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Nissan Maxima, Infiniti I30 Engine Honored Again

16 December 1999

Nissan Maxima, Infiniti I30 Engine Honored Again; Ward's Names VQ Engine to '10 Best Engines' List for Sixth-Straight Year

    GARDENA, Calif., Dec. 15 -- For the sixth year in a row,
Nissan's 3-liter, V-6 VQ engine has been chosen by editors of Ward's
Communications, Inc. as one of the "10 Best Engines" available in the United
States.

    The VQ engine is standard equipment in the Nissan Maxima and Infiniti I30
sedans in the U.S. market, and is one of just two engines that has won the
award every year it has been presented.  Editors of Ward's Auto World and
Ward's Engine and Vehicle Technology Update will present the award at a
ceremony Jan. 13 during the preview days for the North American International
Auto Show in Detroit.

    For the 2000 model year, the award-winning VQ engine received numerous
enhancements which, among other things, boosted horsepower to 222 for the
Maxima and 227 for the I30.  Torque in both cars rose to 217 foot-pounds.

    The latest version of the 3-liter VQ features a variable capacity muffler,
in which a special flap opens when engine speed passes 2,000 rpm, routing
exhaust gases to two exhaust pipes.  That cuts exhaust backpressure, which, in
turn, boosts power and provides for smooth, strong acceleration.

    "Nissan's VQ 3-liter V-6, with increased horsepower and torque for model
year 2000, only strengthens its position as one of the most exhilarating and
responsive 6-cylinder engines available anywhere, at any price," said Bill
Visnic, managing technical editor for Ward's Auto World.

    "Winning a Ward's 10 Best Engines award for the sixth consecutive year
proves the depth of Nissan's engine development expertise," Visnic said.  "We
believe the VQ 3L V-6 is approaching the sort of 'legendary' status afforded
to a select group of timeless engine designs."

    The 3-liter VQ is one of a family of V-6 engines produced at a
state-of-the-art plant in Iwaki, Japan.

    "The VQ engine series sets the standard for V-6 powerplants in the United
States," said Jason Vines, vice president for external affairs at Nissan North
America, Inc.  "Other members of this well-respected engine family will be
showing up in the Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 sport-utility vehicles
very soon.

    "The power, smoothness and quietness of the VQ engines set them apart from
other V-6s," Vines added.  "They are symbols of what Nissan engineering has
been known for -- creation of distinctive, enjoyable vehicles."

    In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling,
engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing,
distribution and manufacturing.