Born out of Nissan’s alliance with Renault and a business partnership with GM, the Nissan Primastar is one of three models that dominate Europe’s light van segment. Together the Nissan Primastar, Renault Trafic and Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro claim more than 28 per cent of the market. The latest eight-strong range gets a fresh look, even more convenience features, and most significantly a range of engines that not only enhance driveability, but are Euro 4 compliant too. From the outside the front and rear headlamps, front grille and turning indicators have been redesigned while the colour range has been extended. Front and rear bumpers have been reinforced to improve the shock resistance, moving inside, the increasingly car-like cab gets a revised dashboard with new instruments and some snazzy new colour accents. All have improved upholstery fabrics and higher quality panels and coverings presenting a high level of fit and finish.Primastar models have featured a whole series of improvements focused on upgrading the engine range, equipment levels and gearbox. There’s a fresh 2.0-litre dCi engine now offering outputs of either 90 or 115bhp. The rest of the engine range includes an upgraded 2.5-litre dCi developing 150bhp emission levels have been cut significantly while maintaining the same level of refinement, consumption and performance. In order to cope with the torque increase of the new diesel engine line up, the Primastar is now available with a 6-speed gearbox range of manual and robotised transmissions offering improved reliability and performance.
The Primastar van is offered in four size formats based on short or long wheelbase, low or high roof, and able to take 5.02 m3 in short wheelbase/low roof form, and a maximum 8.36 m3 for the long wheelbase/high roof variant. Payloads range from 1045 kg to 1263 kg depending on load configuration and engine type. The load bay is reached either through the standard nearside sliding door or twin rear doors which open to 180 degrees. SE models offer an optional offside sliding door and rear doors opening out to 250 degrees (on LWB, low roof versions only. Load bay dimensions are 2.4 m long and 1.38 m high (SWB, low roof), increasing to a maximum 2.8 m by 1.91 m (LWB, high roof).
