Nissan Fuga

This article incorporates information from the equivalent article on the Japanese Wikipedia.

Nissan Fuga

Manufacturer	Nissan Motors
Also called	Infiniti M35/45
Production	2004–present
Predecessor	Nissan Cedric Nissan Gloria
Body style(s)	4-door Sedan
Related	Nissan Skyline Nissan Cedric Nissan Gloria

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The Fuga (Japanese: 日産・フーガ) is a full-size luxury car from Nissan of Japan, introduced in October 2004. First shown as the Fuga Concept at the 2003 Tokyo Motor Show, it is a direct replacement for the long running Cedric and Gloria series of cars. The Fuga is a rear wheel drive sedan riding on an improved version of the Nissan FM platform, used by the Nissan Skyline.^[1]

The Fuga is a direct competitor to the Toyota Crown, Honda Legend, and European executive class sedans.

The name of the vehicle was inspired by the Fugue, a musical form.

First Generation (Y50, 2004-2009)

Nissan Fuga Y50

Also called	Infiniti M35/45
Production	2004 - 2009
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout/AWD
Engine(s)	2.5 L V6 VQ25DE 2.5 L V6 VQ25HR 3.5 L V6 VQ35DE 3.5 L V6 VQ35HR 4.5 L V8 VK45DE
Transmission(s)	5 speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,900 mm (114.2 in)
Length	4,900 mm (192.9 in)
Width	1,805 mm (71.1 in)
Height	1,510 mm (59.4 in)
Curb weight	1,780 kg (3,900 lb)

When the Nissan Gloria was first introduced in 1959, it was based on a stretched version of the original Nissan Skyline, which was first introduced in 1957. Nissan used this approach again for the Fuga, using the Skyline platform again.

Nissan wanted to create a fresh approach started by the Cedric/Gloria and focus its efforts to compete with European executive mid-sized sports sedans, such as the BMW 5 series, Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Jaguar S-Type.

The Fuga began with either "XV" or "GT" trim packages, equivalent to the previous "Brougham" and "Gran Turismo" versions of the Cedric and Gloria.

The Fuga's primary competitor from Toyota is the Toyota Crown Athlete Series, But also competes with the Lexus GS. The Fuga is one level below the Nissan Cima, which is a little larger.

The Fuga is used as an uplevel taxi in Japan.

Equipment

Aluminum is used in the body, hood, trunklid and is also used in the doors internally to reduce weight. The front suspension uses a double wishbone setup, also to reduce unsprung weight, and to improve vehicle handling. This type of suspension was previously used on the Cedric/Gloria until 1983, when that platform began to use MacPherson struts for the front suspension, but still uses the multilink rear suspension which was introduced on the Cedric/Gloria in 1979. The Fuga uses aluminum alloy extensively in both the front and rear suspension components.

The GT sports package includes Nissan's 4WS version of HICAS and ATTESA to improve stability and handling.

A driver aid system used in Japan, called Distance Control Assistance, pushes the gas pedal against the foot when the DVD navigation with GPS determines that an unsafe speed is being maintained. If the cruise control is being used, the Distance Control Assistance will reduce speed automatically, and will warn the driver that an adjustment is being made with an audible bell sound.

Body styles

Engines

Specifications

Marketing

When the Fuga was first introduced for sale October 14, 2004 the advertising campaign used a musical composition in the fugue style, using the work "Vortex". The composer of this work was Akihiko Matsumoto, who was the composer of the music for the popular TV series Bayside Shakedown in Japan. The music was played in three movements by a full orchestra for 42 minutes and 7 seconds, and a recording was given to dealers in Japan as a promotional DVD for customers, free of charge.

Second generation (Y51, 2009-)

Nissan Fuga Y51

Also called	Infiniti M37/56/35 Hybrid
Production	2009-
Body style(s)	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout/AWD
Engine(s)	2.5 L V6 VQ25HR 3.7 L V6 VQ37VHR 3.5 L V6 (Hybrid)
Transmission(s)	7 speed automatic
Wheelbase	2,900 mm (114.2 in)
Length	4,945 mm (194.7 in)
Width	1,845 mm (72.6 in)
Height	1,500 mm (59.1 in)
Curb weight	1,720 kg (3,800 lb)

The next generation Nissan Fuga, to be introduced as the Infiniti M, was previewed in Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.^[2] The new Fuga debuted at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.

Fuga Hybrid (2010-)

References

• Automobil Revue, Katalognummer 2006 (Technical data)
• Nissan Fuga: Japanese sales brochure, Print Reference C2108-1201AAA, 2007 (Data 450 GT and Prices)

External links

• Nissan Japan pages: early, current
• Japanese Imports - Safety Recalls for Nissan Fuga

Sources & Further reading