Details of Cars

Nissan R’nessa: the wagon that became an electric car

NISSAN

1997 Nissan R'nessa GT Turbo 4WD
A 1997 Nissan R'nessa GT Turbo 4WD. Photo by order_242 from Chile, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Nissan R’nessa was a station wagon built from October 1997 to July 2001, competing with the Mitsubishi RVR and Honda HR-V. According to Nissan the name derives from “packaging renaissance for versatile, spacious comfort on wheels”. In Japan it was exclusive to Nissan Satio Store dealers.

Nissan R’nessa at a glance

Nissan R’nessa key facts
Production October 1997 – July 2001
Engines SR20DE 2.0 petrol; KA24DE 2.4 for 4WD; SR20DET turbo for GT Turbo
Two-wheel-drive models SR20DE
Four-wheel-drive models KA24DE in X and G trims; SR20DET in the GT Turbo
Dealers Nissan Satio Store
Rivals Mitsubishi RVR, Honda HR-V
Electric derivative Nissan Altra, 1998–2002

based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan R’nessa.

History of the Nissan R’nessa

The wagon

The R’nessa was produced from October 1997 to July 2001. Two-wheel-drive cars used the SR20DE engine, while four-wheel-drive X and G models were fitted with the KA24DE. The GT Turbo used the SR20DET and was all-wheel drive only. The car competed with the Mitsubishi RVR and Honda HR-V and was sold in Japan through Nissan Satio Store dealerships.

1999 Nissan R'nessa
A 1999 R’nessa. Photo by Throwawayacc222, CC0 via Wikimedia Commons.

The Altra

The Nissan Altra was an electric car based on the R’nessa, produced between 1998 and 2002 and introduced at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on 29 December 1997. Nissan described it as a combination of sedan, SUV and minivan, and it was used mainly as a fleet vehicle in California by companies such as electric utilities; only about 200 were built. It had a 62 kW neodymium magnet motor and lithium-ion batteries made by Sony, with a range of 230 km between charges that took five hours, and batteries that lasted more than 1,000 charge cycles. The cells sat under the floor.

Why the Altra mattered

The Altra was significant as the first production electric vehicle to use a lithium-ion battery, which Nissan called a third-generation battery after lead-acid and nickel-metal hydride and chose mainly for its power density. A passive system kept the cells inside their recommended charge range. The car had a permanent magnet synchronous motor controlled by a 32-bit RISC computer, plus keyless entry, power mirrors and windows, four-wheel anti-lock brakes and regenerative braking. Nissan quoted a maximum range of 190 km, while the EPA rated the 2000 version at 117 mpg equivalent in the city and 130 on the highway.

Design and features

  • Satio Store model: sold through one Japanese dealer network only.
  • GT Turbo: the SR20DET-engined all-wheel-drive version.
  • Altra: the electric version of the same body.
  • First lithium-ion EV: Sony cells in a production electric car.

Nissan R’nessa versions

  • R’nessa two-wheel drive: SR20DE engine.
  • R’nessa X and G four-wheel drive: KA24DE engine.
  • R’nessa GT Turbo: SR20DET and all-wheel drive.
  • Nissan Altra (1998–2002): the electric fleet car.

The R’nessa donated parts to the Presage and its electric version looked forward to the Leaf. More cars are in the Nissan collection.

Sources

More from NISSAN