Nissan Cefiro
The Nissan Cefiro is an intermediate-size automobile range sold in Japan and other countries. It was available only as a 4 door sedan. A large proportion were equipped with automatic transmissions.
Originally marketed towards the Japanese salaryman the top model used the same engine as found in the R32 Nissan Skyline, 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.
A31
Released in September 1988 to the Japanese Domestic Market, it ceased production in May 1992. The A31 series was noted for its design innovation and incorporation of many hi-tech features. These included HICAS 4-wheel steering, sonar controlled electronic damping, automatic headlights, and an automatic electric rear view mirror, many of which were seen later on the R32 Nissan Skyline, released one year later in 1989.
Although the A31 Cefiro was the first generation with the Cefiro name, it was arguably very close to being a new generation Nissan Laurel, although this was produced at the same time as the Cefiro. Both the Cefiro and Laurel share the distinctive "VIP style" rear windows when they are wound all the way down, closing on a slight angle and well above the door frame, showing through only partially those "VIPs" sitting in the rear seat. The Cefiro is also comparable to being a luxury version Nissan Skyline although these too were produced at the same time as the Cefiro. Mechanically, it was closest to the Nissan Skyline and Nissan Laurel, as they all had the same floorplan; but it is also shares suspension components from the smaller S13 Silvia.
The A31 Cefiro featured several potent versions of the RB-series straight-6 engines including the soon to be legendary intercooled turbo RB20DET (although it was very slightly detuned in the Cefiro). It also was NOT fitted with a re-circulating blowoff valve like the RB20DET powered Nissan Skyline.
It was also, together with the Nissan Skyline, one of the first Japanese cars to have a 5-speed automatic transmission in the 2.5 litre and the very last of the 2 litre models. All 2 litre turbo versions with automatic transmssions used a 4-speed transmission.
Unlike many new car designs at the time, the A31 Cefiro was rear wheel drive, with all-wheel drive models being available as well. Unlike the future versions of the Nissan Laurels and Nissan Skylines, the Cefiro would become front wheel drive in all models following the A31 Cefiro.
At the beginning of its production it was mostly overlooked as just an ordinary family sedan compared to the Nissan Skyline but in later times it has become very popular in the drifting scene. Spurred by the relatively cheap price of the car compared to other drifting vehicles in Japan, some enthusiasts bought the Cefiro for use in drifting. As a result this car has gained cult status in Japan, New Zealand and Australia as a drift car due to the interchangability of parts with other performance models and highly tunable nature of the chassis design. It is also a relatively cheap car outside Japan as it is exported second hand.
General specifications
Body type: Sedan
Drive: FR and AWD
Displacement: 1998 cc
Engine Specs
Engine model: RB20E, RB20DE, RB25DE, RB20DET
Max.power: 205 PS (151 kW) / 6400 rpm RB20DET
Max.power: 190 PS (138 kW) / 6400 rpm RB25DE
Max.power: 155 PS (114 kW) / 6400 rpm RB20DE
Max.power: 125 PS (91.94 kW) / 5600 rpm RB20E
Turbo Information: Ceramic
Fuel system: NISSAN EGI (ECCS) (electronic gasoline injection) electrically controlled gasoline injection
Turbocharger: Intercooled turbo
Fuel type: Unleaded premium gasoline
Exterior specifications
Exterior dimensions (LxWxH): 4690 x 1695 x 1375 mm
Interior dimensions (LxWxH): 1910 x 1425 x 1140 mm
Wheel base: 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)
Seating capacity: 5
Doors number: 4
Min. turning radius: 5 m
Fuel tank capacity: 65 L
Chassis/suspension specifications
Power steering: Yes
Suspension system: front Independent suspension strut type
Suspension system: rear Independent suspension multiple link type
A31 models
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. Unlike all the Japanese versions it was fitted with a carbureted RB24 which was a single cam 6 cylinder 2.4L RB series motor.
Later models were given a softer look with revised light and bumper/grill design as well as the interiour softened. These are referred to as "facelift" shape and apear a little more refined in appearance.
A32
Since 1994 it has the same chassis as the Nissan Maxima (A32), although prior to that was a completely separate model as it has FF-drivetrain. So thechnically the new Cefiro is a Cefiro only in name. Nissan changed the market orientation of the Cefiro from a premium sports saloon to an executive saloon with the advent of the A32 series. 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 tha Maxima badge.
The front-wheel drive A32 and A33 series were softened considerably, lacking the sporting edge of the A31. It is equipped with the award-winning VQ series V6 engines, with the later JDM A32 and A33 versions being fitted with the direct injection versions of the VQ engines. The A32 also forms the basis to the Infiniti I30, as well as being rebadged as the Nissan Maxima QX for the European market, with two versions of the VQ engine (2.0L and 3.0L). Although VQ25DE is in a list of JDM A32 Cefiro as well.
The Cefiro disappeared in 2003, but the name continues to be used in some export markets for the Nissan Teana.
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