The Nissan Primastar was Nissan’s version of the Renault Trafic light commercial van, sold in Europe. The Trafic has been produced by Renault since 1980 and has also been marketed as the Fiat Talento, Nissan NV300, Mitsubishi Express and, until 2019, the Opel and Vauxhall Vivaro.
Nissan Primastar at a glance
| Basis | Renault Trafic |
|---|---|
| Trafic production | since 1980 |
| Other badged versions | Fiat Talento, Nissan NV300, Mitsubishi Express, Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro to 2019 |
| First Trafic generation | 1980–2001 |
| First-generation engines | 1,397 cc, 1,647 cc and 1,721 cc petrol, 2.1-litre diesel |
| Four-wheel drive | available from the end of 1984 |
| Facelift | major front-end restyle in May 1989 |
| Last update | 1995 grille, lights, mirrors and interior |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Renault Trafic, which covers the Primastar as a rebadged version.
History of the Nissan Primastar
The Trafic platform
The original Renault Trafic was sold from 1980 to 2001 and was revised and updated through its life. The front end shape varied with the engine: the original 1,397 cc unit sat behind a flat grille, while the 2.1-litre diesel and the larger 1,647 cc petrol engines needed an extended plastic grille and a deeper bumper. The 1,721 cc overhead-cam engine replaced the 1,647 cc overhead-valve unit in the mid-1980s and fitted under the shorter grille but needed a small lump in the bonnet, while the diesel and the 2.2-litre petrol kept the extended grille.
Four-wheel drive and facelifts
At the end of 1984 a four-wheel-drive version appeared, a part-time system with the diesel engine and a five-speed manual gearbox that ran as front-wheel drive until the rear axle was engaged with a dog clutch, similar to the Renault R18 4×4. In May 1989 the Trafic had a major front-end facelift with a rounder shape, a plastic bumper and a longer body across all engines. In 1995 it received its final facelift with a new grille, new tail lights, large double rear-view mirrors and a new interior with a modern dashboard and multi-adjustable seats.
Why Nissan sold it
Nissan sold the Trafic as the Primastar as part of its van-sharing arrangement with Renault, while for a period the same van was the Opel and Vauxhall Vivaro, the Fiat Talento and the Mitsubishi Express, and earlier versions were sold under Inokom, Chevrolet and Tata badges. The chassis and cab of the 1980s Trafic were also used by Winnebago for the LeSharo and Itasca Phasar motorhomes.
Design and features
- Alliance badge: a Renault Trafic sold with Nissan badges.
- Part-time 4×4: rear drive engaged with a dog clutch.
- Engine-dependent nose: different grilles for different engines.
- Many badges: also Opel, Vauxhall, Fiat and Mitsubishi versions.
Nissan Primastar versions
- Nissan Primastar: the Trafic with Nissan badges.
- Nissan NV300: the later name for the same van.
- Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro (to 2019): a Trafic-based version.
- Fiat Talento and Mitsubishi Express: further rebadges.
The Primastar was Nissan’s medium van above the Kubistar and below the NV400. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Video: Renault Trafic (Vauxhall Vivaro/Nissan Primastar) review
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Renault Trafic, English Wikipedia: generations, engines, four-wheel drive, facelifts, badges
