Earlier this year, Nissan Philippines said that they are showing off at least three electrified models at the Philippine International Motor Show in June. Nissan Philippines’ then president, Masao Tsutsumi, said that they are launching at least one e-Power, one Plug-In Hybrid, and one Battery Electric Vehicle.
With the new Kicks e-Power confirmed for a June launch and the X-Trail e-Power also appearing in the Department of Energy (DOE)’s list of recognized hybrids, that already answers one question.
The answer to the PHEV question is no doubt the Frontier Pro PHEV—a 408-horsepower, dual motor 4WD pickup truck that’s a collaboration between Nissan and long-time Chinese partner, Dongfeng which just begun exports. At this point, this piece of info is 99.9 percent sure since Nissan Philippines went out of their way to send a couple of journalists to China to tour the Zhengzhou Nissan (ZNA)’ R&D facilities and proving grounds. These publications are still subject of an embargo which would explain their relative silence thus far (CarGuide.PH is not part of that embargo).
This brings us to the final piece of the puzzle: which BEV Nissan will bring in. At first, the most obvious answer is the Ariya since it’s a model that’s been previewed way back in 2024. In an unexpected turn of events, that doesn’t seem so as Nissan Philippines has shelved that idea in favor of another Dongfeng developed model: the N7. Only this time, it will carry the Primera badge.
As a nameplate, the Primera has a long-standing history at Nissan. It’s a large sedan aimed primarily at the Japanese and European market. The first-generation model was launched in 1990. Subsequently, it’s seen three generations until it was discontinued in 2008. Eighteen years later, Nissan is dusting it off as a full-sized electric sedan.
Measuring in at 4,930 mm in length, 1,895 mm in width, and 1,487 mm in height (wheelbase of 2,915 mm), the Primera EV is battling against the likes of the Mazda6e (if Mazda Philippines decides to bring it in) and the Tesla Model 3.
At the front and rear, it has full-width light bars, with the former acting as Nissan’s signature V-motion design. On the side, it has frameless doors, flush door handles, and 235/45R19 wheels and tires for a clean, modern aesthetic. Curiously, compared to the Chinese market N7, the Philippine market Primera (and likely all other export N7 variants) appears to have a different front bumper design. It eschews the “fang-like” front DRLs in favor of a simpler horizontal bar with what appears to be a faux brake duct.
Some of the confirmed exterior features for the Philippine market include front adaptive lighting, sequential turn signal indicators, and a panoramic sunroof.
Underneath, the local Primera will come only in one battery size. The 400-volt 60 kWh (58 kWh usable) lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery offers around 500 kilometers of range thanks to the ultra-low 0.208 co-efficient of drag. Confirmed in its government filings, it will have a maximum power of 218 horsepower (160 kW) and 305 Nm of torque. The front-driven sedan has four driving modes on offer: Standard, Comfort, and Sport.
Inside, the Primera EV will come fully equipped for the Philippine market. The solitary variant comes with leather seats with power adjustment for the front occupants (10-way for the driver, 8-way for the front passenger) with built-in ventilation and heating, a voice-activated quad-zone climate control, 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, 15.6-inch center touchscreen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless charger, and 12 speakers.
As for safety, it will arrive with six airbags, ABS with EBD, stability control, front and rear parking sensors, 360-degree camera, tire pressure monitors, and Nissan’s ADAS (ProPilot) suite. This gives the Primera adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with braking, lane departure warning as well as blind spot warning with rear cross traffic alert. It will also be the next Nissan model to offer MyNissan Connect, an advanced in-car telematic system.
Makes me wonder why Nissan didn't revive the Cefiro nameplate instead.
ReplyDeleteThe greenhouse certainly mimics the Cefiro but Nissan PH last fielded the Altima in "this" segment so it should have used that name instead or "Maxima" since the latter sounds bolder and elevated.
DeleteNissan is really smart to really leverage their Chinese partnership and manufacturing. With China's R&D pace and fast model introduction, they can keep up with the growing Chinese brands internationally. Unlike Toyota and other brands that keep their Chinese OEMs only in China, Nissan (and Ford) are smart to internationalize their Chinese lineup. If you can't beat them, join 'em.
ReplyDeleteCongrats to sir Uly’s Toyota BZ4X, he knows better, the best choice ever🥳🥳🥳
ReplyDeleteLooks like a Hyundai/Tesla. Dongfeng copied the light bar front and Nissan didn't even bother to change it
ReplyDeleteit's a standard thing now. Same with rear taillights, also lightbars. A lot of manufacturers nowadays have pretty much gone lazy in designing distinct head and taillights. You could slap another logo and it'll fit right in to that particular brand lol :P
DeleteWell aren’t all Chinese cars look like first cousins:)
ReplyDeleteI guess the motto is whatever sells
ReplyDeleteWith how Nissan prices its cars, even with the Chinese advantage, I think it's dead on arrival. I hope I'm proven wrong, I like the design.
ReplyDeleteAI image to cover traces, I assume?
ReplyDeleteOnly the background is AI generated. The photo itself is from Nissan Philippines' official government filing.
DeleteThe only thing Nissan about this car is the logo and that alone will add 300k-500k to the price.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait for this to be launched by NMPI in 2035!!
ReplyDelete