Review: Nissan V35 Skyline (2001-07)

Overview

Released in June 2001, the Nissan V35 Skyline was initially available as a sedan, with coupe bodies following in 2003. Manufactured in Tochigi, Japan, the V35 Skyline was not imported to Australia by Nissan Australia, such that local vehicles are private imports and the information below pertains to vehicles sold for the Japanese domestic market.

VQ25DD, VQ30DD and VQ35DE engines

The V35 Skyline range was powered by Nissan’s naturally aspirated VQ petrol engines. Of these,

• the 2.5-litre VQ25DD had an aluminium block, aluminium heads, double overhead camshafts, direct injection, continuously variable valve timing, four valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 11.0:1;
• the 3.0-litre VQ30DD had similar properties, albeit with a longer bore (93 mm compared to 85 mm; stroke was unchanged at 73.3 mm); and,
• the 3.5-litre VQ35DE petrol engine omitted direct injection and had a lower compression ratio at 10.3:1.

Dimensions and suspension

The V35 Skyline was based on Nissan’s FM (‘front midship’) platform which also underpinned the Z33 350Z . Compared to the 350Z, the Skyline coupe was 325 mm longer (at 4640 mm), the same width (1815 mm), 75 mm taller (1395 mm) and had a 200 mm longer wheelbase (2850 mm). Relative to the Skyline coupe, the sedan was 110 mm longer (at 4750 mm), 65 mm narrower (1750 mm) and 75 mm taller (1465 mm), though wheelbase length was unchanged.

Like the 350Z, the V35 Skyline had independent, multi-link suspension front and rear.

ATTESA E-TS

The 250GT Four variants were fitted with Nissan’s ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system. With this system, drive to the rear wheels was constant via a tailshaft and rear differential, though drive to the front wheels was controlled by a transfer case on the rear of the transmission – the transfer case contained a chain which drove a multi-plate wet clutch pack. As such, torque would be directed to the front wheels under acceleration or if traction was lost, with up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque capable of being directed to the front wheels.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the V35 Skyline included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Of the sedans, 350GT variants with manual transmissions were further equipped with traction control, while the 350GT and 350GT-8 variants with automatic and continuously variable transmissions were also fitted with electronic stability control.

Coupes were fitted with front side airbags, full-length curtain airbags, electronic stability control and traction control as standard.

Features: Skyline sedan

Standard features for the V35 Skyline sedan included 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/65 R16 95S tyres, a six speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, xenon headlights, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows with heated mirrors and tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment.

The 350GT Premium variants were further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 93V tyres, six-disc CD changer, power adjustable front seats, reclining rear seats, a sports steering wheel, proximity key and an immobiliser. However, 350GT variants with manual transmissions were fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/45 R18 94W tyres and a viscous limited slip rear differential.

The 350GT-8 variants were distinguished by their black leather seats.

Features: Skyline coupe

For the coupes, standard features for the 350GT variants included a six speaker sound system with CD player, dual-zone climate climate control air conditioning, a power adjustable driver’s seat, suede seat upholstery, xenon headlights, automatic headlights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power mirrors with heated mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment and an immobiliser.

The 350GT Premium variant was further equipped with an eight speaker Bose sound system with a six-disc CD changer, combination suede and leather seats.

Models with automatic transmissions were fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels with 225/50 R17 94V front and 235/50 R17 96V rear tyres. Models with manual transmissions were fitted with 19-inch alloy wheels with with 225/40 R19 89W front and 245/40 R19 94W rear tyres. Furthermore, models with manual transmissions were fitted with limited slip rear differentials as standard.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Nissan V35 Skyline