The top 10 Nissan sedans

Nissan is reportedly discontinuing the production of the Cima and Fuga flagship sedans, leaving the V37 Skyline sedan the only Nissan sedan Japanese people will buy as the company shifts its focus to crossovers and SUVs, which is a bunch of BS because the only Nissan SUVs available for Japanese people are the Kicks, the X-Trail, and the Ariya.

With the V37 Skyline the only Nissan sedan you can buy, it's time for a trip down memory lane to list down the ten best Nissan sedans ever made. 

2020 Nissan Skyline

10) Nissan Infiniti Q45 - Yes, Nissan did introduce the Infiniti marque in Japan at the end of 1989 with the Q45. Although this is basically called the Infiniti Q45, it was sold in Nissan dealerships until 1997. Donning the "Japan Original" tagline, the Infiniti Q45 features a unique badging on the front and a handcrafted interior inspired by Japanese aesthetics, showcasing its Japanese roots. Under the hood, it's powered by a VH45DE 4.5L engine mated to a 4-speed automatic.

9) Nissan Fuga Y51 - Launched in late 2009, the second-generation Fuga features a sleek and sporty exterior design as well as a classy interior full of tech and conveniences. It was offered in a choice of a 2.5L, a 3.7L, and a 3.5L hybrid powerplant mated to a 7-speed automatic, which makes it more engaging to drive than a Lexus GS450h. The Fuga Y51 spawned a long-wheelbase variant under the Cima name but only the hybrid variant is offered. Fair enough.

8) Nissan Cedric/Gloria Y33 - Launched in 1995, the Y33 Cedric and Gloria luxury sedans look daintily similar to their Y32 predecessors, apart from retaining their boxy looks, but they have refined dynamics as well as implementing dual airbags on a production vehicle. To recall, the Cedric is focused on being a proper luxury car while the Gloria is focused on being the Cedric's sporty alternative. Either way, speedo boys enjoyed both of these cars, especially when modified to their VIP looks. Slammed, big wheels, stance, expensive car jewelry, flashy exterior colors, and the odd-looking ornament attached to the rear-view mirror.

7) Nissan Skyline V37 - Launched in late 2013 and going on sale a year later, the V37 Skyline is basically a Japanese version of the Infiniti Q50 sold globally. Only the 3.5L HYBRID variant was available at launch and then followed by the 200GT-t variant, which is powered by a Mercedes-Benz-derived 2.0L turbo engine mated to a 7-speed AT.  It had two facelifts during its tenure with the second facelift a big one. Not only did it bring the Nissan badge back to the V37 Skyline, but it was also the first to introduce ProPilot 2.0 semi-autonomous driving aids as well as the first-ever 400R variant with the 400PS V6 3.0L Twin Turbo engine.

6) Nissan Cefiro A31 - The first-generation Nissan Cefiro was launched in the autumn of 1988 and it's powered by a choice of either a 2.0L or a 2.5L engine, mated to either an automatic or a manual gearbox. Speedo boys love the A31 because being the sedan version of the S13 Silvia, they found its use as a drift car for use in pro-street racing events or for showing off in the parking lot on a late Saturday night with lots of modifications in it.

5) Nissan President PGF50 - The second-generation Nissan President is basically an LWB version of the Cima F50 that has been peppered with ultra-luxury features on the passenger side. Like its short wheelbase cousin, the second-generation President is powered by a VK 4.5L V8 engine that produces 280PS of power and 451Nm of torque. Not bad for an ultra-luxury Nissan flagship sedan that time forgot.

4) Nissan Primera P11 - The second-generation Nissan Primera was launched in 1995 as well as its sporty Camino variant. It boasts a multi-link suspension to make it as easy to drive as a European car. It's no wonder the Nissan Primera became a worthy competitor against rival touring cars like the Honda Accord, the Renault Laguna, and the Opel Vectra. Thank you, TOCA.

3) Nissan Teana J31 - Launched in 2003 as the replacement for the Cefiro, the Teana is Nissan's luxury premium midsize sedan that slots between the Skyline and the Cedric/Gloria sedans. While the styling is rather contemporary for a luxury sedan, the Teana's turning point is its luxurious interior which is about as cozy as the sofas and chairs you bought from the IKEA store. The Teana J31 is sold in South Korea as the Renault Samsung SM5 and SM7 and in other countries as the Renault Safrane.

2) Nissan Skyline ER34 - The ER34 Skyline sedan was launched in Japan in mid-1998, months before the coupe version and the almighty GT-R followed later. While the R34 GT-R became one of the most iconic Japanese sports cars to come out from the Heisei era, it seems that the originator became long forgotten. It's rear-wheel-drive, it has four doors, it has a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine, and it's a balls-out drift machine. You may remember that a tuning company called Blitz turned the ER34 Skyline sedan into a D1GP drifting machine.

1) Nissan Sunny B13 - Okay, you get the point. Why did I put the Sunny B13 at the top of the list? Although it's not as exciting to drive as a four-door Skyline, it's by no means one of the most reliable Japanese sedans made in the early 90s. It's so reliable, that even the Mexicans loved it until it was removed from Nissan's Mexico lineup in 2018. Still, it remains one of the most reliable go-to sedans to be used on a daily basis, be it for work or for road trips.

...and these are the ten best Nissan sedans ever made. It's a shame that the V37 Skyline will be the only Nissan sedan available for the Japanese people while Nissan offers cool-looking sedans in other countries, especially China and the US. Signs of the times, am I right? Blame the SUV frenzy for the diminishing sedan lineup, which is basically a weak point of Nissan because it doesn't have the capability to match Toyota's massive SUV lineup, it only relies on potential strong sellers for the Japanese masses such as the Kicks, the X-Trail, and the new Ariya electric SUV.

Unless Nissan tries to match global levels to its lineup offered for the Japanese people, it won't be as great as Toyota's, and worse, it may end up in the same fate as the Ford Motor Company; going sedan-less, which is bad.

My GT7 Log: Episode Z

The Nissan Fairlady Z has become the second best thing to come out since the iconic Skyline GT-R. Since 1969, the Fairlady Z has been forever known to rewrite the rules of sports cars and remains one of the most important forefathers of the JDM sportscar realm apart from the 2000GT from Toyota and the Cosmo from Mazda.

Aside from being one of the iconic sports cars in Nissan's history, it remains one of the unsung heroes of the seinen manga/anime genre when it became the star of the Wangan Midnight franchise as the Devil Z, the demon of the Wangan expressway that Akio Asakura is brave enough to drive this monster. From conquering the Tokyo highways to the world, speedo boys can't get enough of the Fairlady Z's lineage from the beginning up 'till now. As the world braced for the new normal, the question now is, does the Fairlady Z still has a chance to survive the new society we live in?

The answer is a bare yea and in response, Nissan has unleashed the new Fairlady Z to show the world that Z is back in the race.

From its 2021 Los Angeles Auto Show unveiling to its Japan premiere at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon, the new Fairlady Z continues to rewrite the rules of sports cars in a big way.

As observers point out, the new Fairlady Z is not really an all-new model. In fact, it's basically a big minor change version of the Z34 Fairlady Z launched in December 2008, giving the RZ34 code, but most of the stuff in this model is completely new.

The Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 features an eclectic mix of design cues inspired by past models as well as a cutting-edge interior featuring a GT-R-derived steering wheel, the signature triple pod cluster, and race-inspired gauges. Under the hood, the previous model's 3.7L VVEL engine was replaced by the VR30DDTT 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine derived from the Skyline 400R. It produces nearly 400HP of power and 475Nm of torque while mated to either a 6-speed manual or a 9-speed AT. It features optional launch control for the first time in a Z car and a mechanical LSD.

Apart from the performance it delivers, the RZ34 Fairlady Z features new monotube shocks, new front geometry, rear suspension tuning, and another first for the Z car, electric power steering. It even features increased rigidity and available sports brakes.

Although a shocker to many because of its electric power steering that made it feel bulky to drive, the RZ34 delivers the best of both worlds and it continues to live up to its lineage as the sports car that served as the GT-R's head honcho, the second-in-command, the right-hand man, whatever speedo boys see fit.

To find out just how good the new Fairlady Z is, I need to find a suitable sandbox to test it out. Sure, I would like to test it on the Nurburgring like most sports cars but because the RZ34 is not available Euro-wide due to tightening regulations, best to cross that out, sadly.

So, if I can't test the RZ34 to the Nurburgring, where to test it? Look up and you'll see the answer; Laguna Seca.

Being used by most car magazines to test new cars, Laguna Seca is the ideal place to give the RZ34 Fairlady Z the two minutes of fame it will never forget. Actually, I won't do this at exactly two minutes because I'm going less than two minutes and this is what I'll do with the RZ34 as it will go around Laguna Seca in less than two minutes. Ready? Roll the tape.

After a quick lap around Laguna Seca, the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 with the 9-speed automatic mated in it did it in 1:48.014. Exactly as planned.

In the midst of the new normal, the Fairlady Z continues to fight back in new and exciting ways to win the hearts of speedo boys. The RZ34 may be a big minor change from the Z34 Fairlady Z but it's primed and ready to tackle the challenges of the Reiwa era like a bonafide Reiwa era JDM sports car. It seems that bitter sacrifices have been made to make the RZ34 the best Fairlady Z ever made. Sure, it has lost its European fans due to Nissan's decision not to sell the RZ34 on the Old Continent but for speedo boys in America, Japan, and other countries permitted to sell it, will the RZ34 Fairlady Z be hit or a miss? 

Only time will tell but in the meantime, the only game to experience the thrill of the Nissan Fairlady Z RZ34 is on Gran Turismo 7. It's a shocker letting the RZ34 become a Gran Turismo-exclusive car. Boo.

THREATS FROM NORTH KOREA: South Korea's Yoon calls on North to give up nukes

South Korea’s new President Yoon Suk-yeol called for the “complete denuclearization” of the North at his swearing-in on Tuesday, describing Pyongyang’s weapons as a threat to regional and global security.

Yoon, 61, who started work in an underground bunker with a security briefing on North Korea, took office at a time of high tensions on the peninsula, with Pyongyang conducting a record 15 weapons tests since January, including two launches last week.

In his inaugural speech, he said he would consider sending significant economic aid to the North, but only if Pyongyang first gives up its nuclear program — a demand that is anathema to Kim Jong Un and will likely stymie any chances of dialogue, according to analysts.

“If North Korea genuinely embarks on a process to complete denuclearization, we (will) present an audacious plan that will vastly strengthen North Korea’s economy and improve the quality of life for its people,” Yoon said.

Kim’s missiles and nukes were a threat to South Korean, regional and global security, he said, adding: “The door to dialogue will remain open so that we can peacefully resolve this threat.”

Yoon’s conservative administration looks set to usher in a more muscular foreign policy for the world’s 10th-largest economy, after the dovish approach pursued by his predecessor Moon Jae-in during his five years in office.

Under Moon, Seoul pursued a policy of engagement with Pyongyang, brokering summits between Kim and then-US president Donald Trump. But talks collapsed in 2019 and diplomacy has stalled since.

Yoon is not likely to have an easy ride, taking office with some of the lowest approval ratings — around 41 percent, according to a recent Gallup poll — of any democratically elected South Korean president.

He has relocated the presidential office from the decades-old Blue House, which soured public sentiment as many view the costly move as unnecessary.

Yoon said the Blue House, located at a site used by the Japanese colonial administration from 1910 to 1945, was a “symbol of imperial power”, claiming the relocation would ensure a more democratic presidency.

The Blue House grounds will be opened to the public as a park, and during the inauguration ceremony, footage of people walking up to the once-fortified compound was broadcast live.

‘Never succumbed’

The formal inauguration ceremony was staged outside Seoul’s National Assembly, featuring marching army bands, soldiers in ceremony dress, and a 21-gun salute.

During his inauguration speech, Yoon said that South Korea was facing “multiple crises,” citing the pandemic, global supply chain issues and economic woes, and “complex” armed conflicts and wars.

“Such complex, multi-faceted crises are casting a long and dark shadow over us,” he said, adding that he was confident the country would emerge from its current difficulties.

“Koreans never succumbed; we became stronger and wiser,” he said.

Around 40,000 people attended the massive inauguration ceremony, which local reports said was the country’s the most expensive such event by far, at 3.3 billion won ($2.6 million).

Moon and impeached former president Park Geun-hye — recently pardoned and released from jail by Moon — both attended the ceremony.

US President Joe Biden designated Douglas Emhoff, husband of US Vice President Kamala Harris, to lead an eight-member delegation.

Japan and China also sent high-level representatives, with Yoon saying he wants to mend sometimes fractious relations with regional powers.

Source: Agence-France-Presse

UKRAINE CONFLICT: 5/10/2022

                                               

The latest in the ongoing Ukraine conflict:

• Putin’s Victory Day speech gives no clue on Ukraine escalation
• Japan announces fresh economic sanctions against Russia
• Ukrainians being taken "against their will" into Russia - Pentagon
• Russia not planning to close embassies in Europe - RIA
• White House: Putin's speech was revisionist history
• Ukrainian Americans try many ways to bring in relatives
• In wink to Ukraine, Britain, Macron suggest new European entity
• Biden says he is worried Puttin does not have a way out of Ukraine war
• Ukraine calls for moves to unblock ports and prevent global food crisis
• Biden unhappy with intel leaks on Ukraine, says White House

COVID-19 SITUATION: 5/10/2022

                                                     

The latest in the ongoing COVID-19 situation:

• US cathedral bells toll 1,000 times for one million COVID-19 deaths
• Downtown Beijing goes quiet as zero-Covid policy smothers capital
• Japanese athlete collapses, vomits after sanitizer swig
• Brown coaches Warriors after Kerr tests positive

Let's Do The News! (May 10, 2022)

                                                     

Your daily round-up of today's news:

- Bongbong Marcos delivers an address to the nation after runaway lead in polls

- Ping Lacson says he's going home to serve his family for a change.

- Makati City Mayor Abby Binay wins her re-election bid.

- The COMELEC announced they're not re-using VCMs in the 2025 midterms due to glitches.

- Robin Padilla, Loren Legarda, and Raffy Tulfo leads the senatorial race.

- The United States announced plans to fight illegal fishing in the Pacific.

- The winners of this year's Pulitzer Prize have been announced.

- Sri Lankan prime minister Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned following weeks of protests.

- The United Nations warned that there's an even chance the world will breach 1.5C warming within half a decade.

- Four dead and 70 hurt in a Bolivian university stampede.

- The NCAA has issued "reasonable" NIL booster guidelines.

- The Mississippi Department of Human Services sues Brett Favre and others over welfare misspending.

TTFN

UKRAINE CONFLICT: 5/9/2022

                                              

The latest in the ongoing Ukraine conflict:

• US sanctions Russia's Gazprombank executives
• On WWII anniversary Zelensky says evil has returned
• US first lady Jill Biden makes unannounced visit to Ukraine