Nissan Serena C27 and Skyline V37 (2020 facelift)

Two of the most noteworthy Nissans in the lineup, the Serena C27 and the Skyline V37 have been facelifted for the 2020 model year with newly redesigned looks, new features, and so much more. So, what's in store for the minor changes of these Nissans?

2020 Nissan Serena

First off, the updated version of the current-generation Nissan Serena. Starting below the 2.53 million Yen bracket, the C27 minor change features a newly redesigned exterior that looks somewhat noticeable by many. The base Serena now looks like the pre-facelift model's Highway Star variant, while the Highway Star variant now dons a massive grille that stretches toward the front bumper, which is rather odd for Japan's best-selling minivan but either way, the new models featured a redesigned wheels and a revised rearview.

On the inside, the Serena features a revised instrumental panel, optional waterproof seats in case the whole family went canoeing at the riverside, and pretty much it.

The choice of powertrains remains the same as the 2020 Nissan Serena is powered with choice of an MR20DD 2.0L petrol engine with a 1.8kW electric motor bolted on it for the S-HYBRID variant, and the popular choice e-POWER variant where the HR12DE petrol engine serves as a range extender for the 126PS electric motor and while it doesn't need charging like most electric cars do, the e-POWER variant will be getting 26.2km/L of fuel economy in the JC08 scale, which is outdated but rather impressive for a minivan like this.

Promising to be the safest Serena ever made since its launch three years ago, the 2020 Nissan Serena is offered numerous safety features, including a revised ProPilot with improved speed control. With a wide array of safety features that lets the Serena stop automatically, detects blind spots, suppresses false starts, and more, it's no doubt that this is the safest minivan Japanese families can't get enough of.

2020 Nissan Skyline

Next up, is the Nissan Skyline V37, and for the latest minor change, which starts at around 4.3 million Yen, not only the GT-R-styled front face that made the Skyline V37 striking to look at, but it's also the implementation of the brand new ProPilot 2.0 semi-autonomous tech as well as the first-ever VR30DDTT 3.0L Twin Turbo engine but more with that later on because let's look at the design first.

The previous Skyline V37 featured some Infiniti badges unknown to most Japanese customers for numerous reasons but for the 2020 minor change, the Nissan badge is back in the Skyline, and with the GT-R-styled nose slapped onto it, you can see that the luxury sports saloon is starting to take shape but please behave, people, because while the front looks like the GT-R, it's still the Skyline made for the posh gentlemen rather than for speedo boys.

On the inside, nothing's changed a bit, especially the twin monitors on the dashboard where the top one's for display and the bottom one's a touch screen. The double monitors, the steering wheel, the gear lever, they're all the same as last time.

Now, let's talk more about the ProPilot 2.0, which is available in the Skyline V37 minor change. The new and improved tech uses a wide array of sensors capable of hands-free driving while cruising in a single lane, although drivers still need to keep their eyes on the road. It kind of feels like the Autopilot from the Tesla but despite its scary-but-unique hands-free driving, the new feature isn't foolproof though so think smart before using this ultra-smart feature on the highway.

Couple that with numerous safety features and the result is a much safer experience, which is rather un-Skyline-ish, but if you want more for the Skyline, let's talk about performance.

While the Nissan Skyline still retains the Hybrid powertrain with the VQ35HR 3.5L petrol engine bolted to an electric motor, a Li-ion battery, and a 7-speed AT, the facelift introduces the brand new VR30DDTT 3.0L Twin Turbo engine. In the range-topping 400R variant, it produces 405PS of power and 475Nm of torque through the rear wheels and it's mated to a 7-speed AT. The 400R serves as the range-topper of the V37 and if you want something more powerful than the Lexus IS, consider this.

Apart from the engine choices, the 2020 Skyline comes with other features such as the revised Intelligent Dynamic Suspension with Direct Adaptive Steering.

These two recently facelifted Nissans are up for grabs in the midst of the autumn season so those who wanted something family-oriented should go for the Serena while those who wanted a luxury sports saloon that delivers a no-filter drive should go for the Skyline.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Nissan Skyline V37 - 2018 minor change

2017 marks the 60th anniversary of the Nissan Skyline and the Japanese car company decided to blow the candle on one of Japan's well-respected cars in history by releasing a new model, well, what I say new, what they mean was they are giving the current V37 Skyline, the one with Infiniti badges on it for no reason, a minor change which features almost none of the bits as seen on the Infiniti Q50.

2018 Nissan Skyline

Once again, the Japanese car company continue to disappoint the Japanese public by not selling stuff that was made in Japan but sold in other countries except Japan and this latest 2018 minor change Nissan Skyline is the latest example of Japan's blatant trend. First off, with the advent of the Infiniti Q60, which is the two-door version of the Q50, which is the international name for the Skyline V37, Nissan refused to sell the two-door version despite the fact that it's made in Japan, another blatant example of Japanese cars that don't want to be Tomicanized since the Toyota Hilux, Honda Civic, Honda CR-V, the Toyota RAV4, and the one that was used to be called the Nissan Dualis. What's next? The one used to be called the Skyline Crossover? The one that is now the all-new Infiniti QX50 with the world's first variable compression turbo? The engine the Japanese too afraid to show it?

Another blasphemy is the engine because in America and Europe, the latest version of the Q50 has the new, fire-breather 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine that produces more power than the old 3.7L V6 engine it replaces. Sadly, Nissan also declined the engine as well, which is another act of cowardice for Japanese car makers these days, which involves afraid to sell global automotive stuff in their home market even though they made it there. Anyway, let's not get bogged down on Nissan's latest act of cowardice because while Nissan's too afraid to show what's new worldwide for the Japanese public, let's observe what's new on the 2018 minor change.

Of course, the 2018MY Skyline still bears Infiniti emblems but what's new in the exterior is the bumper design, set of wheels, and new rear lamps. In addition, there is now an Infiniti badge at the back of the car. Something they should have done a very long time ago.

2018 Nissan Skyline interior

On the inside, there are small changes occurred such as the steering wheel, the gear level now donning the Infiniti logo on the top, and the instrumental panel. Despite some subtle changes, it's still surprisingly as posh as its European rivals and the added wood trim adds a nice touch to the Skyline's well-proportioned interior.

Like I mentioned, Nissan declined to offer the firebreathing V6 turbo engine that the Q50 had in the world market and instead, they've retained the choice of a 3.5L V6 Hybrid and a Mercedes-Benz-sourced 2.0L four-cylinder turbo engine. This “Intelligent Dual Clutch Control” Hybrid System has been around since the Fuga and it still works as it promised, balancing performance and efficiency at the same pace. It produces a total output of 364PS of power and for honest reasons, the fuel efficiency based on JC08 mode standards is 17.8km/L.

The Mercedes-Benz-sourced 2.0L Turbo engine for the 200GT-t variant, meanwhile, produces 211PS of power and 350Nm of torque while delivering a fuel efficiency of 13km/L by JC08 mode standards. Most of the variants are mated to a 7-speed AT.

Also, the Skyline still retains the breakthrough Direct Adaptive Steering which breaks away from mechanical components and uses technology to steer with precision, delivering precise handling and quickly communicates road surface feedback to the driver, but it has been recalibrated for better adaptability.

For safety, the 2018MY Skyline now features a wide array of safety features such as Active Lane Control, Intelligent Cruise Control, Distance Control Assist, Backup Collision Intervention, Blind Spot Warning and Intervention, Lane Departure Warning and Prevention, Forward Emergency Braking, and Predictive Forward Collision Warning. Couple these with an array of tech in store and the result is a much safer Skyline that you can really drive with confidence.

The 2018MY Nissan Skyline starts at 4,164,480 to 5,840,640 Japanese Yen, which sounds quite a lot but competitively priced between the European opposition. So, while Nissan set another example of their cowardly acts not to sell the Infiniti Q60 as the Skyline Coupe as well as the 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine along with it, the V37 Skyline has been upgraded to make sure it still wants to be accepted by the public even though 2017 is already the year of the Skyline. It maybe a somber way to blow sixty candles but this is just enough to cater this occassion, unless Nissan learns to break the mold and become one with the world market to sell other Skyline versions such as the coupe based on the Infiniti Q60 and the crossover based on the new Infiniti QX50. The more you know.

Photo: Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Forza Horizon 3: Which one is real?

2017 marks 60 years of Nissan Skyline and it's also 10 years of the R35 GT-R and while JDM fanatics are honoring the Skyline's 60th birthday this year, some Nissan experts are annoyed that most car enthusiasts are always putting the R35 GT-R in the history of Nissan Skyline rather than the V35 Skyline, which was known to some as the Infiniti G35, the V36 Skyline known by some as the new Infiniti G37, and the latest V37 Skyline known as the Q50 in saloon and Q60 in coupe. So, have you ever seen the Nissan Skyline timeline that has the R35 GT-R on it that annoys most Nissan execs?





To find out why, I'm driving this one-off Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge, which is basically a V37 Skyline with bits and bobs from the Nissan R35 GT-R on it. So, you might be thinking why the folks from Nissan want people to stop calling the R35 GT-R a Skyline and instead focus on the "real" history of the Nissan Skyline? Well, some people don't understand Japanese cars to the fullest or that's because to them, the Skyline is the epitome of the JDM car empire and when the GT-R emerged at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show, most folks still call it a Skyline in the same way today's WRX STi is still called an Impreza by car enthusiasts, not Subaru.

Both the Skyline and Impreza started out in life as normal everyday cars so it's understandable that some people still call these latest hi-po JDM cars the names that no longer bear from its predecessors. Anyway, when the folks from Nissan's Infiniti brand developed this one-off Skyline, they believed that this kind of trend will stop. Although this one-off never saw the light of day, it's proof that they made a car that can break many barriers for the Skyline nameplate and show world what the Skyline is capable of rather than being Nissan's 3-Series killer.



Nissan noticed people calling the R35 GT-R a Skyline rather than focusing on modern-day Nissan Skylines and used it as motivation to build this one-off powered by a 560HP VR38DETT engine sourced from the R35 GT-R while mated to a 7-speed DCT as well as Intelligent AWD and the Skyline's trademark Direct Adaptive Steering. With the Eau Rouge, Nissan wanted to change people's perception of the Skyline name by all means necessary.





Weird. What I have here is a battle between the car that is meant to be called the Skyline and the other that doesn't really bear the Skyline name from its predecessors and the venue for this place is, you guessed it, the Skyline View Circuit segment of the Surfers' Paradise. Get it? This is like a matchup between Yo-Kai Watch's Walkappa and Faux Kappa, with a tasty twist on it. With the V37 Skyline modified to have R35 GT-R bits on it and the "real" GT-R in place, let's find out which one is real.



And now the results...

2014 Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge (560HP/442ft-lb/3,836lb/57%/3,800cc/A 798) - 1:14.741
2017 Nissan GT-R (565HP/467ft-lb/3,933lb/54%/3,799cc/S1 861) - 1:10.070

So, despite everything I've witnessed between these two, it's a clear reminded that the GT-R did separated from the Skyline range in the same way what happened between Subaru's Impreza and WRX STi. It's proof that these guys know how to separate the men from the boys and because this R35 GT-R is quicker than the Skyline with the same engine from it, it's a point that will have Nissan execs want people stop putting the R35 GT-R in the Nissan Skyline timeline. A point that they will have it mentioned during the Skyline's 60th anniversary celebration.

There, it's easier to said than done but there's one Skyline I want to show you later on but for now, this will serve as a motivation that for 60 years of Nissan Skyline, the trend of putting the R35 GT-R on the Skyline history has to stop and understand the real history of the Nissan Skyline; from the Prince Skyline saloon of 1957, all the way to the Infiniti Q50 saloon that was called the Nissan Skyline V37.

Happy 60th birthday, Skyline!

IMPUL gets their work on the V37 Skyline (Q50)

Nissan specialist, IMPUL, finally got their mojos to work on their latest tuning project using the Nissan V37 Skyline (Infiniti Q50) as the base. Although release schedules aren't announced as of press time, the V37 Skyline tuning program from IMPUL comes with an array of aero kit upgrades and IMPUL has put a price tag each.

The The front bumper with daytime running lamps on it starts at 145,000 Japanese Yen (around $1,450), the side steps costs 95,000 Japanese Yen (around $950), the rear half costs 85,000 Japanese Yen (around $850), and the rear spoiler costs 95,000 Japanese Yen (around $950). Have them all and this full kit will cost you 400,000 Japanese Yen (around $4,000).

IMPUL will also offer an OHLINS SUPER SHOCK suspension, priced at 338,000 Yen (excluding tax), which IMPUL said that it offers great cornering stability.

URL: http://www.impul.co.jp/products/model/V37_SKYLINE.html

Forza Motorsport 5: Skyline Eau Rouge

Last time, I tried out the Infiniti Q50S on Forza Motorsport 5 and while the Infiniti Q50 is a localized version of the Nissan Skyline V37 but with the 3.7L V6 VVEL engine in it, it still handles like a sportscar. The secret weapon to handle the Q50 with precision and accuracy lies to its Direct Adaptive Steering and I believed to be much more effective than those less-communicative power steering cars. It sure is fun to have one but I wish this Skyline to be more Skyline than this Skyline but luckily, they're ahead of me.

What lies beneath the shadows is called the Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge, it's a concept car based on the Q50 that I just drove earlier but this is a preview of the high-performance model that delivers a serious threat to the Europeans.

 

It looks like the Q50 but because this is a high-performance take on the said saloon, it incorporates Formula One inspiration to its aerodynamics, perhaps no wonder it was heavily inspired by Sebastian Vettel's championship-winning F1 car. Eau Rouge is named after a vicious corner from Spa-Francorchamps, the venue for the Belgian Grand Prix and because the elevation's very vicious even for a skilled veteran, perhaps no wonder why they decided to call it the Eau Rouge for this car.

This car was revealed at the 2014 NAIAS but only the outside view because what lies under the bonnet, it's everyone's guess. No one really knows what powered the Eau Rouge even though it claims to possess over 500HP of power right until to the 2014 Geneva Motor Show where it was revealed that it was powered by the same VR38DETT engine from the Nissan R35 GT-R. Just what I thought, the Skyline just can't get even more Skyline-er.

 

The 3.8L V6 Twin Turbo engine on the "Skyline Eau Rouge" develops over 560HP of power and 442lb-ft of torque while connected to a seven-speed double clutch gearbox. It can do 0-60mph in less than four seconds and a top speed of almost 180mph. Plus, it comes with Infiniti's Intelligent AWD that takes great care of power and traction while adapting to the changing road conditions. It automatically sends up to 50% of the power to the front for better traction while the rear wheels gain most of the power for better road performance when four-wheel drive is not necessary.

The result of this Intelligent AWD complete with its signature Direct Adaptive Steering is a car that not only stands out in the corners, it licks it like ice cream, and even when you place this to the Top Gear Test Track, the Q50 bravely survives without warning.

 

The Nissan GT-R is once fabled as the car that can humiliate the best of the West but I reckoned that because the Q50 Eau Rouge is the V37 Skyline with the heart and soul of the Nissan GT-R, I have a theory that it will do the same against its Western opposition and I tried it. Not only the Eau Rouge can deliver a serious threat to the executive saloons but high-powered cars of it class can get smacked by it...well, some of it, really.



Time now for a real challenge and to find out just how good is the Eau Rouge is, it's time to pack some bags and move out from the Top Gear Track because the Q50 Eau Rouge takes on Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium.



So, with the track featuring the namesake corner, can the Q50 Eau Rouge brave through the perils of Spa? I tried it round the track and my response is a big proud yes. The Q50 Eau Rouge is a brave saloon that braves through one of the toughest racetracks in Grand Prix history. Legend has it that there are some racing drivers that are not brave enough to survive Eau Rouge at the start but it's worth the thrill...



Spa-Francorchamps is a racetrack where ace drivers from all parts of the world gathered at this grand stage where they put all of their driving skills to the test. There are no affiliations or ranks that can hinder them as the only main rule in this racetrack is to survive.

Not only Formula One has their Belgian GP set here but also the WEC where racing drivers have to survive 24 hours racing endlessly on this track until the winner and the survivor is named. There are numerous motorsports held here but I can't tell what are those because of time constraints.

If you were looking for a racetrack that is surely the equivalent of The Round Table, sadly, this isn't it because there are so many expert-level racetracks that can suit their qualifications but since Spa-Francorchamps is so expert-level, you may consider this your Round Table for you and the other knights of the Round Table.



But still, the Q50 Eau Rouge found its own reason to battle on the track like this because the Q50 Eau Rouge was born to be more of a lethal weapon on the road and track if Nissan's Carlos Ghosn gives the green light for this.



So, conclusion time. The Q50 Eau Rouge really is a GT-R in a Skyline suit even though this is a V37 Skyline with the engine from the R35 GT-R but thanks to this engine as well as its F1-inspired aerodynamics and the Intelligent AWD, the Q50 Eau Rouge really triggers a serious threat to the Europeans. Sadly because this is a concept car, the Q50 Eau Rouge is not for sale and it's not street legal like most concept cars do...well, some of it.

Despite being a concept, the feedback is extremely high because if this GT-R-injected Skyline V37 approves for production, I would be longing to have one in my whole life.

Forza Motorsport 5: It's the V37 Skyline!*

*Well, sort of. It may look like the latest V37 Nissan Skyline sedan but when you open its hood, instead, you will be greeted by a 3.7L V6 VVEL engine carried from its previous model instead of...well, you know...so clearly that looks like a Nissan Skyline but doesn't feel like one because what this is is the export version of the V37 Skyline, the Infiniti Q50.



Despite the difference, this is the first I have ever got my shot to drive the latest premium midsize saloon from Nissan's Infiniti division now that it was recently added to the Forza 5 car list via this month's content update. It's been an honor to get behind the wheel of the V37 Skyline even though it has a completely different engine and made for export markets, especially North America.



So, what's all about the Q50? You know? The Americanized or globalized or localized, whatever you may call it, version of the V37 Nissan Skyline?

Revealed at the 2013 North American International Auto Show, the Q50 is the successor to the V36 Skyline-based G37 saloon and it's the first to incorporate Infiniti's new naming scheme where saloon models bear the Q letter while sport utilities bear the QX letters.

Went on sale in America in the second half of 2013, the Q50 is available in 3.7L V6 petrol and 3.5L V6 hybrid powerplants. It comes with the world's firsts such as Direct Adaptive Steering which delivers precise handling and quickly communicates road surface feedback to the driver and the Predictive Forward Collision Warning that detects possible collisions ahead and triggers and alert to the driver with a visual warning and audible buzzer.

The Infiniti Q50 is sold in Japan as the Nissan Skyline V37 but Japan-spec models come with the 3.5L V6 hybrid and the Mercedes-Benz-derived 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo engine.



Having spent five minutes driving this premium midsize saloon, I can surely say that the world's first Direct Adaptive Steering on the Q50S really handles like it should unlike those power steering that you expect in most cars like the Lexus GS. It's as precise as locking-on the target and thanks to the Direct Adaptive Steering, this Q50S could be one of the best handling cars I have ever driven on FM5 and when I put this sports saloon on the Top Gear Track and faced in corners like Chicago, Hammerhead, Follow-Through, and Gambon, the Q50 precisely glides through the corners with clinical precision with some minor mistakes when not focused. It's okay though because this Q50 is so easy to drive even at the hands of a rookie.



I know that the 3.7L V6 engine may have 328HP of power for the Q50S but with such handling mojos rigged to it, the Q50 will keep me longing for days and not only that, you can drift one of these, which of course, why would you want to?



So, what can I say about this car? Well, it may not be the V37 Skyline I was hoped for but I am very humbled to drive the latest version and its strength lies to its handling capabilities thanks to its Direct Adaptive Steering. Luxury never felt so liberating...

Skyline 200GT-t - A Nissan Skyline with a Mercedes-Benz engine

2015 Nissan Skyline 200GT-t

Previewed from Geneva, now available to order in Japan, and coming soon worldwide as the Infiniti Q50, the Nissan Skyline (V37) now comes with the much-awaited 2.0L turbo engine sourced from Mercedes-Benz. This isn't a joke. This is the real deal, it's a Nissan Skyline with a Mercedes-Benz engine in it! Honest!

The Mercedes-Benz derived M274 engine that powers
this Nissan Skyline

Called the 200GT-t, this new Skyline variant is set to replace the old 2.5L V6 model of the outgoing V36 Skyline. The old V36 Skyline's 2.5L V6 engine produces 225PS of power output but for the M274 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine, it produces a lesser 211PS of power output. A Skyline with a Mercedes-Benz sourced turbo engine maybe have less power than the outgoing 2.5L V6 engine but because this is turbo, I believe that it can make up for its personal shortcomings. Remember what I told you about this?

The Skyline 200GT-t is equipped with a 7-speed automatic gearbox with manual mode operated via paddle shifters and as for fuel economy, the 200GT-t has 13.6km/L as calculated by Japan's JC08 mode standards. That's 2.2km/L more than the 2.5L V6 engine it replaces. When compared to its rival, the Lexus IS250, that's about 2km/L more! How did they do that?

Sales of the 200GT-t variant starts at the 5th of June, 2014, and it's priced at 3,834,000 Japanese Yen (around $39,000) up to 4,568,400 Japanese Yen (around $46,000) for the Type SP model.

URL: http://www.nissan.co.jp/SKYLINE/

Source: http://autoc-one.jp/news/1770243/

The Skyline Eau Rouge concept and the upcoming Skyline 2.0T

Two months ago at the 2014 North American International Auto Show, Nissan's luxury brand, Infiniti, showcased a bewildering concept saloon car based on last year's Q50 (better known to you and I as the V37 Skyline) and based on how it looks, this concept car maybe more of Japan's M3 killer, something to give high-performance European saloon a run for their money.

2014 Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge Concept

The Eau Rouge Concept, named after a corner from Spa-Francorchamps, is the result of what happens when you give the Skyline the spirit of a Formula One racer and it comes with a bespoke carbon fiber aerodynamics, making it lower and wider. Infiniti's Johan de Nysschen said that if they made this car, he would expect that this hot Q50/Skyline to produce over 500HP of power and 600lb/ft of torque.

It showed up but no one knows what kind of engine that powers it until at the recent 2014 Geneva Motor Show, the Skyline Eau Rouge comes with an uprooted version of the 3.8L V6 engine sourced from the GT-R. Thanks to the GT-R engine, it develops over 560HP of power and 442lb-ft of torque while connected to a seven-speed double clutch gearbox.

I tell you what, if that hot Q50 or Skyline went into production in the near future, I bet that the Eau Rouge is definitely Japan's answer to the latest BMW M3 F80 saloon but because this is a concept, best to dream on.

2014 Nissan Skyline

Aside from the Skyline Eau Rouge concept getting a turbo engine, it looks like they did previewed an upcoming, entry-level version of the Infiniti Q50 or Skyline V37, only this time it comes with a 2.0L Turbo engine which, in theory, it could replace the outgoing model's 2.5 V6 engine. The old V36 Skyline's 2.5L V6 engine produces 222HP of power output but for this 2.0L turbo 4-cylinder engine coming to a Q50 or Skyline near you, it produces a lesser 208HP of power output. A Skyline with a Mercedes-Benz sourced turbo engine maybe have less power than the outgoing 2.5L V6 engine but because this is turbo, I believe that it can make up for its personal shortcomings. Some say, the 2.0L turbo variant of the Infiniti Q50 or Nissan Skyline V37 will be rolling out worldwide this fall.

As of now, the latest Nissan Skyline (launched in November 2013, on sale last February 2014) is powered by a 3.5L V6 engine connected to an electric motor and a Li-ion battery. In other words, it's a hybrid but it's connected to a 7-speed DCT gearbox that delivers maximum torque and a more sportier drive. The one thing I find it confusing is why the new Skyline wears Infiniti badges all over but still called it a Skyline for anonymous reasons. Don't ask but it's all Nissan's idea.

Nissan Skyline V37

2014 Nissan Skyline

Welcome everyone to the new Nissan Skyline and when I say new, I mean, it's REALLY new.

This is the 13th-generation of one of Nissan's legendary names and for almost six decades, the Skyline legend has been the pinnacle of the Nissan history. There has been numerous tales regarding one of the oldest Japanese car names in its existence but for the brand new, 13th-generation Skyline, the legend puts a new spin because why? On the front, it has an Infiniti emblem on it while on the back, there's no logo on it. Just the garnish that says SKYLINE spelled out on it. Quite a bizarre feat, isn't it?

So what's new in the 13th Skyline even though the front now has an Infiniti badge on it? It has a new Direct Adaptive Steering which delivers precise handling and quickly communicates road surface feedback to the driver. There's also the Active Lane Control which uses a camera to detect direction of the vehicle based on the lane markers to help fine-tune the tire angle and steering reaction force. Also, it comes with the world's first Predictive Forward Collision Warning that detects possible collisions ahead and triggers and alert to the driver with a visual warning and audible buzzer.

There's more because in the past, bigger engines usually meant to be more power but for today's trends; bigger isn't better so when the engineers created the new Skyline, the big twist is that the brand new Skyline is now a hybrid but not what you expected to be because the hybrid system was derived from the flagship Fuga and Cima. It's a 3.5L V6 engine connected to an electric motor and a lithium-ion battery, making the new V37 Skyline delivering 364PS of power, that's more than the old model's 3.7L V6 engine it replaces and then there's the 7-speed Intelligent Dual Clutch Control hybrid transmission that delivers maximum torque and a more sportier drive than the CVTs most hybrids commonly have.

2014 Nissan Skyline interior

2014 Nissan Skyline interior

Inside, the new Skyline features dual monitors mounted on the dashboard which makes a certain yuppie feel more of a techie. It also comes with a proper wood trim inspired by the traditional Urushi painting technique called "Fuki-urushi" and "Kacchu". The added craftsmanship to the new interior truly adds a nice touch to this luxury sports saloon and once more, it even has increased rear knee room which is 20mm more than the previous model.

2014 Nissan Skyline

On normal roads, the Skyline feels more luxurious and the ride feels more like its European rivals. However, most of the improvements do come with the price and the new Skyline costs from around 4,496,100 yen to 5,537,700 yen, including consumption tax, and it goes on sale late February 2014 at Nissan dealers throughout Japan, meaning you have to wait longer for this new model.

But still, the Nissan Skyline has long been a rival to the Lexus IS but since it's much more sportier and more responsive to drive than its rival, the Lexus IS 300h, I find this to be more enjoyable but there's a catch; with the 3.5L V6 hybrid powerplant and the 7-speed gearbox, fuel economy is 18.4km/L, that's less than what the IS 300h had but let's remember, the IS 300h is less powerful and less exciting than this. As a matter of fact, the new V37 Skyline always love to feel at home at a more crowded part of Japan. This car is a game changer in its own right. You can enjoy driving one at a winding road without leaving you all the drama that caused you the hassle.

Despite donning the Infiniti badge, the new model still retains the good Skyline name, even though the new model do really made a huge spin in the Skyline history.

Available colors: Hagane Blue, Premium Brown, Crystal White Pearl, Garnet Black, Brilliant Silver, Dark Metal Grey, Radiant Red, and Super Black.

Photo: Nissan Motor Company

Infiniti Q50

The Infiniti G, the car that was known to be Infiniti's answer to the Lexus IS as well as its German rivals like the BMW 3-Series, Audi A4, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. So far, there has been numerous people interested in this car despite the fact that the G in the Infiniti range was just an Stateside version of the Japanese car we all love, the Nissan Skyline. Last year, with Infiniti proposed their new naming scheme that has all cars start with Q and QX, the first car to implement Infiniti's new naming scheme was this...

2014 Infiniti Q50

This is the Infiniti Q50. It costs 36,700 US Dollars and on paper, Infiniti's answer to the Lexus IS and the Germans is starting to get even more clever than its replacement. First and foremost, it is available in either a high-performance 328HP 3.7L V6 carried over from its G37 predecessor and for the first time ever, a hybrid powerplant that incorporates the Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid system with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control as seen on the Infiniti M35h. The combined output of 360HP of power channeled from its 3.5-liter V6 and compact laminated lithium-ion battery design with an innovative one-motor/two-clutch motor control is just one thing why the hybrids of Infiniti aren't like any other hybrids you'd expect. You would expect this to be dull and boring just like any other hybrids I know but for this one, it isn't. Despite its hybrid powerplant, the Q50 sure knows how to behave like its Euro enemies and I had to say that this is worth a try against the petrol-powered Lexus IS350. Thumbs up though.

2014 Infiniti Q50 interior

2014 Infiniti Q50 interior

The drama isn't just the powertrain of the Q50 because on the inside, it's as cutting-edge as your Samsung Galaxy smartphone and the craftsmanship isn't just limited on the outside because every nooks and crannies of the Q50 is well-mannered and it took several resources such as leathers, fabrics, metals and glass. It's also come with two screens just like what 2013's Hondas and Acuras got but this isn't because on the top, this is what I called the display zone and on the bottom, this is what I called the command zone because on the bottom, the driver can choose whatever apps it offered from its hard drive just a few fingers away and that's iPad stuff if you know what I mean.

Don't forget that even though you can have either a 3.7L V6 or a 3.5L V6 hybrid in which it has more than the former I told, the Q50 is available in either a rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. Oh yeah, if my pick was the rear-wheel drive, I wonder what is like to handle this? Well, the answer, you can. Even if you act like a Brainiac, you can corner this car and get out alive because of its clever suspension system. It's a good thing it doesn't act like the Germans or the Lexus IS or the Toyota Crown but that's just the tip of the iceberg because there's this world's first Direct Adaptive Steering technology which allows independent control of the Q50's tire angle and steering inputs, transmitting the driver's intentions to the wheels faster than a mechanical system. Well, that's new.

2014 Infiniti Q50

The G37 is probably the hardest act to follow but the all new 2014 Infiniti Q50 really pulled it off quickly like a magician pulling a rabbit out of the hat. It drives well, it looks well, and it doesn't lost most of its J-dorama quirkiness. It has some of the elements that its Japanese rivals like the Toyota Crown and the Lexus IS can't. This sedan, well I was gonna say another kind of culture shock, has still got its gentleman manner hidden beneath the heart of the bravest warrior. Cars like the Crown and the IS is still just a bit of a drama nowadays even when they put smaller engines and hybrid powerplants in the name of JC08 fuel economy but for this one, it still has the right elements. It's amazing that for this Q50, it tries to show that the only thing more sexier than that is taking a peek at teenage girls in their racing swimsuit rather than the rather nonsense stuff about a swimming club with boys in their biceps. It's a sure fire thing that with this Q50, something so wrong feel so right all along with it.