B11 SERIES
The B11s were the first front-wheel-drive Sunnys—predating the same shift to front-wheel drive by their main Toyota Corolla rival—and were exported to the United States as the Nissan Sentra from the 1982 model year onwards.
The B11 series was regarded as one of Nissan's most modern ranges at the time, and was the first to abandon the Datsun name formally (though a small 'Datsun' still appeared on boot lids for the first two years). The wagon was known in its home market as the Nissan Sunny California. It was launched in late 1981 and continued into 1985.
The B11 was the first Mexico-market Sunny to be named Tsuru.
A completely unrelated vehicle - albeit using a similar drivetrain - the Sunny-Vanette, was introduced in 1980. This was exported to most markets as the Datsun C20 van. It later became the Nissan Vanette.
A further spin-off from the Sunny line was the Nissan Laurel Spirit, which was essentially a rebadged Sunny sedan designed to capitalize on the premium image of the larger Laurel line.
Yet another spin-off from the Sunny line was the "Nissan Sunny Maxima", which was sold only in limited numbers in the United Kingdom, and was totally unrelated to the "Bluebird Maxima", which was simply just sold as the "Maxima" in the United States, and continues to be its own model spun-off from the Bluebird range to this day. However, the "Sunny Maxima" line in the United Kingdom did not have any comparison to the "Bluebird Maxima" line in any shape or form. The "Sunny Maxima" line consisted only of upgrades such as a sunroof, enhanced exterior trim, only available with a 5-speed manual, chrome tailpipe, dual waveband radio meeting United Kingdom radio authority specifications, and deluxe carpeted floor mats, whereas the "Bluebird Maxima" line consisted of leghtned front end and overhang for first the L-series inline-6, then the VG in later generations as front wheel drive, sportier, crisper suspension for Fairlady Z like ride and handiling, and a semi-luxury interior and features such as power seats, leather, automatic suspension control, and in some generations, a digital electronic instrument cluster, and has been known in the United States as the "4-door Fairlady Z", and the current generation now long spun off from the Bluebird line to this day as the "4-door Sports Car {4DSC}]
Nissan Vanette
In 1981, a vehicle not related to the Sunny, the Vanette, was introduced. It was exported to most markets as the Datsun C20 van. Later, the name of this vehicle was changed to simply Nissan Vanette. Eventually, this van was replaced by the Mazda Bongo (also known as the E-series), which was sold under an OEM licensing deal as the Vanette.
Yet another vehicle, the Vanette Cargo, was sold under the Vanette name, in Europe as well. This van was based upon the Nissan Serena, and was unrelated to either the Sunny or the C20 van.
