NISSAN will re-enter the 1.8-litre sector of the fleet market in September with the launch of the new-look Primera, which makes its world debut at the Fleet Show at the NEC, Birmingham, April 29-29, where 250 fleet VIPs have been invited to a private viewing. The Japanese manufacturer's decision to launch an all-new 1.8-litre engine in the heavily facelifted Primera, which goes on sale in the UK on September 1, follows major growth in the sector.

When the current Primera was launched almost three years ago, it was powered by a choice of 1.6-litre or 2.0-litre petrol engines or a 2.0-litre turbo diesel unit. In the new-look Primera those three engines are being retained - although the 2.0 litre petrol powerplant has been significantly revised - alongside the 16v 1.8 unit. Nissan's move follows a change in fleet buying habits with fleet sales director Simon Carr saying: 'The change of emphasis in fleet is marked with 1.8-litre engines becoming the key volume petrol engine taking 35% of upper medium segment sales and 40% of petrol upper medium segment sales.

Sales of 1.6-litre engined cars in the sector to fleets have halved to 10% while sales of 2.0 -litre petrol engines in the sector is also increasing. 'The market dynamics have changed which has given us a massive opportunity to introduce a 1.8 litre engine which we believe will particularly appeal to user-choosers .' The engine produces 113PS at 5,600rpm, torque of 151Nm at 2,800rpm and 37.16mpg.

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