THE NISSAN NEWBIRD

To celebrate 35 years of production at their Sunderland plant, Nissan commissioned a very special conversion of the Nissan Bluebird – the first car off the factory’s production line in 1986. Called Newbird, the one- off project car is powered by the 100% electric drivetrain of a Nissan LEAF, the pioneering mass-market EV.

The Nissan Bluebird was extensively modified to integrate the LEAF’s electric drivetrain. The original petrol combustion engine and gearbox were removed and a LEAF motor, inverter and 40kWh battery pack installed, with the battery modules split between the engine bay and the boot for optimised weight distribution. Updates and modifications were made to the power steering, braking and heating systems to enable them to be electrically powered. A custom suspension was also installed to support the additional weight from the battery packs.

The car is recharged through the original fuel flap, which provides access to the charging port. The battery can be recharged at up to 6.6kW and the original driver instrument panel has been connected to the EV system to enable the fuel gauge to show the battery state of charge. Although not homologated, the vehicle’s range from a single charge is estimated at around 130 miles (subject to environmental factors and driving style) with a 0- 62mph (0-100km/ h) time of just under 15 seconds.

For the exterior of the vehicle, Nissan Design Europe, based in London, created a new graphic motif inspired by design cues of 1980s consumer technology, combined with a 21st century aesthetic. The conversion was project-managed by Kinghorn Electric Vehicles, a family-run company based in Durham, just 15 miles from the Sunderland plant. (Kinghorn EV specialises in the conversion of classic cars to full electric using Nissan LEAF gear.)

Nissan's Sunderland Plant was officially opened in September 1986 and has been in operation ever since. Total output from 1986 to the present day stands in excess of 10.5 million cars, and production of the Bluebird totalled 187,178 units from 1986 to 1990. The first car off the Sunderland production line in 1986, Bluebird Job 1, is the centrepiece of a local museum display commemorating the significance of that first vehicle to the area.