[1] Powered by a single overhead camshaft fuel-injected 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine,[1] it was intended to compete with the Mitsubishi Magna.

Four specification levels of the R31 Pintara were offered: GLi, Executive, GX, and GXE.

A TRX bodykit package was offered for the GX and GXE sedans, featuring a front and rear air dam, rear spoiler, side skirts, grille cover, alloy wheels and low profile tyres.

The first generation Pintara was replaced in 1989 by a model initially dubbed by the media as "Project Matilda",[2] which turned out to be a locally produced front-wheel drive version of the Nissan Bluebird (U12), rather than a model uniquely designed for Australia as initial stories had indicated.

However, the model performed badly in local testing, and required body and chassis strengthening.