Nissan's Versatile VQ Engine Wins 9th Straight Award [Dec. 11, 02]
12-11-2002, 04:18 PM
#1
Nissan's Versatile VQ Engine Wins 9th Straight Award [Dec. 11, 02]
- 3.5-Liter VQ V6 Powerplant Used in Infiniti and Nissan Vehicles from G to Z -
DETROIT (Dec. 10, 2002) – For the ninth year in a row, Nissan’s versatile VQ V6 engine has been named to the annual “Ward’s Ten Best Engines” award list by Ward’s Communications, Inc. The VQ is the only engine to make the list every year the list has been compiled.
In the 2003 model year, the 3.5-liter VQ V6 engine is available in eight different Nissan and Infiniti vehicles in the U.S. market, including the high-performance Nissan 350Z sports car and the rugged Nissan Pathfinder SUV and the luxurious Infiniti G35 sports sedan and Infiniti G35 sports coupe.
“Winning this award for the ninth-straight year is proof of the engineering flexibility and durability that we’ve built into this great engine,” said Motohiro Matsumura, director of powertrain and emissions engineering at Nissan Technical Center North America in Farmington Hills, Mich. “We know we have a great engine here, and we’ll continue to evolve, refine and improve it so that the VQ remains the industry’s benchmark V6 powerplant.”
For this year’s awards, a team of six writers and editors for Ward’s AutoWorld and Ward’s Engine & Vehicle Technology Update newsletter evaluated the Infiniti G35 coupe with the 3.5-liter VQ V6, which produces 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 270 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. Thirty different engines were evaluated in 2003 model year vehicles priced below $52,500.
In addition to the Infiniti G35 coupe, the 3.5-liter VQ V6 engine is used in 2003 models of the Nissan Altima, Maxima, 350Z, Murano and Pathfinder and the Infiniti I35 and G35 sedans. The engines in these vehicles produce seven different horsepower ratings and four different torque ratings.
“Nine years after their introduction, many engine designs are ready for the scrap heap,” said Bill Visnic, senior technical editor at Ward’s Communications. “Instead, Nissan’s remarkable VQ V6 engine continues as an industry benchmark, reaffirming Ward’s opinion that the VQ ranks as one of the best V6 engines ever developed.
“Nissan’s 3.5L VQ V6 continues as an industry benchmark and a dominant force in the market,” he added. “Ward’s testers remain impressed with the way the VQ is able to deliver remarkable refinement and genuinely stunning performance in so many different vehicles.”
Availability of the 3.5-liter VQ V6 will expand in the 2004 model year with the introduction of the all-new Nissan Quest minivan, the first vehicle to be produced at Nissan’s new manufacturing plant in Canton, Miss. The engine also will be continued in the all-new 2004 Nissan Maxima, which in early 2003 will be added to the production lineup at Nissan’s award-winning manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tenn.
The 2004 models of the Nissan Maxima and Quest will have their world debuts on Jan. 5, 2003, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Ward's Communications is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for nearly 80 years. Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving more than 68,000 automotive professionals globally. The twice-monthly newsletter Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update provides analysis of engineering advancements and technical issues. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data and analysis compiled by Ward's Communications, the world's leader in automotive industry information. Ward's Communications is a Southfield, Mich., based division of PRIMEDIA Business, the trade publication group of PRIMEDIA.
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.
# # #
Contact: Fred Standish, Nissan Corporate Communications, 248-488-4227
(Or visit the Nissan Online News Bureau at www.nissannews.com)
Source: Nissan News
DETROIT (Dec. 10, 2002) – For the ninth year in a row, Nissan’s versatile VQ V6 engine has been named to the annual “Ward’s Ten Best Engines” award list by Ward’s Communications, Inc. The VQ is the only engine to make the list every year the list has been compiled.
In the 2003 model year, the 3.5-liter VQ V6 engine is available in eight different Nissan and Infiniti vehicles in the U.S. market, including the high-performance Nissan 350Z sports car and the rugged Nissan Pathfinder SUV and the luxurious Infiniti G35 sports sedan and Infiniti G35 sports coupe.
“Winning this award for the ninth-straight year is proof of the engineering flexibility and durability that we’ve built into this great engine,” said Motohiro Matsumura, director of powertrain and emissions engineering at Nissan Technical Center North America in Farmington Hills, Mich. “We know we have a great engine here, and we’ll continue to evolve, refine and improve it so that the VQ remains the industry’s benchmark V6 powerplant.”
For this year’s awards, a team of six writers and editors for Ward’s AutoWorld and Ward’s Engine & Vehicle Technology Update newsletter evaluated the Infiniti G35 coupe with the 3.5-liter VQ V6, which produces 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 270 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. Thirty different engines were evaluated in 2003 model year vehicles priced below $52,500.
In addition to the Infiniti G35 coupe, the 3.5-liter VQ V6 engine is used in 2003 models of the Nissan Altima, Maxima, 350Z, Murano and Pathfinder and the Infiniti I35 and G35 sedans. The engines in these vehicles produce seven different horsepower ratings and four different torque ratings.
“Nine years after their introduction, many engine designs are ready for the scrap heap,” said Bill Visnic, senior technical editor at Ward’s Communications. “Instead, Nissan’s remarkable VQ V6 engine continues as an industry benchmark, reaffirming Ward’s opinion that the VQ ranks as one of the best V6 engines ever developed.
“Nissan’s 3.5L VQ V6 continues as an industry benchmark and a dominant force in the market,” he added. “Ward’s testers remain impressed with the way the VQ is able to deliver remarkable refinement and genuinely stunning performance in so many different vehicles.”
Availability of the 3.5-liter VQ V6 will expand in the 2004 model year with the introduction of the all-new Nissan Quest minivan, the first vehicle to be produced at Nissan’s new manufacturing plant in Canton, Miss. The engine also will be continued in the all-new 2004 Nissan Maxima, which in early 2003 will be added to the production lineup at Nissan’s award-winning manufacturing plant in Smyrna, Tenn.
The 2004 models of the Nissan Maxima and Quest will have their world debuts on Jan. 5, 2003, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
Ward's Communications is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for nearly 80 years. Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving more than 68,000 automotive professionals globally. The twice-monthly newsletter Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update provides analysis of engineering advancements and technical issues. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data and analysis compiled by Ward's Communications, the world's leader in automotive industry information. Ward's Communications is a Southfield, Mich., based division of PRIMEDIA Business, the trade publication group of PRIMEDIA.
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.infiniti.com.
# # #
Contact: Fred Standish, Nissan Corporate Communications, 248-488-4227
(Or visit the Nissan Online News Bureau at www.nissannews.com)
Source: Nissan News
12-11-2002, 05:39 PM
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 431
Re: Nissan's Versatile VQ Engine Wins 9th Straight Award [Dec. 11, 02]
Originally posted by Y2KevSE
[B
The 2004 models of the Nissan Maxima and Quest will have their world debuts on Jan. 5, 2003, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
[/B]
[B
The 2004 models of the Nissan Maxima and Quest will have their world debuts on Jan. 5, 2003, at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
[/B]
12-11-2002, 09:59 PM
#10
Supporting Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,909
We know it everytime we drive something else. Drove a rental Intrepid for two days, got in the Maxima and the smoothness of the motor is one of a kind.
VQ For refinement and smoothness.
LS1 For raw A$$ kicking HP!
VQ For refinement and smoothness. LS1 For raw A$$ kicking HP!
12-11-2002, 10:10 PM
#12
if you are not truly impressed by this there is something wrong with you. only engine to be on the list every year since it's inception.
what did ward say last year?
i believe they called the vq " 'conan the barbarian' - slaying the competition"
what did ward say last year?
i believe they called the vq " 'conan the barbarian' - slaying the competition"
12-12-2002, 04:41 AM
#14
Donating Maxima.org Member
Join Date: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,154
Originally posted by CKNY
what did ward say last year?
i believe they called the vq " 'conan the barbarian' - slaying the competition"
what did ward say last year?
i believe they called the vq " 'conan the barbarian' - slaying the competition"
How about this one...VQ highlander...THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!
(okay I've never actually seen these movies, but I know the story)
Yes, it is too early for me to be thinking straight, but I know this. If the VQ engine is the only engine to make that list every year, then damn, it owns.
As for the rest of the car, compared with most other cars, still better.
minus the 6th gen, which, IMO is hideous beyond all reason.
12-12-2002, 04:55 AM
#15
Dyno plot says I have the most area under the Administrator curve
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,060
VQ Power!
Do you guys know what "other" engine also made Ward's this year??
Honda J30A4 3.0L SOHC VTEC V6, 240HP (new Accord V6 powerplant
)
Yup, now Honda is up there on the podium, too. This is actually Honda's very first V6 engine to make the 10 Best list, so this is a big thing for Honda. Although I'm curious as to why the J32A2 from the Cracura (CL-S/TL-S) didn't make it, since it's actually a more advanced engine with a wider powerband (variable intake manifold).
I bet the Cracura guys are gonna be upset about that one!
Do you guys know what "other" engine also made Ward's this year??
Honda J30A4 3.0L SOHC VTEC V6, 240HP (new Accord V6 powerplant
)Yup, now Honda is up there on the podium, too. This is actually Honda's very first V6 engine to make the 10 Best list, so this is a big thing for Honda. Although I'm curious as to why the J32A2 from the Cracura (CL-S/TL-S) didn't make it, since it's actually a more advanced engine with a wider powerband (variable intake manifold).
I bet the Cracura guys are gonna be upset about that one!
12-12-2002, 05:40 AM
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,117
Originally posted by SteVTEC
VQ Power!
Do you guys know what "other" engine also made Ward's this year?? Honda J30A4 3.0L SOHC VTEC V6, 240HP (new Accord V6 powerplant )
Yup, now Honda is up there on the podium, too. This is actually Honda's very first V6 engine to make the 10 Best list, so this is a big thing for Honda.
VQ Power!
Do you guys know what "other" engine also made Ward's this year?? Honda J30A4 3.0L SOHC VTEC V6, 240HP (new Accord V6 powerplant
)Yup, now Honda is up there on the podium, too. This is actually Honda's very first V6 engine to make the 10 Best list, so this is a big thing for Honda.
12-12-2002, 05:51 AM
#17
Dyno plot says I have the most area under the Administrator curve
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,060
Originally posted by Albertt
Too bad they stuck that engine in a car that looks like a cross between a sperm whale a Civic.
Too bad they stuck that engine in a car that looks like a cross between a sperm whale a Civic.
The VQ30DE ain't exactly the prettiest engine, either.
But then again, I think Ward's (and most people for that matter) care more about torque curves than manifold curves.
12-12-2002, 06:43 AM
#21
Originally posted by SteVTEC
VQ Power!
Do you guys know what "other" engine also made Ward's this year??
Honda J30A4 3.0L SOHC VTEC V6, 240HP (new Accord V6 powerplant )
Yup, now Honda is up there on the podium, too. This is actually Honda's very first V6 engine to make the 10 Best list, so this is a big thing for Honda. Although I'm curious as to why the J32A2 from the Cracura (CL-S/TL-S) didn't make it, since it's actually a more advanced engine with a wider powerband (variable intake manifold).
I bet the Cracura guys are gonna be upset about that one!
VQ Power!
Do you guys know what "other" engine also made Ward's this year??
Honda J30A4 3.0L SOHC VTEC V6, 240HP (new Accord V6 powerplant
)Yup, now Honda is up there on the podium, too. This is actually Honda's very first V6 engine to make the 10 Best list, so this is a big thing for Honda. Although I'm curious as to why the J32A2 from the Cracura (CL-S/TL-S) didn't make it, since it's actually a more advanced engine with a wider powerband (variable intake manifold).
I bet the Cracura guys are gonna be upset about that one!
12-12-2002, 06:45 AM
#22
12-12-2002, 06:55 AM
#24
Dyno plot says I have the most area under the Administrator curve
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,060
Originally posted by gtr_rider
what is that wire coming out of the nissan cover?
what is that wire coming out of the nissan cover?
Originally posted by gtr_rider
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/stevtecv6/Maxima/MyMax/SteV6er_Maxima_VQ.jpg
BTW, this is going on www.vqpower.com
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/stevtecv6/Maxima/MyMax/SteV6er_Maxima_VQ.jpg
BTW, this is going on www.vqpower.com
12-12-2002, 07:02 AM
#25
Dyno plot says I have the most area under the Administrator curve
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,060
Originally posted by Kojiro_FtT
Someone's always gotta rain on the parade.
Someone's always gotta rain on the parade.
If you want to see the 10 Best cars, checkout www.caranddriver.com/ The Maxima has not been on C&D's 10 Best Cars list since like 1992 or something.
12-12-2002, 08:50 AM
#26
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,677
Originally posted by SteVTEC
It's Ward's 10 Best ENGINES list. It places no weight on the car(s) that surround them. And that might be a good thing, too. lol
If you want to see the 10 Best cars, checkout www.caranddriver.com/ The Maxima has not been on C&D's 10 Best Cars list since like 1992 or something.
It's Ward's 10 Best ENGINES list. It places no weight on the car(s) that surround them. And that might be a good thing, too. lol
If you want to see the 10 Best cars, checkout www.caranddriver.com/ The Maxima has not been on C&D's 10 Best Cars list since like 1992 or something.
12-12-2002, 09:53 AM
#28
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,883
Originally posted by Kojiro_FtT
Someone's always gotta rain on the parade.
Someone's always gotta rain on the parade.
Anyway, the more Nissan gets the message, the better the next gen product will be. I don't think they're totally deaf ears--look at the G35 and 350Z. The Maxima is the flagship, it should have some road manners too. Just don't take the hood struts away and cheap out.
12-12-2002, 10:01 AM
#29
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,883
Originally posted by SteVTEC
VQ Power!
Do you guys know what "other" engine also made Ward's this year??
Honda J30A4 3.0L SOHC VTEC V6, 240HP (new Accord V6 powerplant )
Yup, now Honda is up there on the podium, too. This is actually Honda's very first V6 engine to make the 10 Best list, so this is a big thing for Honda. Although I'm curious as to why the J32A2 from the Cracura (CL-S/TL-S) didn't make it, since it's actually a more advanced engine with a wider powerband (variable intake manifold).
I bet the Cracura guys are gonna be upset about that one!
VQ Power!
Do you guys know what "other" engine also made Ward's this year??
Honda J30A4 3.0L SOHC VTEC V6, 240HP (new Accord V6 powerplant
)Yup, now Honda is up there on the podium, too. This is actually Honda's very first V6 engine to make the 10 Best list, so this is a big thing for Honda. Although I'm curious as to why the J32A2 from the Cracura (CL-S/TL-S) didn't make it, since it's actually a more advanced engine with a wider powerband (variable intake manifold).
I bet the Cracura guys are gonna be upset about that one!
In alphabetical order, the winners are:
Engine (and tested vehicle)
-- BMW AG 3L DOHC I-6 (330 Ci)
-- BMW AG 3.2L DOHC I-6 (M3)
-- DaimlerChrysler AG 5L SOHC V-8 (Mercedes-Benz ML500)
-- Ford Motor Co. 5.4L SOHC V-8/5.4L sprchg SOHC V-8 (F-150/F-150 Lightning)
-- General Motors Corp. 4.2L DOHC I-6 (GMC Envoy)
-- General Motors Corp. Duramax 6.6L OHV trbdisl. V-8 (Chev. Silverado HD)
-- Honda Motor Co. Ltd. 2L DOHC I-4 (Acura RSX Type S)
-- Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. 3.5L DOHC V-6 (Altima 3.5 SE)
-- Porsche AG 2.7L DOHC H-6 (Boxster)
-- Volkswagen AG 1.8L turbocharged DOHC I-4 (Jetta 1.8T)
12-12-2002, 10:42 AM
#31
Dyno plot says I have the most area under the Administrator curve
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 7,060
Originally posted by Frank Fontaine
What's the saying? With spring showers, come May flowers. We all know Wards is a bit hokey, because common sense tells us that German motors that are inline seem to be more powerful than they actually are. Take the 2.5 BMW, it's only got the same power as a 4 cyl Altima. Do you think maybe the former is a bit more fun to drive than the latter?
What's the saying? With spring showers, come May flowers. We all know Wards is a bit hokey, because common sense tells us that German motors that are inline seem to be more powerful than they actually are. Take the 2.5 BMW, it's only got the same power as a 4 cyl Altima. Do you think maybe the former is a bit more fun to drive than the latter?
The Germans use horses to rate their engines, whereas the Japanese only use ponies
And yes, there is in fact some truth to that
Originally posted by Frank Fontaine
Why would they be upset? Wards has the RS-X Type S motor on the list. They don't seem to have the one you cite, though.
Why would they be upset? Wards has the RS-X Type S motor on the list. They don't seem to have the one you cite, though.
12-12-2002, 11:27 AM
#33
Originally posted by Lime
sweet!
How about this one...VQ highlander...THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!
(okay I've never actually seen these movies, but I know the story)
SIZE]
sweet!
How about this one...VQ highlander...THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE!
(okay I've never actually seen these movies, but I know the story)
SIZE]
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