charged with the Laguna, so the competition was stiff. But Nissan didn’t fear. It just refreshed its well-known contender and made it ready for the battle. The automaker made slight modifications to the car’s overall appearance and altered the trim levels as well compared to the 1990 model year.

It was the mid-90s, and the whole automotive industry started to switch towards the bio-design era. As a result, Nissan refreshed the Primera’s front fascia. It introduced rounded corners for the inner sides of the headlights. In addition, the corner-mounted turn signals were covered by clear lenses instead of amber ones for the entire range. Depending on the trim level, the upper grille had a chromed trim and sloped-down inner sides. Lower, on the bumper, the automaker installed a shorter air intake into the apron than on the non-facelifted version.

From its profile, the 1994 Primera featured a black rubber stripe that ran from the front bumper to the rear, over the fenders and the door panels. It was their idea of protecting the car against shopping carts. Furthermore, to keep production costs low, the automaker installed black, unpainted door handles across the range, and only the upper grades got body-colored door mirrors. Finally, at the back, Nissan installed larger taillights angled down in their inner sides. These emerged from the quarter panels to the trunk lid, making the car look more elegant, while the Primera sedan was mainly perceived as a sporty four-door vehicle for a family.

Inside, customers could find low-mounted seats with multiple adjustments, including height. The velour-wrapped interior wasn’t available in too many colors, and there was no option for leather seats. Still, the automaker improved the instrument cluster by adding a second LCD that showed the odometer to the existing one for the clock. In the back, the long wheelbase of the Primera made the sedan a family-friendly vehicle, although for adult-sized passengers, legroom was nothing to write home about. Children, on the other hand, could enjoy it. Behind the cabin, the automaker installed a generous trunk. Unfortunately, that couldn’t be opened from the outside, just from the inside from a lever placed next to the driver’s seat.

Under the hood, Nissan installed a choice of inline-four gasoline engines ranging from a 1.6-liter to a 2.0-liter. Those looking for better fuel efficiency could opt for the 2.0-liter diesel. All versions were paired with five-speed manual transmissions, while selected versions were available with a four-speed automatic.

full description and technical specifications
NISSAN Primera Sedan photo gallery

Nissan introduced the first generation of the Primera, also known as the P10, in 1990, when it replaced the trustworthy but aging Bluebird.

The Japanese automaker tried to expand its European business, and for that, it designed the Primera’s first generation with the Old Continent customer in mind. While the exterior design was not spectacular, the car had advanced technical solutions for its time, which surprised its main competitors. In addition, it enjoyed the excellent reputation gained with the Bluebird lineup, the car that it replaced. Surprisingly, though, Nissan chose to introduce the Primera in Japan and only launched it in Europe after that. To have more chances of getting more customers, the car was available in three shapes: sedan, hatchback, and station wagon.

It was the early ‘90s, and the automotive design switched from wedged shapes to rounded ones. Still, Nissan’s design department didn’t dare too much when it penned the Primera. While its headlights had some curved edges, their overall look was rectangular but with corner-mounted taillights. Between them, the automaker installed a split grille adorned by chromed details depending on the trim level, which tried to look like a pair of wings. Lower, on the bumper, the Primera sported a second air intake flanked by the optional squared fog lamps.

From its profile, the P10 Primera showed a rather mundane design, with a raked windshield and a tall greenhouse for the car’s size. Nissan installed a black rubber stripe that crossed the car from the front to the rear bumper, matching the color of the unpainted door handles. The door mirrors, on the other hand, had the same shade as the rest of the body. Depending on the trim level and options, the car was fitted with either steel wheels with caps or light alloy wheels. The tall and short deck could be optioned at the back with a spoiler, while the taillights were stretched from the rear quarter panels to the trunk lid.

Inside, Nissan installed low-mounted seats with multiple adjustments, including the height. The driver fronted an instrument cluster slightly rounded and filled with large dials for the speedometer and tachometer and smaller gauges for the fuel level and coolant temperature. The car could be optioned with power windows, central locking, and a sunroof. The center stack housed the HVAC control panel and a stereo, which was an off-the-shelf product from other manufacturers, such as Blaupunkt from Germany. The bench could host up to three adults in the back, although with limited legroom.

The Primera came with a sophisticated multi-link front suspension that helped the car corner better than many other European cars from that era, mostly relying on McPherson struts. Under the hood, Nissan installed a choice of gasoline and diesel engines paired with a five-speed manual as standard, while a four-speed automatic was on the options list.

full description and technical specifications