NISSAN NISSSAN PRESS RELEASE
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December 22, 1998

Nissan Releases All-New Tino
--A Nimble, Comfortable, Tall Wagon--

Tokyo ‐ Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. today announced the domestic release of the all-new Tino, developed around the concept of "a nimble, comfortable, tall wagon."

      
        Tino 2.0X (fitted with an optional feature)

The Tino features all-around superior performance highlighted by its distinctive wide, short and tall "Tino proportions" that embody an array of new functions in a roomy interior. Its height and width have been utilized to good advantage in the short body to create a spacious, comfortable interior that accommodates six passengers in two rows of seats. The rear seating system consists of three separate multi-use seats that can be installed or removed individually to create versatile seating arrangements matching a variety of intended purposes.

Two outstanding engines are offered‐the 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder SR20DE gasoline engine and the 1.8-liter in-line four-cylinder NEO QG18DE lean-burn gasoline engine. Models fitted with the SR20DE engine adopt the HYPER CVT continuously variable transmission that delivers smooth, powerful driving performance and improved fuel economy. Besides achieving superb handling and stability and remarkable quietness, the highly rigid body and chassis combine to support spirited, agile driving performance with nimble maneuverability, another distinct characteristic of the Tino.

Moreover, the Tino also achieves high-level safety performance. Excellent crashworthiness is secured by the use of the new-generation platform that has been highly acclaimed on the new Sunny released in October and Nissan’s high-strength Zone Body construction. Additionally, all Tino models come with a pedestrian-friendly front bumper that helps mitigate lower leg and knee injuries in the event of an impact. Other standard equipment features on all models include the ABS + Braking Assist + EBD (Electronic Braking Force Distribution) package and an Active Head Restraint for the driver and front passenger.

On the environmental front, the adoption of the HYPER CVT substantially improves fuel economy, as does the NEO QG18DE lean-burn engine. Further, all 2.0-liter models have a low-emission vehicle (LEV) specification that reduces emission levels to approximately one-tenth of the average values currently required under Japan's exhaust emission standards.

The name Tino is a Spanish word meaning reason or correct judgment. It signifies that the Tino is a wise choice as a car to which all family members will be fondly attached and will have a definite feeling of enjoying a new lifestyle.

Overview of New Tino
1. Unique styling endowed with freshness and dynamism
The front view is characterized by a dynamic design with a three-dimensional look, created by the wing-shaped grille and the unique, cubically curved lamp clusters with the turn signals positioned below the four headlamps.

Seen from the side, the Tino has a monoform silhouette with the cowl projected forward. A sense of sporty dynamism is conveyed by the spindle-shaped side windows rendered in a sharp wedge form and the three-dimensional plastic sills which appear unified with the body.

The rear view projects a feeling of stability, owing to the wide vehicle width and the flowing swell of the blister fenders. The rear combination lamps have been executed in a design that follows the back door window, giving the car a unique atmosphere and also making it highly visible from the rear.

On the inside, the instrument panel extends gracefully towards the sides to convey a feeling of openness and peace of mind. Evoking a fresh sensation, the horizontally oriented center cluster embodies the concept of a universal design with the audio controls and other switches conveniently positioned for easy operation. Moreover, the white-faced instrumentation incorporates newly developed surface illumination to create a three-dimensional appearance for enhanced legibility at night and in dim light.

The seats are executed in a totally new design that conveys an impression of overall unity.

The Tino lineup also includes the sporty “Aero Sports” grade that is being handled by Autech Japan, Inc. In addition to adopting large aero-type bumpers, this model grade comes with dedicated aero parts, 16” aluminum wheels and exclusive interior trim colors, among features that give it a distinct European taste.

2. Open, highly versatile interior
Thanks to its overall width of 1,760 mm and overall height of 1,610 mm, the Tino achieves interior spaciousness and a large luggage area beyond imagination from its overall length of 4,270 mm which is comparable to that of small-class cars.

With an interior width of 1,500 mm, there is ample space for three persons to sit comfortably in both the first- and second-row seats. The interior height of 1,220 mm also contributes to the expansive roominess of the interior. Convenience and comfort are further enhanced by the lateral walk-through in the front seat area, made possible by the column shift and foot-operated parking brake.

A multi-use bench seat has been adopted as the front seating system, which can accommodate three occupants if the need arises. Three separate multi-use seats that flip and fold, recline and can be removed or installed individually are used as the rear seating system to provide flexible seating arrangements for meeting manifold purposes. With the middle seat TINO, 12/22/1998

removed, the two outboard seats can each be installed one position closer to the center to allow 200 mm of longitudinal travel, providing spacious 650mm knee room exceeding that of the Cima sedan.

With six-passenger seating, the luggage area under the tonneau cover has a VDA storage capacity of 440 liters, ranking on a par with that of midsize sedans. When the second-row seats are flipped forward and folded, the luggage area has a length of 1,335 mm, which can be further extended to 1,665 mm by removing the seats. This makes it possible to create space as needed for a wide variety of items, such as several snowboards or two 26” mountain bikes.

Care has also been taken to ensure effortless ingress and egress. The hip point in the front seat has been positioned at 650 mm from the ground to minimize vertical movement of the hips when entering or exiting the vehicle. Door openings have also been enlarged, and the level difference between the sills and the floor has been reduced. The driving position has been designed on the basis of ergonomic principles to allow a comfortable sitting posture that minimizes fatigue even on long journeys.

Excellent visibility is secured by the high eye point in the front seat, making it easy for the driver to discern the vehicle’s position at all times. The hip point of the rear seats is approximately 50 mm higher than that of the front bench seat, thus providing spacious seating with an expansive feeling and a sweeping view.

3. Comfortable driving performance
Two outstanding powerplant choices are offered in the SR20DE engine, distinguished by its quick, sharp throttle response, and the NEO QG18DE lean-burn engine that blends smooth, comfortable driving performance with excellent fuel economy.

Models fitted with the SR20DE engine adopt the HYPER CVT that achieves smooth, powerful acceleration without any shift shock. Moreover, the HYPER CVT incorporates the E-Flow Torque Converter with a low-speed lockup clutch for improved start-off acceleration and fuel economy, in addition to remarkable driving ease when traveling at very slow speeds, such as when starting off on an uphill incline or putting the vehicle in the garage.

Body rigidity has been increased through effective use of reinforcements to secure excellent driving comfort and superb handling and stability. In addition, optimum placement of sound absorbing and damping materials has achieved a remarkably quiet interior for enjoying lively conversations.

The braking system on all models consists of four-wheel disc brakes for stable stopping performance and an enhanced braking feel.

4. Nimble maneuverability
The wide tread has been utilized effectively to obtain a large turning angle for the front tires, enabling the Tino to turn in a minimum radius of 4.9 meters for agile maneuverability on a par with that of small sedans.

5. High-level safety
With the aim of further enhancing safety performance, Nissan designs and engineers all its vehicles on the basis of the Triple Safety concept comprising three key principles of safety. The first is "information safety" for forewarning the driver of potential danger, the second is "control safety" for assisting the driver in avoiding potential danger, and the third is "impact safety" for helping reduce injury in the event of an accident. In line with this Triple Safety concept, the Tino incorporates an extensive roster of safety technologies to provide high-level safety performance.

Major technologies featured on the Tino
●Information safety features for forewarning the driver
・Complex surface reflector (CSR) halogen headlamps with optimized illumination pattern
・Back-view monitor
・Long-life water repellent coating on front door glass
・Intermittent multi-link windshield wiper
●Control safety features for avoiding potential danger
・Antilock braking system (ABS)
・Braking Assist
・Electronic Braking Force Distribution (EBD)
●Impact safety features for helping reduce injury
・High-strength Zone Body construction
・Active Head Restraint for driver and front passenger
・Occupant-Friendly Upper Interior
・Pedestrian-Friendly Front Bumper
・Dual airbag SRS for driver and front passenger
・Side airbag SRS with head protection capability for driver and front passenger
・Seatbelts with load limiters and pretensioners in driver's seat and front passenger's seat
・Second-row seatbelts with child seat locking mechanism in outboard positions
・Water-resistant power window switch system

6. Enhanced environmental friendliness
The HYPER CVT achieve approximately 20% better fuel economy under Japan’s 10-15 test mode operation than current Nissan models mounted with the same engine and a conventional 4-speed automatic transmission.

All 2.0-liter models are available with a low-emission vehicle specification that provides significantly cleaner exhaust gas by reducing emission levels to around one-tenth of the average regulation values currently required under Japan's 10-15 test mode.

All 1.8-liter models have a lean-burn specification for outstanding fuel economy.

As a result of vigorous steps taken to improve recyclability, the Tino attains a recyclable rate of 90% by weight according to Nissan's own calculation criteria.

Various other measures have also been implemented with the aim of preserving water quality, reducing the use of lead and enhancing overall environmental friendliness.

Price Range and Sales Target
The Tino is priced nationwide in a range from 1,697,000 yen to 2,186,000 yen. Nissan projects a monthly sales volume of 5,000 units.

SPECIFICATION OF THE TINO

Grade 2.0X (HYPER CVT)
Overall Length (mm) 4,270
Overall Width (mm) 1,760
Overall Height (mm) 1,610
Wheelbase (mm) 2,535
Tread Front (mm) 1,535
Rear (mm) 1,510
Ground Clearance (mm) 150
Curb Weight (kg) 1,450
Turning Radius (m) 4.9
Steering Rack & Pinion with power assistance
Suspension Front Struts
Rear Multi- link beam
Brakes Front Ventilated disks
Rear Disks
Tires Front 195/65R15 91S
Rear 195/65R15 91S
Engine
Type SR20DE LEV (Low emission vehicle)
DOHC, In-line 4
Displacement (cc) 1,998
Bore × Stroke (mm) 86.0 × 86.0
Max. Power (PS/rpm) 135/5,600
Max. Torque (kg-m/rpm) 18.2/4,800
Compression Ratio 9.5:1
Induction EGI (ECCS)
Transmission
HYPER CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Gear Ratio
Forward 2.326 〜 0.434
Reverse 1.586
Final 5.473
# # #
Contact : Foreign Media Section 03-5565-2147
(excluding the “Aero Sports”)
“Aero Sports” : Corporate Planning Office, Autech Japan, Inc. 0467-87-8159

Tino Enchante

In conjunction with the release of the Tino, Autech Japan, Inc., a Nissan affiliate, has customized the Tino Enchante lifecare vehicle* which will be released nationwide on February 22, 1999.

*Nissan Group companies use the term "lifecare vehicle" (LV) to refer to vehicles that are designed to assist persons with special mobility needs in various daily life situations.

Overview of Tino Enchante
The Tino Enchante is specially designed for easy ingress/egress by senior citizens, persons with leg disabilities and others who experience difficulty in entering and exiting vehicles. Specifically, the multi-use front bench seat has been changed to separate "slide-out lift seats," each of which can be turned manually 95 degrees toward the outside, slid out and lowered by an electric motor so that the cushion is only 460 mm off the ground. These seats reduce the load placed on the body by a person's posture when entering the vehicle as well as the load on an attendant's lower back.

Price
The Tino Enchante is priced at 2,255,000 yen.

# # #
Contact : Corporate Planning Office, Autech Japan, Inc. 0467-87-8159

Copyright(C) 2004 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd, All rights reserved. NISSAN