News snippets - Nissan in general and the Sunny/Pulsar in particular
(Last updated 1 January 2004)
The shape of the 2004 Sunny ... grrrrrrrrrreat! (Or should that be aaaargh???)
Click on any thumbnail below to get a full-size picture
There are a couple of solid rumours of a GTI-R v2, however, don't hold your breath either for a WRC showing in the near future (it takes a while to develop a new car from zero) nor a version available to the public (if ever!). After all, how many people own a road-going version of the current crop of WRC cars. True, you can get an EVO and an Impreza, but after that ... what? No way has anyone got a copy of the US-only long-wheelbase Focus, much less with 4wd & turbo and there probably never will be one! (Double shame on you Ford.)
Also, as with any pre-officially announced cars, this pic is truly speculative ... but I like it. (Compare it to the 2002 Sunny!)
Nissan makes a profit - and starts taking on people again!
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Pics of the 2002 Sunny (there's 4-wd version but with only a NA 1.5 litre engine it's got to be a crawler! Also, IMHO the body shape is a retro to the late 80's ...)
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Pics of the 2001 Pulsar (sadly, no news of a 4-wd version)
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2000 Model
What next for the Sunny? There isn't (as of this date) any equivalent to the Sunny (N14) GTi-R, but Nissan have developed a 200BHP N-1 spec version of the SR16VE, around which they built 200 (in Japan only) special VZ-Rs - and, yes, they've all been sold, and, yes, they were hideously expensive, and yes, they reach 100 km/h in less that 7 seconds. You can get a 4WD GA15DE Pulsar in Japan, but there's currently no 4WD SR-powered car (other than a Japanese 20th anniversary special edition). There's also talk of a 190 BHP SR20VE, perhaps to go in a future European GTi (it's already available in the Japanese equivalent of the Primera GT). 1998 was the 20th anniversary of the Pulsar in Japan. It also saw a facelift for the N15, changing primarily the front grill and lights, the rear lights and spoiler (on GA-powered sporty wannabes), and GTi body kit. 1998 also saw a ninth generation Sunny (saloon) and Pulsar (Hatchback) in Japan, with a choice of 1.3, 1.5, 1.8, or 1.6VVT engines. This model will probably become the new Almera and Sentra. 1999 Following the trend set by Renault with the Scenic and Fiat with the Marea Weekend, Nissan are launching what they call the Almera Tino, a so-called MPV which is basically a taller body on an Almera chassis. Doesn't actually look too bad (compared to a normal Almera!), and anything's got to be better than the Serena! It is doubted that it'll be available in GTi guise though, but is slated to receive an SR20De with 140 BHP. 2000 There will be a replacement for the Almera in 2000, built in the UK. The production line is already set up and the first few trial cars have rolled off it. A source at NMUK says it's a very distinctive looking car, ugly but aggressive. Let's hope there's a hot version with the SR20VE engine and a 6-speed gearbox.
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For the record .. it all started here, in 1966 ...
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