Nissan

The brand name Nissan has accompanied the company since before the war, but was first adopted internationally in the 1980s. Today, Nissan is in alliance with Renault and Mitsubishi.

Nissan Ariya 87 kWh in winter conditions

Posted 30/01/2026 by Terje Bjørnstad

10 degrees below zero and winter conditions caused no problems for the Nissan Ariya, but be aware of reduced range and that fast charging may require more time.

When Nissan launched the Ariya, I thought it would be the successor to the Leaf despite being significantly larger. But now the Leaf has been updated, and it has the same platform as the Ariya. Ampr MediumThe platform has been developed in collaboration with Renault and is of the SUV/crossover type for high-rise car models. Both the Ariya and Leaf have an SUV shape with a rounded coupe-like glass body. A shape we have become accustomed to from several car manufacturers.

The Ariya's rounded roof is a good attempt to create the impression of a hatchback coupe. The sloping front end also helps to give the car a passenger car feel. Inside the car, I noticed that the windshield wipers are short, almost as if the roof was "chopped." It's clear that Nissan has wanted to do away with the boxy shape that many electric cars have.

The first impression

The overview from the driver's seat is good. There is plenty of space inside, both in width and length. The luggage compartment holds 468 liters of luggage. That's a little more than in Toyota BZ4X, but less than in Volkswagen ID.4 og ID.5. There is no frunk, but a small space under the trunk where the charging cable can lie without getting pinched. You can load straight in without any loading edge. With 2 Isofix mounts in the back seat, the car is well suited as a family car or for grandparents with grandchildren.

Plenty of space in the back of the Nissan Ariya. The driver's seat is adjusted for a person who is 1.88 tall.

It's easy to find your way around the steering wheel. Most things are where I expected to find them. The climate and volume on the radio can be easily adjusted with clear, illuminated buttons. Two screens control the functionality. The screen on the driver's side is controlled by buttons on the steering wheel, while the center screen is a pure touch screen. In front of the armrest you will find a smart gear selector, as well as touch buttons for selecting the driving program and e-Pedal. I chose the “Standard” and “e-Pedal” driving programs. Nissan's e-Pedal is absolutely great!

It took me a while to find the handbrake. It is located on the underside of the dashboard and is a small lever that operates the electromechanical handbrake.

I found a good seating position with stepless electric adjustment. When I first got in, I thought the seat cushion might be a bit short (I'm 1.88 meters tall), but after driving for a while, I didn't think much of it.

Gear selector, driving program and e-pedal in front of the armrest.

Nissan has chosen a special place for the handbrake. On the underside of the dashboard, even though it is electromechanical.

Comfort vs. sportiness

Personally, I prefer sporty features over comfort. In my opinion, the Nissan Ariya is primarily set up for comfort, but not in such a way that it becomes boring to drive. One can drive quite actively with it. When I drove Renault Scenic E-Tech, I commented that the car was very stable in the corners, but that the steering did not convey anything from the wheels. The Ariya and Renault share a platform, and I give them both a good grade for the chassis. But the Ariya delivered better steering feel where it is possible to sense small wheel slippage and rough road surfaces through the steering wheel.

“Our” Nissan Ariya drives the front wheels. Many electric cars with 2WD are rear-wheel drive. I think most people will feel that front-wheel drive is safer. You can get the Ariya with 4WD e-4ORCE, but it is only available in the highest trim levels for a significant price premium. Unfortunately, it is equipment level that drives up prices – not 4-wheel drive.

Increased consumption

Winter weather doesn't just make demands on the cars' driving characteristics. It can also make life with electric cars difficult. I noticed it already on the way up the newly opened E16 below Sollihøgda. The battery percentage dropped dangerously quickly. The temperature was -10 degrees and the rental car, which is parked outdoors all day, consumed around 35 kWh/100km (double the stated consumption). It also didn't seem like the cooled battery was accepting regenerative charging on the way down towards Sundvollen. The stated consumption is 18.1 to 18.4 kWh/100km. My average consumption that day ended up at 21.5 kWh/100km, which would have given a winter range of 405 km. The stated range is 536 km.

The range is less affected by cold if you start driving from a warm garage or with a preheated car and battery.

Fast charging

Charging is another problem in the winter cold. If you are going to fast charge, it is important to preheat the batteries. Ariya has a function where you can turn on preheating. It should be activated at least 20-30 minutes before charging. On the way home, I stopped at Sundvollen to set the destination to refill at Høvik. Under electrical settings I found an option that said “Battery heater” followed by “On” – and thought everything was fine. But the preheating never started, because the preheating also has to be activated in another screen (swipe all the way to the end). The option that I had seen was that the preheating was “enabled” – not activated. When the preheating is activated, the option “On” should be lit.

If you are losing power quickly and are unsure whether you will reach the charging station, do not preheat the batteries. Preheating steals power. In that case, it is better to arrive safely and accept slower charging.

Battery heater "ON", should light up when it is active.

This is where you need to press to activate battery preheating.

I felt quite let down when I stood in front of a 135 kW Recharge charger and started charging at just 21 kW. That was all the car would accept with cold batteries. Fortunately, the batteries warm up during charging, so the charging speed increased gradually. Under ideal conditions, the batteries should be able to take 130 kW, but that is unlikely to happen with freezing temperatures in the air.

Buying guide

When choosing a model, there are two important choices you have to make: battery size and 4-wheel drive.

The Ariya is available with a 63 kWh or 87 kWh (net capacity) battery. The smaller battery has a stated range of 404 km, while the larger one can provide 536 km. The larger battery adds 148 kg to the weight and a price increase of NOK 59.200 from the base price of NOK 382.500. There is also a slight increase in engine power, but the two options provide equally good performance in practice.

I find that real ranges under normal conditions are ⅘ of the stated range. That is the range you should be concerned with. Life with an electric car becomes easier with a long range.

4-wheel drive is only available in variants with the large battery – and from equipment level EvolveGiven that this level of equipment has been chosen, the price supplement for 4-wheel drive is “only” 27.200 kroner. In relation to “our” level of equipment – Engage – the most affordable car with 4-wheel drive would cost 133.000 more.

e-4ORCE — Nissan Ariya in winter conditions.

Coming in a new edition

So far, 11.283 Nissan Ariyas have been registered in Norway. Nissan has also had tremendous success with the Leaf models worldwide. The prices of the new Leaf are in the same price range as the larger Ariya – so close that the Leaf and Ariya are currently competitors. But Nissan has already shown a facelifted Ariya for 2026 that has several similarities to the Leaf, including in the front. With the new Ariya, the price difference will likely be greater.

Facts Nissan Ariya Engage 87kWh

Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 460 x 185 x 166 cm
Wheelbase: 278 cm
Net weight: 2065 kg (without driver)
Payload: 390 kg
Number of seats: 5
Max trailer weight w/brakes: 750 kg
– without brakes: 750 kg
Roof load: –

Drivetrain
Engine: Electric located at the front
Power: 242 HP
Torque: 300 Nm
Gearbox: 1-speed automatic
Front wheel drive

Performances
Top speed: 160 km/h
0-100: 7.6 seconds

Battery pack
Manufacturer: CATL
Type: Lithium-ion NMC (prismatic cells)
Total capacity: 91 kWh
Total capacity for use: 87 kWh
Heat pump
Preheating

Range and consumption
WLTP: 536 km (combined)
Measured: 405 km (-10 from cold start)
Stated consumption WLTP: 18.1 – 18.4 kWh/100km
Real consumption test: 21.5 kWh/100km (-10 degrees)

Cargo
Contacts: Type2 and CSS
On-board charger: 22kW
Charging time CSS, 130kW, 20-80%: 45 min.
Preheating of the batteries: Yes

Luggage compartment
As 5-seater: 468 litres
As 2-seater: 1350 litres

Tires
Dimension: 235/55 R19 105T XL
Type: Winter tires without studs
Brand: Continental Vikingcontact 8

Prices
Price: 461.700,- (87 kWh, Engage, paint surcharge)

About the car
Place of production: Tochigi, Japan
Color: Ceramic Grey
Equipment level: Engage
Owner: Birger N. Haug Car Rental AS
Model: 2025
Mileage: 11000
Source: Nissan.no, Vegvesen.no

Did you notice the text on the side of the car? Getaround (formerly Nabobil) is a platform where private individuals can rent out their cars to private individuals. The app has become very good. You can rent and unlock the car with your mobile phone. Many cars have permanent parking in Oslo.

See

Nissan.no

Cars from Japan

Posted 02/04/2022 by Terje Bjørnstad

car kei — Now you can buy a "Kei car" online and have it transported on one of the car boats that run between Japan and Drammen.

Japan is not a country from which we normally import used cars. Although there are car boats between Japan and Norway, organizing transport can present problems. But there is a website that connects Japanese car dealerships, transporters and Norwegian car buyers. If you find a fun car, you can order online and have it delivered by boat to Drammen.

Japanese automotive history is full of goodies

Although Japanese cars were popular here at home, it is rare to come across real goodies such as the Datsun 240Z, Honda 2000 and Mazda RX-3. But more people have opened their eyes to Japanese cars and are ordering them from American websites. But did you know you can order from Japan, too? A website guides you through the process from when you find your dream car until it arrives at the quay at Drammen.

The website works for me carfromjapan.com as a safe place to shop used cars online. You get good pictures of the car's condition and can easily enter into an online dialogue with the sales company - hopefully in English. I don't know if Japanese are more honest than other nationalities, but the process seems orderly to ensure all parties. But before you import a car from Japan, you should investigate the possibilities of getting it registered in Norway. In Japan, driving is on the left, so you need to get headlights for driving on the right. It is possible that the seller can help you with that. Furthermore, you should form an opinion about living with the steering wheel on the right hand side (RHD). If you search explicitly for left-hand drive cars, you will find European and American import cars with the steering wheel on the left. Left-hand drive cars may not be very popular on the used market in Japan. It opens up to make a good trade, but I don't see carfromjapan.com as a typical site to trade western cars.

RHD cars

Here at home, right-hand drive cars can be difficult to resell. They are also not ideal if you want a good "driving car" - provided you are not going to drive on closed tracks. If you buy the car for "fun" - for small trips at a leisurely pace, to enjoy the nostalgia and joy of having a special vehicle, a car from Japan may be right up your alley.

I envision two situations - those who want a reunion with the car they themselves - or someone in the family owned in the 60s, 70s or 80s - or a fun little Japanese that only Japanese people can make. I then think about Kei cars which has received advantages in its home country given that the car's engine size and external dimensions are kept under strict limits. In order to make optimal use of the limited dimensions, the cars are built as square as possible, which means that they can never win any beauty contests. But that's what makes them cool. Imagine a Kei-car as car number 2 or 3 - a small pick-up that is used in the local environment - down to the marina, to the golf course, to the hardware store and practical errands.

Japanese snacks

I have allowed myself to pick out a few tidbits from carfromjapan.com. All the cars are models that are already represented in the Norwegian vehicle register, so there are good opportunities to get plates on them. Take the mini-pickup, for example Suzuki Carry, there are an incredible 287 pieces of it in Norway without ever having been brought in via Suzuki's normal import channels. Other similar models are Honda acty, Mitsubishi Minicabs og Daihatsu Hijet. I have also brought the micro utility vehicle Subaru Domingo which can also be found in the Norwegian vehicle register, as well as a couple of nostalgia cars.

The Norwegian prices are calculated according to the dollar exchange rate when the post was written. Go to the links and the sales site's pages for more information about the cars and the sales process.

Suzuki Carry Truck

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1988-1999
Year of manufacture car: 1997
Sister model: Bedford Rascal
LHD front light kits are available.
Km: 47000
Type of car: Kei Car - automatic - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 30
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 47
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 11
Total: NOK 62

Honda Action Truck

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1988-1999
Year of manufacture car: 1992 (facelift)
Sister model: Honda Street
Not sure if there are LHD headlights.
Km: 93000
Type of car: Kei Car - manual - 4WD
Price only car: NOK 26
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 40
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 10
Total: NOK 52

Daihatsu Hijet Truck

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1991-1994
Year of manufacture car: 1991
Sister model: Piaggio Porter, Innocenti Porter
The sister models are produced as LHD
Km: 23000
Type of car: Kei Car - manual - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 9
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 23
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 5
Total: NOK 32

Subaru Domingo

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1993-1998
Year of manufacture car: 1998
Sister model: Subaru Sumo/Libero
Is also produced as LHD
Km: 32000
Type of car: Passenger car/MPV - automatic - 4WD
Price only car: NOK 113
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 140
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 140
Total: NOK 178

Cars with nostalgia value

If you buy a youngtimer or vintage car to experience the nostalgia, the fact that the car is right-hand drive is no showstopper. These are cars you use to drive on quiet Sunday trips or to meetings for like-minded people. The problem is that they are also popular in Japan. An old Laurel or Crown with low mileage are expensive pleasures.

Nissan Pulsar

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1986-1991
Year of manufacture car: 1986
Sister model: Nissan Sentra/Sunny
Engine: 1,6 Twincam 120 HP (Sunny GTI)
Available in LHD version
Km: 83000
Type of car: Passenger car/sedan - manual - 2WD
Price only car: NOK 62
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 79
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 19
Total: NOK 101

Datsun Laurel 200L

Link to the ad

Production year model: 1972-1977
Year of manufacture car: 1972
Sister model: –
Engine: 2000 ccm
Available in LHD version
Km: 41000
Type of car: Passenger car/sedan - manual
Price only car: NOK 323
Ready delivered CIF Drammen: NOK 348
One-off fee (estimated): 2
VAT: 87
Total: NOK 438

About Kei Cars

From 1990, the engine size must not exceed 660 ccm and the engine power must not be less than 64 HP. External dimensions length x width x height in meters must be kept below 3,30 x 1,40 x 2,00 - from 1998: 3,40 x 1,48 x 2,00. Max length does not include the bumpers.

See

Link to Facebook group for Kei car owners in Norway

Nissan Leaf as a used car

Posted 30/05/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

Visually, all Type 1 Nissan Leafs look the same. But under the shell, many changes have been made. If you're going to buy a used Leaf, you need to know what's under the hood, otherwise you could end up with a worthless car.

Wears its age well

Several cars from the first year of production have low mileage and look like new cars both outside and inside. Used car sellers know how to exploit this. They defend the high price by pointing to the car's general condition and mileage. "Owned by old lady...", and so on. As a car buyer, you must put the electric car features before all other features. It doesn't help that the car looks pretty if it can't be used for what it was designed for.

Although the Nissan Leaf 1 was gradually improved, two upgrades in particular are worth noting. The first occurred in mid-2013, the second in mid-2015.

The 2013 upgrade

According to Nissan, as many as 100 different big and small changes were made. By making the car lighter, more aerodynamic and improving regenerative braking energy, the range could be extended from 175 to 199 km NEDC. A more modern heat pump (optional) stole less electricity. By moving the on-board charger from the boot to the engine compartment, the boot was increased from 330 liters to 370 litres. The cars were better braced and thus behaved better on the road. The warranty period on the batteries was increased from 5 to 8 years. Furthermore, the car's on-board charger could take 6,6 kW – not just 3,6 kW – and you could use Type 2 cable. Let's also take into account that you could now get a black interior and leather seats on the Tekna edition.

The cars for Norway were now brought in from Sunderland instead of Japan.

The 2015 upgrade

The biggest news was that customers could now choose a new and long-awaited battery pack of 30 kwh. Almost everyone chose this, but the old 24 kwh battery pack was still in production. Cars with 30 kwh batteries were given a stated range of 250 km NEDC. Other improvements were that you could order cars with DAB radio and the NissanConnect infotainment system that can display available charging stations in real time.

Range

This is the Nissan Leaf type 1's Achilles heel. This is actually the only reason why many people turn their backs on the model. Unfortunately, it is possible to be thoroughly deceived on this point. Here are the ranges you can count on:

Cars before the 2013 upgrade

Official range is given in NEDC. It is a theoretical range that is almost impossible to reproduce under normal driving conditions. According to NEDC, the range is 175 km. Based on an unofficial – but fairly reliable conversion factor, the WLTP range will be approximately 142 km. That is the maximum you and I can expect to get out of a new battery. Practical range was 120-130 km in summer and 80-90 km in winter. We say "was" because the range decreases with age and usage patterns.

Cars with 24 kwh battery after the 2013 upgrade

The NEDC range was stated at 199 km. Some dealers still state this as the only range figure. Based on a conversion factor, the corresponding WLTP range will end up at approximately 156 km. Practical range is 120-140 km in summer.

Cars with 30 kwh battery

Stated range according to the factory is 250 km. Converted to WLTP, it corresponds to approximately 196 km. Practical range in summer is 140-190 km.

Battery capacity and condition (dotted line at outer edge)

Battery life

The Nissan Leaf is equipped with a fantastic function where you can read the state of the battery directly from the instruments. Actually, it's probably a voltmeter. It is marked as a dashed line to the left of the battery's capacity. There are 12 lines in total. Leaf owners indicate the battery's condition by telling the number of bars remaining. The cars in our selection are from 2011 to 2016. In this selection, it is quite normal for the cars to have lost one or two stripes. It is so normal that many dealers do not mention it, nor show a picture of the dashboard. If you don't know about this feature, you could be fooled. 10 dashes out of 12 on a 2013 model is perfectly normal - the dealer can't be blamed - but you might have preferred a car with 12 dashes, had you known this beforehand.

battery condition leaf — Example from a Leaf with greatly reduced battery capacity with only 5 out of 12 lines.

The range is reduced for each streak that disappears

Many owners choose to sell their cars when the battery "loses a streak". In the sales advertisement, they may write that they need better range. If you are considering buying a Leaf, you should calculate the range based on the battery having a line less than today. The first line corresponds to 15%, while subsequent lines each correspond to 7,7%. The range is reduced accordingly. Nissan's battery warranty comes into force if the car has lost more than 3 lines within 8 years. This corresponds to a remaining capacity of 61,9%. Up to 3 lines - which therefore does not trigger any warranty claim - corresponds to 69,6%. Let's go back to practical range numbers for those the very first The Leafs – all within normal capacity loss:

12/12 lines: 120-130 km summer, 80-90 winter.
11/12 lines: 102-110 km summer, 68-65 winter.
10/12 lines: 92-100 km summer, 61-69 winter.
9/12 lines: 83-90 km summer, 55-62 winter.

If you end up below 9 lines, it can be problematic to use the car in winter.

Import cars

Since 2012, several dealers have imported cars from the US and other European countries to meet the high demand for electric cars. Most of the imported cars are manufactured in the USA. These lack equipment that "Norwegian" cars have, including heated seats and heated steering wheel. Nor can they be connected to "Carwings", where the owner can remotely control pre-heating and more. In addition, the navigation system lacks European maps. It must be up to the individual to assess how important these features are on a nearly 10-year-old used car. The most serious thing is that the imported cars are among the worst in terms of loss of battery capacity. Some of the imported cars are sold with halved capacity, which makes the car unusable for the vast majority.

Check the chassis number (VIN)

You need to check the car's chassis number to determine the country of manufacture. You can find the chassis number or VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) most easily online by using the Norwegian Motor Vehicle Inspection Authority's lookup option. Enter the car's registration number on the link below and find the 17-digit number under the page marked "Registration data".

Vegvesen.no – Vehicle information

If the first character of the chassis number is "J" and character number 11 is a number, for example "0", the car is manufactured in Japan. Ordinary imports before 01.07.2013 took place from Japan. Cars produced in the USA were imported in parallel. USA-produced cars before 01.07.2013/11/1 may also have "J" as the first character in the chassis number, but character number 01.07.2013 is then "T". Then the car is manufactured in Tennessee. Cars with "XNUMX" as the first character are also produced in the USA. Cars from Sunderland, England, have "S" as the first character. This has been a normal import after XNUMX.

Few errors and problems

In general, there are few problems on the Nissan Leaf. Many report problem-free car maintenance for several years. Problems with the starter battery discharging are a common problem. Wear and tear related to wheel suspension and chassis seems to be on par with other cars, with replacements on cars that have passed well over 100. As long as the car is treated well, high km is not a big problem. A car with close to 000 on the odometer with 100/000 dashes can be just as good as a grandmother's car with extremely low km, stood for several years with a constant 12% on the batteries.

Prices

The prices are based on "on the route" prices from Finn.no.

2016 Nissan Leaf 30 kwh

Km 0-49: NOK 999 (129 cars)
Km 50-000: NOK 99 (999 cars)

2016 Nissan Leaf 24 kwh (for comparison)

Km 0-49: NOK 999 (115 cars)
Km 50-000: NOK 99 (999 cars)

2015 Nissan Leaf 24 kwh

Km 0-49: NOK 999 (99 cars)
Km 50-000: NOK 99 (999 cars)
Km 100-000: NOK 149 (999 cars)

2014 Nissan Leaf

Km 0-49: NOK 999 (90 cars)
Km 50-000: NOK 99 (999 cars)
Km 100-000: NOK 149 (999 cars)

2013 Nissan Leaf (both Series 1 and Series 2 cars)

Km 50-000: NOK 99 (999 cars)
Km 99-999: NOK 149 (999 cars)

2011/2012 Nissan Leaf

Km 50-000: NOK 99 (999 cars)
Km 100-000: NOK 149999 (49 cars)

Here you can see that prices fall by NOK 10 per year. 000 models with 2016 kwh batteries are understandably more expensive than equivalent cars with 30 kwh. These are undoubtedly the best in the selection and our clear choice. Here you get a lot of electric cars and simple car maintenance for the money. Our second choice is one of the cars after the 24 upgrade.

The most usable small van

Posted 14/01/2021 by Terje Bjørnstad

The Nissan e-NV200 40 kwh is not the world's best electric car, but currently the most usable small van in terms of range. We have spent a cold winter day with it.

First in Norway

Currently, the selection of small electric vans is not very large. The old ones are still the oldest, - Renault Kangoo and Nissan e-NV200 were the first. Later came the Citroen Berlingo. At the moment, the Nissan with a 40 kwh battery seems to be "most usable" in terms of size and range. Soon, the Peugeot Partner, Citroen Berlingo and Opel Combo will come with a new drivetrain, probably based on the PSA group's 50 kwh batteries. Electric vans from China have started to roll on Norwegian roads. The BYD T3 looks exactly like the Nissan e-NV200 and has a 50 kwh battery. The Maxus e-Delivery 3 is a larger van with a 52,5 kWh battery. Maxus is used by Posten and Bring, among others.

Nissan e-NV200 on winter roads

There are several electric vans for rent in Oslo, but few with an OK range. Fortunately, I found an e-NV200 40 kwh from Bislet Bilutleie. When I stood a little later on Grünerløkka in front of a snow-covered van in minus 7 degrees, I got cold feet. I imagined a cold car, windows that rimmed from the inside and dead batteries. But the fear was totally unfounded. Fully charged battery and spontaneous hot air directly on the windows, heat in the seats and on the steering wheel. Just to go! The small streets were icy in places. I noticed that the car let go quite easily on the front wheels. It can certainly be attributed to the tires being two years old.

Easy to maneuver

I don't think there is any van that is easier to drive than the Nissan e-NV200. It is ideal for narrow city streets. Not too wide and with a super turning radius. Easy on the steering. As easy to maneuver as an electric forklift. You sit a little higher than in other vans. When I was behind other small vans like the Peugeot Partner and Volkswagen Caddy, my field of vision was over the roof of them. The good overview makes it easy to find your way around the city.

On the road

At speed, you can hear a faint whine from the electric motor - a kind of tram noise. - Doors closing! zzzz… The sound is in no way annoying, only charming. The engine delivers enough power, even with a 280 kg load – but the e-NV200 does not invite you to test the limits. I know of a place where there is a big bump in the middle of a corner where it is possible to test the chassis at good speed. There are no vans that like this point on the road. With a rigid rear axle and rear leaf springs, the Nissan is no exception. It is easy to lose traction here.

Good for the back

I sat right into the seat without adjusting it. There aren't that many setting options, either. I adjusted the steering wheel to the lowest position. I think people with shorter arms than me would want the steering wheel even lower - or less horizontal (smaller bus steering wheel). The seating comfort in vans is rarely suitable for tall people like me. But according to the conditions, I sat perfectly fine with good side support for my back. Nice to have a rested back before going out to work.

The hold

The load compartment measures 200 x 150 x 136 cm. Between the wheel arches there is 122 cm. From the outside, the e-NV200 would look nicer with bigger wheels. But the positive thing is that the wheel arches don't steal so much space in the load compartment. It also takes 4,2 cubic meters of cargo. If you need to transport long items, you can take them on the roof - maximum 100 kg. You can get a trailer hitch as well, but only pull 450 kg. Max payload is 569 kg.

Filled to the ceiling

This autumn I have had several renovation projects. Like all kind craftsmen, I take packaging, coat and leftovers with me. I store that in my mekkebua. It is not unusual for people to come in when they need tools or have problems with their car. This time the job consisted of driving at the filling station. Finished sorted, loaded compactly according to all the rules of the art, I filled to the last centimeter before going to the ISI recycling station. This time there was more work than driving. On the way home I stopped by Biltema in Rud and bought two new storage shelves. I have room for them now that I have driven away all the scrap.

Battery pack

The powertrain is one of Norway's most proven. The electric motor is the same as in the Leaf 1 and the battery pack is Nissan's 40 kwh - the same as found in the new Leaf. Nissan's battery solution has received some criticism due to a lack of active temperature management of the batteries. Optimum operating temperature is important for the batteries to perform - and charge - maximally under all conditions. The batteries in the e-NV200 do not have active temperature control either, but a fan to cool the surrounding electronics during charging and a heater to prevent the batteries from freezing to pieces in extreme cold.

Range

The range is 200 km WLTP. Nissan.no has chosen to inform about "WLTP urban" as well. Such range figures are not relevant and only help to mislead people. If you want to compare with other models, only the WLTP (combined) range applies. My consumption would have given 170 km before the batteries were completely empty. I am quite satisfied with that under the prevailing driving conditions, even if the vans cannot yet compete with the best electric cars on the market.

Cargo

The Nissan e-NV200 can be quickly charged at ChaDeMo chargers. The car receives a maximum of 50 Kw. In practice, you rarely get more from fast chargers. Most give less, depending on several factors, including how many people charge at the same station at the same time. Nissan states that you should be able to quickly charge from a battery warning (approx. 10%) to 80% in between 40-60 minutes. I left the car to charge on its own wall charger with a Type2 cable for 90 minutes. According to the electricity supplier, the car then received only 6,6 Kw - limited by knowing not the charging source. The charging time from battery warning (10%) to 100% is stated as 7 hours and 30 minutes. My charging was in line with this. Most people will probably benefit from using their own wall charger for the e-NV200, where you can fully charge it overnight.

Electric car

The first impression is intuitive. New drivers can just get in, press Start, put the car in Drive and drive away. There is nothing that lights up "advanced electric car" where someone has created a completely new user interface (kick to Tesla). As an owner, you can connect to the NissanConnect EV app and remotely control charging and heating, etc. The only thing you really don't need in 2021 is Nissan's "ECO" button that throttles the gas so you think there's something wrong with the car. Anyone who wants to can drive economically without help - and set the indoor climate themselves for comfort or energy saving.

Since the e-NV200 is based on the Leaf 1, Nissan's "e-Pedal" solution is not available either. By tilting the gear lever to the right, you can activate/deactivate the artificial engine brake. There is a gentle brake that adds extra charge to the battery when driving down long hills.

Subsidy for vans

It has never been more profitable to drive an electric van. If you buy a new electric commercial vehicle, you can now apply for a climate discount from ENOVA's Zero Emission Fund. Please note that the scheme does not apply to private individuals. Company cars bought with a subsidy cannot be resold to private individuals before 12 months. Let the car salesperson fill in the application when you sign the contract. You then report the registration number to ENOVA after you have collected the car. You will receive the grant in your account within 5-7 days. The scheme applies to all electric cars with green plates. For the Nissan e-NV200, the rates are currently:

Comfort plus: Price 307 – Support: 480
Premium: Price 327 – Support: 480

Facts Nissan e-NV200

Weights and Measures
External dimensions - L, W, H: 450 x 176 x 186 cm
Cargo space - L, W, H: 200 x 150 (122*) x 136 cm
* between the wheel arches
Wheelbase: 273 cm
Net weight: 1539 kg (without driver)
Number of seats: 2
Max trailer weight: 450 kg
Roof load: 100 kg

Drivetrain
Battery pack: AESC (China) 40 Kwh
Engine: Electric, located at the front
Power: 109 HP
Torque: 254 Nm
Gearbox: Stepless.
Front wheel drive.

Performances
Top speed: 123 km/h
0-100: 14,0 seconds

Range
WLTP: 200 km (combined)

Tires
Dimension: 185/65R15
Type: Spikeless winter used 2 seasons
Brand: Continental Viking Contact 7

About the car
Place of production: Barcelona, Spain
Owner: Bislet Car Rental
Rented via the app Rent
Model: 2018 (no. 191 new series)
Mileage: 26068
Km driven: 65
Source: Nissan.no, Enova og InsideEEVs.com - 2014 article

See

electric cars from china — The Chinese are coming!

Datsun Bluebird

Posted 04/11/2020 by Anders de Lange

Here is the car model that opened for Japanese cars on the Norwegian market.

The car brand we know today as Nissan

In Norway, Japanese cars and car brands were largely unknown until the 1960s. But in Japan there has been car production since the early 1900th century. The background for the car brand was a manufacturer by the name of Kaishinsha Motorcar Works who made some cars with the name DAT. Relatively few cars were produced in Japan before the war (1940). In 1932, the name of the cars was changed to Datsun, a brand that was used until around 1980. Then the factory began to use "Nissan" as a brand on all its products worldwide.

Datsun Bluebird 410

In 1963, the factory launched a model that became very popular in this country. It was an upgraded Bluebird with the type designation 410. This model initially only came with 4 doors, but other variants were put into production to meet the needs of different markets. Here in Norway, it was sold as a passenger car, van and station wagon. There were many details on this model that appealed to new car buyers. Good rust protection with galvanized plates in the undercarriage, ducts and support beams were arguments that car buyers appreciated. An elaborate interior with padded instrument panel and thick carpets gave the car a touch of luxury. A short gear lever located between the front seats was sporty at the time.
This model was in production until 1968.

Used to quality and level of equipment

The Datsun Bluebird was one of the Japanese car models that really found its place on the Norwegian car market. The first cars appeared here in Norway in the early 1960s, and Norway was one of the first export markets that the factory focused on. For car buyers in this country, Japanese cars were completely unknown. It was therefore a relatively slow start, but potential car buyers soon found out that cars from Japan had a very high quality. In the 60s, many Japanese car models had a higher level of equipment than their European competitors. This meant that the person who had to choose a car felt that Japanese cars were a very good buy.

Key data model 411:

Length: 4,0 m
Width: 1,49 m
Height: 1,43 m
Engine: 1299 ccm, 67 hp SAE
Top speed: 140 km/h

bluebird ad — Datsun Bluebird commercial from 1964

See

Datsun 120Y

Posted 25/10/2020 by Anders de Lange

A very popular family car also here in Norway.

The car brand we know today as Nissan

Datsun Bluebird 410

This model was in production until 1968.

Datsun 120Y

Another popular model from Datsun was the 120Y. The model had several designations in different markets. A model name that was widely used was "Sunny". The model series started life in 1965 and continued until 2004 after countless model changes and upgrades. The model here was produced in the period 1973 to 1977. The options were wide since the 120Y came in a number of body variants with a number of engine options. A big advantage was that the Datsun 120Y was very kind when it came to fuel consumption, and that was a very good selling point during the petrol crisis. Operational reliability was also top notch and contributed to its popularity.

Key data Datsun 120Y

Length: 395 cm
Width: 154 cm
Height: 137 cm
Engine: 1171 ccm, 69 hp SAE
Top speed: 150 km/h

Advertisement from A/S Inor – importer of Datsun/Nissan from 1965 to 1984.

See

Nissan Figaro

Posted 08/12/2018 by Terje Bjørnstad

It brings to mind the Citroën 2CV, Renault 4, Mini and Fiat 500. One of the best retro concepts I've seen.

Retro - before retro became modern.

I remember when it was introduced in 1991. At that time I myself drove a modern Nissan. I imagine 1991 must have been a good year for the Japanese car brand. The cars here at home, the Micra, Sunny, Bluebird and Laurel did not appear particularly exciting. Lots of plastic and thin metal. You could probably say that Nissan at the time sold well despite its appearance. But I can confirm that the cars started and ran regardless of the weather - and were just as tight and fine after driving around the world a couple of times.

Could have sold many more

Nissan had attempted retro projects a couple of years earlier. Pao and the van concept S-cargo (pun based on "escargot" - snail in French). None of these were very successful, at least not outside Japan of the time. Then the Nissan Figaro appeared. Like its predecessors, I believe it was a project earmarked for the Japanese market. Left-hand drive cars were never made, and I don't think Nissan could - or cared to supply enough cars to meet the demand. They could have sold many more than the 20.000 that were produced during the one year the car was in production.

Japanese with British features

I read about the car in the British car magazine Car. I expected them to be critical of Figaro and ridicule it. They didn't. The motoring journalist, who drove it in Japan, liked it – obviously. Figaro is a very grateful photo subject and decorated the pages of the glossy car magazine. I think perhaps it was Figaro's British-inspired design that made the difference.

Rare bird

The Nissan Figaro was actually imported and sold in the UK. The price was just under £10.000, about the same as a Nissan Sunny 1,3. But the Nissan Figaro never became an everyday sight. Before now, - now the retro car has become a vintage car. In a few hectic pre-Christmas days in London, I discovered no less than four copies in excellent condition. I posted pictures of them on Instagram under the hashtag #whencarsmatchplaces. Rarely have I seen any car that matches the classic buildings of London's West End, Knightsbridge, Kensington and Notting Hill so well. Come to think of it, a Nissan Figaro would decorate any city street in the South of France and Italy, too. But given the fact that Nissan only built right-hand drive cars, the Figaro is less interesting for continental Europe and Scandinavia. I read that there should be approximately 10 registered cars in Sweden. One car is mentioned in Norway. It had Østfold plates - but it is currently deregistered in the vehicle register. Hope it hits the road soon!

Sales advertisement on Finn.no

Micra-based

Based on the Nissan Micra mk1, the Nissan Figaro is very much a drivable car with durable and modern mechanics. The engine is a 1,0 liter turbo engine with 76 horses. There was probably no regular Micra engine in Europe. In any case, I can't find any trace of this engine in contemporary Micra's, but the engine is considered to be very reliable - like everything else from Nissan at the time. Undercarriage, wheel suspension and brakes must be identical to the Micra.

Hobby car

The Figaro is decorative, drivable and an easy object to maintain and refurbish. It is rare and guaranteed to attract attention. That makes it well suited as a hobby car - a car to shine up and go to car meets with. An alternative to newer 2CV or Renault 4. Prices are between 12.000 and 16.000 Euro. If you take care of it, you will probably get the same for it when you sell it.

Facts

Drive:
Engine: 1,0 liter turbocharged petrol engine, 76 HP, 106 Nm at 4400 rpm
Engine code: MA10E-T
Gearbox: 3-speed automatic

Weights and Measures:
Net weight in kg: 810
Length, width and height in cm: 3,74 / 1,63 / 1,37
Wheel size: 165/70R12
Number of seats: 2+2

Description:
2-door cabriolet with folding roof. The same principle as i.a. Citroen 2CV and 500C. The driveline and undercarriage are taken from the Nissan Micra mk1. Standard equipped with automatic transmission and power steering. Interior retro design with, among other things, white leather seats, Bakelite knobs and retro-inspired instruments.

Colors:
According to the brochure, the car was produced in only four colors – one for each season. These are as follows:
Emerald Green, Pale Aqua, Lapis Grey, Topaz Mist
The interior and the fold-down top are always in white.

PHOTOS

Click on a picture to see it full size!

Nissan Figaro in Lapis Grey, The Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Notting Hill.

Nissan Figaro in unknown color with retrofitted rims, Covent Garden.

YouTube: "Fifth Gear" mentions the Nissan Figaro.

Things to watch out for: The soft top cover can shrink and crack. It costs £250, but the worse thing is that moisture can then get into the seats. The radio units are unreliable. They can be fixed for £300. The engine is very reliable, but watch out for blue smoke. It may indicate that the turbo is broken. It costs £650 to fit a new one. The video is from 2012, so expect higher prices today.

Figaro Owners Club

Driving with one pedal

Posted 27/03/2018 by Terje Bjørnstad

drive with one pedal — The new Nissan Leaf can be driven with one pedal.

In a advertising campaign on TV Nissan launches its new Leaf. One of the novelties is that you can drive with one pedal. As the commercial voice says: "- One pedal ... for gas ... and braking.» At the same time, a small logo pops up at the bottom of the screen. "e-Pedal". As a kind of trademark. "e-Pedal by Nissan", - sort of? But this is not news. BMW introduced this in 2009 – first for the Mini E, later on its own BMW i3.

Works better than you'd think

I only know driving with one pedal from the BMW i3. All rechargeable cars have some form of artificial engine braking that returns more or less energy to the batteries, but it is not the same as driving with one pedal. The special thing about the BMW i3 is that you don't need to move your foot onto the brake during normal driving. If you lift your foot slowly, the car brakes slowly. If you let off the gas suddenly, the car slows down just as you would with the brake pedal. During heavy braking, you may hear a faint screeching sound. It's like music to my ears. That means I get extra kilometers - completely free.

Optimal energy absorption

The biggest advantage of driving electric cars with one pedal is that the car is able to capture deceleration energy perfectly optimally. Of course, you get recovered power by using the ordinary brakes as well. But I imagine they steal more energy. The BMW i3 has also been named the most energy-efficient electric car in several forums. The reason for that is the efficient one-pedal solution.

It bodes well that Nissan has also jumped on the one-pedal solution. I predict that in time we will see further improvements. Today, there is a lot of research into creating intelligent gearboxes that continuously monitor driving patterns and surroundings. The same intelligence can also be used in wood braking – by reading the movements of the same gas pedal. The more intelligent, the more kilometers we get.

How the brake lights come on

I have previously expressed skepticism about how the brake lights are affected when you brake with the gas. The BMW i3 is a popular car. Many of them are driven by drivers who dictate how the brake lights come on. After studying i3s on the road for several years, my conclusion is that the BMW i3 turns on the brake lights automatically when the car is actually decelerating – apparently via some kind of deceleration meter.

Use the brake pedal occasionally!

Another skepticism is that, as is well known, the brakes must be used regularly. This applies to all cars, but it can be easy to forget when the brake pedal is only used for sudden braking. And should an emergency braking occur, it is reassuring to know that the braking will start even before you have lifted your foot from the accelerator.

Gives extra km - not driving pleasure

I like the BMW i3. It's fun to drive without being able to put my finger on exactly what it is that I like. In terms of driving pleasure, I am indifferent to driving with one pedal. Behind the wheel, I think a normal, artificial engine brake works perfectly alright. I still give one-pedal a thumbs up because it gives me extra mileage. The BMW i3 has proven that.

Hope the new Nissan Leaf is just as fun to drive.

See

Temperature control of electric car batteries — **Leaf lacks active cooling of the batteries!**

Nissan Juke

Posted 11/06/2017 by Terje Bjørnstad

The discussion was loud about the appearance. - Tough? No, the ladies in the car don't think so. - A car for ladies? No, it came back again. - Inspection car, then? *Disdainful snort*.

2017 Nissan Juke N-Connecta G 86 Xtronic

Humvee, I think. The first type used by the US Army. The desert version with a slanted tarpaulin over the rear plane. Juke has an off-road feel about it. Black plastic at the bottom. 17 inch wheels and large side mirrors. I like the marker lights on the upper side of the front fenders, - like the Mercedes Geländewagen. But "our" Juke does not have four-wheel drive. Still, it's a lot of car for around 250. If you want four-wheel drive, you're forced to choose the most expensive drivetrain with a price tag well up to 000. Regardless of whether you like the look or not, the Juke is not an exclusive car. It is a practical everyday car that competes with the Renault Captur and Citroën C400 Cactus.

There is a bit of a cheap car feeling over the interior of the Juke. The sound when you close the doors reminds me of the Sunny I had in the eighties. The entire dashboard consists of very hard plastic with the exception of the small cap above the instruments. The orange display between the clocks is so cheap that it is almost unreadable. The infotainment system with navigation and reversing camera enhances the impression somewhat. The panel for climate and driving mode creates a splash of color without providing any particular added value.

We like the comfort of the seats - also on long journeys. I am 1,88 tall and the second driver, my daughter, is 1,62. The seat back is not infinitely adjustable. I could imagine a position between two tricks. The space in the back seat is perfectly fine. The small rear windows and the wide C-pillars mean that you can almost feel a little secluded there. Interior sound comfort is very pleasant. In a class with far more expensive cars.

On the road, the Juke feels light. The light weight combined with high bodywork is definitely not an advantage when driving in strong winds. With a net weight of less than 1200 kilos er the car is actually quite light, although the light feeling is also connected to the fact that it is somewhat firmer in the suspension than, for example, the Renault Captur. I like that tall cars lean more than regular cars. Then it is easier to know where the boundaries are. But of course I trust that Nissan had moose testers in mind when they designed the electronic stability control. I know some local twisty mountain roads here in France, roads that put the undercarriage to the test - a test the Juke passed by a fair margin.

"Our" Juke has an automatic transmission, Nissan's Xtronic, which is actually a CVT solution. If you want an automatic transmission, you can choose between three drive units, - two expensive turbo-fed petrol engines at 190 and 214 HP, or an aging 1,6 MPI engine of 117 HP (G 86). "Our" Juke is equipped with the latter engine. It produces 117 HP at 6000 rpm and a torque of 158 Nm at 4000 rpm. There are no startling numbers. On paper, it is still more than enough to give fresh kicks, had it not been for the CVT box and the electronics that control the shifts.

You can choose between three different driving modes, Normal, Sport and Eco. Eco mode works well in quiet city and country driving, but not at European motorway speeds, - and not on inclines. Then you have to use Normal mode to avoid stomping holes in the floor under the gas pedal. Sport mode is more entertaining because the gearbox seems more responsive and shifts faster. The downside is that the CVT gearbox allows the engine to run at higher revs before shifting up. In city driving it feels fussy. So far, I have driven mostly in Normal mode, but after two quick gas fills, I want to reduce the gas consumption somewhat. Eco mode locks the gearbox in high gears and thus provides both a fuel-saving effect and a comfort effect. Today I switch between Eco mode and Normal mode. I want a smarter, dynamic Eco program that automatically adapts to road and driving conditions. Not just a program that constantly throttles the gas.

Place

The luggage compartment is divided into two parts with a horizontal dividing plate. With the dividing plate in place, you get a flat loading floor, but limited loading height. The sloping rear window steals quite a bit of cargo height. You could probably say that the luggage space suffers a little because of the special appearance.

Inside, the Juke feels quite roomy for its size. The upright shape provides good legroom both in front and behind, - as well as good headroom.

Safety

The overall safety score according to NCAP is on par with the Nissan Qashqai and Renault Captur, - and better than the Citroën C4 Cactus. NCAP points to a risk that the hard plastic in the dashboard and center console could cause thigh injuries for the driver and passenger. There is also a fairly high risk of rear seat passengers suffering whiplash injuries. Report from Euro NCAP.

Economy

"Our" Juke with automatic transmission costs NOK 291. Annual fee and winter tires are additional. If you choose a 300-speed manual transmission, you can get the 6 DIG-T engine. It is a turbocharged and more tax-friendly engine for NOK 1,6 (almost NOK 251 less). The latter price gives a lot of car for the money. But be aware that a new model of the Juke is expected to arrive later this year. The can give a somewhat higher loss of value on outgoing models.

After refueling twice last week, I got the impression that the Juke was a real gas guzzler. But measured petrol consumption is still "only" 0,623 liters per mile. The petrol tank is relatively small, only 46 litres, which explains the frequent visits to the petrol station. The measured fuel consumption is for mixed driving along country roads, motorways and in the city.

Conclusion

The Nissan Juke looks different from other cars. I think it's nice that not all cars look the same. I don't think the Juke would have been as popular if it had looked ordinary.

I recommend the Nissan Juke, but not with the same drivetrain as "our" Juke. Choose instead the 6-speed manual gearbox with the more tax-friendly, turbocharged 1,6 DIG-T engine. The CVT gearbox is unfortunately only supplied with an older MPI engine which could have worked well on the light Juke, but not together with the CVT gearbox and the electronics that control the shifts. The drivetrain seems old-fashioned, compared to the best of today's automatic solutions for small cars, for example Volkswagen's DSG. You get ahead, but lose a lot of the driving pleasure.

Juke passes the test as a daily means of transportation for short and long trips. It is easy and good to drive, and you gradually get used to its appearance. Here in the South of France, the Juke is a popular car. Perhaps not so much for young cool people who want to live an active urban life - as the advertising suggests. Most of the people I see behind the wheel here in France are well into their years. They probably like tall cars that they can get straight into - maybe with a CVT?

Ditch the CVT automatic. Choose a fresh color instead. Then you get an "Urban Crossover".

The first impression

Comfort vs. sportiness

Increased consumption

Fast charging

Buying guide

Coming in a new edition

Facts Nissan Ariya Engage 87kWh

See

Japanese automotive history is full of goodies

RHD cars

Japanese snacks

Suzuki Carry Truck

Honda Action Truck

Daihatsu Hijet Truck

Subaru Domingo

Cars with nostalgia value

Nissan Pulsar

Datsun Laurel 200L

About Kei Cars

See

Wears its age well

The 2013 upgrade

The 2015 upgrade

Range

Cars before the 2013 upgrade

Cars with 24 kwh battery after the 2013 upgrade

Cars with 30 kwh battery

Battery life

The range is reduced for each streak that disappears

Import cars

Check the chassis number (VIN)

Few errors and problems

Prices

First in Norway

Nissan e-NV200 on winter roads

Easy to maneuver

On the road

Good for the back

The hold

Filled to the ceiling

Battery pack

Range

Cargo

Electric car

Subsidy for vans

Facts Nissan e-NV200

See

The car brand we know today as Nissan

Datsun Bluebird 410

Used to quality and level of equipment

Key data model 411:

See

The car brand we know today as Nissan

Datsun Bluebird 410

Datsun 120Y

Key data Datsun 120Y

See

Retro - before retro became modern.

Could have sold many more

Japanese with British features

Rare bird

Micra-based

Hobby car

Facts

PHOTOS

Works better than you'd think

Optimal energy absorption

How the brake lights come on

Use the brake pedal occasionally!

Gives extra km - not driving pleasure

See

2017 Nissan Juke N-Connecta G 86 Xtronic

Place

Safety

Economy

Conclusion

See also: