Motoring Editor MALCOLM BAYLIS announces the arrival of Nissan's new Primera

The all-new Nissan Primera has arrived in York. The award-winning range of saloons and estates will offer a choice of 40 model variations with prices starting from £14,600.

First up is the 1.8-litre S four-door saloon, priced £14,600, and the five-door when it comes along in July will be priced exactly the same. They will also share the same equipment including electronic climate control, adjustable steering wheel for rake and reach, front electric windows, trip computer, a six-inch monochrome centre display monitor, anti-dust and pollen filter, hands free 'phone capability, sunglasses holder, lumbar adjustment on both front seats, anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electric distribution, split folding back seat with Isofix child-seat mounts, front, side and curtain airbags, remote central locking together with anti-hijack and alarms, CD radio with six speakers and powered and adjustable and heated door mirrors.

The estate costs another £1,000, but if you want the 2.0-litre and six-speed manual gearbox version then add another £500.

There are automatics in the range: the 1.8-litre four-speed option costs another £950, or the model with the mix of manual and automatic transmission adds £1,300 to the price of any 2.0-litre model.

There is no auto option yet for the 126PS 2.2-litre turbodiesel but it comes with a six speed manual gearbox and adds £1,500 to the 1.8-litre's price tag. The only other option is an electric sunroof at £500.

Next in the range is the SE model, offering a choice of 1.8-litre and 2.0-litre petrol engines, manual and automatics, plus the 2.2-litre diesel.

The price rise over the S range is £1,000 but the equipment level includes a rear view camera to help when parking, leather-rimmed steering wheel, electric windows all round, rain sensing windscreen wipers, automatic anti-dazzle rear view mirror and front fog lamps. Estate versions start at £17,100.

Customers who opt for the 2.0-litre SE can also add a technology pack with intelligent cruise control (one that keeps the car a safe distance from a vehicle in front) and electronic stability programme, for another £1,000. The sunroof option is also available.

The Primera SVE models offer the same range of engines and body style options as the S and SE models, but starts at £17,000 for the S four and five-door models, but come with a seven-inch dashboard centre display, DVD satellite navigation system, and uprated audio system and security package.

As with the SE, the SVE gives the customer the chance to add interior designs and additional technology packages, including intelligent cruise control. But there is the SVE-only leather pack which for another £1,200 provides electric sunroof, leather upholstery and electric adjustable heated front seats.

Top-of-the-range T-spec is the most comprehensively equipped model yet still costs under £20,000, in fact £19,500 for a 2.0-litre T-spec saloon or hatchback with six-speed manual gearbox. There is no 1.8-litre or 2.2-litre diesel T-spec offered as yet. Overall its price is £2,000 more than the equivalent SVE.

Updated: 12:18 Friday, February 15, 2002