Nissan President — BrandWiki

Nissan President

Overview

Nissan President

model code	HG50
production	1990–2002
engine	4.5 L VH45DE V8
transmission	4-speed automatic
wheelbase	JS (PHG50): 2880 mm 3030 mm Royal (JHG50): 3530 mm
length	JS: 5075 mm 5225 mm Royal: 5725 mm
width	1830 mm
height	1425 mm
weight	1960 kg
related	Infiniti Q45 (G50)

The Nissan President (Japanese: 日産・プレジデント) is a Japanese luxury sedan that was manufactured and marketed by Nissan from 1965 until 2010 as the flagship of Nissan's range, available only at its Nissan Store dealerships then at Nissan Blue Stage dealerships.

Initially marketed in Japan only as an executive limousine, 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.

First generation (1965–1973)

The first generation of the 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 Store. Ownership costs of the fully hand-built President were elevated due to its external dimensions and engine displacement placing it in the top road tax bracket. 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. As a corporate limousine, the President was joined by the Mitsubishi Debonair which was primarily used by corporate Mitsubishi executives.

Second generation (1973–1990)

The second generation, designated 250 (H250 for the V8 versions), was introduced in August 1973. It received a thorough facelift inside and out, while the chassis was essentially the same with no changes to the front and rear suspension. The center section of the body, including the doors and windshields, remained as before, but the front and rear ends were redesigned - stretching the car by 235 mm, mostly by extending the rear overhang.[5] The Y40 engine was replaced by the new 4.4-liter Y44. The H30 six-cylinder remained available until 1974 or 1975. The original lineup consisted of two six-cylinder models, type A (three-speed manual) and type B (automatic) and one eight-cylinder model called the type D (automatic only). The car only came with a column-mounted shifter, while the front seats were either separate or a bench. The rear seats were semi-separate and intended to seat two occupants in comfort. The D-type had standard power front seats and also power adjustable rear seat. The President was a very expensive car in Japan - the annual car taxes for the V8 were ¥54,000 in 1973; the average annual salary for a recent university graduate were ¥57,000 at this time.

In April 1975, all trim levels except the type 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. At the same time, the V8 engine received electronic fuel injection, becoming the Y44E and allowing the car to meet new, stricter emissions standards. The V8 emblem on the bootlid was changed to one that reads "V8E" along with the Nissan NAPS badge. The chassis code was changed to A-H250. The type D was available in nine different sub-models listed as D-1 through D-9.[5] The top versions had power everything, satin weave nylon seats, an early form of anti-lock brakes, and automatic climate control. This model was also the first Nissan to be equipped with a digital clock.

In July 1976, the engine was modified to meet the 1976 emissions regulations and the model code changed to C-H251. The luxurious Sovereign trim was added in August 1977, when the emissions were again updated to meet the 1978 requirements.[5] This iteration received the E-H252 model code and a redesigned grille.[3] The type C trim level also returned in 1978. In March 1980 the stereo was updated to an AM/FM cassette unit, and a slave clock was added.

In November 1982, the President was updated with suspension improvements, a larger fuel tank, a new instrument cluster and dashboard, a new grille, and the replacement of the round headlights with square halogen versions while maintaining the general exterior and interior appearance. After minor detail improvements and stereo alterations in June (after which bias-ply tires were no longer available) and December 1984, the Sovereign VIP trim (with air sprung rear seat and other additional comforts) was added in January 1985. In March 1986 the Nissan emblems were altered and the rear headrests became adjustable.

Minor changes followed in November 1988, when the types C and D received the same wheel covers as the Sovereign, and in March 1989 when a shift lock was added. Production of the 250 series continued until October 1990, with a total of 33,128 units having been registered in Japan. Power output had been listed in gross horsepower until January 1990, when the President was brought in line with the rest of the industry. The claimed power figure dropped from 200 to 165 PS net, but actual output and performance were unchanged.

Third generation (1990–2002)

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 PHG50 debuted in the United States as Infiniti Q45 or Nissan Infiniti Q45 in Japan, without a grille as a visual difference to the 1989 Lexus LS and the 1985 Acura Legend. As a result of Project 901, there was a renewed emphasis on positioning the President as a senior corporate luxury limousine with high levels of standard equipment, including Connolly Leather or a combined wool and silk blend upholstery. Extras included a diamond inlay on the key, gold plate hood ornament and rear badging, and ultrasound massage in the rear seats. Vehicles could be optionally equipped with Full-Active Suspension (JHG50 or PHG50) or conventional coil suspension (JG50 or PG50) while a multi-link suspension was used at all four wheels,[6] similar to the Nissan Laurel (C33).[7][8] This time the vehicle adopted many European styling cues, with its front now resembling the contemporary Jaguar XJ. Unlike the previous, hand-made generations, this was the first President built on an assembly line.[2]

The new hood ornament was a stylized military headdress for ceremonial duties, called a feather bonnet or a busby.

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, although the President's engine was tuned down by ten horsepower to 270 PS to avoid a too-sporting sound.[8] In 1993, a short-wheelbase version similar to the Q45 joined the lineup, badged as President JS positioned for personal ownership, and marketed as an alternative to the Cima, Cedric and Gloria. The President JS and the Nissan Infiniti Q45, exclusive to Nissan Prince Store locations, discontinued in October 1997.

Nissan's special vehicles subsidiary Autech developed a Royal Limousine model with a split passenger compartment for 1993. 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 that didn't share a joint appearance. It was now called the Nissan Cima and was also fitted with Japan's rear passenger airbag option. The PHG50 continued production until 2002 when the new F50 chassis was introduced. The combination wool-silk blend upholstery was replaced with a jacquard moquette upholstery.

In 1996, Autech introduced the "Relax Seat" feature and no longer offered the rear passenger airbag, replacing it with a side curtain airbag for both sides of the vehicle. Relax Seat allowed the front passenger seat to fold flat and slide forward, giving the rear passenger more legroom and the ability to extend and recline the seat.

The model year 1999 introduced a revised front grille, integrated fog lights, xenon headlights, and an upgrade to the audio-visual system, which also introduced a navigational system called Compass Link. A monitor for the rear passengers was integrated into the audio-visual system, which was added on top of the rear edge of the front seat center console and concealed behind a flip-down door.