Nissan Cefiro

Nissan Cefiro

Manufacturer	Nissan Motors
Also called	Nissan Laurel Altima (LA) Nissan Maxima (AUS) Infiniti I30 (USA) AREX Cefiro (RC)
Production	1988–2003; 1988-2008 (Philippines)
Class	Mid-size
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon (1997-2000)

The Nissan Cefiro is a intermediate-size automobile range sold in Japan and other countries. The 1989 model was introduced initially as a 4-door sedan, however a wagon was later produced. A large proportion were equipped with automatic transmissions.

In its first iteration, the Cefiro shared its basic chassis with the sixth-generation Nissan Laurel and the R32 Nissan Skyline. The top model used the same engine as found in the R32 GTS-t, a 2 litre turbo charged 6 cylinder engine capable of just over 200 hp (150 kW). Other variants came with other versions of the Nissan RB engine. Brand new, the Cefiro was slightly more expensive than the equivalent Nissan Skyline.

The Cefiro dropped its sporting pretensions in the second and third generations, switching to front wheel drive. The model years of second and third generation Cefiros in Japan differ from those in the United States. The Cefiro was also a grey import that was popular in the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand and Russia.

In the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) the A31 Cefiro was sold as Nissan LAUREL - ALTIMA until the introduction of 2009 model of LAUREL - ALTIMA, worldwide. Model years 2004-08 of LAUREL - ALTIMA were different in Japan and North America.

A31(1989-1994)

Unmodified A31 Cefiro with factory wheels

Specifications

General specifications

Body type: Sedan
Drive: RWD Displacement: 1998 cc N/A and turbo, 2498 cc N/A

Engine Specs

Exterior specifications

Exterior dimensions (LxWxH): 4690 x 1695 x 1375 mm
Interior dimensions (LxWxH): 1910 x 1425 x 1140 mm
Wheelbase: 2670 mm
Ground clearance: 150 mm
Curb vehicle weight: 1350 kg (auto turbo) 1330 kg (manual turbo) 1260 kg (manual RB20E) 1280 kg (auto RB20E) 1300 kg (RB20DE manual) 1320 kg (RB20DE auto), 1400 kg (auto turbo 4wd)
Seating capacity: 5
Doors number: 4
Min. turning radius: 5 m
Fuel tank capacity: 65

Suspension specifications

Power steering: Yes
Suspension system: front Independent suspension strut type
Suspension system: rear Independent suspension multiple link type

Model	Engine	Frame	Year
Townride	RB20E	E-HA31GFE	1988
Townride	RB20E	E-HCA31GFE	1988
Townride	RB20E	E-HA31GAEP	1988
Touring	RB20DE	E-RA31GFE	1988
Sport touring	RB20DE	E-RCA31GFE	1988
MF Comfort touring	RB20DE	E-RA31GAEP	1988
Cruising	RB20DET	E-RA31GFS	1988
Sport cruising	RB20DET	E-RCA31GFS	1988
Townride N	RB20E	E-A31	1990
ATTESA cruising	RB20DET	E-NA31	1990 (4WD)
Townride SV	RB20E	E-A31	1991
Touring SV	RB20DE	E-A31	1991
VL	RB20E	E-LA31	1992
SE	RB20E	E-LA31	1992
VE	RB20DE	E-LA31	1992
25SSE	RB25DE	E-EA31	1992
SE-T	RB20DET	E-LA31	1992
25SSE M selection	RB25DE	E-EA31	1992
SE-4	RB20DET	E-LNA31	1992 (4WD)
GTS-R	RB24S	E-EA31	1992

There are also many "sub models" which are the same as the above listed but feature HICAS 4 wheel steering as well. Nissan took the unusual step of making a left hand drive version of the Cefiro, sold in Latin America as a Laurel Altima. The sportiest trim was called GTS-R. Unlike all the Japanese versions it was fitted with a carburetted RB24 which was a single cam 6 cylinder 2.4L RB series motor producing 141 hp (105 kW).

Later models were given a softer look with revised light and bumper/grill design as well as "interior softening". These are referred to as the "facelift" shape and appear a little more refined in appearance.

Modifications

The most common engine modification is the RB25DET or RB30DET (turbocharged RB30 with an RB25 or RB26 head) engine swap, which gives the car higher torque than the RB20DET engine, suited better for drifting. Others have successfully swapped the RB26DETT engine (as used in the R32-R34 Skyline GT-R) with some minor oil sump modifications, along with an RB25DET gearbox. Some tuners prefer to use the lighter and more compact SR20DET using the RB25DET gearbox. Many of the S13 Silvia, C33 Laurel and R32 Skyline parts are interchangeable, which gives flexibility in choosing parts.

A32(1995-1998)

1995 Nissan Cefiro S Touring

Nissan Cefiro wagon

With the debut of the A32, Nissan changed the market orientation of the Cefiro from a small premium sports saloon (A31) to a slightly larger executive saloon. Generally the A32 was only badged as the Cefiro in Japan for the domestic market, A32's that were exported new from Japan usually wore the Maxima badge.

This particular series was softened considerably, lacking the sporting edge of the A31, losing the inline six and rear wheel drive for front wheel drive and a V6. It was equipped with the award-winning VQ series V6 engines. The A32 is the same chassis that forms the basis to the Infiniti I30 (which is near identical to the A32 Cefiro Brougham VIP model), as well as being rebadged as the Nissan Maxima QX for some other markets including the European, with three versions of the VQ, the VQ20/25/30DE, see Nissan VQ engine.

The Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) (Japanese: Nissan Cefiro) was also offered as a wagon, as an alternative to the Toyota Mark II Qualis, from 1997-2000.

In the North American market, the Maxima GXE and SE were closer to the Cefiro Excimo and S-Touring editions than the Infiniti I30 counterparts.

In Taiwan the Cefiro A32 was manufactured by Yulon under the Nissan brand.

A33(1999-2003)

1999–2001 Nissan Maxima (A33) ST (Australia)

An Infiniti I. This was a rebadged Nissan Cefiro, remaining in production from 1996-2004.

Sharing the A33 platform with Maxima and Infiniti I-series, the last true Cefiro was bigger. Like the A32, the newer A33 was designed more towards executive while retaining some of its sporty zeal. Available engines were VQ20/25/30DE-K/VQ35DE and some Neo and direct injection engines were available as well. Trim levels are 2.0 and 2.5 Excimo, 2.0 and 2.5 Excimo G, 2.0 and 2.5 S Touring, and 3.0 Brougham VIP. 5 speed manual transmission is only for 2.0 Excimo and 2.0 S Touring.

The limited edition L Selection and modified Autech version were also offered in Japan.

In Australia, the A33 was called Nissan Maxima and sold from 1999 to 2002. Trim levels are S, ST, and Ti. All models were powered by 3.0 liter engine.

The A33 is still in production for the Malaysian market and is available as the 3.0 Brougham VIP and Excimo 2.0G. The Malaysian model is manfuctured by Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur.^[1] The A33 is also very popular in Bangladesh. The trim levels were 2.0 G and 3.0 GV

Another Cefiro version was built from Yulon for the Taiwanese market. It was the last Nissan Cefiro manufactured by Yulon. It was displaced in 2002 by vehicles from the GM Yulon joint-venture.

J31 (2003-present)

Main article: Nissan Teana

2006 Nissan Teana

The Cefiro disappeared in 2003, but the name continues to be used in some export markets, using the Nissan Teana J31 as a new replacement model.

The J31 Teana was sold under the name of Teana in Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan & China. The same car is sold under the name of Cefiro in Hong Kong, Bangladesh, Singapore, Brunei, Latin America & Caribbean and Maxima in Australia & New Zealand. Ghandhara Nissan is currently the last plant which uses the Cefiro name.

References

1. ^ "Nissan. Nissan In Malaysia". Car-cat.com. http://car-cat.com/firm-797.html. Retrieved 2010-07-25. 

External links

• 2004/5 Nissan Cefiro (Teana 230JK) Photos on PBase
• Nissan Cefiro Russian Club