Nissan Commercial Vehicle Range PDF Press Information

It is complemented by the aptly-named Pickup, a two – or four – wheel drive workhorse that combines car-like driving attributes with the practicality of a large open load area. Appealing to younger and older drivers alike, the Pickup is equally at home in the fields or forests as it is on the beach or the ski slopes. Next comes the Primastar, like the Kubistar a product of the Nissan-Renault Alliance. Primastar operates in the 2.5 to 2.8 tonne category and offers a wide choice of model with two lengths and two heights available. Three powerful common-rail diesels and one petrol engine complete the option list.

Operating in the 2.8 to 3.5 tonne range, the Interstar is another Alliance-developed LCV, this time offering a full range of more than 65 variants: there are three different lengths, three heights, four engines with five outputs and three gross vehicle weights to choose from. The two newest models are comprehensively updated versions of Nissan-developed designs that have already become well established on the European market: Cabstar and Atleon. Cabstar, which covers the 2.8 to 4.5 tonnes GVW category, features a number of significant improvement for 2004, including new engines and a new gearbox, totally new front suspension and refreshed interior will appeal to drivers and operators. As before, Cabstar is built as a chassis cab model, allowing a wide variety of bodies to be fitted to its truck-like U-section chassis rails. The cab-over design with its flat front makes the Cabstar particularly suited to use in towns and cities where manoeuvring and parking in narrow streets can be difficult, while the tilt-cab option eases servicing and reduces down time.

Among the changes, the most significant is the arrival of a new 3.0-litre direct injection diesel to replace the old 2.7 indirect injection diesel unit. As well as developing more power and torque, the new engine is more economical, produces fewer emissions and is more refined that its predecessor. Changes have also been made to the existing intercooled version of the same 3.0-litre DI turbo diesel, resulting in a power increase
of about 4 per cent: the engines deliver 105PS (77kW) and 125PS (92kW) respectively. Dynamic driving enhancements are largely down a new
independent front suspension layout which improves vehicle stability during cornering and under braking, while an array of newly developed safety equipment, including an optional front energy absorber, protects both the Cabstar and its occupants. Atleon, the biggest vehicle in the Nissan LCV range, covers the 3.5 to 15.0 tonnes GVW category. Like Cabstar, it is a cab-over design and is available in a huge number of variants: there are four engine options, up to six wheelbases per models, and two cab widths.

Changes for 2004 include a new gearbox with a smoother shift operation, revised final drive ratio for better all-round performance, new ventilated disc brakes and styling revisions plus a revised interior look and features. Part of the reason for the increased interest in Nissan’s LCVs is they have been designed specifically for and are built in Europe. Kubistar and Interstar, based on the Renault Kangoo Express and Renault Master respectively, are built in France, while the Primastar, based on the Renault Trafic, is built both in Spain and at the General Motors plant in Luton, Great Britain. Cabstar and Atleon are all built in Spain, at the plant in Avila, near Madrid, which is the home of Nissan Vehiculos Industriales SA (NIVISA). Nissan builds its Primastar at the Zona Franca plant in Barcelona, as well as the Trafic for Renault and the Vivaro for Opel. It is also where the Almera Tino and Terrano are built.

Among the projects recently announced for the Barcelona plant are a new 4×4 sport utility vehicle, a new pickup and a new 2.5-litre common rail diesel engine. Production of all three is due to start in 2005 and together will represent an investment of 400 million euros.

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