Celebrating 35 years of production at the Sunderland factory, Nissan has converted the Bluebird – the first vehicle to roll off the production line in 1986 – into a one-off, electric-powered project car which the company has dubbed the “Newbird”.
“The `Newbird’ represents all that is great about our plant – past present and future”
Connecting 35 years of manufacturing heritage at Sunderland and the Japanese automaker’s electrified future, the converted Bluebird is powered by the Nissan Leaf’s electric drivetrain. Indeed, Nissan has ditched the original petrol engine and gearbox for a Leaf motor, inverter and 40 kWh battery pack.
The “Newbird’s” charging port is sited behind the original flap. Charging capacity is rated at 6.6 kW. Said the Japanese firm, “Although not homologated, the vehicle’s range from a single charge is estimated at around 209 km.”
“Updates and modifications were made to the power steering, braking and heating systems”
According to Nissan, “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.”
As a nod to the “Newbird’s” electric updates, the original “Nissan” badge, sited on the bonnet, has received an LED backlight. In addition, the exterior features a new graphic motif, which was inspired by design cues of the 1980s consumer tech and combined with a 21st century aesthetic.
“The `Newbird’ represents all that is great about our plant – past present and future – as we celebrate 35 years of manufacturing in Sunderland,” said Alan Johnson, vice president of manufacturing at Nissan Sunderland Plant, “We have a rich heritage of building great cars, right from the original Bluebird model, and our fantastic team is now leading the way as we drive towards an exciting electrified, carbon-neutral, future.”
