Nissan Caravan

Datsun / Nissan Caravan / Urvan / Kingvan
Manufacturer:	Datsun / Nissan
Production period:	1973–2012
Previous model:	Nissan Homy
Successor:	Nissan NV Nissan NV350

The Nissan Caravan was a pickup truck that Nissan had offered as a minibus or panel van . The development of the caravan was based on a change in the road traffic regulations of Japan in 1970, according to which minibuses could only be driven up to a number of passengers with a normal car driver's license. So Nissan needed a model below the Nissan Homy which was still a development of the Prince Motor Company taken over by Nissan and was designed for a passenger capacity of 15 people. Since this was based on the truck chassis of the Prince Homer , the model was technically and optically revised and presented as the Nissan Caravan in 1973. From 1976 onwards, the Homy also received most of the revisions of the caravan and was subsequently always almost identical. As Datsun Urvan , the caravan was offered for export outside of Asia. After Nissan decided to discontinue the Datsun brand, the model became the Nissan Urvan . In Australia and other markets it was also offered as the Nissan Kingvan at times . The models were available with a flat roof or a high roof. 2001 ended the export of the Nissan Urvan to Europe, which was replaced here by the Nissan Interstar . While the 4th and last generation continued to be offered in North America alongside Asia and other countries . The 4th generation was also produced as the Isuzu Como. While Nissan NV replaced the caravan in North America in 2011 , it was offered in Asia and other markets until 2012. In 2012 the caravan was replaced by the newly developed Nissan NV350 . The 3rd generation is still produced in Kenya for the African market.

Datsun Urvan E20 / E21 / E22 (1973–1980)

1st generation Nissan Caravan E20

Nissan Caravan E20

The Datsun Urvan E 20 was a pickup truck that Datsun built with 3, 5, 7 or 9 seats. It was particularly popular in Europe, especially with fire departments and as an ambulance in certain countries. Its handling is a bit difficult because it requires high steering forces - it was not available with power steering . The long gear lever in the middle was slightly curved. It was almost 80 cm long, so there were long shift travel, but the transmission on the petrol models had five gears, which was not common in Europe at the time. There were in-line four-cylinder gasoline engines with 1,596 cm³, 1,798 cm³ and 1,998 cm³ and a diesel engine with 2,200 cm³.

Trivia

The Urvan was used by the Danish Olsen Gang in one of their films in 1982. It belonged to KBG (Kristoffersen Body Guards), a kidnap of the KGB .

Datsun Urvan / Nissan Urvan E23 (1980–1986)

The second generation of the Datsun Urvan / Caravan (E23) was introduced in August 1980. The well-known J16, Z20 S and H20 Nissan petrol engines served as the drive. The SD22 Diesel has been revised. Radial tires were optional and the diesel has since been supplied with a five-speed manual transmission. There was a new van version, the so-called luxury GL version, which had an optional “Nissanmatic” automatic transmission as well as power steering, sliding rear seats and air conditioning. At the Tokyo Motor Show 1981 two office mobile concepts were presented - which were developed to offer limousine-like mobile accommodations for business people - the Royal and Elgrand Royal Line. The name Elgrand is used today by Nissan for a range of luxury minivans. In May 1982 the caravan experienced a slight facelift, the ventilation windows in the front doors disappeared, a new dashboard was introduced and the SD23 diesel engine replaced the previous SD22. Radial tires became the standard on all models. The LD30 turbodiesel was available for more power. In April 1983 there was another slight facelift, the SGL and GL versions got a new look with four square headlights. And a ten seater version has also been added. At the same time, in Europe, the Datsun Urvan became the Nissan Urvan due to the discontinuation of the Datsun brand name. In January 1985 the diesel versions received an improved heating system and the safety equipment on all urvans was improved.

• 

  Datsun Urvan E23

• 

  Nissan Urvan E23

Nissan Urvan E24 (1986-2001)

The E24 version was built from 1986 to 2001 and received two major facelifts. This was the last version of the Urvan that was offered in Europe. It was only available with turbo diesel engines, the van version was no longer offered in Europe. Instead of the 2.3 L SD 23 of the predecessor, there was the 2.7L TD 27. After the 2nd major facelift in 1996, the QD32 from the Nissan Patrol was installed in the Urvan, where it made 100 PS (74 kW) from 3,153 cm ³ and replaced the LD 30 TD. From 2002 the Nissan Interstar replaced the Urvan in Europe.

Kenya

In Kenya, the Nissan Urvan E24 is still produced today by the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers in Thika for the African market.

• 

  Nissan Urvan E 24

• 

  Nissan Urvan E 24 last version

Nissan Caravan E25 / Isuzu Como (2001-2012)

Nissan Caravan E25 Isuzu Como
Nissan Caravan E25
Production period:	2001–2012
Designs:	Panel van , minibus
Engines:	Diesel engines : 2.0-3.0 liters
Length:	4995 mm
Width:	1695-1990 mm
Height:	1990-2285 mm
Wheelbase:	2715 mm

The E25 was built from 2001 to 2012. Using badge engineering , it was also offered as Isuzu Como . In North America, where it was offered as a Nissan Caravan in panel van and station wagon version, it was replaced in 2011 by the locally developed and built Nissan NV . The newly developed Nissan NV350 replaced it in the remaining markets in 2012 .

• 

  NissanCaravan E25 minibus

• 

  Nissan Caravan E25

• 

  Nissan Caravan GX E25 Late version

• 

  Nissan Urvan Thai version

• 

  Isuzu Como

Web links

Commons : Nissan Caravan  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Datsun Urvan Prospectus 1981
• Brochure Nissan Urvan Diesel 1985 England

swell

• Nissan Global News Website