Nissan Sentra History

Nissan Sentra Manufacturer: Nissan Production: 1982 - present Class: Compact Layout: FF Wheelbase: 99.8 in (2000-present) Body Styles: 2-door coupe 3-door hatchback 4-door sedan 5-door hatchback Competitors: Mazda Mazda3 Toyota Corolla Honda Civic Chevrolet Cobalt Engines: 1.8 L I4, 2.5 L I4 (2000-present)

Nissan Sentra

The Nissan Sentra is a compact car made by automaker Nissan, and is generally a rebadged export version of the Japanese Nissan Sunny. The name "Sentra" is not used in Japan, where it is currently known as Bluebird Sylphy. In some Asian countries, it denotes a version of the Nissan Pulsar.

In the U.S. the Nissan Sentra serves as Nissan's compact model and directly competes with other compact models such as the Corolla. The Sentra is generally considered to be the biggest and also the most expensive compact car when compared to the competition from Japan and the U.S. In the U.S. prices range from $13,100 for a base model to $21,305 for a loaded top-of-the-line Sentra.

History

The Nissan Sentra was introduced for the 1982 model year as the US export name for the Sunny. Many other countries in the Americas, including Mexico and Brazil, sell their versions of the Sunny as the Sentra.

The current American-market Nissan Sentra comes with either a 1.8 L four-cylinder QG18DE engine producing 126 horsepower (94 kW), or the same 175 horsepower (123 kW) 2.5 L four-cylinder QR25DE engine used in the Nissan Altima 2.5S. Brazilian Sentras only have the smaller 1.8 L unit.

B13 (1991-1994)

The 1991 - 1994 generation was the first to offer Nissan's famous and then-new SR20DE engine in the SE-R model. Setting subcompact speed records of the time, the SE-R could accelerate to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, came with 4-wheel disc brakes, and had a MacPherson strut independent suspension. The B13 SE-R has developed a cult following over the years and is still a car of choice among tuners.

B14 (1995-1999)

The Sentra took several backward steps for 1995, such as cheaper interior materials and the permanent loss of an independent rear suspension. The two-door Sentra was renamed as the 200SX and took the sporty SE-R model with it, though the sedan got all the performance parts back in 1998 with the Sentra SE.

B15 (2000-2006)

The Sentra finally crossed over into the "compact" class for 2000. Production shifted from Smyrna, Tennessee to Aguascalientes, Mexico, and the Smyrna production line was retooled to build the Nissan Xterra. The 1.6 L engine was dropped in favor of a 1.8 L (126 hp) QG18DE. Several upgrades were added compared to the last Sentra. The new model featured a new interior with higher quality plastics and more comfortable seats. The exterior was also substanically updated and now featured body-side moldings and clear headlights. In 2002, the SE became the SE-R (165 hp) again and traded its SR20DE engine for the Altima's torquier but lower-revving QR25DE. The SE-R also came with a 6-speed manual transmission, which was called the SE-R Spec-V (175 hp). 2004 saw a facelift for all Sentras. Nissan also started cost-cutting and took the front stabilizer bar out of 1.8 L models.

B16 (2007- )

Nissan introduced the next-generation 2007 Sentra at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in January. It is larger in every dimension than the B15 model, as the Nissan Versa takes the subcompact role once filled by the Sentra.

The Sentra features a 2.0 L Nissan MR engine, the first North American vehicle to use this new engine family. A continuously variable transmission or 5-speed manual transmission will be offered. It rides on the new shared Nissan/Renault Global C platform.

Rebadged Pulsars and Sentras

The Sentra name was adopted several other countries, such as New Zealand, where it was used for the Nissan Pulsar range from 1986 (though, interestingly, the station wagon was known as the Nissan Sunny California). The Sentra name continued to be used in New Zealand for the Pulsar until 2002, just as Almera was used in Europe. After 2002, the Japanese name was adopted.

In the Republic of China, Yulon has built its licensed version of the Sunny as the Sentra since 1990. The current Taiwan-market Sentra reflects the styling of the Japanese-market Bluebird Sylphy (the same as the Almera/Pulsar sedan but with a luxurious emphasis).

Today, the Philippines also uses the Sentra name for its version of the Pulsar.

In Mexico and other parts of Central America, the 1991-94 Nissan Sentra is still in production. Called the Nissan Tsuru, it is the same basic car only with minor cosmetic and mechanical upgrades.

Awards

The Sentra SE-R was on Car and Driver magazine's Ten Best list for 1991 through 1994.