- Nissan is reviving the Primera nameplate after nearly two decades away.
- The new Primera EV is essentially a rebadged Chinese-market N7 sedan.
- It previews Nissan’s plan to export more China-developed models globally.
Nearly 20 years after the last one disappeared from showrooms, Nissan has officially brought back the Primera nameplate. The catch? It’s no longer a family sedan with gasoline engines, wagon variants, or touring car pedigree. Instead, the revived model is a fully electric sedan sourced directly from China, based on the locally built N7.
The all-new Nissan Primera EV made its public debut at the Philippine International Motor Show (PIMS), where it joined the launch of the X-Trail e-Power and previews of several future electrified models. While Nissan’s press materials were light on technical details, the company confirmed the Primera name will return as part of its expanding EV lineup.
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For longtime Nissan fans, the badge carries significant history. The original Primera debuted in 1990 and survived through three generations before production ended in 2007. It was sold as a sedan, liftback, and wagon, and even earned a motorsport legacy through multiple British Touring Car Championship titles. We even got it in the States as the Infiniti G20 from 1990 to 2002.
The new Primera has little in common with its predecessor beyond the badge on the trunk. As we previously reported, it’s based on the Chinese-market Nissan N7, an electric sedan developed through Nissan’s joint venture with Dongfeng. Let’s define what that means for buyers.
At 194.1 inches (4,930 mm) long and riding on a 114.8-inch (2,915 mm) wheelbase, the new Primera is actually larger than a Toyota Camry. Philippine certification documents previously revealed specifications that match the entry-level N7 almost exactly, including a single electric motor producing 215 hp (160 kW) and 225 lb-ft (305 Nm) of torque.
The classic gas-powered Primera was built from 1990 through 2008.
Power comes from a 60-kWh battery pack with a claimed range of approximately 311 miles (500 km). Visually, the car itself is almost unchanged from the N7. It features a fastback profile, controversial flush door handles, and wide LED lighting elements.
Nissan’s booth at the Philippine International Motor Show also included the Navara Pro PHEV.
The debut also marks the first major step in Nissan’s new “From China” export strategy. Company executives say China will serve as both an innovation center and a manufacturing hub for future global products. Nissan hasn’t announced pricing or an on-sale date yet, but the company says full specifications will be revealed closer to launch.
Also: Nissan’s Low-Cost Chinese EVs Are About To Go Global
What’s clear is that Nissan intends to sell its Chinese-built models well beyond China. The N7, now Primera, has already been confirmed for Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and possibly Europe. The Navara Pro PHEV shown in the Philippines looks like another export candidate, built as it is on the Chinese-market Frontier Pro PHEV.
