The Nissan AD was a compact van and wagon built by Nissan from 1982 to 2025. Since 1996 the passenger version has been sold as the Nissan Wingroad. In January 2025 Nissan announced that production would end in November that year because of slowing sales and corporate restructuring.
Nissan AD at a glance
| Production | 1982–2025 |
|---|---|
| Also called | Sunny AD Van, Pulsar AD Van, Nissan Wingroad |
| Bodies | van and station wagon |
| First generation | VB11, based on the B11 Sunny wagon |
| Engines at launch | 1.3 and 1.5-litre petrol, 1.7-litre diesel |
| Drive | front-wheel drive, four-wheel drive on some versions |
| Wingroad name | from May 1996 |
| AD Max | 1992–1999, raised cargo bay |
| Other badges | Mitsubishi, Mazda and Subaru versions |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan AD.
History of the Nissan AD
VB11 (1982–1990)
In October 1982 the AD Van supplemented the commercial delivery vans based on other Nissans, and in 1983 the Cedric and Gloria vans were discontinued. It started with four front doors and a liftback hatch; a two-door version followed in July 1983, allowing the older Sunny Van to be retired. The range was based on the B11 Sunny wagon, with a squarer, more utilitarian body. It came with four- and five-speed manual gearboxes and a three-speed automatic on the larger petrol engine, and used a simple leaf-spring rear axle because it was built for commercial work rather than ride comfort. It was sold as the Sunny in Belgium and the Netherlands and as the Pulsar panel van in Australia.
Y10 and the Wingroad
The second generation of October 1990 replaced the Sunny B12 wagon and was sold in Europe as the Sunny Wagon. For private buyers the car was marketed as the Sunny California. In May 1996 the California was renamed Wingroad: a sportier AD Van with an equipment level, more powerful engines, optional four-wheel drive, a longer rear end and, unusually, a bigger rear overhang. A limited Autech model with the SR20DE engine was also offered.
AD Max and the long run
In April 1992 Nissan added the AD Max, a fourgonnette with a raised cargo bay, two French doors at the back, a wheelbase 70 mm longer at 2,470 mm and a cargo area 1,810 mm tall. Sales were modest and the model was not replaced when the AD was updated in 1999, though it has since become collectable. The AD went on to be rebadged by Mitsubishi, Mazda and Subaru, and in January 2025 Nissan announced that production would finish in November 2025.
Design and features
- Commercial basis: a leaf-spring rear axle and a flat, low loading floor.
- Wingroad version: a passenger wagon with more power and optional four-wheel drive.
- AD Max: a raised, van-like body with double rear doors.
- Many badges: also sold as a Mitsubishi, Mazda and Subaru.
Nissan AD versions
- AD Van (1982–1990): the VB11, based on the Sunny wagon.
- Sunny California (1990–1996): the passenger version of the Y10.
- Wingroad (1996–2025): the passenger wagon name.
- AD Max (1992–1999): the fourgonnette with a high cargo bay.
The AD was the smaller companion of the Avenir, and early vans shared their base with the Sunny. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Video: Nissan AD Van VE 2007 1.2L Auto
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Nissan AD, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, Wingroad, AD Max, end of production
.jpg){kind=link}
