Nissan President
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Nissan President | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Nissan |
| Predecessor | Nissan Cedric Special |
| Class | Luxury car |
| Body style | 4-door limousine |
| Similar | Toyota Century Mitsubishi Dignity |
The Nissan President is a Japanese luxury limousine introduced by Nissan in the 1960s and sold only in the Japanese market. The President is used mainly as a chauffeur car for government and corporate officials, and its main competitor in the Japanese market is the Toyota Century.
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[edit] President 150 and 250
| President 150 | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1965–1973 |
| Engine | 3.0 L H30 ohv I6 4.0 L Y40 ohv V8 |
| President 250 | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1973–1989 |
| Engine | 3.0 L 4.4 L Y44E ohv V8 |
The first generation of the Nissan President, designated 150, debuted in 1965, replacing the Cedric Special as Nissan's top-of-the-range model. Available with either the 4.0 litre Y40 V8 engine, developed specially for that model, or a 3.0 litre H30 straight-6, this model served as the official car of the Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato.
The Nissan President 150 was replaced by a new 250 generation in 1973. The V8 engine had its displacement increased to 4.4 litre and was now designated Y44E, and a 3.0 litre version was still available. The 250 underwent a major redesign in 1982 and continued in production until 1990.
[edit] President JG50
| President JG50 | |
|---|---|
| Production | 1990–2002 |
| Platform | G50 |
| Engine | 4.5 L VH45DE dohc V8 |
| Related | Infiniti Q45 (G50) |
In October 1989 a new Nissan President, designated JG50, debuted during the Tokyo Motor Show, with sales beginning a year later. Concurrently, a short-wheelbase version debuted in the USA as Infiniti Q45, with a different front end. Both shared the new 4.5 litre VH45DE V8 engine. In 1993, a short-wheelbase version similar to the Infiniti joined the lineup, badged as President JS (the short-wheelbase chassis bore the PG50 designation). At the same time, Nissan's special vehicles subsidiary Autech developed a Royal Limousine model with split passenger compartment.
An interesting feature also debuted in 1993 — an airbag for the left-hand side (curbside) rear seat passenger. In 1994, along with a minor facelift, Nissan revived the Sovereign trim level (previously available for 250 Presidents) for the long-wheelbase model. Another minor facelift occurred in 1998. At the same time, the previous Infiniti Q45 was replaced by a model based on a smaller (yet still large) Nissan Cima, which was also fitted with the rear passenger airbag option in Japan.
[edit] President PGF50
| President PGF50 | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Production | 2002–present |
| Platform | F50 |
| Engine | 4.5 L VK45DE dohc V8 |
| Related | Nissan Cima Infiniti Q45 (F50) |
The JG50 President continued until 2002, and it was replaced in 2003 by a new PGF50 model, based on the F50 Nissan Cima, which debuted in 2001, being also powered by the same 4.5 litre VK45DE V8 engine. Two versions are available, both badged Sovereign, with either 5-passenger or 4-passenger seating configuration.
The 4-passenger version is considerably more expensive and features lavish equipment, including a BOSE sound system and a host of other electronic devices controlled from a panel in the rear central armrest, as well as a "relaxing seat"[1] — a feature allowing the left front passenger seat to be slid far forward, allowing the passenger in the rear to stretch his or her legs. To compete with other luxury marques in Japan, the Nissan President incorporated trim made outside Japan (such as using Conolly leather).
[edit] External links
- (Japanese) Nissan President official site
