Nissan President

The is a Japanese luxury sedan that manufactured and marketed by Nissan from 1965 to 2010 as a JDM luxury sedan, the flagship of Nissan's range, marketed at its '' Nissan Motor Store'' dealerships.

Initially marketed in the JDM, in the late 1980s, exports began to a few countries including Singapore and Hong Kong, though sales were limited. When the President was introduced in 1965, it was marketed under the "Nissan" badge, unlike other Nissan products at the time, which were marketed under the Datsun brand.

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First generation (H150; 1965)

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, and was exclusive to Japanese Nissan dealerships called '' Nissan Motor Store''. Ownership costs of the President were expensive due to its external dimensions and engine displacement placing it in the top road tax bracket, and Japanese Government dimension regulations. The President appeared after the Toyota Crown Eight debuted in 1963, and was developed by Nissan as a possible submission for a limousine to be used by the Imperial Household Agency of Japan.

Its appearance is very similar to the smaller but more popular Nissan Bluebird introduced earlier in 1964. Like the Bluebird, the President was built at Nissan's Oppama plant in Yokosuka, Kanagawa.

The President was available with either the 4.0-litre '' Y40'' V8 engine, developed specially for that model, or the 3.0-litre '' H30'' straight-six. Very lavishly appointed for its time, the President served as the official car of the Japanese Prime Minister Eisaku Satō, while the Emperor of Japan was transported in one of four Nissan Prince Royals developed by Prince Motor Company. 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). There were a few trim levels, but most were sold as the fully-loaded Spec-D that featured the "Full Power Equipment" specification with power seats, power windows, twin A/C units, central door locks, plenty of interior lights and remote-controlled auto-tuning radio, among other features. The Spec-C was similar to the Spec-D, but without the power features. Spec-B was powered by the 130 hp H30 engine carried over from the Cedric Special 50. The base Spec-A was also powered by the H30, but had a 3-speed column-shift manual, the only version with a manual transmission as Spec-B, C and D had an automatic transmission. Few changes were made to the 150 series, but in 1971 the outside mirrors were moved closer to the front of the car, the location of the windshield wipers were changed to increase the amount of glass they swept, and the automatic transmission was changed from Borg-Warner to Nissan. The Spec-C trim level was dropped after 1971; all V8 models were only available in Spec-D.

Second generation (H250; 1973)

The second generation, designated ''H250'', was introduced in 1973. It received a complete upgrade inside and out, while the chassis was essentially the same. The Y40 engine was replaced by the new Y44, which received electronic fuel injection in 1975, becoming the Y44E. The H30 six-cylinder remained available until 1974. In 1975, all trim levels except the Spec-D were dropped, which meant the H30 engine and manual transmission were dropped as well; all Presidents would have V8 engines and automatic transmissions going forward. The Sovereign trim was added in 1977 and the Spec-C trim level returned in 1978.

In 1982 the President was updated with suspension improvements, a larger fuel tank, a new instrument cluster, and the replacement of the round headlights with square halogen versions while maintaining the exterior and interior appearance. In 1985 the Sovereign VIP trim was added. Production of the 250 series continued until 1990.

File:1985 Nissan President Sovereign V8E VIP.jpg, 1985-1990 Nissan President Sovereign VIP series H250
File:1985 Nissan President Sovereign V8E VIP rear.jpg, 1985-1990 Nissan President Sovereign VIP series H250

Third generation (HG50; 1990)

In October 1989 the third generation President, designated ''JHG50'', debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show, with sales beginning a year later. Concurrently, a short-wheelbase version of the chassis debuted in the United States as Infiniti Q45 or Nissan Infiniti Q45 in Japan, with a different front and rear end — in response to the Lexus LS January 1989 and the Honda Legend in 1985. Renewed emphasis sought to position the President as a top-level luxury limousine, with high levels of standard equipment, including Connolly Leather or wool and silk upholstery. Innovative technological features included a world first feature that debuted in 1993: SRS airbag for the left-hand side (curbside) rear seat passenger. 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 four 1966 Nissan Prince Royals used by the Imperial Household Agency for the Coronation Ceremony, or ''Shukuga Onretsu no Gi'' of Akihito 12 November 1990, but were not accepted.

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.

Fourth generation (PGF50; 2003)

The third generation was introduced in October 2003, based on the ''F50'' Nissan Cima which had debuted in 2001, being also powered by the same 4.5-litre '' VK45DE'' V8 engine. It retained its top position as the flagship limousine at the reorganized Japanese Nissan dealerships called ''Nissan Blue Stage''. Two versions were available, both badged Sovereign, with either five-passenger or four-passenger seating configuration. This model remained Nissan's traditional competitor to the Toyota limousines the Toyota Century and Toyota Celsior, and it competed for customers for three years with the all-new Mitsubishi Dignity as the top level flagship, however Mitsubishi chose to use front wheel drive.

The four-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"—a feature allowing the left front passenger seat to be tilted forward, allowing the passenger in the rear to extend the rear seat forward and recline.

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 was no platform successor to Cima/President, the Nissan Fuga became the flagship for Nissan. Starting in 2012, the Cima name was revived as a stretched Fuga, resuming the market segment formerly held by the President, thereby continuing to offer an alternative to the modern Toyota Crown Majesta premium level limousine made in Japan.

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

File:2009 NISSAN PRESIDENT rear.jpg, 2009 Nissan President (Japan)
File:Presidentinterior.jpg, 2003-2007 Nissan President interior
File:2008 NISSAN PRESIDENT interior.jpg, 2008 Nissan President interior

References

* ''Nissan President 150 (1966–1968)'', Pub. No. C-077

External links

Nissan President official site

{{nissan

Flagship vehicles
Full-size vehicles
Limousines
Luxury vehicles
President
Rear-wheel-drive vehicles
Cars introduced in 1965
1970s cars
1980s cars
1990s cars
2000s cars
2010s cars