Test drive Nissan Primera sedan 1999 - 2002 sedan

Big hopes

Any manufacturing company connects certain hopes with each new model. Often in this regard, loud and beautiful statements sound - breakthrough, revolution, fashion legislator for the next decade ... But the time here is the only truly objective expert.

We already talked about the new, fourth generation, Nissan Primera after its Spanish premiere in December last year (motor #3, 2002). Then the Nissanists enthusiastically painted the magical qualities of the new model, thanks to which it was supposed to successfully withstand competitors in sector D. The main emphasis was on the original design - as a body, where three traditional volumes were fought in one and interior with instruments located in the center . A new approach to ergonomics and safety, variator, LCD monitor, a video camera of the rear review, rain sensor, xenon ... just some kind of supervision car.

But there were other opinions. Like, is it too cool, are Europeans ready not only to evaluate the innovative design, but also to decide to stand out so much from the crowd? And the rivals in the market are not a simple family, the leaders are Volkswagen Passat, Ford Mondeo, Opel Vectra.

Almost six months after the appearance of the new Primera on the market, one can confidently say: the company was not mistaken. Actually, this became clear immediately after the start of sales - the queues lined up for months in advance. And in Russia, even before the official implementation began, gray Primera appeared. The people grabbed any - white, with 1.6 -liter engines, in minimal configuration. The excitement subsided only by mid -September. There is no information from the European market yet, but in Russia everything is very good - about two hundred cars per month only through official channels. It turns out that the consumer missed something extraordinary and even screaming.

Now as for innovation. The variator, the thing is new and unknown, nevertheless it is well sold. By promoting a new transmission, the company has made the right move - it compizes 2 -liter engines only with mechanics or variator, and 1.8 -liter - only automatically. The people of the belt drive were not afraid ...

In any case, it was interesting to refresh last year’s impressions of the variator and try on the new Primera for Moscow conditions. In addition, there were only pre -production cars on the test in Spain ...

Yes, Primera is really clearly noticeable in the automobile herd - he enjoys the attention of both stream and pedestrians. Indifferent units. And the owners of the same cars nod their heads affectionately - their own.

The station wagon in Barcelona liked me more than the sedan. He seems more proportional, calling him a shed does not turn his tongue. Although blue is not the best color for the body of such a design, a lot is hidden shadows. Still, almost all the concepts are not in vain - silver. Primera is generally not small (as it is accepted recently: the model with each generation is becoming more and more, gradually crawling out of its class), but it seems even larger due to high sides and blurry boundaries of volumes.

The appearance does not deceive - inside is spacious. It is enough to evaluate the depth of the front panel - you can’t reach the edge of the windshield. There are plenty of places in all directions. Behind, even with a completely moved front armchair, the legs do not rest against it. In Spain, I remember, all the cars were with a leather-electrical interior. This station wagon is simpler. The front seats have mechanical adjustments along the length, the corner of the back inclination and the height of the front and rear parts of the pillow (separately) - rotating wheels are responsible for this. Adjusting the lumbar backup is assigned to the lever on the back. Moreover, all of the listed adjustments, without exception, are on the passenger chair.

Salon gray-black. The upholstery of the seats and the inserts in the doors are made of material resembling suede. A pleasant texture and good friction qualities. But plastic is cold and sonorous. But in general, design and ergonomics are on top. The interior leaves the impression of a cozy and friendly space.

Despite the unusual - in the center - the location of the devices, it is quite convenient to use them. Governing bodies - in traditional performance and in the usual places. The steering column is adjustable both in length and in the corner of inclination. Management of lighting equipment is completely entrusted to the left steering wheel switch. Wipers hang on the right. A unified air conditioning control unit, a stereo system and an on -board computer, similar to a computer keyboard, replaced a traditional central console. It is conveniently located, the hand does not hang in the air. There is no navigation, of course, in the Russian version, but there is a rear view video camera. A useful thing, given the height of the stern and the length of the overhang of the station wagon. But you can’t do without mirrors anyway. The black and white image on the central monitor (the signal from the video camera is transmitted there) is practically not read, if the observed is not sufficiently lit - it is, for example, in the shade. At night, even reversing lanterns do not help.

The sightseeing is generally not bad, despite the thick racks. It sits high even with lowered seats, but the edge of the hood is not visible that at first it is somewhat annoyed when parking.

The trunk is large, with a multiple bottom: under the floor - a trough, under the trough - a profiled foam with a tool, under the foam - a full -size reserve. The seats are folded simply - tipping the back, lifting the pillow and taking off the headrest is not required. You can separate the cargo compartment from the cabin with a removable net with four mounting points.

I must say that the variator requires addiction. Gas in the floor, a 2-liter 140-horsepower engine, after a little thought, comes out at 5000 rpm. And there it freezes. In the meantime, the car is quite briskly accelerating - until the pedal is released, while the turns are all the same, no switching and extensions. But to predict the intensity and duration of acceleration at first is not easy.

The speakers are enough for confident movement in the stream. But in terms of numbers, the variator Primera loses to the mechanical almost one and a half seconds. I study manual mode - six fixed gears. Switching is fast and up and down. The engine is untwisted to maximum speed, then the next gear is automatically turned on. It is convenient to go in innight, braking by the engine when switching down is effective. In general, you can have fun - but in the mood and not for long. Having played enough, I transferred the selector to the Drive position and did not get away from it anymore. When I got a little used to the miracle transmission, I realized that the dynamics of the machine is not bad, and the hanging speed of the engine no longer annoyed, and it turns out to be stepped.

In handling - everything is smooth. Despite the rather strict perception of the road, Primera is noticeably rolling in corners and pecks with the nose during braking. Suspension setting is the middle. The car is quiet - the engine does not press, the road does not tire. Aerodynamic noises are distinguished and the salon creaks a little. The stereo system plays well, but a sonorous door trim sings it.

The new Primera feels good in Russian conditions. Yes, and her herself seems to be understood and accepted. And most likely they will love - for this she has everything. In a couple of days on Moscow streets, I met Primera twenty times - mostly sedans. But the hatchback has already entered the sale.

Text: Sergey Yakubov
 

Source: Motor magazine [No. 11/2002]