NISSAN'S British-built new Primera which goes on sale in March is one to look forward to ... even when reversing. Production starts next month at the award-winning Sunderland plant, with saloon and estate versions the first to leave the production line, followed a few months later by five-door hatchbacks.

This latest high-tech Primera remains pretty faithful to the shape of the Primera concept which went on show last year. Designers describe the exterior as "a monoform silhouette" integrating the bonnet, cabin and boot in a single, flowing bodyline centred around the cabin, so moving away from the conventional three-box styling.

Viewed from the front, the Primera looks dynamic with its flying wing grille, while from the back the distinctive rear-end with large light clusters adds to the dynamic stance.

But it will be from inside the cabin that lasting impressions will be made. It is great.

Nissan designers have created a dashboard like no other. It is dominated by the central concentration of switches and screen, and the similarly located dialling pad from which all the high-flying electronics of the car are piloted. And at an angle to the driver's vision are the important fuel, temperature and rev dials.

So from the driver's seat, and looking straight ahead, there are no instruments other than those attached to the steering wheel, such as indicator and lighting stalks. Nissan feels that for the driver, this design is a positive safety move that involves less re-focusing between the road and the instruments and screen. From the driving seat of the Primera, his field of vision between the road and the controls falls within 25-degrees, as opposed to the 35-degree field of conventional stack designs. The keyboard of the car's command system also falls into this field of vision.

In a nutshell, to check the fuel or speed the driver does not have to take eyes off the road ahead any longer than if glancing into the rear-view mirror or either door mirrors.

As more and more car makers pile on the extras to attract customers, Nissan's designers have certainly not shown any reluctance to join the growing band.

Depending on the particular model chosen out of the three that will be available here, the Primera will be available with front, side and curtain airbags, heated and electric door mirrors, CD player, climate control air conditioning, mobile 'phone integration, black and white or colour information or satellite navigation screens and even a rear view camera as an aid to reversing.

The rear-view camera is fitted into the boot lid and when reverse gear is selected there is an immediate view on the driver's information screen of what lies behind. It is possible therefore to reverse without turning to look over the shoulder. It may seem an unnecessary gimmick, but it does work. Its efficiency was put to the test at the car's unveiling to the European motoring press this week.

However, if the Nissan technicians could add an audible signal to the system, it would help reassure the driver that the obstruction, whether person, pillar or parked car, was not about to be hit. The positioning of the camera also raises the question whether it can be masked by dirt thrown up from the road.

The advanced in-car technology that Nissan has adopted also means that there are fewer switches because most of them are multi-functional depending on the information the driver requires.

The screen is also used to tell the driver when something is wrong or as an alert to potential road dangers. For example during the test drive in the hills behind Barcelona, Spain, the screen suddenly burst rather dramatically into life with a cold weather warning, that there was a danger of slippery roads ahead. Just as important the screen warns when a door has not been properly closed, not with just a warning light, but with a clear illustration.

The console is divided into three segments according to function groups: audio, navigation and climate control. There are just six buttons, which are graphically reproduced on the screen and change function according to the menu selected. Two large circular switches operate the most frequently adjusted functions, such as in-car entertainment and climate control.

Another useful tool, is the integrated mobile phone connection. Nissan is one of the first manufacturers to take the step of offering a mobile phone solution that also works with the car's electronics.

It is a simple plug-in and go technique. No special phone is needed just the one you have always carried. You just plug the 'phone into a special cradle and its window is replicated on the console display screen. When the phone rings there is no need to reach for it. Just press the 'phone button on the console and speak. Although the system has been devised with the help of Nokia, cradles to fit other manufacturer's 'phones can be fitted.

The navigation system used by Nissan for the Primera is a DVD upgraded version of its already acclaimed Birdview system. As well as having all available European road networks contained on one disc, DVD can both access and process data more quickly than CD-based systems, and can provide information about 388,000 different points of interest, as well as directions to fuel stations, hotels, restaurants, hospitals and airports.

But for the cars that seem to have everything, there are some optional extras available. For example an electric sunroof for £500, cruise control which also maintains a regular distance from the car immediately in front for £1,650, or a four speed-automatic which adds £950 to the price.

The driving experience was pretty mixed. The 1.8-litre was a disappointment with its rather noisy engine and lack of gutsy get up and go, while the 2.2-litre diesel was an absolute gem and a great performer with its new six-speed gearbox.

Moving on, the 2.0-litre with its automatic and clutchless gear system proved an excellent drive, comfortable at all times, helped by the new suspension, and newly designed and adjustable seating layout.

The first models to go on sale here will be the saloon and estate models, followed three months later by the hatchback and a 2.0-litre six-speed manual car. There will be three specification levels, S, SE and SVE, for all models and a choice of three engines, either the petrol-powered 1.8-litre producing 116PS or 2.0-litre 140PS and a diesel, the 2.2-litre 126PS. The engines are matched to either manual five-speed or six-speed gearboxes or to Hypertronic CVT-M6 (clutchless) transmission.

Prices, still to be fixed, are likely to hover around £14,700 for the 1.8-litre S in four and five door form, £15,700 for the 1.8 SE and £17,600 for the 2.0-litre SVE also in four or five door form. The estate version of these models is likely to cost around £1,000 more.

The 2.0-litre diesel, with six-speed transmission and leather trim is going to cost around £19,800 while the 2.0-litre estate fitted with the cruise control and automatic and clutchless transmission is heading towards £23,200.

There is a 1.6-litre version being produced but not for the UK market. Similar -sized models have not been best sellers here.

Nissan anticipates sales reaching 24,000 in 2003, its first full year of sales, compared with the 15,225 that the present model achieved in 2000.