NEW PRIMERA HEADLAMPS TURN NIGHT INTO DAY

Nissan test drivers are reporting dramatic reductions in night time driving fatigue, during tests carried out on the new Nissan Primera’s headlamps, which will be launched in September.

The Primera’s xenon gas discharge headlamps produce three times more light than conventional headlamps to create an effect ‘like driving in daylight’ says Ian Shepherd, who heads up Nissan’s headlamp development and testing.

He added: “Tests covering hundreds of thousands of night time miles have shown the headlamps produce a brighter, wider beam, which projects much more light onto the road. Feedback from our test drivers says the result is less eyestrain and tiredness. The improved vision also makes concentration easier for longer.”

Demonstrating its commitment to make vehicles that meet the harshest conditions ever likely to be encountered, Nissan took its new Primera to regions of Europe that offer some of the most challenging night time driving. For instance, the narrow, dim streets of Brussels were used to test the new projector-style low-beam in poorly-lit city centres, and the unlit, unregulated autobahns in Germany were used for high speed driving tests.

New Primera headlamps turn night into day…2

The new Primera is among the first in its class to offer this headlamp technology, previously available only on much more expensive, larger E-class cars.

The complete headlamp system includes automatic, self-sensing levelling which adjusts the angle of the xenon beam relative to the vehicle’s load. And since the thinnest coating of road grime can reduce light output, a new, low-maintenance washer system keeps the clear lens clean.

The car’s new headlamps are also an important styling feature. Over half of the £65 million design budget for Nissan’s striking new Primera has been spent on exterior looks, to create the most stylish interpretation of the model to date. The new Primera will be built at Europe’s most productive car plant in Sunderland and will go on sale in September.

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For further information please contact:

Lesley Alder Press Officer 0191 419 3300

e-mail lesley.alder@nissan-nmuk.co.uk

Stewart McKee Manager, Corporate Affairs 01923 899 930

e-mail stewart.mckee@nissan.co.uk

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Issued by Nissan