Nissan Europe have issued the following press releases:
NEW PRIMASTAR AND INTERSTAR VANS FROM NISSAN
Nissan will introduce new versions of its Primastar and Interstar vans in October as part of a commercial vehicle offensive beginning this autumn.
The improvements to Primastar and Interstar are comprehensive and were focused on upgrading the engine, equipment levels and gearbox. Thanks to the improvements, buyers and operators of the new Primastar and Interstar will enjoy car-like features, performance and refinement.
Primastar and Interstar’s upgrades also include a new range of engines and gearboxes.
Co-developed with Alliance partner Renault, the new 2.0-litre dCi engine is now available on Primastar with outputs of 90 and 115hp. The rest of the engine range includes an upgraded 2.5-litre dCi developing 150hp. The engine line up on Interstar has been simplified to one 2.5-litre dCi powertrain available with three outputs: 100, 120 and 150hp offering improved performance and refinement. Service intervals have remained unchanged (20,000 or 30,000km depending on engine or 2 years).
This comprehensive diesel offering on both Primastar and Interstar will be Euro 4 compliant at launch. Emission levels are cut significantly (50% for NOx) while maintaining the same level of refinement, consumption and performance. In addition both vehicles will be available with a diesel particle filter (DPF) ’ which eliminates 99.9% of diesel engine emissions ’ as standard fitment on the 2.5-litre dCi 150hp engine.
In order to cope with the torque increase of the new diesel engine line up, the Primastar and Interstar will be available with a new 6-speed gearbox range of manual and robotised transmissions offering improved reliability and performance.
The Primastar and Interstar also feature a number of equipment upgrades, bringing safety and driving comfort to a level previously unseen in this segment. — Alliance partner Renault.
Other features to improve the day-to-day convenience of Primastar are the fitment of car derived parking sensors and increased electrical capacity, up to 850A, bringing added convenience of use.
Special attention has also been paid to improve Primastar’s passenger safety. A vast array of equipment such as Emergency Brake Assist, auto door lock, passenger airbag disconnect, speed limiter, thorax side and windows airbags help position Primastar as one of the safest vehicles in its class.
In terms of safety, Interstar has not been left behind: ESP linked to ABS is now available. This feature will dramatically improve active safety in extreme driving conditions.
Automatic door locking, speed limiter and factory fitted foglights are other features bringing passenger car-like safety to the Interstar.
The design evolution of new Primastar and Interstar reinforces their blend of dynamism, while keeping the authentic robust look that has made these two products key players in their respective segments.
On Primastar, front and rear headlamps, front grille and turning indicators have been redesigned while the colour range has been extended. Front and rear bumpers have been reinforced to improve the shock resistance and there is now a clear distinction between van and minibus versions. — Nissan GT-R proto.
On Interstar, cosmetic changes include the introduction of a new exterior colour and a redesigned front bumper in order to increase engine cooling. From now on, fog lamps will be integrated in the bumper at the factory on selected grades.
On the inside, improvements at the manufacturing process have contributed to higher levels of fit and finish, as well as durability for both vehicles.
With refreshed padded materials, Primastar’s new dashboard is now more reminiscent of that found in a passenger car. However, Primastar has kept its interior which has proved popular for both its comfort and durability, while remaining practical.
Interstar’s interior improvements are focused on practicality and user-friendliness. Interstar is now fitted with a larger variety of useful storage areas around the cabin including a new double roof storage and an additional tray on the centre console.
Developed within the framework of strategic cooperation with Renault, the Primastar/Trafic/Vivaro compact van, is manufactured at the GM plant in Luton (UK) and at the Nissan plant in Barcelona (Spain). The Interstar/Master/Movano are built at the Renault Batilly plant in France.
LYONS AND TIGERS RELEASED AT GOODWOOD
issan will be showing off in many ways at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (7-9 July) from a race winning 350Z never seen before in Europe to a couple of new, speed themed concept cars making their international debuts. The company will also be making a bid for the title of fastest vehicle at the Festival ’ with a Nissan Primera. — eight vehicles at Tokyo Motor Show.
Not one but two concepts are having their first ever showing at Goodwood this year. If the press and public approve, they could be available in the not so distant future.
Taking star position on Nissan’s stand is the Murano GT-C, standing for GT Concept. Nissan GB has taken its shapely crossover 4×4 and made it even more dramatic inside and out. Exterior brightwork has been given a new darker hue and all lights have been tinted to coordinate with the Kuro Black paintwork. The Murano’s standard 18″ alloy wheels have been changed for a new 22″, five-spoke design. And a raised roof spoiler finishes the purposeful look. Just as striking is the GT-C’s interior which has been retrimmed using British craftsmanship and a classic colour palette but with a modern slant.
The GT-C’s drivetrain modifications are equally exciting. Under the close supervision of Nissan’s Bedfordshire based European Technical Centre, the Murano’s 234PS 3.5-litre V6 engine with seamless CVT transmission has been turbocharged to literally boost power to around 350PS. The suspension has also been modified to give the Murano a tauter feel while retaining Nissan’s electronic ALL-MODE 4×4 system. Road testing will begin after the GT-C’s next public appearance at the London Motor Show. But expect continents to shrink under its power, whatever the weather.
Nissan has been showing its 350Z in the Supercar Paddock for the last three years where it has attracted as much attention as cars costing up to eight times as much. This year’s entrant, called the 350Z GT-S concept, is the most special yet. The same talented team at Nissan’s Cranfield Technical Centre who tailored the current 350Z to European driving needs have taken the car another step further. And they’ve been doing it in their spare time. Supercharging takes the power output of the Z’s much loved 3.5-litre V6 engine from 300PS to 380PS, the brakes have been uprated with different discs and pads, and the suspension has been retuned to accommodate the extra power as well as increasing grip in all conditions. Which includes Goodwood’s famous hillclimb on which the 350Z GT-S concept will be making its first dynamic appearance.
The 350Z GT-S concept also sports a full body kit which has been developed to aid aerodynamics, increase down force and direct cooling air over the braking system. Wheels have been changed, too, but stick to the 18 inch diameter keeping weight to a minimum. The interior will also be going on a diet but this will be displayed at a later date.
Sticking with the 350Z, Sony Play Station GT4 gamesters will be fully aware of the 2004 Xanavi sponsored Japanese Super GT race series version which was won by a Nismo tuned Z. Now, for the first time in Europe, they will be able to see the car in action as it is being transported directly from Japan especially for Goodwood. The 2004 championship winning GT500 350Z will be piloted by champion race driver Richard Lyons ’ also transported from Japan. Look out for him and the car performing in the International Racing Sports Cars 1980-2006 category.
