Primera Si, SX, SRi, eZX, eGT & GT
The Primera range was introduced in 1990 at the Birmingham Motor show with a 90ps 1.6 16v, 116ps 2.0i 16v and a 150ps 2.0i 16v. The150ps 2.0i 16 valve engine was offered in eZX trim only at a price of £16,997. In 1992 the Primera (Phase II) range received revisions including standard ABS & Catalitic Convertors on all models and trim changes, the eZX was now renamed eGT, offering the same explosive performance. Other models also gained modifications, the 1.6 16v was fitted with multi point fuel injection in place of it's single carb boosting power to 102ps and the 2.0i 16 valve's single point injection was also upgraded to multi point, now offering 125ps. A 2.0 Diesel from the Serena was also fitted, although with only 75ps it couldn't compete with the Turbo Diesel rivals. 14" wheels also became standard across the range. In 1995 the phase III was releasted with restyled grill, new trim and airbags, athough mechanically it was the same as previous models. The phase III launch also saw the arrival of 2 new sporting models, a 1.6 Si 16v and a 2.0 SRi 16v, both were fitted with alloy wheels ang sports trim. These models were basicly re-trimed LX and SLX models, using the same running gear.
1996 Primera 2.0 GT
1993 Primera eGT, note the after market twin exhaust!
1993 Primera eGT, The fastest of the Primera UK models
1996 saw the launch of a totally restyled Primera, still with class leading handling and ride. Engines were basicly unchanged from the previous models with the exception of a 90ps 2.0 Turbo Diesel, with Si & SRi models retaining there 1.6 and 2.0 litre engines. The 2.0 GT was releasted in 1997 with a slightly changed 150ps 16 valve unit, the main changes being lower emisions.
Over the last 8 years of production the top sports model has had 150ps and 135lb/ft torque, it has also increased from 1150kg to over 1235kg, this has decreased performace very slightly giving the need for a more powerful model. This brings us to the best Primera todate, although available only in Japan, very little is known on a recent high powered Primera model. The Primera Te-V is powered by a 190ps variable valve timing version or the European Primera GT driving through a CVT automatic gearbox, this also allows a touring car style gear change with 6 pre-set gears. This model is available in both saloon & Estate.
The latest news on the restyled Primera is that it will be launched sometime at the end of 1999, It will also include a 140 bhp CVT version using a similar gearbox to the Japanise models, it will also get a direct injection diesel engine of between 2.0 and 2.2 litres with a power output some where close to its main rivals, expect between 100 and 110 bhp and around 165-185 lb ft torque.
Tuning accessories for the Primera are very hard to find in the UK, but the usual items such as Air Filters and Exhausts are availble from nearly all performance manufactures. Superchips produce an external ECU chip which plugs into the origanal ECU, this ups power from 150 bhp to about 158 bhp, but more important torque is up by 15% from 135 lb ft to 150 lb ft. With the addition of a chip together with a performance air filter and exhaust the power output should read about 162-165 bhp and 152-155 lb ft torque. It is possible that there are manufactures around that can supply Turbo kits as they are availble in the US, and, the SR20DE unit in the Primera is also the same unit (without turbo) as used it the European 200SX and Sunny GTi-R as well as many other models from Japan. If any one knows of any UK companies that can supply other tuning/styling equipment for the Primera please contact me.
Primera 2.0 SE Estate
Thanks to Michael Lam for his 1993 eGT pictures.