Nissan Sunny - B310 Series

B310 Series

This is the last Sunny sold under the "Datsun" brand in Japan. The final rear-wheel-drive Sunny from model year 1978 to 1982 featured numerous variants, including a fastback station wagon as well as more squared-off, utilitarian models with three and five doors, a coupé, and two- and four-door sedans. These models appeared with Datsun 120Y, 130Y, 140Y and 150Y badges in some markets (depending on engine size) though Sunny was increasingly used for export, too. The North American version was marketed as the Datsun 210. The B310 was known for its high equipment levels and build quality at the time. It was available with the same A-series engines as its predecessor although the B210's optional 63 series 5-speed transmission was replaced with the smaller 60 series unit. The leaf spring rear suspension was discontinued and the live axle was now suspended using a coil spring four-link configuration. In 1980, the B310 was given a mild facelift, with a smoothed off front end, a grille with square headlamps, and a redesigned dashboard.

In Japan on February 1978, the "Excellent" trim package was discontinued as the top level model, and replaced with the Sunny 1400SGX-E and the 1400GX-E, with the "E" denoting multiport fuel injection, offered only in Japan. This generation was also the last utilizing front engine and rear wheel drive powertrains.

In North America, the only wagon offered was the fastback version. In Japan, this fastback wagon was a special model called the Sunny California, aimed at private buyers unlike the square-backed 3-and 5-door Sunny Van (although for the Japanese market these vans were always fully glazed and usually had a back seat) meant for the long-standing Japanese commercial wagon market. In most other markets the more traditional two-box wagon was offered, either alone or alongside the fastback, and some countries where "no rear side glass" was part of a legal definition of a "light truck" got panelled-in versions of the 3-door.

This model marked the first and only time the "Sunny" name was used in Australia. This chassis, along with the A10 chassis on the 160J/Violet/Stanza formed the basis for the S110 chassis on the Nissan Silvia.

In most markets, the A12 engine was the only, or most common engine offered. However B310s in various markets were fitted with the following A-series engines:

• A12 (1,171 cc, not offered in North America)
• A12A (1,237 cc)
• A13 (Short Deck Engine)
• A14
• A15

In North America, the Datsun 210 engine line ups were as follows:

• 1979 - A12A or A14
• 1980–1982 - A12A, A14 or A15

The special MPG model was a small-port A15 with 5-speed transmission and achieved 47 mpg (5.0 L/100 km; 56 mpg) per US standards.