Nissan Tsuru

The Nissan Sentra Classic, Nissan Tsuru (Sentra), Nissan Sentra (K) Sunny B13 or Nissan Tsuru V16 is a low-cost A-segment sedan automobile marketed in North and South America, characterized by its track record of great commercial success. worldwide and in locations that have roads in mountain areas. The Nissan Sunny B13 was produced in Japan between 1990 and 1994. The manufacturing of this car was carried out at the Nissan Mexicana plant at the CIVAC plant in Cuernavaca, Mexico. It is considered an unsafe car1​ by the New Vehicle Evaluation Program for Latin America and the Caribbean,2​ due to its lack of elements to protect its occupants in the event of a road accident, which has involved the 2007 model. 2012 in 4,000 deaths in Mexico.2​ Nissan officially announced that it will stop manufacturing this model in 2017 due to vehicle safety regulations that will come into effect in 2019.3

## Configuration

### HorsePower

67 HP

The Nissan Tsuru was introduced to Mexico in April 1984 to replace the Datsun Violet (160J and 180J), and in response to the growing demand for models such as the Volkswagen Caribe and Atlantic among young people from the middle and upper classes who were looking for quality cars. modern concept. The Nissan Stanza that had replaced the Datsun 160J, were larger and more expensive than what Nissan required to remain current in the Mexican market, therefore, the Nissan Sunny, which was below in its marketing position, was the chosen option. The initial offer was made up of 2 and 4-door sedans, a 5-door wagon and a 3-door fastback coupe called Tsuru Samurai. The initial engine was a 1.5 L 4-cylinder engine associated with 4 and 5-speed manual transmissions (the latter reserved for the Tsuru Samurai) and a 3-speed automatic. The success of the Tsuru was immediate due to its robustness and exceptionally low fuel consumption (for the time). A very striking luxury version was also presented due to: its alloy wheels, velor upholstery, sound system with tape player and tinted windows. In 1985, the front grille and rear lights on the Tsuru were changed to larger ones on the sedans.

In 1986, the Tsuru received a new 1.6 L engine with which power increased, without greatly affecting fuel consumption. Likewise, the defenses changed in favor of ones with a more enveloping design. In 1987, the Nissan Ninja Turbo was introduced on the Tsuru Samurai with a 1.6 L turbocharged engine, although unlike the turbo engines that Chrysler Mexico had introduced in 1984, this new Nissan engine had a carburetor. The Ninja Turbo was distinguished aesthetically by its black side stripes and gold wheel caps.

## Configuration

### HorsePower

105 HP

The Nissan Tsuru II is introduced during the last quarter of 1987, using a larger, more spacious and angular design. Regarding the mechanical section, it remains practically the same as the previous generation.

One of the innovations of this generation is the inclusion of hydraulic steering in the equipped versions. The luxury version includes hydraulic steering (4-spoke steering wheel), electric mirrors, air conditioning, electric windows, agency spoiler, leather-touch door lining with magazine rack, and in special cases a sunroof, in addition to some additions. indoor. The 2-door, 4-door sedan and wagon bodies are maintained. The Tsuru Samurai, on the other hand, was discontinued, however, in 1988 the new Nissan Sunny Coupé was introduced, called the Nissan Hikari Coupé, which used the engine of the previous Ninja Turbo, over time and in 1991 and 1992 it was It incorporated an electronic injection system, which gave rise to its name "Hikari EGI". In the Japanese domestic market there was a version with a diesel engine, since some examples were brought to the city of Iquique in northern Chile, a city where to this day changes are made to the position of the steering wheel and the panel, including some improvements in several components.

The Tsuru II was in production until 1991, reinforcing the image of robustness characteristic of this model.

During 1988, a version of the Tsuru II was also available with a turbo engine associated with a carburetor, inherited from the Nissan Ninja Turbo, of which very few units were produced. This version had a double platinum distributor and condenser.

## Configuration

### HorsePower

105 HP

In the last quarter of 1991, the current generation of the Tsuru appeared as a 1992 model. Its engine is powered by a 4-cylinder. 1.4L 88 hp carburetor fed. This generation was the second to offer in its Luxury models, equipment such as window lifters and electric door locks, being a success for the time, and which until then, only higher segment cars were offered in the country. The 2- and 4-door sedan bodies are preserved, however, the Hikari Coupé and the Tsuru wagon are eliminated from the offer.

One of the improvements of this new generation of the Tsuru is the inclusion of a new 4-speed automatic gearbox. In its first stage, from 1992 to 1995, the Tsuru was preserved as a car that competed with models such as the Volkswagen Golf, with austere versions (the "Nissan Tsuru GS"), with medium equipment ("Nissan Tsuru GST" called typical in Mexico ), and the Luxury versions (the "Nissan Tsuru GSX").

In 1993 Nissan Tsubame appeared, a vehicle with a family body with a different appearance from the Tsuru (although they are identical in the mechanical section) that in other markets received the names of Nissan Sunny California or Nissan AD Wagon, likewise, the 1.6L engine for the entire Tsuru line receives an electronic injection system, which increases its power to 93 hp. Likewise, to compensate for some strikes at the Nissan Mexicana plants, some examples are imported into the country for a short period from the United States, called Sentra, characterized by higher quality finishes and equipment such as seat belts regulated by the US government. . For the 1994 model year, the Tsuru receives a slight redesign that affects the headlights, grille and taillights. The 1.6L engine now has 16 valves with opening time control (ECCS/NVCS), so the power increases to 115 hp, likewise, in response to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the "Nissan Tsuru 2000 GSR" was introduced, which equipped the SR20DE, a 1998cc DOHC engine that produced 140hp@6400rpm, in a 2-door coupe body, becoming a reference in its segment during the time of its marketing.

In 1995, and due to the error of December 1994, and to compensate for the considerable drop in sales, the Tsuru range was rearranged, gradually disappearing all previous variants, leaving only two new variants with basic equipment: "Nissan Tsuru GSI" , and "Nissan Tsuru GSII", which are the variants marketed to this day. To replace the previous more equipped versions, Nissan launches the Sunny B14 under the name Nissan Sentra, as a car in a segment higher than the Tsuru, in a 4-door sedan, and a 2-door coupe that retains its Japanese name: Nissan Lucino .

Initially the level of equipment of these new versions of the Tsuru was reduced to a minimum, elements such as the stabilizer bars, side protection bars on the doors, the anti-noise coating, the vanity mirror on the right visor, the center console were eliminated. , the armrest with magazine rack, the seats with adjustable headrests, the magazine racks in the front doors, among others. The Tsuru GSII incorporated interior door linings, hydraulic steering, and wider tires. To reduce costs, a new GA16DNE engine was introduced and the engine valve opening time control (ECCS/NVCS) was removed, reducing power to 105hp@5500rpm. Over the years, the Tsuru has recovered some of its original equipment such as a sound system, body-color bumpers, air conditioning, automatic transmission, among others. Likewise, the Tsuru has received two redesigns over time.

In 2001, Nissan Mexicana reached the figure of one million Nissan Tsuru sold in history.

In February 2009, Nissan Mexicana announced the sale of the 1.5 millionth Tsuru unit in Mexico.

For 2010, the Nissan Tsuru range is made up of the following versions: "Tsuru GSI", austere version that now receives the complete wheel caps previously reserved for the "Tsuru GSII", an AM/FM/CD Radio, defroster rear glass, alarm system, and as optional equipment: air conditioning, hydraulic steering and 4-speed automatic gearbox.

In 2011, the automatic transmission is no longer offered, while the transmission receives a new clutch from Renault, which replaces the previous mechanical one, as well as slight adjustments to the transmission gears for better fuel economy. Since then sales of this model have been declining, due to the introduction of the new Nissan Versa, which gave rise to speculation about its possible discontinuation, however, Nissan announced that its production will continue as long as market demand Mexican market continues to require it, offering itself alongside the Tiida as entry models for the brand in the Mexican market.