New Primera is very different from Nissan

We first caught a glimpse of Nissan’s very stylish new Primera for Europe at the Frankfurt Motor Show, and given the very evident popularity of the car there, there’s sure to be a lot of interest from Irish motorists when it goes on sale in this country in March of next year.

It certainly is very different from anything Nissan have done before. Both in styling terms (sharp, crisp lines) and also in drivability, with the 2-litre engine particularly much more user-friendly in traffic and around bends.

There are two versions - a standard hatchback and a longer wagon, the latter possibly our favourite.

Designed from the inside out, the cabin provides spacious accommodation with increased head, shoulder, knee and leg room. It’s a good-sized family car.

The interior is indeed a huge leap forward for the manufacturer, and arguably puts the Primera it ahead of most of the current competition in this respect.

Key to the theme is the curved shape of the cabin, which, while providing more headroom, has also allowed the information systems to be set further forward than usual. This all makes for easier reading of the screen information by the driver.

Switches and knobs on the central keypad are bigger than usual and well separated for easy recognition, and they are located nicely in line with your hand. Two large circular switches operate the most frequently adjusted functions: in-car entertainment and air-conditioning.

There’s a lot of cutting edge ‘intelligent’ technology about. This includes a large LCD screen to provide information at a glance. In all above the entry-level car, a mini video camers above the rear numberplate relays images to this screen when the car is reversing.

A ‘joystick’ system takes over a number of switch controls, allowing the new Primera to have around half the switches of any car in the class.

Among the features on the car are an ‘intelligent’ cruise control, which uses a laser sensor, and the car’s engine management system, to adjust vehicle speed according to traffic flow.

In addition to revised versions of the 1.6- and 1.8-litre engines which have powered recent Primeras, a new 140bhp 2-litre petrol engine comes with a choice of 6-speed manual or the Nissan CVT-M6 automatic.

There is a 2.2-litre 126bhp common rail DI turbodiesel, also with a 6-speed transmission. The 1.8-litre unit is also available with an automatic gearbox.

Initial on the road impressions show a car which is very much in control of whatever driving conditions it encounters, and significantly extends the already superb driving dynamics of the previous Primeras.