Test drive Nissan Primera sedan 1999 - 2002 sedan
Revolutionary Primera
Novelty Nissan breaks stereotypesBarcelona is perhaps the most inappropriate place to demonstrate the expressiveness and courage of new forms. Including cars. Because any delights against the backdrop of, say, the temple of Sagrade Surname will resemble a school presentation of a great book. The connection between the past and the future in this city, as in any other, is embodied in stone and concrete, glass and metal. At the same time, it is difficult to find a different place where old and modern would intertwine so skillfully. On the other hand, it is here that the most unusual, capable of shocking in another place, is seen quite acceptable. Primera in Barcelona like a hint: look at the car from the standpoint not yesterday, but tomorrow.
I don’t remember which of the automobile journalists was the first to express the poisonous idea that mass Japanese models are distinguished by one thing: a blurry design. External unpretentiousness, however, did not interfere with their popularity in the markets of different countries, where the main criterion for success remains the value of quality quality. However, now, in the context of globalization and unification, when cars of the same class according to the main characteristics become barely distinguishable from each other, to neglect details, especially the appearance, means to lose to competitors. And literally all the companies joined the race, trying to sell as many innovative products as possible in as bright packaging as possible. To date, the yellow T -shirt of the leader in class D of Nissan.
The Japanese company does not hide that the main task facing the designers was to create a car that would look modern, even futuristic, and after the main competitors will update models in this market segment. It seems it turned out. In any case, the external and even more so the internal appearance of Primera can not be called blurry. But the revolutionary is undoubted. The car can cause different feelings -to be or not like, but hardly anyone will leave indifferent. For example, I really liked the station wagon, with rear stands mowed in a sports manner. And the hatchback is good. But the sedan with a heavy trunk caused conflicting feelings. But perhaps I am simply not able to quickly get used to new proportions?
In the commercial, represented by journalists, a certain car covered with snow and blown by the wind is played out. Exactly: a smooth silhouette of a snowdrift is present in the sedan. And it is no longer possible to divide the car into a hood, a passenger compartment and trunk, this is a single whole. Moreover, organicity is amazingly combined with sharp lines of sidewalls and headlights. Something in these lines makes us recall the latest developments of the Nissan-Renault partner, however, in the segment of more expensive cars. In this case, the fruits of the alliance are positive. And with all this, Primera retained the family traits.
By the way, the originality of the appearance pulled a change in the entire technological process, not to mention the manufacture of unique stamps. And this was done, and in a very short time. Nissan needed only two years for the entire process from designer research to setting the model on the conveyor. A new Primera was developed in Europe. And it will be produced in England, at the company's factory in Sanderland.
External originality does not exhaust the revolutionary essence of the car. This essence is fully revealed only from the inside. No, it is not without reason that the main designer of the novelty Stefan Schwartz claims that his team began to create a car from the salon. The interior is permeated with a modernist spirit, but the lines are smooth, not cutting eyes, perfectly combined with an external appearance.
There are two main innovations inside. The first instrument shield, located not in front of the driver, but in the center of the torpedo. This is unusual only for the first seconds. That such a layout is even more convenient, you understand very soon: since the indicators are further from the eyes, it is easier to cast a look at them without being distracted from the road. The speedometer, tachometer and one more, in which the fuel margin and coolant temperature are placed, are covered with a long elegant visor. However, such a location of the instrument panel is already familiar with another, very recent new Nissan newspaper, compact X-Trail SUV. According to the logic of things, the alteration of the front of the cabin simultaneously allowed the company to reduce the costs of the release of cars with a different location of the steering wheel.
The second innovation is exclusive. So far, only Primera boasts a multifunctional (and very ergonomic) control panel with a liquid crystal display located directly under the instrument panel. This innovative Human Machine Interface system is called. From my point of view, one of its main advantages is that the system does not require a deep preliminary study, it is understandable and easy to handle. Before the test drive, the company representative literally told in a few words that the control panel under the right hand was divided into three zones: on the left music, in the center of navigation, on the right, a climatic installation. As it turned out a few minutes later, he might not say that. What should be pressed, and what to twist, a smaller person is able to understand on his own.
Having settled down in the driver's seat, I immediately noted that the new Primera is more spacious than its predecessor. The rear passengers also received an additional place for the legs and over their heads. By the way, folding the seat, you can increase the luggage compartment, which is already 450 liters. The front seats have a more extensive range of adjustments, equipped with lumbar and lateral support. Of course, the steering column is also regulated, which allows you to take the most convenient position. And the smooth arc of the torpedo is perceived as a protective ring.
It was worth starting the engine, the display screen came to life. In the center of the remote control is something like a little joystick. I press it and enter the menu. I choose English. Then everything is simple, because the tips are on the screen. Alternately rotating and pressing the joystick, I quickly choose the right route. Another press and navigation system reports on readiness, and the female voice begins to give valuable instructions. Moreover, this whole procedure takes a minimum of time. Later I learned that the system is not based on ordinary CDs, but on DVD, which significantly accelerates the matter. Moreover, the whole of Europe is located on one such disk, and, moving from one country to another, it is not required to change compacts. The new carrier of information made it possible to simultaneously improve the quality of the graphics and add, for example, an option such as Bird View when the usual card turns into an image that can only be seen from a bird's eye view. This, believe me, is not just funny, but also convenient. And finally, the disk contains information about 388 thousand (!) Objects, including refueling, attractions, hotels, restaurants, etc. By the way, the navigation system is so smart that it is capable of, say, to independently change the route and direct to the nearest gas station if fuel is running out. I do not get tired of one thing: all these charms have no sense in Russia, where, as you know, so far navigation systems can not be used. We maniacally keep secrets that have long been resolutely interested in anyone. And to those to whom they for some reason are interesting, everyone knows about them for a long time ...
There is no need to describe how to manage an audio system or microclimate, since everything is very simple. So it's time to go.
On the roads of Catalonia
My colleague and I began to travel by car with a 1.8 -liter engine and a manual gearbox. The overall impression is very good. The cabin is quiet and comfortable, the power is enough to feel confident on the road. The programs are shifted clearly.
On the route, frankly, we did not follow long, noting a large shopping complex. Since there was enough time, they decided to give an hour to shopping. The lady from the navigation system immediately tried to instruct us to the true path, even adding a word to her meager vocabulary please. However, we were adamant, looping between stores. At the same time, we were struck by how quickly this lady is guided by the terrain, almost instantly paving a new path.
When parking backwards at one of the stores, I appreciated another know-how. It is worth turning on the rear gear, as a black and white picture of what is happening behind the stern occurs on the display. Moreover, a miniature camera in the lid of the trunk gives a clear and rather panoramic image, so that the driver sees both the curb and the obstacles to the right and on the left. Very comfortably!
Having bought the right (and unnecessary), we easily returned to the route with the help of the navigation system, which soon brought us to a mountainous area. That's where it was possible to appreciate the steering and suspension. Both deserve praise. The suspension provides comfort, but does not graze in front of steep turns. They say that Primera is equipped with a stabilization system. So it is, but personally I did not feel its intervention. As for the steering wheel, it is sharp enough to confidently pass any turns at very good speed, without losing control of the machine.
Having pushed around the mountains and drinking coffee, we headed for the ultimate goal of the route of the first day to the hotel. And soon we went to the wide highway. Here it was a sin not to try another innovation -icc (Intelligent Cruise Control) Thinking Cruise Control. For the first time on cars of this class, this system does not just maintain a given speed, but retains the distance to the driven car in front, dropping speed and slowing down, if necessary, and, conversely, accelerating when the road is freed ahead. The work of the autopilot is provided by a laser sensor mounted in the front of the car. And the ICC is valid, it should be recognized, effectively.
In the vicinity of Barcelona, \u200b\u200bit is by no means deserted highway, but the Spaniards as a whole and the Catalans in particular, although they behave on roads with natural dignity, still drive quite actively. Here we roll, in accordance with the limits, at a speed of 140 km/h, enjoying the autopilot, when suddenly in the lumen, however, fifty meters, between us and in front of the driving machine a small but charged car is built up. The reaction was immediate: Primera sharply slowed down, causing obvious confusion among the one who followed. But as soon as I touched the accelerator pedal, the ICC politely eliminated control, and the status quo was restored. The driver’s teams are always priority. In general, I experimented several times and came to the conclusion that the system is certainly good, but on long trips and along not too loaded routes. Honestly, I did not have time to deal with this to the end, but, as far as I understood, you can independently set the distance to the walking car in front.
It is worth saying a few words about the brakes. On the new product, the latest Boch ABS system is installed. Looking ahead, I’ll say that the next day, on the wet asphalt, she showed herself in the best way. In addition, there are electronic distribution systems of brake forces (EBD) and the Nissan Brake Assist proprietary system, which is subsidizing behind an indecisive or weak -minded driver, if it sharply but not much pressed on the pedal. The diameter of the brake discs increased.
It got dark when we, turning on xenon headlights, drove up to the hotel. And then there was a funny episode. The navigation system seems to have brought us to the destination, but we did not see the hotel under the right name and drove on. Realizing the error, the system again brought us to the base. And again we did not find what we were looking for. I had to go out and ask the passers -by where it is, Art Hotel. It turned out here, only a sign, as they say, from the yard, and you should enter under the roof.
The next day, I managed to try out two modifications with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel and with a 2-liter gasoline engine. The diesel, in general, is not bad, especially if we take into account its economy, but, at my hearing, it is still noisy. But the two -liter engine, and even with the variator, is very good. Even excessively. With him, Primera acquires a fighting character. The only thing: at high speeds, the motor becomes well audible in the cabin. On the other hand, if you prefer an active ride to the limit, this cannot be attributed to the minuses.
The variator is also known by the previous model. He appeared a little more than two years ago and then became a genuine sensation. And now I do not remember another such transmission that would have six steps and ensured the possibility of mechanical gear shifts. In a word, on this day, my colleague and I fully enjoyed both the car and the trip. The special sensor began to rain the wipers. Tired of the conversation turned on a completely decent audio system.
Primera in the world and in Russia
Of course, the first thing that interests us was how much it is more expensive to cost the buyer a new Primera compared to the old. I asked this question a sales manager Nissan Europe N.V. John Paulsu. He replied that, despite the beginning of sales in Europe, in March, the price has not yet been determined. But added:
One thing I can say definitely: the price will be the same as on the previous Primera, plus an additional payment for technical innovations, which were not on the previous model. Agree that for things such as the rear view camera, it is not a sin to pay extra.
Perhaps I agree. Especially if it is not too expensive. What volumes of sales do you count on? Is there any intention to expand the gamut of engines?
In March, sedans and station wagons will appear in the salons of European dealers. Hatchback will go in early June. In Russia, the new Primera will debut, I think, no later than in April. This year we expect to sell approximately 120 thousand cars of this model, in the next 135. In Russia, from one and a half to two thousand cars. I suppose this is a minimum. With the entry into the market of the new version of Primera, we also expect to increase the share in the Class D Car segment in Europe from the current four to five percent.
As for the engines, it is planned to equip the novelty and more powerful power units. One of the options of the V6 motor with a volume of 2.5 liters. In addition, I will tell you a secret, it is possible to bring the power of a two -liter motor to 280 horsepower, equipping it with two turbines. In general, we will see ...
And the last. All versions of Primera will be delivered to Russia with all engines and different types of transmission, including with a variator and a four -stage automatic.
Oleg Osipov
