THE NEW NISSAN ALMERA

2000/06/20

“The all-new Almera represents Nissan’s strongest challenge in the highly competitive C-segment to date.  The new distinctive styling combines best-in-class build quality and customer-focussed “super utility” interior to provide an outstanding product. Together with Nissan’s renowned engineering integrity and unmatched reputation for reliability, the new Almera is set to raise industry standards within Europe’s biggest and most important market.”

Highlights at a glance:

·         On sale 1 March 2000 

·         Designed and developed at Nissan facilities at Cranfield, UK and

     Munich, Germany

·         Debuts Nissan’s real-world use, “super-utility” interior concept

·         New surf-tail roofline and distinctive exterior styling

·         Features 30 per cent stronger body structure

·         Available in three engine sizes – all-new 1.5-litre and I.8-litre petrol and 2.2-litre direct injection diesel

·         Features state-of-the-art diesel technology

·         Offers first in class Active Head Restraint safety feature

·         Will boast application of world’s most advanced satellite navigation system – BirdviewÔ – to be available mid 2000

·         Manufactured at NMUK, Sunderland – Europe’s most productive plant

·         Represents a £200 million investment in NMUK bringing the total UK investment to £1.5 billion

·         First Nissan model to use all-new global MS platform

The new Almera is the first European model to use an all-new global Nissan platform.  Designed specifically for the European market, Japan and North America will develop dedicated versions of the vehicle based around the same ‘MS’ platform. Nissan’s European Technology Centre (NETC) in Cranfield, was responsible for key areas of the design, engineering and development of the new Almera.

In addition, the new Almera is the third model to be manufactured at Nissan’s award-winning plant in Sunderland – Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd (NMUK) has been independently rated as Europe’s most efficient and productive plant for the last three years running. The three Sunderland produced models combined will account for over 90 per cent of Nissan’s sales in Europe. 

The new Almera will introduce a host of innovations to the UK market including three-dimensional satellite navigation, active anti-whiplash head restraints and advanced 16-valve petrol and diesel engines that already better strict EU emission targets.

Recognising the need for more distinctive styling, the new Almera reflects extensive research within key European countries and the input of Nissan’s design centres in the UK and Germany.  The result is a contemporary exterior with a distinctive aerodynamically efficient ‘surf-tail’ roofline.  The waistline is significantly higher than on its predecessor, giving the new Almera a more robust sporting stance.

From the front, the new Almera displays a strong Nissan corporate identity with the radiator grille radically raked back, flowing into the bonnet and headlamps.  The rear view displays the twin, distinctive rear lamp assemblies, while the bumper is formed from a single strong curve, in sympathy with the design of the whole vehicle.

Super Utility

Debuting Nissan’s new approach to interior design, the new Almera has been manufactured to reflect quality and practicality in all aspects.  Introducing Nissan’s concept of ‘super utility’, ‘real use’ research was conducted in Europe to identify how customers were most likely to use
their cars and what items they most travel with, in order to maximise useable interior space.

The result of this research has been the introduction of over 20 innovative storage solutions, many of which are unique to a car in this sector of the market, each solving a number of storage dilemas.  These include:

·         A covered tray on the dashboard

·         Driver’s lower storage shelf

·         Sunglasses holder (5-door only on E grade)

·         Two front cupholders

·         Convenience (curry) hook

·         Secret box in console

·         Coin and credit card holder

·         Driver and passenger large door pocket

·         Centre console box with lid

·         Tissue holder in lid of centre console box

·         Rear garbage tray

·         Rear 12V power socket

·         Two rear side stowage pockets (3 door)

·         Rear centre armrest with two cupholders and stowage area

·         Two stowage nets in boot

Together with a substantial upgrade in terms of materials, the interior of the new Almera has been completely re-designed to ‘best in class’ standards, offering the sense of quality usually associated with much larger cars.

Power comes from a new range of three environment-friendly multi-valve engines.  The 1.5-litre (90PS) and 1.8-litre (114PS) petrol units are assembled at NMUK in Sunderland, while the new Di 2.2-litre (110PS) direct injection turbo-diesel is built at Nissan’s Cuatro Vientos engine plant in Madrid.

This engine is Nissan’s first application of direct injection diesel technology in a European passenger car.  The relatively large displacement engine (2.2-litre) includes the first applications of Nissan’s M-Fire modulated kinetics combustion technology for reduced soot and Nitrous Oxide emissions, improved performance and reduced noise. 

The two DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder petrol engines have been designed to exceed E IV regulations which are not due to come into force until 2005.  The 1.8-litre engine made its debut earlier this year in the new Primera and features both Nissan Valve Timing Control System (NVCS) and Nissan Direct Ignition System (NDIS).  It is also among the first petrol engines in the world to feature a swirl-control valve designed to enhance combustion. 

The smallest of the new Almera’s engines – the brand new 1.5-litre, shares all of the 1.8-litre emissions, construction and NVH-reducing technologies with the exception of NVCS variable inlet valve timing.

The New Almera is available in six trim levels, bringing the range in-line with that of the recently introduced Primera.

All new Almera models are generously equipped with many standard safety, security and comfort features including power assisted steering, driver’s airbag, front seatbelt pretensioners, engine immobiliser, front electric windows, central door locking with Superlocking and ISOFIX child seat fixing points.

The more comfort-oriented S, SE and SE+ grades also feature passenger airbag, 3-point rear centre seatbelt, rear centre headrest and air-conditioning.  From the SE upwards, all models feature anti-locking brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist, keyless entry with anti-hijack function and electrically adjustable door mirrors.  The SE and SE+ gain enhanced safety features as standard including
active front head rests and side airbags. ‘Super-utility’ storage solutions include innovative rear straps for holding umbrellas and briefcases securely and a useful storage box located in the spare wheel.  In addition, the SE+ gains alloy wheels, front fog lamps, electric sunroof, rear electric windows, a leather steering wheel, and a dash-mounted six CD autochanger. 

The Sport and Sport+ models both feature passenger airbag, anti-locking brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist,

The new Nissan Almera...6

keyless entry with anti-hijack function and electrically adjustable door mirrors. Standard alloy wheels along with body coloured roof spoiler, front fog lamps and a metallic effect instrument panel to add to the sporty appeal.  In addition, the Sport+ gains 16” alloy wheels (15” on Sport), leather steering wheel, dash-mounted six CD autochanger, electric sunroof and a full body-coloured exterior styling kit including side spoilers.

Available from mid-2000, BirdviewÔ navigation is exclusive to Nissan and

uniquely displays an easy-to-understand three-dimensional route map.  All

other systems use a traditional 2-D plan.  BirdviewÔ sees the world from

a human perspective, from about 300 metres in the air and about 400
metres behind the car, giving a panoramic view of the road ahead to the horizon, including all recognisable landmarks on the way. 

BirdviewÔ is the most advanced satellite navigation system in the world

and the new Almera marks its introduction to the C-segment.

The new Almera is the first car in its class to offer an ‘Active Head Restraint’ (AHR) system to reduce neck injuries caused when another vehicle impacts from the rear.  The pressure of the driver/passenger pressing deep into the seat back activates a mechanism that moves the head restraint upwards and forwards, preventing whiplash.

The movement of the head restraints is governed by the amount of pressure exerted on the backrest.  This in turn is dependent on the severity of the impact.  The system is designed to operate even in moderate accidents, which could still cause severe neck injuries.  Nissan’s AHR system is only available in conjunction with head and thorax side airbags.

The new Almera also features class-leading passive safety systems, such as full-size driver and passenger airbags and head and thorax system side airbags incorporated into the front seats.  

Like all Nissans the New Almera is covered by Nissan’s comprehensive three-year or 60,000-mile mechanical warranty, three-year paint warranty and twelve-year perforation corrosion protection.  Twelve months roadside assistance – operated in conjunction with the RAC – is also included.

ends...

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Andrew Roberts          Manager, Product Affairs                    01923 899930

E-mail:                         andrew.roberts@nissan.co.uk

Linda Robinson           Press Officer, Product Affairs            01923 899930

E-mail:                         linda.robinson@nissan.co.uk

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