Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
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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.
First generation
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.
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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)and the 128kb ECU only had half the resolution of the Skylines 256 kb ECU. 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, Malaysia 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), 1400kg (auto turbo 4wd)
Seating capacity: 5
Doors number: 4
Min. turning radius: 5 m
Fuel tank capacity: 65 L
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 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 interior softened. These are referred to as "facelift" shape and appear a little more refined in appearance.
Modifications
The most common engine modification is the RB25DET engine swap, which gives the car higher torque than the RB20DET engine, suited better for drifting. Also some people have successfully swapped RB26DETT engine with some minor oil sump modifications and RB25DET gearbox. Some Tuners prefer to use the lighter and more compact SR20DET using the RB25DET gearbox. Also many of the Silvia (S13), Laurel (C33) and Skyline (R32) parts are interchangeable, which gives you flexibility in choosing parts. Cefiros, due to their longer wheel base, are perfect for learning the skill of drifting prior to advancing to a nimbler chassis like an S14/5 or RX7.
