After nearly two decades, the Nissan Primera nameplate has been revived. Those expecting an SR20-powered sports sedan may be disappointed, though, as the Primera has been resurrected as an EV. While it shares a name with its predecessors, it likely won’t have as storied a motorsports history.
The original P10 Primera was introduced in 1990, developed to target the European market. Its conception took place during the Bubble Era, but rather than luxury gimmicks that were popular with sedans at the time, the Primera focused on interior volume and vehicle dynamics, which were priorities in its intended market. Kazutoshi Mizuno, the chief engineer for the R35 Nissan GT-R, worked on the P10’s packaging and helped deliver a cavernous cabin in a relatively compact sedan.
Though front-wheel-drive, the Primera used an advanced multi-link front suspension that imbued it with stellar handling. It placed second in the European Car of the Year Awards in 1991, losing out to the Renault Clio. It was the highest-ever ranking of a Japanese car at the time.
With razor sharp handling the Primera was a natural fit for the circuit. Primeras flocked to the touring car championships of Japan, Italy, Spain, Central Europe, South America, Denmark, Sweden, South Africa, and Britain, in which Fifth Gear presenter Tiff Needell taking a stint behind the wheel, and competed in the World Touring Car Cup and FIA European Touring Car Championship.
Notably, it dominated the BTCC in the late 90s, taking home the Manufacturers’ and Teams’ titles two years in a row in 1998 and 1999, as well as the Independents’ Class in 1999 and 2000. Both P10 and P11 generations were sold in the US as the Infiniti G20.
A third generation styled at Nissan’s European studio received several prestigious design accolades, including Germany’s Red Dot Award. However, it was no longer the motorsports darling of its predecessors. When it was discontinued in 2008 there was no successor. Until now.
Nissan hasn’t revealed any information about the Primera EV’s specs, but it’s essentially a Chinese-market Nissan N7 built by Dongfeng Nissan. It’s part of Nissan’s new “From China” strategy, which establishes China as a manufacturing and development hub for products destined for Asia. The Primera EV boasts a 60-KWh battery good for a range of 500km (311 miles). At least it’s a sedan.
Yes at least it’s a sedan. I’m just not a fan of today’s gunsmith headlights. The side profile almost looks like the Ford 500 from the mid 2000s.
What’s the car meant to do for Nissan? EVs are super popular in China, so is this something to just bring revenue? Americans don’t know the Primera legacy though, so they’d have absolutely o appreciation for this car.
Just a brief note, I believe Tiff Needell was a presenter not for Final Gear, but for Fifth Gear.
Good catch. Fixed!
The best description of the P10 Primera I’ve ever heard is “A Peugeot 405 that works” 😉