Nissan PRIMERA T-SPEC
Nissan Has Done More Than Just Add All The Conventional Bells and Whistles To Its Top T-spec Primera: Its Created A Few New Ones Too. Jonathan Crouch Reports
No apologies about this. Were talking toys here. Hi-tech gadgetry. You wouldnt stump up around £20,000 for a Nissan Primera T-spec for any other reason, so theres not much point in emphasising anything else.
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And when we say gadgets, we mean just that. Not only everything you can think of but quite a bit you hadnt even considered. The most fun you can get from this car is not on a twisting B-road but sat in the carpark with the owners handbook.
Nissan reckons that this is the best specified car in the Mondeo/Vectra sector and its hard to argue.
A few basics before we go gizmo-spotting. T-spec trim comes only with two of the three engines on offer elsewhere in the Primera line-up the 140bhp 2.0-litre petrol unit and the 2.2-litre dCi diesel.
You do however, get the choice of either four or five-door bodystyles (for £20,150) or an estate for £1,100 more. These prices put the Nissan up against cars like the
Ford Mondeo Ghia X, the
Peugeot 407 Executive and the
Renault Laguna Initiale. All worthy rivals for around the same kind of money but none as well equipped. Lets start with some of the items that might sound familiar but have been tweaked to become more user-friendly.
Intelligent Cruise Control for example. The T-specs speed setting system uses lasers mounted on the Primeras nose to monitor the car in front. If that car slows, the Primera will slow, too, and without its driver moving a muscle. Then theres a standard satellite navigation system.
Sat nav, as those in the trade call it. In itself this isnt an unusual standard item, in fact, Nissan have wheeled it out across many of the lesser trim levels in the range but its still one to impress your passengers. Recognised as one of the most innovative navigation packages around, rather than a simple map, Nissans Birdview system offers a perspective view from above and behind the driver, giving an idea of scale and distance. The latest Primera models also add traffic information to the screen so the system can direct you around any snarl-ups.
A dedicated FM tuner listens to RDS Traffic Message Channel broadcasts so you dont have to. This system works in eight other European countries too and Nissan pick up the tab for the traffic broadcasts. Which is nice.
"The most fun you can get from this car is not on a twisting B-road but sat in the carpark with the owners handbook"
Sat nav is one of the functions controlled by a clever dashboard system called N-FORM. Basically, you sit behind three round instruments in the centre of the dash, beneath which is a large colour 7" display screen set above a row of switches to control its functions. With these, you can look after everything from the navigation system to the stereo system, your in-car telephone and the climate controlled air conditioning. This same screen also displays whats behind the car when reverse gear is selected. Never thought your car needed a rear view camera? Try parking a Primera T-spec and youll wonder how you managed without it.
In crowded school carparks, its a particular boon: other manufacturers please take note. Other more familiar features include hugely illuminating xenon headlamps, tyre pressure sensors, rain-sensing windscreen wipers and heated, electrically adjustable seats. Plus theres a CD music system with subwoofer to make traffic jams rather more bearable. Thats the time we often catch up on phonecalls, usually illegally by sticking a mobile to our ear.
Not necessary in a Primera T-spec thanks to Plug and Go. Stop thinking hair shampoo: Plug and Go allows the driver to plug his or her mobile into a cradle situated between the front seats. Phone calls can be made and taken using the controls on the N-FORM dashboard. Yes, the level of functionality varies from phone to phone (the latest Nokias being the most suited) but theres a cradle for almost every mobile on the market. Before you take delivery of your T-spec, you tell your Nissan dealer what phone youve got and your Plug and Go is tailored accordingly.
The feature isnt just convenient, its a boost to safety, too. As is the electronic stability program which aims to prevent the driver loosing control in the event of a high speed manoeuvre. Reassuringly, the T-spec is also fitted with a six pack of airbags. Other features? Well tick off leather upholstery, all-round electric windows and mirrors, a hi-tech alarm system, 17" alloy wheels, an electronic stability program and an auto-dimming rear view mirror. If you want more, theres Nissans M-CVT automatic transmission that offers seamless automatic gear changes with the option of manual gear selection should the driver be in the mood for some fun. A six-speed manual box is standard. The idea behind this car of course is to offer a very tax efficient choice for the company car driver.
It should also attract the user-chooser who isnt allowed to be too choosy with a cars optional extras list. Talking tax, the Nissan falls into the 23% of list price benefit-in-kind banding. That may mollify the company accountant wondering about the kind of high likely depreciation that all plush Medium Range sector volume models seem to suffer from. Problems? Well, its just as well that the reversing camera is standard for rear view vision when reversing is pretty poor thanks to the new bodyshapes high rear deckline.
An overly large amount of wind noise is another criticism and, while were being picky, the 2.0-litre engine doesnt feel especially sporty. Thats about it however. The excellent ride and handling characteristics have been carried over intact from the previous model and the ride and refinement are much better.
For £20,000, the choice of compact executive saloons with rather more prestigious badges is large. Mind you, if youre a typical company T-spec target, those options may be closed to you anyway, depending on your place in the pecking order and the Financial Directors prevailing mood. Should that be the case, this Primera represents quite a tempting alternative one indeed that rabid technophiles will find hard to resist.
FACTS AT A GLANCE
CAR: Nissan Primera T-spec
PRICES: £20,150-£21,250 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 11
CO2 EMISSIONS: 209g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 114mph / 0-60mph 10.9s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (Combined) 46.3mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin front, side and curtain airbags, ABS, EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 4567/1760/1482mm [4dr]
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