Nicely designed—some might say attractive—mid-sized entry in Nissan range, launched in 1989, replacing the Nissan Auster, Violet and Stanza lines (a.k.a. European Bluebird) in Japan. Set up for dual manufacture with Nissan Motor in Sunderland, England as well as its home country, and relatively successful, as judged by the six-year model cycle of the original. P11 successor reputed to be tested at the Nürburgring and an inspired handler, but the model considered a dull looker. A facelift gave it more presence at least for the European market in 1999, though Japanese models received a too-fussy chrome grille. Both were swept aside as P12 launched in 2001 with a very Japanese organic shape—looks divide opinions but there was no doubt about the model’s uniqueness. Deleted in Europe in 2006 as Nissan concentrated on niche vehicles, and no longer part of its range in Japan, either, but drifted out of plants till 2008.

• Nissan Primera (P10)
• Nissan Primera (P11)
• Nissan Primera (P12)

Marque: Nissan | Predecessors: Nissan Auster, Nissan Stanza | Successors: Infiniti G35, Nissan Dualis, Nissan Qashqai, Nissan Bluebird Sylphy

q.v. Infiniti G20, Nissan Avenir