Nissan Cefiro

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

Originally marketed towards the Japanese salaryman, Cefiro sold much better outside Japan, becoming extremely popular among middle class in countries such as Taiwan thanks to its high performance and comparatively low price. 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.

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. With each incarnation, the Cefiro was marketed more toward the executive segment, losing some of its sporty zeal.

A31(1988-1994)

Unmodified A31 Cefiro with factory wheels

Released in September 1988 to the Japanese market, it ceased production in May 1994. The A31 series included many hi-tech features, such as 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.

The A31 Cefiro was similar to the Nissan Laurel. The Cefiro is something like a luxury Nissan Skyline although these two 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 floorpan; but it shares its MacPherson strut front suspension with the S13 Silvia with the exception of the 4WD version which shares the same front and rear suspension as the GT-R and GTS4 Skyline.

The A31 Cefiro featured several versions of the RB-series straight-6 engines including the intercooled turbo RB20DET, although it was slightly detuned in the Cefiro. It also was not fitted with a re-circulating blowoff valve like the RB20DET powered Nissan Skyline.

Dashboard of a 1992 Cefiro

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 transmissions 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 a 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, Philippines, Thailand, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand as a drift car due to the interchangeability 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.

This chassis was also the basis for the S13 chassis in the Nissan Silvia.

Specifications

General specifications

Body type: Sedan

Drive: RWD Displacement: 1998cc N/A and Turbo, 2498cc N/A

Engine Specs

Engine model: RB20E, RB20DE, RB24S, 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: 141 PS (107 kW) / 5600 rpm RB24S

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), 1400kg (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)

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 carburetted 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 "interior softening". These are referred to as the "facelift" shape and appear a little more refined in appearance.