Is the Nissan N7 coming to PH as the Primera?

Remember the Nissan Primera? The nameplate, which was discontinued in 2008, was one of the brand’s sedan offerings in other parts of the world. This model may also be familiar to you if you’ve played the first two versions of Gran Turismo. Otherwise, the Philippines has yet to get this model, but that could become a thing of the past by the looks of it.

Trademarked in several countries worldwide, we came across the Nissan Primera on the List of Recognized EVs of the Department of Energy (DOE). If you take a look by yourself, you’ll probably miss it. That’s because it’s listed as the Nissan N7.

For the unaware, the N7 is Nissan’s latest fully electric sedan, developed in China through the Dongfeng Nissan joint venture. A document on the DOE’s website tells us that it may possibly come to our market as the Primera. While it does not necessarily confirm that Nissan Philippines will be bringing in the N7/Primera (it could be for a gray market dealer), it’s still something.

A Philippine launch for the N7 would be very interesting, given that midsize sedans are no longer popular. In fact, for the local market, only the Toyota Camry remains, along with the Mazda 6’s wagon version. Fully electric sedans also remain a niche in our crossover/SUV-dominated market.

Could it be one of Nissan’s four upcoming model launches for our market? Maybe. If ever, we can expect it to be powered by a single front-mounted electric motor producing either 218 horsepower or 272 horsepower, and 305Nm of torque. Options of 58kWh or 73kWh LFP batteries provide estimated driving ranges of up to 510km to 635km.

It’s quite a sizable sedan too, measuring at 4,930mm long, 1,895mm wide, and 1,487mm tall, riding on a 2,915mm wheelbase, all making it larger than a Toyota Camry. 

Looks are definitely set apart from anything that Nissan offers globally. The front fascia features a minimalist and futuristic take on the brand’s signature V-Motion design language, while the interior is very Chinese also follows a minimalist direction. There’s a two-spoke steering wheel, premium leather and suede seat upholstery, and a 15.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system that runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295P processor, among other things.

Again, while nothing solid yet, a Philippine launch for the Nissan N7, likely as the Primera, would be very interesting. Do you think it would be able to find its own market here?

_{Photos by Sam Surla}