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Cefiro and 350z: Sharing a Common Lineage
The Nissan Cefiro and the 350Z have very little in common when in comes to looks.
But underneath the hood of the Cefiro and 350Z is one of the most acclaimed engines in world automotive history: the VQ engine series. With that, the Cefiro and the 350Z share a lineage that demonstrates the technological superiority Nissan has in building exciting cars.
Although the Cefiro and the 350Z have engines of different displacement - 2.0-liter and 3.5-liter - respectively, their basic design and use of materials are essentially the same.
The VQ engine series all have six cylinders, combines the use of precious metals, lightweight materials and race-bred engineering. An aluminum engine block, cylinder heads, and pistons add up to light weight but boast of superior strength. Friction-reducing measures include microfinished crank and crankshafts, which help VQ engines operate more smoothly and have a longer life.
The six-cylinder VQ engine is the only engine that has been on Ward's 10 Best Automotive Engines for 10 straight years. Ward's is one of the most popular and respected motoring magazines in the US.
"It has won a 10 Best Engines award each and every year since the competition's inception in 1995. That the VQ has cemented itself as the dominant V-6 benchmark is without question - a decade after its introduction, the VQ, amazingly, remains the admitted development target of rivals who will discuss such details," stated Ward's Auto World and Ward's Engine and Vehicle Technology Update, January 2004.
Aside from the Cefiro and the 350Z, the VQ series engine is the powerplant of choice for other Nissan high-end vehicles, like the Murano SUV, Altima 3.5SE and Maxima sedans, Pathfinder pickup, Stagea sports station wagon and the Quest mini-van.
"What every Nissan owner or buyer should know is the VQ engine series is one of the most prolific engine designs over the past 10 years. The fact that it is the engine of choice for the 350Z sports car, which was introduced only recently, clearly demonstrates that point," Raymond Tribdino, NMPI market and product planning department manager said.
As for the Cefiro, its being equipped with a VQ engine since its complete model change in 1995 gives Nissan's midsize car a high degree of prestige.
With 2.0 liters of cubic power, the Cefiro can blast the highways at a constant 180kph, without its engine feeling strained.
"Smooth running, with lots of lowend torque and high-end power are the enviable qualities of the Cefiro's 2.0-liter VQ engine," Mr. Tribdino said.
If the 2.0-liter VQ engine can deliver high performance, imagine the result if a bigger VQ engine was installed in the Cefiro's engine bay. (NMPI NewsService)
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