Specifications
STORY
Nissan sold the R'nessa on its packaging. The tall wagon went on sale in Japan on October 22, 1997 under the slogan Package Renaissance, the name coined from the Renaissance, its R also carrying Run, Relax and Recreation, and filed as an M.A.V, a multi amenity vehicle. On every model but the B the front seats swivelled to face the back, the rear bench slid up to 570 mm, and the cabin ran as one flat-floored compartment to the luggage bay. Six versions were offered, all with a four-speed automatic on the column: a 140 PS SR20DE in front-wheel drive, and a KA24DE or an SR20DET in four-wheel drive. An electric version was announced on February 24, 1998 for leasing from that May, with lithium-ion cells developed with Sony, a 62 kW motor and 230 km on Japan's 10-15 cycle by Nissan's own measurement. North America knew it as the Altra EV. A facelift followed on January 11, 2000.