NISSAN could well claim to be a badly misunderstood company.

Here it is, producing cars on a pretty massive scale in Britain for the European market with sales that are the envy of many of its rivals.

The vehicles it produces are well made and well respected in what is a highly competitive market.

But with some notable exceptions, such as a couple of the sportier numbers and off-roaders, the general reaction to Nissan cars tends to be under- whelming.

It is grossly unfair, as many owners and fleet operators will tell you when they happily extol the virtues of this or that Nissan.

But say what you like, charisma has never been Nissan's strong point.

The all new Primera should change all that. While not without its faults, this is a car that will turn heads and hearts, even in the jungle of motorway driving and urban congestion.

Full of innovative technical wizardry, here is a car that Nissan should do well with.

Totally designed for Europe, the New Primera is a huge step ahead for Nissan. Recently I tested one of the cars and I left wishing there had been more time.

Here's sneak peek at the high points of the New Primera, reserving a more considered judgement of its features after I have had a further opportunity to test it more thoroughly.

Firstly, Nissan has produced a car that actually looks different from all the others.

It is good to look at and has an indivdual appearance that sets it apart. The estate version is stunningly beautiful. Radical interior design makes a refreshing change from the sameness and plastic feel to so many of today's mid-range cars. Visually, especially when driving, the centrally placed dials take a bit of getting used to.

I'm not sure how happy I am about averting ones eyes from the road to read them, although we are assured that the eye movement is in fact less that dropping them to a conventionally placed dial face.

What the car does have, and many might regard it as a gimmick, is a screen that is activated when putting the car into reverse, showing if the back of the car is clear of obstacles.

The screen also uses what is by far the best satellite navigation system I have come across to date.

There are three engines available in the UK, two petrol and one disel.

The two petrol units are 1.8 and 2.0litre and the diesel is a 2.2 litre.

Standard equipment across all models includes electronic climate control, trip computer, anti-lock brakes, a six inch centre display monitor, electric front windows, dual front, side and curtain air bags and remote central locking with anti-hijacking feature. Prices start at £14,600 for the 1.8 S saloon and hatchback with the estate version costing £1,000 more.

Contact: Fish Brothers Nissan, Paddington Drive, Swindon, Ring: 01753 645510.