Nissan Caravan

Not to be confused with Dodge Caravan.

Nissan Caravan

Manufacturer	Nissan
Also called	Nissan Urvan Nissan King Van Isuzu Como
Production	1973-present
Assembly	Kanagawa, Japan Makati City, Philippines Shatai, Kyūshū, Japan
Layout	FR layout
Related	Nissan Homy

The Nissan Caravan is a van designed by Nissan for use as a fleet vehicle or cargo van. Outside Japan the car was sold as either Nissan Urvan, King Van, or Homy. Several configurations of this van are available, including the GX (flat roof) and DX (high roof) models, and several models with multiple engine configurations including the KA24DE, the KA20DE I4, a 2.7 liter TD27 I4 diesel, and a 3 liter diesel, the ZD30DD inline four, as well as the ZD30DDTi I4. The E25 chassis is also used in connection with the Isuzu Como with same engines offered by Nissan.

E20 (1973 - 1980)

First generation (E20)

Also called	Datsun Urvan
Production	1973-1980
Body style	3-door van 4-door van
Engine	1.6 L I4 1.8 L I4 2.0 L I4

E20 / E21 / E22

The Caravan/Urvan is a van and minibus manufactured from February 1973 by Nissan with 3, 5, 7, and up to 10 seats. It was especially popular in Europe, and was again very popular in Fire Departments and as ambulances in certain countries. It had a somewhat difficult handling, as it was heavy to steer, and was not available with power steering. Also, the gear shifter was located at the floor and went all the way up to the height of the hand, and had a slight curve. The gear shifter was nearly 80 centimetres long, so it was somewhat clumsy to shift, but it came with five gears, unusual in Europe at that time. It was delivered with a 1.6 litre (1,596 cc) engine, a 1.8 litre (1,798 cc) engine, and a 2.0 litre (1,998 cc) engine. It was produced until replaced by the E23 Caravan in late summer 1980.

E20 Nissan Caravan

In export markets the first and second generations were called Datsun Urvan, until the Nissan brand replaced it worldwide in 1983-1984.This generation is becoming rare and suffers from rust problems.

E23 (1980 - 1986)

Second generation (E23)

Also called	Datsun Caravan/Urvan (until 1983) Nissan Urvan Yue Loong Homer 747 (ROC)
Production	1980.08-1986
Body style	4-door van 5-door van/coach
Engine	1.6 L J16 OHV I4 1.8 L Z18S I4 2.0 L H20 OHV I4 2.0 L Z20S I4 2.0 L LD20T turbodiesel I4 2.2 L SD22 diesel I4 2.3 L SD23 diesel I4
Related	Nissan Atlas Nissan Cabstar Nissan Homy

The second generation Nissan Urvan/Caravan (E23) was introduced in August 1980.^[1] As before, the Homy, sold through Prince dealerships, was its sister model, set apart by a different grille. The Cabstar and Homer shared much of the bodywork, with the main differences being the frontal treatment and a small sidewindow mounted in the front doors of the Caravan/Homy. Engines were all carryover four-cylinders, ranging from the J16 and H20 pushrod items, via the overhead cam Z20S, and an upgraded SD22 diesel. The van versions were now designed to allow access to the loading area from the passenger compartment. Radial tires were optional. The diesel also benefitted from a new five-speed manual gearbox, while the new luxury GL version offered an optional "Nissanmatic" automatic transmission as well as power steering, comfortable rotating rear seats and air conditioning. In July 1981, a luxurious SGL "Silk Road" version was added.

At the 1981 Tokyo Motor Show, two concept Caravans designed to provide limousine-like accommodation for businessmen were shown, the Royal and Elgrand Royal Line. The Elgrand name was to be adopted for a series of luxurious minivans, beginning in 1997. In May 1982 the Caravan underwent a minor facelift, losing the ventilation window in the front doors, receiving a new dashboard and a new five-bearing SD23 diesel engine replacing the previous SD22.^[1] Radial tires became standard for all but the cheapest versions. For more power, coach versions also became available with the turbocharged LD20T diesel. The luxurious "Silk Road" version, with seven captain seats, was only available with the LD20T. This engine passed the 1982 emissions standards for diesel cars. To meet the 1981 emissions standards for petrol cars, coach versions replaced the H20 engine with the new carburetted Z18S and 105 PS (77 kW) Z20S.

In April 1983 there was another light facelift, with SGL and GL versions receiving a new look with four square headlights.^[1] An LWB DX ten-seater version was also added. In January 1985 six and nine-passenger van versions were added. Diesel versions received improved pre-heating systems and safety equipment was improved. Manual petrol versions were now all five-speed manuals. An eight-seater "SGL Silk Road Limited" also joined the lineup in May. In September 1986 the E23 was replaced by the third generation E24.^[1] This generation like the generation before suffers from rust problems.

E24 (1986 - 2001)

Third generation (E24)

Also called	Nissan Urvan Nissan Urvan Escapade Nissan Urvan Shuttle Nissan Caravan Homy
Production	1986-2001
Assembly	Thika, Kenya
Body style	3-door van 4-door van
Engine	2.3L TD23 diesel I4 2.7L TD27 diesel I4 2.7L TD27T1 turbodiesel I4 3.2L QD32 diesel I4

The E24 version was built from 1986 until 2001 and underwent two major facelifts. In some Scandinavian markets, the E24 series was marketed as the "King Van", to tie it in with the popular "King Cab" version of Nissan's D21 pickup truck. The large QD32 four-cylinder diesel was added in 1996 and produced 100 PS (74 kW) from 3,153 cc.

In Kenya, the Nissan E24 is still manufactured by the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers in Thika.^[2]

• 

  E24 Caravan (middle version)

• 

  E24 Caravan Wagon (late version)

E25

Fourth generation (E25)

Also called	Nissan Urvan Nissan Urvan Estate Isuzu COMO
Production	2001-present
Assembly	Kanagawa, Japan Zhongji Company, Luanda, Angola[3]
Successor	Nissan NV (Mexico)
Body style	3-door van 4-door van
Engine	3.0L Diesel I4 2.0L I4 2.5L I4 2.4L I4
Transmission	5-speed manual
Wheelbase	2,715 mm (106.9 in)
Length	Pre-Facelift: 4,990 mm (196.5 in) Facelift: 4,995 mm (196.7 in)
Width	1,690 mm (66.5 in) & 1,990 mm (78.3 in)
Height	1,990 mm (78.3 in) & 2,285 mm (90.0 in)

Produced from April 2001 to present. For Mexico, the only North American country for full-size Nissan vans, 2010 will be the last year for this generation, as the American-built Nissan NV replaces it.^[4] It is unknown if the Mexican version will continue the Urvan name or use the NV name as in the United States and Canada. The Urvan received a one-star rating on the Australian ANCAP crash test.^[5]

• 

  E25 Isuzu COMO
  

• 

  Nissan Urvan E25 (Mexico)

• 

  Fourth generation E25 Caravan GX.( Later )

Top Speed for the turbodiesel is about 160 km/h (Nissan), to as much as 190 km/h.

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} (in Japanese) Car Graphic: Car Archives Vol. 11, '80s Japanese Cars. Tokyo: Nigensha. 2007. p. 141. ISBN 978-4-544-91018-6. 
2. ^ http://www.kvm.co.ke/
3. ^ http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhengzhou_Nissan_Automobile_Company German Wikipedia article about the Zhengzhou Nissan Automobile Co., Ltd.
4. ^ 2011 Nissan NV1500 / NV2500 HD / NV3500 HD – Car News -- Car & Driver Retrieved March 10, 2010
5. ^ http://www.ancap.com.au/crashTestResults.aspx?Search=1

• Nissan Global News Site

External links

• Safety Recalls - Japanese Imports