Nissan Skyline 6

V35/CPV35

The 11th-generation (V35) Nissan Skyline, introduced in June 2001, was based on Nissan's FM platform, shared with the Nissan 350Z. The Nissan Skyline used a front-midship engine (VQ35DE and others as below), rear-wheel-drive layout (four-wheel drive was available for the sedan) to achieve a 52%/48% weight distribution. The V35 was the first Skyline made for export to the United States. There it was sold under the company's luxury brand, Infiniti as the Infiniti G35.

The all-new Skyline was introduced at reorganized Nissan Japanese dealerships called Nissan Red Stage in conjunction with the reintroduced Nissan Fairlady Z, sold exclusively at Nissan Blue StageJapanese dealerships. The vehicle went on sale on June 18, 2001. Early models included the 250GT, 250GTe, and 300GT. Early Skyline Driving Helper model includes 250GT. The Skyline 250GT FOUR sedan includes ATTESSA E-TS all wheel drive with 50:50 synchro mode, VQ25DD (NEO Di) engine, and a five-speed automatic transmission. It went on sale on September 26, 2001.[44] The Skyline 250GTm sedan went on sale on January 13, 2002, while the Skyline 350GT-8 sedan went on sale on February 19, 2002.

Beginning in 2002, the Skyline sedan was also sold in North America, where it was marketed as the Infiniti G35.

The V35 broke with previous Skyline tradition. There was no straight-six engine, no turbo, and no GT-R, a decision which extended to all later Skylines. The intention had been for the model to use a different name, a decision reversed by Renault/Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn. who choose to gear the V35 towards the luxury-sport market. Billing the 350Z as a pure sports car, Nissan put a slightly more powerful VQ35DE in the 350Z, and while the Skyline and the 350Z shared the same platform, the350Z had additional bracing, under-body aero parts, and weighed 100 kg less. Some fans refer to V35 as the "New Generation Skyline" due to drastic changes between the V35 series and its R34 predecessor. Nonetheless, as of 1 July 2001 (two weeks after launch), total domestic Japanese Skyline orders had reached 4200 units.

Japanese tuners mostly ignored the V35 Skyline, the 2006 Tsukuba Super Lap Battle had not a single V35 entrant. Tuners such as Mines, Amuse, Hosaka, Garage Defend, M Speed, Nagisa, MCR, HKS, & Top Secret continued developing R32-R34 GT-Rs as time attack cars. Top Secret did tune a V35, but replaced the VQ35DE with a VK45DE V8 Twin Turbo. Signal USA entered a V35 in Formula D, replacing theVQ35DE with an SR20DET.

Models:

250GT – 2.5 L VQ25DD V6, 215 PS (158 kW, 270 N m)

250GT Four – 2.5 L VQ25DD V6, 215 PS (158 kW, 270 Nm) 4WD

300GT – 3.0 L VQ30DD V6, 260 PS (191 kW, 324 N m)

350GT-8 – 3.5 L VQ35DE V6, 272 PS (200 kW, 353 N m)

350GT Coupe – 3.5 L VQ35DE V6, 280 PS (206 kW, 363 N m)

XVL concept (1999)

It is a concept car demonstrating the F L-class platform. It includes a 3.0L V6 direct-injection gasoline engine, CVT transmission, sedan body. The vehicle was unveiled in 1999 Tokyo Auto Show.

Changes

For 2003 the design of the radiator grille, headlamp inner panels, and sills were altered. The interior and mirrors were altered, while the suspension and braking systems were also refined. The Skyline Coupe was introduced as a version of Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe for Japanese market. Also, the Skyline 350GT went on sale. It is a version of the Infiniti G35 sport sedan with a six-speed manual transmission for the Japanese market, only available with the 3.5 litre engine. The Skyline 350GT and Skyline 350GT Premium sedan went on sale on 2003-06-03.

For 2004 both coupe and sedans were altered, with updated interiors and improved transmissions. The five-speed automatic transmission on the 350GT Premium now included synchro rev control, while the 6-speed manual transmission was made to vibrate less. For the sedan, the front grill/bumper, foot panel, head lamp, rear bumper, and rear combination lamps were changed. The front seats received active head rest, while the rear middle seat now have a three-point seat belt as standard. There were also some new wheels and a 19-inch option for the coupé. The Skyline's 2005 update again included changes to the head and rear lamps, front bumper, and side sill protectors. Also, 19-inch aluminium alloy wheel became standard for automatic transmission cars. A "plasma cluster ion" full air conditioner with left/right independent temperature settings, heated door mirrors, head lamp auto levelizer (compliant with new legislation) was made standard equipment.