The Nissan Stagea is a station wagon built from 1996 to 2007. It was created as direct competition for the Subaru Legacy Touring wagon in Japan and was exclusive to Nissan Prince Store dealerships. All WC34 versions share their floorpan and mechanical parts with the Nissan Laurel C34, with some rear suspension components from the R32, R33 and R34 Skylines.
Nissan Stagea at a glance
| Production | 1996–2007 |
|---|---|
| Versions | WC34 Series 1, Series 1.5, Series 2, M35 |
| Series 1 dates | 3 October 1996 – July 1997 |
| Engines | 2.0 single-cam six, 2.5 twin-cam six, 2.5 twin-cam turbo |
| Power | from 130 PS to 235 PS |
| Platform | Nissan Laurel C34 floorpan |
| Grades | G, X and RS |
| Drive | rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive |
| Dealers | Nissan Prince Store |
| Name meaning | stage plus the A of advance |
based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Nissan Stagea.
History of the Nissan Stagea
WC34 Series 1 (1996)
The first Series 1 Stagea was built from 3 October 1996 to July 1997. It looks much like the R34 Skyline, giving an impression of lineage, though mechanically it is identical to the Laurel C34. It came in G, X and RS grades, the sporty RS having a mesh grille and front spoiler, and the top RS FOUR V rode on forged 16-inch aluminium wheels. Engines were all from the RB family: a 2.0-litre single-cam six, a 2.5-litre twin-cam naturally aspirated six and a 2.5-litre twin-cam turbo, with power from 130 PS in the 2.0 to 190 PS in the 2.5 and 235 PS in the turbo.
Rear- and all-wheel drive
The Stagea was available with rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Rear-wheel-drive cars used the Laurel’s strut-type front suspension, while all-wheel-drive versions used the multi-link front suspension of the R34 Skyline. Both shared their chassis platform with the C35 Laurel, with the same 2,720 mm wheelbase, and that car was also offered with rear- or all-wheel drive.
Series 1.5, Series 2 and M35
The model ran through four versions: WC34 Series 1 from September 1996 to July 1997, Series 1.5 from August 1997 to July 1998, Series 2 from August 1998 to March 2001 and the M35 series from 2001 to 2007. The name is a portmanteau of the English word “stage” and the A of “advance”.
Design and features
- Laurel underpinnings: the C34 floorpan under an R34-like body.
- RB engines: straight-sixes from 130 to 235 PS.
- Two chassis tunes: strut front for rear drive, multi-link for all-wheel drive.
- Prince Store only: sold through one Japanese dealer network.
Nissan Stagea versions
- Stagea WC34 Series 1 (1996–1997): G, X and RS grades.
- Stagea RS FOUR V: the top all-wheel-drive RS with forged wheels.
- Stagea WC34 Series 1.5 and Series 2 (to 2001): later WC34 updates.
- Stagea M35 (2001–2007): the final series.
The Stagea was built on Laurel running gear with Skyline suspension parts. More cars are in the Nissan collection.
Video: 1996 Nissan Stagea – Drive Home
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Nissan Stagea, English Wikipedia: versions, Series 1 details, engines, drive layouts, name
.jpg){kind=link}