Nissan PRIMASTAR VAN RANGE
You Might Experience A Nagging Sense Of Déjà Vu When You First Clap Eyes On The
Nissan Primastar Panel Van. Mind You, Sharing Much With Equivalent
Renault and
Vauxhall Offerings Means That Its Right There At The Top Of The Class. Steve Walker Reports
Getting to grips with the various options in the small panel van market is not an easy task. Many mainstream manufacturers have a distinct fondness for grouping together and indulging in the kind of platform-sharing antics that would bamboozle even the most seasoned van buyer. The result is that CV customers are often left pondering the relative merits of alternatively badged versions of the same van.
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Getting to grips with the various options in the small panel van market is not an easy task. Many mainstream manufacturers have a distinct fondness for grouping together and indulging in the kind of platform-sharing antics that would bamboozle even the most seasoned van buyer. The result is that CV customers are often left pondering the relative merits of alternatively badged versions of the same van.
Nissan are past masters at this tactic and the story behind their Primastar panel van is a case in point.
As with their larger Interstar van, the Japanese firm have taken an established product, tinkered with the equipment, slapped on their own badging and taken a short-cut to what ought to be class leadership. Can it really be that simple? Apparently so. Its already hard to ignore the Primastars contemporaries, the
Vauxhall Vivaro and the
Renault Trafic, since both were jointly awarded the prestigious WhatVan? Magazine Small Panel Van of the Year award for 2002. Taking the same product, liberally sprinkling the range with handy rear-parking sensors, then offering it at a comparable price seems very sensible indeed.
The Primastar has a stylish look that certainly wont do your companys image any harm. The unique hump-backed roofline is the most prominent feature but the flared wheel-arches, massive bulging headlight lenses and the dramatically plunging bonnet line run it close in the race to be the vehicles defining aesthetic attribute. The overall effect is certainly eye-catching, especially when you view the Primastar in context of the decidedly bland competition. If you want a commercial vehicle with a modern, vibrant image that stands out on the road, look no further.
"From the drivers point-of-view, the Primastar is difficult to beat."
Initially, buyers can only get their hands on the Primastar in short wheelbase form, although an altogether lengthier version is in the pipeline. There are two payload capacities to choose from, however, with 1,023kg and 1,216kg storable in the 2,700kg and 2,900kg (gross vehicle weight) derivatives respectively. Both models are the same size, offering 5 cubic meters by way of actual load space but, to cope with that extra bulk in the back, the 2,900kg Primastar has a more robust suspension set-up. Further to all of this, there are two trim levels to choose from E and SE.
The E forms the base of the range, in 2,700kg GVW form only, and comes well equipped with power steering, engine immobiliser, steering wheel controls for the RDS Stereo, drivers airbag and remote central locking. In addition, the SE squeezes in an ultrasonic rear parking sensor, that emits a series for bleeps to warn of impending car park collisions, as well as electric windows, ABS brakes with EBA, a CD player, a twin passenger
seat with three point belts and electric, heated door mirrors. The Primastar is powered by two Renault-sourced dCi engines. Theres a 1.
9-litre unit thats available in 81bhp or 99bhp forms, respectively powering the 2,700kg and 2,900kg derivatives. Both deliver maximum torque at a usefully low 2000rpm and return identical fuel consumption figures of 38.2mpg on the combined cycle. The second option is the larger 2.
5-litre dCi. With its 135bhp output and 310Nm maximum torque, it feels usefully more willing than alternatives further down the range yet still delivers 33mpg. From the drivers point-of-view, the Primastar is difficult to beat. It features the kind of dash-mounted gear lever thats all the rage in commercial vehicles at the moment and represents a genuine step forward in van design.
You can neatly punch your way through the gears with the short stick providing a real feeling of solidity and control. Its a far cry from the traditional floor-mounted arrangements with their long bowing gearsticks waving around and making for a comparatively detached, awkward drive. Whats more, the levers position frees-up floor space for improved cross-cabin access. A lot of thought has gone into the utility and comfort of the cabin too: you get storage space by the barrow-load and the materials used are more than up to the job. Meanwhile, the panel vans worst enemies, noise, vibration and harshness, are banished to a significant extent. The Primastar is a superb panel van package but, by definition, so are the Renault Traffic and the Vauxhall Vivaro. All three are priced at roughly equivalent levels so it might come down to the kind of deal that your local dealerships can tempt you with.
The Primastar does offer up its exclusive rear parking sensors by way of a trump card but other than that, making a definitive choice on any product-related grounds could prove tricky. You might even get other models like the
Mercedes-Benz Vito creeping into the reckoning when its time to make that final decision. One thing is for certain, you most definitely will not be setting yourself up for a fall by opting for the Nissan Primastar ahead of any of its small panel van rivals. Its right up there amongst the best and Nissan dealers are well versed in the needs of business users thanks to the popularity of their other commercial vehicle offerings.
In fact, with pick-ups, 4x4s and panel vans, the Japanese marque has one of the most diverse CV ranges of any manufacturer in the UK.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
VAN: Nissan Primastar Range
PRICE: From £12,367 (Basic) ENGINES: 1.9-Litre dCi diesel. (81bhp or 99bhp) / 2.5-litre dCi diesel (135bhp) FUEL ECONOMY: [1.9] Urban 31.7mpg / Extra Urban 43.5mpg / Combined 38.2mpg GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT: 2,700kg 2,900kg
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