Nissan Cima HGY51

Two years ago, Nissan's flagship sedan, the Cima, was gone due to the economy. With the Cima gone, Nissan no longer selling cars with V8 engines on it, in fact, there is no such thing as a Nissan Fuga Y51 with a big V8 engine. For over two decades, the Nissan Cima served as the brand's flagship model that lasted for about four generations. For four generations, where does the Nissan Cima heading next?

2013 Nissan Cima

Actually, this is how they've gone next. It's the fifth-generation Nissan Cima, now designated as HGY51, and this is now more of a Fuga LWB or an Infiniti M35hL upon our encounter at the AUTO CHINA 2012. For starters, the magnificent V8 engine has been thrown away and replaced with a more "polar bear friendly" V6 engine with a hybrid powertrain on it. The all new Nissan Cima rides on a chassis that has been stretched 5.9-inches (150mm). Despite the increased length, the new Cima retains its familiar styling thanks to a sloping roofline and extended rear doors.

2013 Nissan Cima interior

2013 Nissan Cima interior

The new Nissan Cima HGY51 is elegantly equipped with semi-aniline leather upholstery, a Bose Surround Sound System with 16 speakers and 14-channel digital amplifier and an "auto intake control" system which remove allergens and bacteria from the air. The world's first forest air conditioner was also in the Cima, providing the fresh air of the forest come inside to give owners the freshness of the outside world they need. Rear passengers are also treated with reclining seats, a dual-screen entertainment system and separate audio / climate controls. On paper, this extended legroom is a fit for a Japanese politician who want to relax after a day's meeting for something something. Oh, and if you were a wealthy Japanese high school student, why don't you watch your favorite episodes of your favorite shows with the best sound quality? You could be getting interested on those...

Safety features for the new Cima? Let's take a look...there was safety shield that takes away the scratches from the car, intelligent pedal that was accompanied with the navigation system, intelligent cruise control, cornering stability assist, Lane Departure Prevention and Lane Departure Warning, and DSSS. (Driving Safety Support Systems) These features bring the owner come closer to safe and pleasant trip on the road.

Classified as part of Nissan's Pure Drive because of its hybrid-ness, the new Cima comes equipped with the 3.5L V6 hybrid VQ engine that produces a power output of 306PS/6,400rpm and the torque output of 35.7kg-m/4,400rpm. Nissan's original one-motor two-clutch parallel hybrid system named "Intelligent Dual Clutch Control" was also included on the new Cima that connects the high-response electric motor and the 3.5-liter VQ35HR V6 engine directly to the transmission, without the use of a traditional torque converter. This results the Cima a JC08 fuel economy of 16.6km/L, that's more than the Lexus LS600hL! That's incredible...

Available colors are Garnet Black, Brilliant Silver, Super Black, Crystal White Pearl, and Blade Silver.

My comment:

2013 Nissan Cima

The fifth-generation Cima is now the synonym of the Nissan Fuga Hybrid but with extended wheel base and a different face. Think of this car like...um...David Tennant...but with an anime look on him. Sorry if I had to say that but anyway, the new Cima hybrid premium sedan is no longer the Cima of yesteryears. There's nothing to explain more about this revival of Nissan's flagship sedan but I might consider it to be a bit more, well let's be kind, let's say meaningless. Once again, Nissan is stuck without a V8 car on their lineup but as the line from Torchwood says that this is the 21st century and you have to be ready but what's Nissan readying with? A flagship hybrid sedan that looks exactly the same as the Fuga Hybrid? I'm sorry but in the land of the Rising Yen, a car like this, would be rather pointless but I can't deny that this flagship sedan is all about being true to its 24 year heritage, then next year it would be the 25th year for the Cima.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.