Nissan Cefiro
The Nissan Cefiro is a mid-size passenger car manufactured and marketed by Nissan Motors over three generations. Almost all Cefiro's were marketed as four-door sedans, though a five-door wagon body style was briefly available. In most cases, the Cefiro used Nissan's VQ six-cylinder engines, named Ward's 10 Best Engines more than ten years running.
Nissan marketed the Cefiro in the Japanese Domestic Market as well as worldwide, the latter under numerous badge-engineered nameplates, including as the Nissan Maxima, Samsung SM5, Infiniti I30 and Infiniti I35 and Maxima QX. Models manufactured under license were marketed in Indonesia, Malaysia and Taiwan.
The first generation Cefiro, used rear-wheel drive; offered four- and six-cylinder engines; and became popular in motorsport drifting. The second generation and third generation used exclusively a front-wheel drive and V6 engine drivetrain. After the A31, A32 and A33 generations, Nissan would also later use the Cefiro nameplate on examples of its first generation Teana sedan — exported to Asian and Latin American markets. The model codes A34, A35, and A36 later became the designations for the Maxima, which had evolved from a badge-engineered version of the Cefiro starting with the A32 generation.
Nissan began using the Cefiro nameplate - derived from zephyr, the name given in Greek mythology to the god of "the wind from the west" - in 1988; the nameplate was officially retired in 2012.
First generation (A31, 1988–1994)
Nissan released the A31 series Cefiro sedan to Japan in September 1988, sharing its transmission, chassis, engine and suspension with the Skyline and Laurel — except the diesel engine, which was available only in the Laurel. The ATTESA E-TS AWD drivetrain was offered after the mid-model refresh and was borrowed from the Skyline, which the Laurel traditionally shared.The Cefiro rivaled the Toyota Mark II, the luxurious Toyota Cresta and performance Toyota Chaser triplets, with Nissan offering the Cefiro as a comparable third alternative to the Laurel and Skyline models, selling each vehicle at a separate Nissan dealership. This marketing approach of offering three different versions of the exact vehicle was used earlier with the Auster/Stanza/Violet RWD sedans during the 1980s.
The model code "A31" was chosen as the number combination "A30" was previously used by the 1967–1971 Gloria soon after Nissan had merged with the Prince Motor Company. The Cefiro took the top-level position at Nissan Satio Store as its exterior dimensions were the same as the luxury sedans Cedric and the Gloria locations on a shorter wheelbase, and replaced the Stanza.
Brand new, the Cefiro was slightly more expensive than the equivalent Skyline/Laurel and benefited from Project 901 offered for the first time projector beam headlights, automatic tinting rear vision cabin mirror, electrically adjustable seats, automatic headlights, and steering wheel mounted radio controls. HICAS-II four-wheel steering, "Super Sonic Suspension " or ATTESA E-TS all-wheel drive suspension packages could be ordered separately but not combined.
The suspension was shared with the Skyline and Laurel, using MacPherson struts for the front wheels and a semi-trailing arm suspension for the rear. If the Cefiro was installed with the "Super Sonic Suspension" system, a sonar module mounted under the front bumper and scanned the road surface, adjusting the suspension accordingly via actuators mounted on all four coilover struts and the front suspension was installed with a multi-link setup. There was also a switch on the center console that allowed the driver to change between "Auto," "Soft," "Medium," and "Hard" settings. The speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion power steering could also be separately reduced for a sporting feeling, and the suspension setting would modify both the steering feel and the shift points on the automatic transmission.
Its equipment and features helped justify the moderately high annual road tax bill to Japanese buyers. However, the exterior dimensions and engine displacement remained within "compact" class size regulations, keeping demand high. The Cefiro was marketed towards affluent married couples without children during the years before the "bubble economy" began. The Cefiro could be customized and ordered from several combinations of engines, suspensions, transmissions, interior fabrics, interior colors, and exterior colors according to their preferences. Also available was a modification to the front passenger seat of Nissan called the "Partner Comfort Seat," where the top portion of the front passenger seat was further articulated to tilt forward, supporting the passenger's shoulders while allowing the seatback structure to recline. At the time of its introduction, there were 810 possible combinations. The A31 Cefiros can identify the combined specifications ordered by looking at the specification sheet affixed to the inside of the center armrest console lid.
Initially, the Cefiro sold in Japan is only fitted with the single-cam and twin-cam RB20 inline-six engines, along with a turbocharged selection RB20DET.
Trim levels were determined by combining the engine choice with the selected suspension system. The regular trim levels without the optional special suspension systems were called Town Ride, Touring and Cruising. Furthermore, the Comfort prefix was used for models with the DUET-SS suspension, while the Sports prefix was used for those with HICAS-II four-wheel steering. For example, a model equipped with the twin-cam RB20DE engine and the HICAS-II option was called the Sports Touring.
In January 1990, a special Autech Version was launched, based on the Sports Cruising model. This edition was distinguished by new aero bumpers, PIAA 15-inch alloy wheels, upgraded audio system, Italvolanti steering wheel and an interior outfitted with a Connolly leather door panels and seats. Under the hood, specialized engine tuning bumped the output to. In August 1990, Nissan facelifted the Cefiro with a revised front bumper, grille, taillights, center console, and cabin fabrics. The trim levels were also adjusted; the Comfort and Sports prefixes were abolished, a new 5-speed automatic transmission to the Touring trim and the ATTESA E-TS AWD system became optional for the turbocharged Cruising trim.
The car underwent another facelift in May 1992 with another new front bumper, grille and taillights. The trim levels were changed again in this update, resulting the simpler trim designations; VL and SE, VE, and SE-T and SE-4. Additionally, the RB25DE 2.5-liter engine was introduced for the 25SE trim, which came standard with a 5-speed automatic transmission. The model codes were updated to reflect these changes; the new 2.5-liter models were designated as EA31 and ECA31, while the 2.0-liter RB20 models were updated to LA31, LCA31, and LNA31.
Nissan took the unusual step of marketing the export version of the Cefiro A31 in the Caribbean islands, Latin America, Turkey, Gulf States and other Eurasian countries as the Nissan Laurel Altima – in most export markets this slot was replaced by the Maxima. Unlike the Japanese versions, the Laurel Altima is fitted with a carbureted single-cam CA20S 2.0-liter inline-four producing and RB24S which was a carbureted single-cam 2.4-liter inline-six producing. The 2.0-liter model was available exclusively in left-hand drive markets; it was sold in GL and SGL trims and assigned the PA31 model code. In contrast, the 2.4-liter model was marketed in GT, GTS and GTS-R trims under the MA31 model code, and was available in both left- and right-hand drive markets. In other region like Southeast Asia, the Cefiro name was retained and featured a unique hybrid look of the Laurel Altima’s front bumper with the Japanese-market Cefiro grille. Depending on the country, engine options in this region were limited to three inline-sixes: the fuel-injected, single-cam RB20E, the twin-cam RB20DE, and the carbureted RB24S. In certain markets like Indonesia and Thailand, the DUET-SS electric suspension is offered as standard equipment.
Second generation (A32, 1994–1998)
Nissan debuted the A32 series Cefiro for the domestic Japanese market in August 1994. Generally, the A32 was only badged as the Cefiro for the JDM; exported A32s often carried the Maxima badge. The A32 was marketed as the "Nissan Maxima QX" in Europe. The 2- and 3-liter engines were offered in export markets, while the mid-range 2.5 was only available in the home market. The Cefiro received a light facelift in January 1997, including new multi-reflector head- and taillights. Sportier models received black backing in the headlamps, while more comfort-oriented versions were chromed. There were also minor changes to the interior and the trim around the door frames, while ABS and airbags became standard across the range in the home market.The A32's character changed with its new front-wheel drive configuration and Nissan's VQ six-cylinder engines. Four-wheel drive was not available in this and the next generation. The JDM Cefiro was also offered as a wagon beginning in June 1997 as an alternative to the Toyota Mark II Qualis. The Cefiro Wagon continued to be produced after the sedan's discontinuation, only being eliminated in August 2000.
In Taiwan, the Cefiro A32 was manufactured by Yulon under the Nissan brand. Most Southeast Asian countries adopted the Cefiro name. In South Korea, it was badge engineered and introduced as the Renault Samsung SM5.
In the Philippines, the Cefiro A32 replaced the A31 Cefiro in 1997. It is powered by Nissan's 2.0-litre VQ20DE V6 engine paired to a 4-speed automatic transmission.
In 2000, Nissan introduced an all-new trim, "Brougham VIP," borrowed from the Nissan Cedric and Gloria top-trim level packages. The "Brougham VIP" is powered by the same 2.0L V6 engine mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission. It featured a redesigned grill, headlight & taillight.
By 2002, a new "Elite" trim was added alongside the "Brougham VIP" trim. Nissan's 2.0L V6 engine still powers both trims mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission respectively. The new "Elite" trim featured power-adjustable seats, faux wood trim, a full leather interior with tufted seats, and a re-designed 6-speaker audio system with 6 CD/VCD changers. The "Brougham VIP" trim received different wheel designs, a unique pagcor emblem, automatic climate control, and a power moon roof.
By 2004, Nissan introduced another new trim called "300EX". The "300EX" is now powered by Nissan's 3.0-litre VQ30DE V6 engine paired to a standard automatic transmission with sport mode. It featured different wheel designs, leather interior & seats, keyless entry, rear armrests, rear aircon vents, factory fitted alarm, immobilizer, power rear windshield sun visor, among other features.