Test drive Nissan Primera sedan since 2002 sedan

Primera of the New Age

The last Nissan model declares itself in Russia

It was a splash! The feeling is that you are not driving a Class D car, but at least Ferrari or Lamborghini. So much attention around. In the Moika, where I often bring the car in front of the car before shooting, all the staff, including the director, ran away to the Japanese curiosity. Workers for free (!) And on their own initiative, they wiped the salon, although this was not particularly needed. But they saw every detail, and there is perhaps for the whole day. In a report with an official test drive (AI No. 1 (4), 2002), the author talked about how this bold, in many ways a revolutionary car on the background of futuristic architecture of Barcelona looks. In Moscow, he looks, perhaps, more expressive.

Of course, no other serial car Japanese, European or American to the new Primera is like. More precisely, it does not force me to remember anything previously seen. Only this makes you take a hat in front of the designers. Perhaps some details can be associated with the latest developments of the partner of the Japanese French Renault in the class of prestigious cars, and even then with a stretch. And once again, the hat will have to be removed because the new generation of popular for many years of the model is completely original and not much resembles the previous ones. Body panels, lighting equipment, even others mirrors. Only one corporate Nissan logo is invariably. Finally, for the third time I take off my hat as a sign of recognition of the fact that the masters managed to create a machine that can look fresh and in the future, at least the next. Primera is futuristic both externally and inside.

A car with a universal body was taken for an editorial test. With the rear racks mowed in sports manners, he looks, in my opinion, much more spectacular sedan. However, a matter of taste and addictions. I only note that no matter what type of body is discussed, it is a single whole, it is difficult to divide the car into a hood, a passenger compartment and trunk. The lines are smooth and swift, combining ovals and sharp corners of the sidewalls and headlights.

But the main innovations, of course, are inside. The interior itself is as original as the appearance, it is distinguished by a solid finish, but without unnecessary pomp. It is no secret that Japanese cars have always been famous for an ergonomic salon. In the new Primera, this feature seems to be perfection. Here the instrument shield is put into the center of the torpedo and is not right in front of the driver, but on the right. Personally, I really liked this location. The fact is that on most cars, it is worth sitting down according to all the rules while driving, the steering wheel blocks part of the devices. There is no such problem in Primera. And since the indicators are now a little further from the eyes, it is easier to cast a look at them, not being distracted from the road and not too re -focusing vision. To take a convenient position allow numerous adjustments and seats and a steering column.

Under the instrument shield is a liquid crystal screen, which in developed countries is mainly busy with a navigation system. Our functions are minimized: it is displayed on the work of the climate control system, radio and all useful information. But only until you transferred the lever of the transmission selector to the position of R, that is, you did not decide to go back. In this case, a picture immediately arises on the screen showing what is happening behind the machine. It is unnecessary to say how convenient it is.

Under the screen control panel of an innovative system called Human Machine Interface. The system is capable of, for example, to communicate with the driver in several languages, and in general it can. But deprived of its main navigator mission in Russia, it resembles a doctor of physical and mathematical sciences, forced to calculate the revenue of a beer stall. Nevertheless, it has another advantage: it can be controlled by any person of medium intelligence without special training. The buttons of fixed tuning radio stations, volume, frequency change, climate control are generally familiar to most drivers. This is all the more important that we are talking about a car whose main buyer, as the research show, is not yet ready for too bold experiments in the field of ergonomics.

Compared to the previous version, Primera Salon has become noticeably spacious. Moreover, in the back seats is very comfortable. And the place above the head is quite enough.

About the luggage compartment is a special conversation. Its volume is 465 liters. But this figure can almost double, folding the backs of the rear seat, both entirely and separately. After this operation, the length of the trunk will reach almost two meters! Originally solved the fastening of a special grid, with which the luggage is fixed: it is, as it were, wound on a special drum at the very end of the compartment, which is ergonomically and convenient. Despite the roof noticeably decreasing to the stern, the back door opens high, and a person with growth above the average does not need to bend when loading and unloading baggage.

Checking on the roads

The station wagon was equipped with the most powerful of the offered engines with a volume of 2 liters (140 hp) and a variator instead of automatic transmission. It should be said that this transmission, which appeared a couple of years ago, is still unique in some respects. Firstly, it has a step. Secondly, the programs can be switched manually. Finally, it provides amazing smoothness in automatic mode. In addition, she does not suffer from thoughtfulness, vividly responding to gas supply. The car accelerates evenly, like a trolley. But, of course, several times faster. It is worth downloading the selector lever to the right, and you can spur the car, twisting the motor to the red mark on the tachometer. But even the dynamics is quite worthy. A special window next to the speedometer informs the driver about what kind of transmission is currently being carried out on.

The steering also pleases: the steering wheel, at first soft, as expected, is heavier with an increase in speed. The reactions to its turns are distinct, feedback at height.

If you do not twist the engine, then it is practically inaudible in the cabin. Here you have to be careful and look at the speedometer: silence and smoothness are deceiving. So, for example, it would seem, I swing peacefully along the embankment of the Moscow River, I don’t bother anyone, when suddenly a person in shape and with a striped wand is ahead. He smiles and shows the radar, on the scoreboard of which the number 120 burns. From the fine, Primera saved me. I drove an employee of the traffic police, handed over a few times ago (he really liked how the camera works in the rear bumper), we talked for a couple of minutes on a car theme, and I was released in peace.

Compared to the predecessor, the new Primera has become noticeably comfortable, small pits and bumps of our roads remain almost invisible to the driver and passengers. At the same time, such settings provoke the rolls of the body on the bends, although it is still impossible to call them excessive. The reliability of the brake system I had happened more than once on my own experience, and every time I was surprised at its power. This is also facilitated by the system of distribution of brake efforts EBD, which, like ABS, is included in the standard equipment of the car.

For those who have not read a report from the official presentation of Primera, I recall that the car can be equipped with a thought-controlled control called ICC (Intelligent Cruise Control). For the first time in a car of this class, this system is able not only to maintain a given speed, but to maintain a distance to the walking car in front, dropping speed or, conversely, accelerating. The thing is undoubtedly interesting and useful, but in Russian conditions it is hardly suitable for wide use. If, for example, you are going at a decent speed, and some suddenly emerges in front of you, sorry, scumbag, slowing down will be monstrous. And on our roads, thus, the system will be too nervous.

General conclusion: according to the running qualities of the Nissan Primera, it seems to be a very whole and reliable car with understandable reactions. At the wheel of such a car, a professional, a sedate driver, and a girl will feel confident and comfortable.

Good prospects

I do not see a single reason why the new generation of Primera was less popular than the previous one. Rather, the opposite. The car is literally crowded with innovative products, looks more than modern and at the same time costs no more than classmates from competitors. The basic version with a 1.6 -liter gasoline engine is sold at a price of $ 17,900. The tested car, I recall, with the most powerful power unit in the range and almost in the maximum configuration, which includes almost everything, with the exception of the leather salon, is offered by dealers at a price of about 24 thousand.

Of course, the rivals do not doze. Among the direct competitors VW Bora, Opel Vectra and Volvo S40. However, in Russia, Nissan has another trump card: a guarantee of 100 thousand kilometers of mileage or 3 years.

Andrey Osipov
 

A source: Newspaper "Automobile Izvestia" [No. 8 (11), 2002]