VQ35HRVQ25HR Engine

Technology Overview
V6 GASOLINE ENGINE
 Advanced technology takes the next generation
of Nissans world-renowned VQ engine to
new pinnacles of high-rev performance
and environmental friendliness.
Nissans latest six-cylinder V-type
engine inherits the high-performance
DNA that has made Nissans VQ
series famous. Taking the acclaimed
VQ engines smooth transition
concept to higher revolutions than
ever, this VQ is a powerful and agile
new powerplant for Nissans front-
engine, rear-wheel-drive vehicles.
New VQ Engine
Advantages
Smooth transition up to high-rev redline
Lengthened connecting rods, addition of a ladder
frame and other improvements greatly reduce
friction. The result is effortless throttle response
all the way to the 7500-rpm redline.
Top level power performance in class
Improved intake and exhaust systems, raised
combustion efciency, and other enhancements
achieve class-leading power. Fuel efciency and
emissions are also exceptional.
Thrilling acceleration sound
A symmetrical intake and exhaust system helps
produce a linear and clear throttle sound in
response to engine rpm.
contents
Higher revolution limit
Top-level power performance in class
Thrilling acceleration sound
Better fuel efciency & cleaner emissions
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Major technologies
Taking the award-winning VQ series another step
toward the ultimate powertrain, Nissans next-
generation VQ35HR & VQ25HR are thoroughly
reengineered to boost the rev limit and deliver greater
power, while achieving exceptional fuel economy and
clean emissions.
Higher revolution limit
By greatly reducing friction, Nissan engineers
achieved a smooth transition to the high-rev limit,
which has been boosted to a 7,500rpm redline.
Lengthened connecting rods
Lengthening the connecting rods by 7.6mm reduces
piston sideforce on the cylinder walls. This reduces
friction for smoother piston action to support high-
rev performance.
New ladder frame
The lower cylinder block that supports the crankshaft
uses a ladder-frame structure for increased stiffness.
This suppresses vibration to minimize friction at high
engine rpm.
Higher power performance
Power boosting technologies include a symmetrical
twin intake system and continuously variable valve
timing control systems.
Better fuel efciency & cleaner emissions
The worlds rst use of hydrogen-free, diamond-like
carbon (DLC) coated valve lifters and other friction-
reducing measures help raise fuel efciency by about
4 10% and attain a class-leading emissions rating.
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Thrilling throttle sound
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The symmetrical intake and exhaust system
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conguration helps generate a stable, linear and
clear sound signature for the new VQ.
 VQ35HRVQ25HR Engine
Technology Overview

New heights of
VQ performance
Since its 1994 debut, Nissans VQ engine series has continued to
evolve, based on its original engineering goals of simplicity, light
weight, low friction and responsive power. The VQs exceptional
performance has put it on Wards 10 Best Engines list every year
since the lists inception in 1995. The Nissan VQ is the only engine
to hold this record. The latest VQ in this distinguished lineage has
been redesigned with new dimensions and higher rigidity, yet weight
remains about the same in the 3.5-liter VQ and has actually been
reduced by about 8kg in the 2.5-liter VQ, while lowering the center
of gravity. The result is an even more impressive VQ powerplant.

New VQ35HR
VQ35DE
Output

5000 6000 7000 8000

New VQ35HR engine
Engine speed (rpm)

New VQ25HR engine

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 Higher revolution limit
By reducing friction in all the engines moving parts and increasing the stiffness of the crankshaft and its
ancillary components, Nissan engineers achieved smooth and effortless transition throughout the powerband.

Lengthened connecting rods (VQ35HR only)

To support higher engine speeds, Nissan applied

a friction-reducing solution used in racing car VQ35DE New VQ35HR

engines: lengthening the connecting rods. Raising

the cylinder block deck height permits a 7.6mm
increase in connecting rod length. This reduces
piston inclination and the resulting sideforce
exerted against the cylinder wall, thereby reducing
friction particularly at high speed. The result is
effortless acceleration with a smooth powerband Side
force

extending up to the 7,500rpm redline. Side

force

Friction is reduced with the higher block deck and longer

connecting rods

Raised block deck height and longer

connecting rods

New ladder frame (VQ35HR only)

At high rpm, crankshaft deformation leads to

increased vibrations. As a countermeasure, the VQ35DE New VQ35HR

VQ35HR engine employs a stiff ladder frame to

support the crankshaft. This enhances the rigidity
of the engine as a whole, thereby greatly reducing
vibrations at the high rpm rates for which the
engine is designed.

Cylinder block vibration analysis

Vibration

Small Large

Ladder frame effectively suppresses vibrations

Ladder frame

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 VQ35HRVQ25HR Engine
Technology Overview

Increased crankshaft stiffness

During high-rev operation, the crankshaft may ex

and twist, causing noise, vibration and, potentially, Pin diameter
52mm increased to 54mm (VQ35HR)
damage to the journals. To deal with this issue, the 45mm increased to 50mm (VQ25HR)
new VQ engine uses a larger journal diameter and
a stiffer crankshaft. This minimizes vibrations at
higher revs. In the VQ35HR, the connecting rod bolt
diameter has also been increased from 8mm to 9mm
to gain about 25% in strength. These measures help
achieve the connecting rod and crankshaft durability
required in a high-speed engine.

Journal diameter
60mm increased to 65mm (VQ35HR)

Crankshaft

8mm increased
to 9mm

Stronger connecting rod bolt

(VQ35HR engine)

Asymmetric piston skirt

Pistons are normally designed with a skirt to

prevent rocking within the cylinder. The new VQ
engine uses asymmetrical piston skirts to reduce
friction. A smaller skirt area is used for the part
of the piston receiving less sideforce during
reciprocal piston motion. This reduces friction by
about 7.6%, thereby contributing to smoother
revving performance.

Large skirt on Small skirt on

high-pressure (thrust) side low-pressure side

Asymmetric piston skirt

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 Top level power performance in class
A symmetrical twin intake system and Continuously Variable valve Timing Control (CVTC) help the new VQ achieve
class-leading output.

Symmetrical twin intake system

To reduce air intake resistance, the new VQ engine

adopts a symmetrical twin intake conguration.
Compared to the usual single intake, this
enhances the engines breathing for more efcient
air distribution. Because it does not require
enlargement of the duct diameter, this approach
helps save space, thereby offering more leeway in
engine compartment layout.

Symmetrical twin intake system

Straight intake port (VQ35HR only)

To support high-rev, high-power engine

performance, the new VQ adopts a straight
intake port design. This conguration signicantly
improves intake efciency by providing air to the
engine in the quantity required during high-speed,
high-load engine operation.

Straight intake port

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 VQ35HRVQ25HR Engine
Technology Overview

CVTC

The VQ engine adopts a valve control system

that optimizes both intake and exhaust side CVTC for intake valves

timing according to engine rpm. Employing

hydraulically actuated Continuously Variable valve
Timing Control (CVTC) for the intake cams and
electromagnetic Valve Timing Control (e-VTC) on
the exhaust side, the system enables high exibility
in valve timing operation. The result is improved
combustion efciency throughout the powerband.

e-VTC for exhaust valves

Continuously Variable valve Timing Control (CVTC) system

Optimized valve diameter (VQ35HR only)

Although it would seem a larger valve diameter

would improve airow, it can actually increase VQ35DE engine New VQ35HR engine
airow resistance, particularly when it is partially
open and there is an interfering ow through an
adjacent valve. In the VQ35HR, valve diameter is
optimized to minimize intake resistance and improve
breathing efciency throughout the operational
Constricted Large Free ow Small
cycle from low to high valve lift conditions. diameter diameter

Intake valve diameter decreased from 37.0mm to 36.6mm.

Exhaust valve diameter decreased from 31.2mm to 30.2mm
Result: Improved ow at low lift

Optimized valve diameter

Raised compression ratio (VQ35HR only)

The new VQ engine uses a higher compression

ratio to raise thermal efciency and achieve greater
power output. This also contributes to improved
fuel economy. At the same time, renements in
VQ35DE engine
the exhaust system effectively minimize NOx to
compensate for increased generation due to the
higher compression ratio.

New VQ35HR engine

Redesigned combustion chamber permits higher compression ratio

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 Thrilling acceleration sound
Drivers enjoy a clearer, more thrilling throttle sound, thanks to the symmetrical intake and exhaust system.

Symmetrical intake and exhaust system

The VQ engine uses a symmetrical intake and

exhaust system to help produce clear and powerful Engine speed (rpm) Volume

sounds that rise along with engine speed as

Large
the throttle is opened. The area where the left
and right sides of the exhaust system merge is
designed so that the two ows do not mix, thereby
suppressing generation of 0.5 subharmonics*1.
Muddy sounding components are also cut by
optimized tuning of the twin intake systems Overtones

Small
resonator*2, use of an equal length exhaust
manifold, the twin exhaust systems curved end Frequency (Hz)
plate and other renements. Together, these
emphasize the desirable overtones*3, producing VQ35HR frequency distribution
the VQ engines exciting 6-cylinder sound.
* 1 0.5 subharmonic: Unlike regular overtones, this harmonic component
muddies the sound
* 2 Input resonator: This uses resonance to emphasize desirable frequen-
cies and tune the engine sound
* 3 Overtones: Regular harmonic components of the engine sound that
increase with rising engine rpm.

Twin intake system Optimized front pipe merging structure Twin exhaust system

Equal length exhaust manifold End plate

Twin exhaust system

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 VQ35HRVQ25HR Engine
Technology Overview

Isometric exhaust manifold

Adoption of equal-length left and right exhaust

manifolds helps produce a clearer and more
dynamic exhaust note. This isometric design
prevents unwanted interference between the
exhaust pulsations produced by each cylinder
following combustion, thereby minimizing
undesirable sound components. Exhaust efciency
is also improved, which contributes to increased
torque at low to mid speeds.

Isometric exhaust manifold

Mufer backpressure reduction

Tuned front pipe length and an efcient merging

structure help maximize low- to mid-range torque. Front pipe length is optimized
for performance
Extending into a symmetrical dual-exhaust system,
this conguration effectively uses the vehicles
underside space to increase total mufer volumetric
capacity. While suppressing exhaust backpressure,
this also helps with sound attenuation.

New high-efciency front pipe merging structure

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 Better fuel efciency & cleaner emissions
Friction reducing measures, including the worlds rst use of hydrogen-free diamond-like carbon (DLC) in a
production vehicle, and enhanced combustion efciency give the new VQ engine better fuel efciency and
cleaner exhaust emissions.

Hydrogen-free DLC coated valve lifters

As one of the ways to minimize friction on critical

moving surfaces, Nissan has adopted a hydrogen-
free diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating for the
valve lifters. This application of nanotechnology
provides an extremely slippery nish, which results
in a dramatic 40% reduction in friction. Use of
an oil additive developed for DLC applications
creates a more durable ultra-low friction lubricating
lm. The resulting reduction in cam lifter friction
signicantly boosts fuel efciency.

Ultra-low friction Cam contact surface

lubricating lm

Hydrogen-free DLC coating

Substrate

Hydrogen-free DLC coating

Mirror nish

The crankshaft and camshaft journals are critical

components for engine performance. Therefore,
the VQ engine employs journal surfaces nished
with polishing tape and lapped to create a mirror-
smooth surface. This is another example of how
friction is minimized throughout the VQ engine.

Crankshaft journal

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 VQ35HRVQ25HR Engine
Technology Overview

Atomizing fuel injector

The smaller the fuel droplets sprayed by the

injectors, the better the fuel mixes with the air to
support more complete combustion and reduce
unburned hydrocarbon (HC) emissions. The new-
generation VQ engine employs injector nozzles
having 12 holes (of 130m diameter each), up
from the previous 4-hole (250m diameter) format.
This multi-hole high-atomization design provides
broad dispersion to raise combustion efciency.

Conventional 4-hole type New 12-hole injector

Atomizing fuel injector

250m diameter 130m diameter

Nozzle plate (injector tip)

Super-ignition iridium spark plugs

The spark plugs center electrode has an iridium

alloy tip for high ignitability. This helps achieve
cleaner emissions by stabilizing combustion when
starting the engine.

Iridium center electrode

Platinum ground electrode
Super-ignition iridium spark plug

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 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
Global Communications, CSR and IR Division
Communications CSR Department
http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/
February 2007
2007 Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. All Rights Reserved