Nissan Vanette - Wikipedia

Motor vehicle

Nissan Vanette
1994 Nissan Vanette (C22)
Overview
Manufacturer	Nissan (Nissan Aichi) (1978–1994)Mazda (1995–2011)
Production	1978–1994 (Nissan) 1995–2011 (Mazda)
Body and chassis
Class	Light commercial vehicle
Body style	VanPickup truck
Layout	FR layout (Pickup truck; Van: C20 & C21)MR layout (Van)
Chronology
Predecessor	Datsun Sunny Cab/Nissan Cherry Cab
Successor	Nissan SerenaNissan NV200/Nissan NV300

The Nissan Vanette (Japanese: 日産・バネット, Hepburn: Nissan Banetto) is a cabover van and pickup truck produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan from 1978 until 2011. The first two generations were engineered by Nissan's Aichi Manufacturing Division for private, personal ownership, with the last two generations built by Mazda, rebadged as Nissans and refocused as commercial vehicles, based on the Mazda Bongo. The van has also been sold as the Nissan Sunny-Vanette or Nissan Van. The private purchase passenger platform was replaced by the Nissan Serena in 1991, renamed Vanette in various international markets, and came equipped with multiple engine and drivetrain configurations.

2WD and 4WD versions were produced, with manual, automatic, floor and column shift options available. While no longer produced for the Japanese market, it was still available in other markets around the world such as Malaysia.[1] Production ended around 2010, eventually being replaced by the Nissan NV200.[2]

History

[edit]

The first appearance of a cabover truck/delivery van appeared in 1962 with the Datsun Cablight, a rebadged version of the earlier Kurogane Mighty Nissan acquired when they assumed the operations of Tokyu Kogyo Kurogane. As the Cablight was reengineered, it was offered as a cab-over truck and van called the Datsun Sunny Cab/Nissan Cherry Cab (C20) introduced in 1969, and was one size smaller from the Prince Homer truck and the Prince Homy van. The cabover approach allowed the exterior dimensions to remain unchanged while increasing the length of the cargo area of the Nissan Sunny truck. The Sunny Cab Van/Cherry Cab Van passenger van could accommodate five passengers and an extended length coach that could carry eight people. Both Cab Vans didn't have sliding passenger doors, instead they had conventional front-hinged doors with extended lengths on the passenger side. The rear tailgate was a clamshell design where the door separated into two pieces that would extend up, with a tailgate on the lower half of the door.[3]

The commercial model was basic, that kept the price low. The Sunny Truck continued to be built after the introduction of the second generation passenger version, and was only replaced in early 1971 by the new B120-series truck. The Cabover trucks were renamed the Nissan Vanette and the Nissan Cherry Cab/Vanette or Vonnate.[4]

First generation (C120; 1978–1988)

[edit] Motor vehicle

Datsun Vanette (C120)
Overview
Also called	Datsun Vanette Nissan Cherry Vanette Nissan Sunny Vanette Yulon Nissan Bobby
Production	1978–1988
Assembly	Oppama Plant, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, JapanBarcelona, Spain
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door truck 4/5-door van 4-door minibus (Coach)
Layout	MR layout
Related	Nissan Sunny (B210/B310)
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L A12 I4 1.4 L A14 I4 1.5 L A15 I4 2.0 L Z20 I4 2.0 L LD20 diesel I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,075 mm (81.7 in) 2,405 mm (94.7 in) (LWB)[5]
Length	3,900–3,930 mm (153.5–154.7 in) 4,230 mm (166.5 in) (LWB) 4,270 mm (168.1 in) (LWB truck)[5]
Width	1,600–1,605 mm (63.0–63.2 in)[5] 1,695 mm (66.7 in) (Vanette Largo)
Height	1,755–1,795 mm (69.1–70.7 in) 1,965–1,985 mm (77.4–78.1 in) (high roof)[5]
Curb weight	865–1,050 kg (1,907–2,315 lb)

Introduced in October 1978 as a replacement for the 1969 Nissan Cherry Cab/Sunny Cab C20 and Nissan Sunny Cab Van/Nissan Cherry Cab Van,[6] the first Vanette was exported as the Datsun C20 (later the Nissan C20) or as the Nissan Datsun Vanette (later the Nissan Vanette). In the home market it was initially marketed as either the 'Nissan Sunny Vanette' or the 'Nissan Cherry Vanette', depending on the distribution network, although in engineering terms it borrowed heavily from the rear-wheel drive generations of the Sunny line—in particular the B210 and B310 series models, with which it shared engines and transmissions. The Sunny Vanette was sold through Nissan Satio Store and the Cherry Vanette was sold through Nissan Cherry Store locations. These two models had somewhat differing front-end treatment. In March 1980, a Datsun Vanette version was also added, sold through the Nissan Bluebird Store dealer network. The Datsun Vanette received twin headlights, while its related models had single headlights. It was a junior model to the larger Nissan Caravan.

Initially it was available in three lines: a truck version, vans (usually with passenger accommodation), and as a 9-seat minibus (Vanette Coach). The Coach received a 1.4 L (1,397 cc) A14 four cylinder, producing 75 PS (55 kW) at 5,400 rpm. The van and truck versions originally had to make do with the lesser A12 of 1.2 L (1,171 cc) and 64 PS (47 kW) at the same engine speed.[7] Later, the 1400 engine became available in Van and Truck versions as well. In July 1979, a high-roof version was added, as well as a long wheelbase van and ten-seater Coach version. This was stretched by 33 cm between the front and side doors, LWB versions were never available with the A12 engine. Some versions received separate air conditioning outlets for the rear.

In June 1980, the Coach version changed from the A14 to the larger (1,487 cc) A15 engine, offering 83 PS (61 kW).[6] There was also a luxurious SGL version of the Vanette Coach added, with an available sunroof and swivelling captain's chairs in the rear – both firsts for the segment in Japan. To indicate its luxurious nature, the SGL received double square headlights for a more modern appearance. In June 1981 the LD20 diesel engine was added, as was a 2-litre gasoline version (Z20) for the top-of-the-line SGX version.[6]

In 1981, Nissan introduced a smaller passenger vehicle which had sliding passenger doors on both sides of the vehicle, with conventional front doors, called the Nissan Prairie, making the Vanette/Largo no longer the smallest cargo van offered.

In October 1982, minor changes occurred (along with the introduction of the bigger "Largo"). The dashboard was redesigned, while the base 'CT' model received front disc brakes, the optional air conditioning system was modernized, and an inexpensive 'FL' Coach version was added. In October 1983 a DX-A version was added, followed by modifications to the transmission carried out in August 1985. The next month, production of Van and Coach models ended as they were replaced by the C22 Vanette. The truck versions of the C120 Vanette remained in production (with light modifications carried out in August 1986) until September 1988.[6]

Vanette Largo

[edit]

The Vanette Largo (GC120) was introduced in October 1982 and was a wider (by 90 mm, to stay just beneath the important Japanese 1,700 mm tax threshold) and somewhat longer version. This was then developed into a cargo version built in Spain (by Nissan Ibérica), called the Nissan/Datsun Vanette Cargo. This largely supplanted the smaller Vanette versions in European markets. Engines were the A15 and Z20 gasoline versions, accompanied by the diesel LD20 (also available turbocharged). The Spanish-built versions were originally intended to be built with a Spanish-made Perkins diesel motor but this did not materialize.[8] There was a minibus 'Coach' version of the Largo as well, with a luxurious "Grand Saloon" version topping the range.

The Vanette Largo continued in production until a GC22 successor arrived, in May 1986. From this point the Vanette name was dropped and the Largo became a separate, more luxurious model in its own right. In the Japanese market, the C120 vehicle was either marketed as the Datsun Vanette Largo or as a Nissan with the Cherry and Sunny prefixes. The Spanish C220 received a facelift and continued to be built into the 1990s, and was mostly sold in markets which hindered the import of Japanese-built vehicles.

• Nissan Vanette Largo (C220, EU-spec)
• Datsun Vanette Largo (C220, JDM-spec)

Second generation (C22; 1985–1994)

[edit] Motor vehicle

Nissan Vanette (C22)
1988–1994 Nissan Vanette (C22)
Overview
Also called	Nissan LargoNissan Nomad (Australia)[9]Sanxing SXZ6440 (China)Yunbao YB6440 (China)Daewoo Vanette (South Korea)
Production	1985–19941993–2001 (Philippines)1997–2010 (Malaysia)
Assembly	Oppama Plant, Yokosuka, Kanagawa, JapanZhanjiang, Guangdong, China (CKD)Santa Rosa City, Philippines (1993–2001)Segambut, Malaysia (TCMA) (1997–2010)
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door truck 4/5-door van 4-door minibus (Coach)
Layout	MR layout
Related	Ashok Leyland Dost
Powertrain
Engine	1.2 L A12 I4 1.4 L A14 I4 1.5 L A15 I4 2.0 L Z20 I4 2.0 L LD20 diesel I4 2.4 L Z24i I4
Transmission	4-speed manual 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,075 mm (81.7 in) 2,405 mm (94.7 in) (LWB)[5]
Length	3,980–4,050 mm (156.7–159.4 in) 4,230 mm (166.5 in) (LWB) 4,270 mm (168.1 in) (LWB truck)[5]
Width	1,600–1,605 mm (63.0–63.2 in)[5] 1,695 mm (66.7 in) (Vanette Largo)
Height	1,755–1,795 mm (69.1–70.7 in) 1,965–1,985 mm (77.4–78.1 in) (high roof)[5]
Curb weight	865–1,050 kg (1,907–2,315 lb)

Japan

[edit]

5 trim levels, 4 engine options and 2 transmission options were available for the C22 Vanette COACH series launched in Japan.

SC - 5/6 seater, available in 1.5L A15 (67ps) petrol engine and 2L LD20.II (67ps) diesel engine. Manual only transmission. Distinguished by round headlamps and no rear screen wiper.

GL - 8/9 seater, available in 1.5L engine and 2L diesel. Manual only transmission. Square headlamps.

SGL- 8/9 seater, available in 1.5L and 2L diesel engine. Automatic transmission optional. Rectangle headlamps with high roof. All SGL variants has collapsible seats, rotatable middle row seat and rear air conditioning. Longer body length of 4050mm vs the SC and GL at 3980mm

SGL Panorama Roof - Similar to SGL except with the optional glass sunroof that stretches from driver seat row to 2nd row seats.

SGL EXCEL - 8 seater, available in 2L petrol Z20S or 2L diesel LD20.II engine. Later models came with CA20 petrol engine. Automatic transmission optional. Top of the range model which comes with color coded bumpers, chrome trimming, central locking, panorama glass roof, factory fitted audio and cooler box mounted in the center console.

A late model update with enlarged version similar to the US market Nissan Van was again sold in Japan as the Largo, until 1992 when the Serena-based Nissan Largo was launched.

• Nissan Vanette Truck
• Nissan Vanette Truck rear view
• Nissan Vanette Van
• Nissan Vanette Van rear view
• Nissan Largo (GC22)
• Nissan Largo Super Saloon (C22)

United States

[edit]

The Nissan C22 was modified for the United States market to compete with the similar sized Toyota Van and Mitsubishi Van, and to join the growing minivan market in the US. This van was sold as the "Nissan Van" in the US from 1986–1989, where it was billed as a cheaper alternative to Chrysler's minivans. Most of the vans were sold in the Sun Belt states, particularly California, Texas, and Florida, and sales were strongest for the first two years. Nissan had to engineer its larger 2.4-liter Z24i engine into the C22 to handle American market requirements which included air conditioning and highway driving. The C22 was not originally designed for such a large engine, and the resulting tight quarters would later contribute to overheating and engine fire issues.[10]

In 1994, after four safety recalls did not end the engine fire problems, and with a class action lawsuit pending,[10] Nissan took the unprecedented step of recalling every Nissan Van sold in the US.[11] Van owners were offered Kelly Blue Book value or more for their van,[12] and most accepted, but a few opted to keep their vans. Critics argued that Nissan had been long aware of the problems with the vans (the first reports of fires appeared in 1987, shortly after they went on sale in the US), but did not take action for years, after which they had been replaced by the Nissan Quest. By the time of the recall in 1994, at least 135 fires had been reported, although none of them had resulted in deaths or injuries.[13] The class-action settlement offered discounts on the purchase of a new Nissan vehicle.[10] The vehicles which were recalled were crushed en masse.[12]

The Nissan Van was intended mainly as a stopgap for the North American market until a proper minivan could be introduced, and it was replaced by the Nissan Quest in 1993, a vehicle designed in a joint venture with Ford.

Malaysia

[edit]

The C22 Nissan Vanette was built in Malaysia at the Tan Chong assembly plant in Segambut (Kuala Lumpur) until 2010.[14] After 13 years in production, it was the longest running model built in Malaysia.[2] There was a chassis cab, a truck, a panel van, and a window van version. Malaysian Vanettes have the venerable 1.5-liter pushrod A15 engine, with 82 PS (60 kW). While it has had a few facelifts over the years, the basic body was still the same. The 1980s interior is still intact.[1] Malaysia was the only place where the Vanette was built for many years, being exported from there to many other markets. After a brief hiatus, it was replaced by the Nissan NV200, which retains the "Vanette" name in the Malaysian market.[2]

Philippines

[edit]

The Nissan Vanette was available in the Philippines until the end of 1999 as the Nissan Vanette Grand coach. In its final version it remains essentially the same Vanette as in previous years except for a different wheel design, upgraded seat materials and a faux wood trim dashboard. The sole engine available is the Z20 2.0-liter gasoline engine. Unlike in other Asian countries, no diesel variant was offered or available, which was an oversight on Nissan's part that could have made the difference in the van's popularity.

India

[edit]

The C22 Vanette also provides the basis for Ashok Leyland's "Dost", the Indian truck manufacturer's first entry into this market segment.

Gallery

[edit]

• 1990 Nissan Nomad GX (Australia)
• Nissan Vanette (Netherlands)

Third generation (S20, SE, SK; 1994–1999)

[edit]

A badge engineered Mazda Bongo, also rebadged as Ford Econovan and Ford Spectron.

Fourth generation (S21, SK; 1999–2011)

[edit]

A badge engineered Mazda Bongo/Ford Econovan. The successor of the Vanette van is the Nissan NV200 Vanette.

References

[edit] Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nissan Vanette.

1. ^ a b "Nissan C22 Vanette: C22 Chassis Cab". Nissan Malaysia. Archived from the original on 2009-03-02.
2. ^ a b c "Nissan NV200 Vanette Panel Van". Motor Trader: Car News. Malaysia: PROTO Malaysia Sdn Bhd. 2012-02-19.
3. ^ "Nissan Sunny Cab Van image". Datsun 1200. XOOPS Project. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
4. ^ Car Archives Vol. 11, '80s Japanese Cars (in Japanese). Tokyo: Nigensha. 2007. p. 139. ISBN 978-4-544-91018-6. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
5. ^ a b c d e f g h Nissan Cherry Vanette 1400/1200 (catalog) (in Japanese), Nissan Motor Co, pp. 21–22, 9071H
6. ^ a b c d Car Archives Vol. 11, '80s Japanese Cars (in Japanese). Tokyo: Nigensha. 2007. p. 139. ISBN 978-4-544-91018-6. {{cite book}}: |work= ignored (help)
7. ^ Nissan Sunny Vanette (catalog) (in Japanese), Nissan Motor Co, p. 19, 8101D
8. ^ Walker, Alan (September 1982). Kennett, Pat (ed.). "The great European retreat". TRUCK. London, UK: FF Publishing Ltd: 36.
9. ^ 1987 Nissan Nomad Van Accessories Brochure Australia, www.ebay.ie, as archived at web.archive.org
10. ^ a b c "Chicago Clearing lawsuit settlement". Archived from the original on 2007-09-29. Retrieved 2009-05-06.
11. ^ For MY 1987 recalls, see: Internet Autoguide 1987 Nissan Van Recalls Archived 2013-01-26 at archive.todayFor MY 1988 recalls, see: Internet Autoguide 1988 Nissan Van Recalls Archived 2013-01-26 at archive.todayFor MY 1990 recalls, see: Internet Autoguide 1990 Nissan Van Recalls Archived 2012-09-05 at archive.today
12. ^ a b Internet Autoguide 1987 Nissan Van Recalls Archived 2013-01-26 at archive.today
13. ^ "For $1,200, get fired up over this Nissan Van". Jalopnik.com. 2011-04-14.
14. ^ "New Nissan van in 2012?". Motor Trader: Car News. Malaysia: PROTO Malaysia Sdn Bhd. 2011-11-25.

v t e Nissan Motor Company
Marques	Current Infiniti Nissan Venucia1 Defunct/Integrated Prince Kurogane Aichi Shatai Ohta Jidosha Datsun Sold Nissan Diesel
Divisions and subsidiaries	Infiniti Nissan Ireland Nissan Korea Nissan Manufacturing Rus (sold off) Nissan Motor Australia Nissan Motor Ibérica Nissan Motor India Nissan Motor Indonesia Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK Nissan Motorsports & Customizing Autech Nismo Nissan New Zealand Nissan North America Nissan Philippines Nissan South Africa
Joint ventures	Alfa Romeo Nissan Autoveicoli S.p.A. COMPAS (50%) Dongfeng Nissan (50%) Ghandhara Nissan NMKV (50%) Renault Nissan Automotive India Renault–Nissan–Mitsubishi Alliance RN Bank (30%, sold off) Zhengzhou-Nissan (50%)
Shareholdings	Jatco (75%) Mitsubishi Motors (34%) Renault (15%)
Current Nissan vehicles	Cars Almera/V-Drive/Versa/Sunny Altima GT-R Leaf March N7 Sentra/Sylphy Skyline Tiida Z SUVs/crossovers Ariya Juke Kicks Magnite Murano Pathfinder Patrol/Armada Patrol (Y61) Qashqai Terra/X-Terra X-Trail/Rogue Vans/minivans AD Caravan/Urvan Elgrand Interstar Livina Note NV200 Primastar Serena Townstar Kei vehicles Dayz NT100 Clipper NV100 Clipper Roox Sakura Pickup trucks Frontier Navara/Frontier/NP300 Patrol Pickup Commercial trucks Atlas
Discontinued vehicles	100NX 180SX 200SX 210 240SX 240Z 280ZX 300C 300ZX 310 350Z 370Z 510 810 1200 Almera Tino Altra Aprio Atleon Auster Avenir Bassara Be-1 Bluebird Caball Cablight Cedric Cefiro Cherry Cima Civilian Crew Cross Cube DC-3 Dualis Echo Expert Evalia Fairlady Figaro Fuga Gazelle Gloria Go/Go+ Grand Livina/Livina Geniss Hardbody truck Homy Hypermini Junior Kicks (India) Kix Kubistar Lafesta Lannia Largo Latio Laurel Leopard Liberty Maxima mi-Do Micra Mistral Moco Multi Murano CrossCabriolet NP200 NT400 Cabstar NT500 NV1500 NV250 NV2500 HD NV300 NV350 NV3500 HD NV400 NX on-Do Paladin Pao Pino Pintara Pixo Platina Prairie Presage Presea Primera Prince Royal President Pulsar EXA GTI-R Quest R390 GT1 R'nessa Rasheen redi-Go Roadster-Road Star Rogue Sport S-Cargo Saurus Saurus Jr Silvia Skyline Crossover Skyline GT-R Stagea Stanza Teana Terrano Terrano II Terrano (India) Tiida Titan Trade Truck Vanette Versa Note Violet Wingroad Xterra
Concept vehicles	126X 216X 240Z Concept 270X 300 Bambu 300 Seta 300XM 315-a AA-X Actic AD-1 AD-2 AL-X Alpha T Amenio AP-X AQ-X ARC-X Ariya AXY AZEAL Bevel BladeGlider Boga C-Note Chapeau Chappo Cocoon Compact Sport CONCEPT 2020 Vision Gran Turismo CQ-X Crossbow CUE-X Cypact Denki Cube Datsun redi-Go Datsun GO-Cross Datsun GO Live Duad Dunehawk Effis Ellure Esflow ESV EV Guide II EV Truck Evalia Extrem FEV FEV-II Foria Forum Friend-ME Fusion Gobi GR-1 GR-2 Gripz GT-R50 Hi-Cross ideo IDS IDx IMk IMx IMq IMs Intima Invitation Jikoo Judo Jura Kicks Kino KYXX Land Glider Lannia LEAF LUC-2 Magnite MID4 Mixim mm.e Moco Nails NCS NEO-X New Mobility Concept NRV-II Nuvu NV2500 NX-018 NX-21 Pivo Pivo 2 Pivo 3 Qazana Resonance Round Box Saurus Serenity Sport Concept Sport Sedan Stylish VI SUT Sway TeRRA Terranaut Tone Townpod Trailrunner TRI-X URGE UV-X Vmotion 2.0 Xmotion XIX XVL Yanya Z Concept Zaroot
Engines	Straight-3 HR UD Straight-4 A BD C CA CD CG CR D E FD FJ G (Prince) G (Nissan) GA GB H HR J KA KR L LD MA MR NA NR PR QD QG QR SD SR UD YD Z ZD Straight-6 H L LD P RB RD S20 SD TB UD V V6 VE VG VQ VR V8 UD VEJ30 VH VK VRH W64 Y V12 GRX-3 UD VRT35
Places	Nissan Engine Museum Nissan Proving Grounds Nissan Stadium (Nashville) Nissan Stadium (Yokohama)
Other	ATTESA CarWings dCi HICAS NAPS Nissan Motors v. Nissan Computer VVEL VVL Yokohama F. Marinos
1A brand of Dongfeng Motor Co., Ltd. Category

v t e Nissan light truck timeline, North American (excluding Mexico) market, 1980s–present

Type 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s Model year 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 Mini MPV Cube Compact minivan Stanza Wagon/Multi Axxess Axxess Subcompact crossover SUV Juke Kicks Kicks Compact crossover SUV Rogue Rogue Select Rogue Sport / Qashqai X-Trail Rogue Rogue Ariya Mid-size crossover SUV Murano Murano Murano Murano Pathfinder Pathfinder Compact SUV Pathfinder Xterra Xterra Mid-size SUV Pathfinder Pathfinder Full-size SUV Armada Armada Armada Minivan Van Quest Quest Quest Quest Van NV200 NV Pick-up Datsun truck Hardbody Frontier Frontier Frontier Titan Titan Note      Vehicle exclusively sold in Canada