The new Primera should prove a winner for Nissan, says Andrew Hamilton
Owners and drivers of the new Nissan Primera that is going on sale here this week, will not be looking back. That's literally true because most models in the Primera range are fitted with a tiny video camera above the rear number plate. When reverse gear is selected, it transmits to a seven-inch screen on the facia: thus drivers need have no worry about the blind spot right behind the car.
Just as sensible is Nissan's answer to the use of mobile phones while driving. It's the "integration solution" and a combined development with Nokia. Drivers simply place the handset into a cradle that is compatible with most makes. The mobile is then integrated into the central command and audio systems and calls can be easily managed through the telephone and audio control buttons on the central console.
We should stress, however, that the Primeras on Irish sale are merely wired to accommodate the system, fitting is an extra.
It's a car that will stand out fairly dramatically in any car park, and is a huge contrast to its predecessor, which never set the pulses racing as far as style and appearance were concerned. Family and fleet cars don't come much more dramatic than the new Primera with sleek and sculpted lines on the outside; proof, says Nissan, that convention has been forsaken for "thinking in a different direction".
The radical approach is continued in the cabin. Nissan's fresh approach here has all instruments and switches mounted centrally. All but the cheapest Primeras have a seven-inch colour screen that sits at the top of a near-horizontal console. It displays the settings for the audio and air conditioning systems, trip computer and satellite navigation.
The new range has a softer suspension and provides a more comfortable ride, but handling remains precise. On the move, noise is well suppressed. Dimensionally the car is around two inches longer in saloon form compared with the old model, as well as being a little taller and wider.
Two petrol units and a common-rail turbo diesel are in the engine line-up. These are 1.6 litre with 109 bhp; the 116 bhp 1.8 litre and the 126 bhp 2.2 diesel, which comes with a six-speed manual transmission.
It's saloons and estate that are now going into the Irish dealerships: the hatchback arrives in late summer. Paul O'Sullivan, Nissan Ireland's marketing director, expects around 4,000 Primera sales this year, with 5,000 in 2003.
He thinks Nissan has a strong competitive advantage in the Irish market because Ford with the Mondeo and now Opel with the Vectra, are not offering 1.6 litre options.
As for specification, it depends on whether the customers choose the oddly named Visia, Acenta or Tenka levels of trim. Visia is represented on basic models, which have the central display in monochrome rather than colour. All versions come with full climate control and six airbags. The parking camera and rain activated wipers are standard in the Acenta and Tenka.
Finally to pricing. The basic 1.6 litre four-door Visia retails at €22,995 ex-works (that's £18,110 in old Irish money). That makes it respectively just €510 and €437 above the 1.6 litre entry-level competitors' cars, the Opel Vectra and Toyota Avensis.
At last Nissan has a car that cuts a dash. Previous Primera models also boasted of European engineering and styling as well as European manufacturing - at Sunderland in the north of England. We like its looks, its refinement, its driving. Nissan is on a winning streak.
NEW PRIMERA PRICING
1.6 4DR VISIA €22,995
1.6 ESTATE VISIA €23,995
1.8 4DR VISIA AUTO €25,195
2.2 4DR DIESEL VISIA €27,995
2.2 DIESEL VISIA EST €28,995
1.6 4DR ACENTA €24,895
1.8 4DR ACENTA €25,495
1.6 ESTATE ACENTA €25,895
1.8 4DR ACENTA AUTO €27,095
2.2 4DR DIESEL ACENTA €29,895
1.8 4DR TENKA €25,995