Nissan Rasheen
The Nissan Rasheen (Japanese: 日産・ラシーン, Hepburn: Nissan Rashīn) is a compact crossover SUV with four-wheel drive capabilities produced from November 1994 to August 2000 by Nissan. A prototype was first shown at the October 1993 Tokyo Motor Show. It was offered with three different inline-four engines: from the original 1.5-liter GA15DE, to a larger 1.8-liter SR18DE, and finally a 2.0-liter SR20DE in the Rasheen Forza. The car has five seats and a rugged, quirky and angularly styled body. It is a very small and short four-wheel drive that is often compared to Eastern European cars in design, particularly the Wartburg 353, but is also reminiscent of Nissan's "Pike" cars (Be-1, Pao, Figaro, and S-Cargo). As for the Be-1 and Figaro, Rasheen production was carried out by contract manufacturer Takada Kogyo. It was exclusive to Nissan Japanese dealership network called Nissan Red Stage.
| Nissan Rasheen | |
|---|---|
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Nissan Takada Kogyo, Yokohama[1] |
| Production | 1994–2000 |
| Assembly | Japan: Yokosuka, Kanagawa (Oppama Plant) |
| Designer | Naoki Sakai |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact crossover SUV |
| Body style | 5-door SUV |
| Layout | Front-engine, four-wheel-drive |
| Related | Nissan Sunny (B14) |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.5 L GA15DE I4 1.8 L SR18DE I4 2.0 L SR20DE I4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed automatic 5 speed manual |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,430 mm (95.7 in) |
| Length | 4,210 mm (165.7 in) |
| Width | 1,720 mm (67.7 in) |
| Height | 1,515 mm (59.6 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,310 kg (2,890 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Nissan X-Trail |
The Rasheen shared its platform with the Nissan Sunny (B14), including adopting the chassis NB14. Rasheen also used powertrain components from the Nissan Pulsar (N14) with four-wheel drive.
It had full-time four wheel drive, Nissan's ATTESA powertrain system. This is a viscous coupling that determines where to send torque based on traction situations. Anti-lock brakes were introduced September 1996 along with various trim packages introduced during the production period. Originally only built with a 105 PS (77 kW) 1.5-liter inline-four, the 125 PS (92 kW) 1.8-liter engine was added to the lineup in January 1997, only available with the automatic transmission.[2] After having been shown at the 1997 Tokyo Motor Show, the even bigger SR20DE-engined Rasheen Forza was added in July 1998. This produced 145 PS (107 kW). By August 2000 production had come to a halt, amidst the restructuring following Carlos Ghosn's "Nissan Revival Plan" and Nissan Rasheen was replaced by Nissan X-Trail.
Nissan Rasheen, rear view
Nissan Rasheen Forza
Nissan Rasheen Forza, rear view
References
- 髙田工業株式会社: 会社紹介: 沿革: 1990~1999 [Takada Kogyo – About Us: History: 1990–99] (in Japanese). Takada Kogyo. 2009.
- Büschi, Hans-Ulrich, ed. (6 March 1997). Automobil Revue 1997 (in German and French). Vol. 92. Berne, Switzerland: Hallwag AG. p. 413. ISBN 3-444-10479-0.
