Nissan President

Nissan President

Manufacturer	Nissan
Predecessor	Nissan Cedric Special
Class	Luxury car
Body style	4-door limousine

The Nissan President was a Japanese luxury limousine produced by Nissan from 1965 to 2010. The car was mainly used by corporate executives and government officers. It was a luxury sedan specifically aimed to the Japanese market, where its main competitor was the Toyota Century.

The President was initially sold only in the Japanese market. In the late 1980s, exports began to a few countries including Singapore and Hong Kong, though sales were limited. A North American version (called the Infiniti Q45) was produced from 1990 to 1996 and 2001 to 2006. The President was replaced by the Nissan Fuga in August 2010.

President 150 and 250

President 150 & 250

Production	1965-1973 (150 series) 1973–1989 (250 series)
Engine	3.0 L H30 OHV I6, 130 hp (97 kW) 4.0 L Y40 OHV V8, 197 hp (147 kW) 4.4 L Y44E OHV V8, 200 hp (149 kW)
Transmission	3-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,850 mm (9.35 ft)
Length	5,045 mm (16.552 ft) 5,280 mm (17.32 ft)
Width	1,795 mm (5.889 ft)
Height	1,460 mm (4.79 ft)
Curb weight	1,600 kg (3,500 lb)
Related	Nissan Prince Royal

The first generation of the Nissan President, designated H150, was introduced in October 1965, replacing the Cedric Special as Nissan's top-of-the-range model. The President appeared after the Toyota Crown Eight in April 1964. Available with either the 4.0 litre Y40 V8 engine, developed specially for that model, or the 3.0 litre H30 straight-6. Very lavishly appointed for its time, the President served as the official car of the Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Sato, while the Emperor of Japan was transported in one of two Nissan Prince Royals. In 1971 Nissan offered EAL (Electro Anti-lock System) as an option on the Nissan President, this became Japan's first electronic ABS (Anti-lock braking system).

The second generation, designated H250, was introduced in 1973. The chassis was essentially the same with a new front grille. The V8 engine had its displacement increased to 4.4 litre and was now designated Y44E, while a 3.0 litre version was still available. The Sovereign trim was added in 1977.

The H250 President underwent a major redesign in 1982, with suspension improvements, a larger fuel tank, the most visible changes being the replacement of the round headlights with square versions. In 1985, the Sovereign VIP trim was added. Production of the 250 series continued until 1990.

President HG50

President HG50

Production	1990–2002
Platform	G50
Engine	4.5 L VH45DE DOHC V8, 270 hp
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	JS:2,880 mm (9.45 ft) 3,030 mm (9.94 ft) Royal: 3,530 mm (11.58 ft)
Length	JS:5,075 mm (16.650 ft) 5,225 mm (17.142 ft) Royal: 5,725 mm (18.783 ft)
Width	1,830 mm (6.00 ft)
Height	1,425 mm (4.675 ft)
Curb weight	1,960 kg (4,300 lb)
Related	Infiniti Q45 (G50)

In October 1989 a new Nissan President, designated JHG50, debuted during the Tokyo Motor Show, with sales beginning a year later. Concurrently, a short-wheelbase version of the chassis debuted in the USA as Infiniti Q45 or Nissan Q45 in Japan, with a different front and rear end. This complete reworking of the President was the result of the introduction of the Lexus LS January 1989 and the Honda Legend in 1985. Major focus was being directed to large luxury sedans, and Nissan decided to follow the lead of Honda and Toyota and give the President a long overdue revisement. Both the President and the Q45 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. At the same time, Nissan's special vehicles subsidiary Autech developed a Royal Limousine model with split passenger compartment. The Royal was created as a possible replacement for the two 1966 Nissan Prince Royals used by the Imperial Household Agency, but were not accepted.

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 (designated PHG50). 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. The PHG50 continued in production till 2002 with the arrival of the new F50 chassis.

President PGF50

President PGF50

Production	2002–2010
Platform	Nissan LL platform
Engine	4.5 L VK45DE DOHC V8
Transmission	5-speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,870 mm (9.42 ft)
Length	5,060 mm (16.60 ft)
Width	1,845 mm (6.053 ft)
Height	1,500 mm (4.9 ft)
Curb weight	1,890 kg (4,200 lb)
Related	Nissan Cima Infiniti Q45 (F50)

The third generation was introduced in 2002, 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. This model competed for customers for three years with the Mitsubishi Dignity as the top level flagship, however Mitsubishi chose to use front wheel drive.

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.

Production ending announcement

In August 2010, Nissan announced that it had stopped the production of both the Nissan Cima and President, which share the same chassis. The two models needed safety upgrades to comply with the latest safety regulations, but lackluster sales showed that the company would not be able to recoup costs. As there is no successor to Cima/President, the Nissan Fuga has become the flagship in its lineup.

The Toyota Century has been a long standing rival to the President as a premier Japanese luxury sedan.

Since its debut in 1965, 56,000 units of the Nissan President have been sold, 63 units were sold in fiscal 2009.^[1]

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  2002-2007 Nissan President interior

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  2008 Nissan President interior

References

1. ^ http://mainichi.jp/enta/car/news/20100526mog00m020027000c.html

External links

• (Japanese) Nissan President official site retrieved 3/11/08
• History of the Nissan President 1963-1982 retrieved 3/11/08