New Nissan Primera

[WhipLash]

What do you think of the new radical look of the new Nissan Primera? (http://www.eforecourt.com/body.htm/pid/295/catagory/feature)

http://www.eforecourt.com/images/spurious/primera.jpg http://www.eforecourt.com/images/spurious/primera2.jpg


I saw one outside a Nissan dealership yesterday. Its very unusual looking, looks a little like a Citroen. Way better then the boring looking previous versions. Don’t think you’d loose this one as quickly in a carpark either! :rolleyes:

[BrianS]

From the pic in the feature section, it seems very sweet indeed. Nissans were getting a bit bland and generic so maybe this will reclaim a little glory for regular consumer versions. Very popular company cars though.

Just on a side note, the last feature about the Alfa - what is the Q-system version of the 156? I was looking around for a bit of info but didn't find much (didn't search too hard though!)

[WhipLash]

Ever heard of the new windows that stay clean?

Well, similarly, the Q-System is an automatic self cleaning molecular structure that gets applied to both the glass and the clearcoat paint layer.

Just imagine, no more cleaning necessary!! :cool:

[WhipLash]

Only joking!!! :D :clown:

The Q-System is Alfa Romeo’s automatic transmission version of the 156 2.5 V6 24v.

Here’s some more info:

It is effectively two transmissions in one. A central console-mounted gearlever offers the driver fully automatic transmission when positioned to the right; or a sporty four-speed clutchless manual option when moved to the left.

The idea is to offer discerning Alfa Romeo customers the opportunity of experiencing a 156 whose transmission is capable, on the one hand, of taking all the strain out of stop-start traffic situations, while, on the other, allowing the driver full control to enjoy the strong character of Alfa’s 190 bhp 156 V6 on the open road.

Manufactured by the Japanese Aisin company, Q-System, when combined with Alfa Romeo’s 2.5 litre V6 engine in the 156, provides all the expected comfort, relaxation and smoothness of an automatic; plus the excitement and sporting demeanour of a true Alfa Romeo. All the driver has to do is choose, and move the gear lever appropriately.

There are further refinements to the system, however. When the lever is positioned to the right, in Automatic, the driver can select one of three different pre-programmed driving modes: City, Sport and Ice. These are selected via two buttons positioned at the base of the gearlever, and the selections are indicated on a VDU inset into the rev counter.

Alternatively, if clutchless manual control is preferred, all the driver has to do is to move the lever to the left, where it slots into a traditional, four speed H-gate arrangement.
With the lever to the right, the driver selects Automatic, with four options available - Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive - by moving the lever forwards and backwards.

From the ‘D’ (Drive) position, it is possible at any time to shift the lever over to the left and access the four-speed H-gate manual option. Reverse, the engagement of which is accompanied by an acoustic warning signal, can only be accessed in Automatic.

Q-System’s advantages in Automatic include smooth progress and low rpm gearchanges in City mode; and enhanced acceleration, engine braking, and gearchanges at substantially higher engine speeds in Sport mode. Selection of ‘Ice’ reduces the possibility of wheelspin by using second gear as the starting ratio, and promoting an exceptionally smooth take-off.

In Manual, full control of the vehicle is returned to the driver, but the system nevertheless prevents access to too low a gear at too high an engine speed.

Q-SYSTEM IN USE
When the car is stationary, the brake pedal must be depressed in order to engage any of the gears. A locking shift-ring immediately below the gearknob must be raised while the driver’s foot remains on the brake pedal so that the gearshift can be moved out of ‘P’ (Park) position, and in to ‘D’ (Drive) or ‘R’ (Reverse).

ON THE MOVE
With the gearshift set to ‘D’, the system automatically engages the most suitable gear according to the driving mode selected.

DRIVING MODES: CITY, SPORT AND ICE
City and Sport modes are selected by pressing the two-position button at the base of the gearshift: either C or S. This is possible at any speed and with the car stopped (but with the ignition on).
Ice mode is accessed via a second button, and cancels existing modes. It is only active at speeds of less than 28mph and automatically cuts out at 50mph.

SWITCHING TO MANUAL
To switch to Manual, the gearshift must be moved to the left and the required gear engaged. The system will accept this command, so long as engine revs are neither too high nor too low for the gear selected. In the case of an inappropriate gear being selected, the system will over-ride that command. An acoustic warning informs the driver and the system will remain in the existing gear. If the command is not changed, the unit will store the request in its memory and will access that gear as soon as engine speed permits it.

STOPPING
When the car is stationary, the gearshift must be pushed to the right and then into N (Neutral). If the lever is engaged in Drive or Reverse, the car will creep forward or backwards unless the footbrake is applied.

DESCENDING STEEP HILLS
When going downhill in Automatic, and assuming the driver’s foot is off the accelerator and on the footbrake, the transmission changes down automatically, so as to maximise engine braking.

PARKING AND LEAVING THE CAR
With the car stationary and with pressure on the footbrake, the ignition key can be turned to its ‘Off ’setting and the gearshift moved into ‘P’ (Park). Then the handbrake must be applied. The solenoid will then be released after approximately two seconds, allowing the ignition key to be removed.
If the gearshift is left in any other setting - ‘R’ ‘N’ or ‘D’ the key cannot be removed and an acoustic warning sounds as the driver’s door is opened, reminding the driver that the car is being left in an incorrect gear - and also that the key is still in the ignition.
Aisin’s Q-System gearbox is a 5040 LM unit with four forward gears and reverse. Its torque converter is equipped with a lock-up function - a clutch mechanism that bypasses the converter when third gear is engaged - so as to minimise power losses, reduce fuel consumption, and lower transmission oil temperature.

[BrianS]

I was thinking "What!! Why haven't I heard of this!!" Then I scrolled down.

Good Man!


Q-System sounds very good. It reminds me of the difference between Space Invaders and Street fighter - took a while to get used to the extra 5 new buttons and I could never get the secret move properly.

Seriously, if something like the Q-system starts acting up and face it, in the wrong hands, gears will give problems, its going to be like brain surgery getting it repaired? no?

It gears down as you brake going down hills to maximise engine braking. Okay, but is it not better to have wear and tear of breaks rather than wear and tear of the engine? I presume they will have thought of that and are accomodating it somewhere.

Anyway, what do you guys think of it? Would you go for it, given the choice or is it something for bottle-blonde, middle class, middle-age ladies in fur coats who need a little excitement? It certainly sounds interesting from the description - I would give one a go anyway.

[Phil]

Sounds like a interesting idea.

A manual and a automatic all in one. The automatic would be a nice touch for the city (stop, start traffic) and once outside of the city put her back into manual mode.

The only thing about these new concepts, 'its not until you test it out for yourself, before you know would it be comfortable driving a manual gearbox without a clutch petal?'

I would'nt mind trying it out.

One question I have is... Why is it only a 4 speed gearbox?

[WhipLash]

I've seen loads of new Primera's on the road already. I visited a nearby Nissan dealership to take a close look. I have to admits that I am very impressed by Nissan'a new offering.

The car's shape is really like nothing else. No longer will you loose your Primera in the car-park (well not until there are loads of them around!). I have really warmed to it. And the dash is really a work of art. All controls on one panel, which is easily reached by both passenger and driver, with a good sized monochrome LCD display. Nissan call this system N-Form, and its something along the lines of BMW's iDrive system, although perhaps not as complex. Whether it works as well while driving as it looks its another thing altogether.

The one thing I have noticed is that the majority of the ones I have seen are in dark grey, including the one in the showroom. Its looks quite well in that colour. This colour appears to be very popular at the moment with other models too. I have also seen it in red, and don't think it suits the shape of the car.

[Phil]

The new Primera must be selling very well. There seems to be a large amount of them on the roads.

Its a strange looking car because it has been designed from the seats out, as opposed to the other way around. I'll say it will grow on me in time.

I have to say that the red one looks really iffy.:eek: