Nissan Avenir

Nissan Avenir/Avenir Cargo/Expert
Nissan Avenir/Avenir Cargo/Expert
Overview
Manufacturer	Nissan
Also called	Nissan Avenir Cargo; Nissan Expert; Nissan Primera Wagon;
Production	1990–2005 Avenir; 1999–2006 Expert
Assembly	Oppama Plant, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan
Body and chassis
Class	Station Wagon
Layout	FF / F4
Related	Nissan Prairie 2nd gen
Dimensions
Length	4,650 mm (183 in)
Width	1,695 mm (66.7 in)
Height	1,490 mm (59 in)
Chronology
Predecessor	Nissan Bluebird U12 Wagon

The Nissan Avenir is a line of station wagons beginning production in May 1990 by Nissan of Japan, with the budget minded delivery van starting out as the Avenir Cargo, then being renamed in 1999 as the (Japanese: Nissan Expert) aimed primarily at the commercial market. It replaced the long-serving Nissan Bluebird wagon/delivery van. It was a larger companion to the Nissan Wingroad/Nissan AD van. The Avenir Cargo also assumed load carrying duties of the discontinued Nissan Cedric and Gloria delivery vans. The Avenir appeared after the Subaru Legacy wagon, but before the Toyota Caldina wagon. The Avenir's appearance was not shared with another Nissan sedan, although it was sold as a Primera in European markets.

The name Avenir is French for "future", and it was exclusive to Nissan Bluebird Store Japanese dealerships, as it was a replacement for the Bluebird wagon.

W10 (First generation)

The W10 Avenir was initially available with either the 1.8 L SR18Di in FWD or a 2.0 L SR20DE in 4WD ATTESA configuration. The Nissan Expert cargo van came only with the 1.6 L GA16DS.

The FWD was available with either a 4 speed automatic transmission or a 5 speed manual, the 4WD only with the automatic. A 2.0 L CD20T Turbo-Diesel was added to the range, and the 1.8 L SR18Di models were given the better 1.8 L SR18DE with electronic gasoline injection in 1993.

A turbocharged model badged Salut (French for "hello!") GT turbo was introduced in 1995, this came with a 210 PS (154.5 kW; 207.1 bhp) version of the 2.0 L SR20DET and was available only in 4WD with the automatic transmission. The turbocharged Avenir wagon appeared around the same time as the second generation Subaru Legacy GT.

1st gen Nissan Avenir Blastar
1st gen Nissan Avenir Cargo

W11 (Second generation)

The W11 model was introduced in 1998. Initially available with the 1.8 L QG18DE, 2.0 L SR20DE, 2.0 L SR20DET or the 2.0 L CD20ET Turbo-diesel. The QG18DE models were FWD only and available with either a 4 speed automatic or 5 speed manual transmission, the SR20DE models were an FWD 4 speed automatic or CVT transmission with 6 speed tiptronic function, the 4WD continued to be conventional 4 speed automatic only. The diesel CD20ET was only available with a 4 speed automatic. Once more the turbocharged 2.0 L SR20DET variants were available only in 4WD with the conventional 4 speed automatic. The power output of the turbo version increased to 230 PS (169.2 kW; 226.9 bhp).

May 24, 2000 the turbocharged Salut was renamed the GT4 along with interior and exterior changes. The output of the SR20DE engine was improved.

In 2000 the CVT was fitted to some non-turbo 4WD models. In 2002 the SR series engines were replaced by the newer QR series.

Autech offered a customized version called the "Rider" trim level. The Avenir Cargo delivery van was renamed the Nissan Expert starting June 1999.

October 2000 saw the introduction of the Avenir Blastar, with an increased ground clearance and larger wheels, equipped with ATTESA and the SR20DE engine as an alternative to the Subaru Outback. Nissan shared the appearance with the smaller Nissan Wingroad JS.

August 27, 2002 the SR20DE and the SR20DET were replaced with the QR20DE.

Due to lack of demand for the Avenir, the entire line was cancelled September 2005; the Expert delivery van lasted until December 2006.