Nissan VQ Engine Makes Ward's 10-Best Engines List for 2006

DETROIT--Dec. 16, 2005--The Nissan 3.5-liter VQ V6 engine has been named to the annual Ward's 10-Best Engines list for the 12th straight year by Ward's Communications, Inc. It is the only engine that has been part of the list every year the award has been presented.

The versatile VQ powerplant is offered in a variety of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles for the 2006 model year in the United States. These vehicles include the Nissan Altima and Maxima sedans, the Nissan 350Z sports car, the Nissan Murano crossover vehicle, the Nissan Quest minivan, in addition to the Infiniti G35 Sedan and Coupe, the Infiniti FX35 crossover utility vehicle and the all-new Infiniti M. Ward's award was based on the 3.5-liter VQ engine as used in the Infiniti G35 with a six-speed manual transmission.

In both the G35 Sedan and Coupe, the VQ engine produces 298 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 260 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm when mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Paired to a 5-speed automatic transmission, it generates 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 270 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 rpm. The VQ engine sees its highest-ever output with the 35th Anniversary 350Z, which is tuned for 300 hp. A 4.0L variant of the VQ, specially tuned for truck applications, is now available in the all-new 2005 Nissan Pathfinder SUV, all-new Frontier mid-size pickup and in the all-new next generation Xterra SUV.

Voting for the best engines was a team of six editors and writers for Ward's AutoWorld magazine and Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update newsletter. The panel judged dozens of engines in a wide variety of vehicles priced below $52,500.

The Award will be presented on January 11, 2006 at the Renaissance Center Marriott during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

About Ward's Communications

Ward's Communications is a world-leading provider of auto industry news, data and analysis, having served the industry's information needs for nearly 80 years. Ward's AutoWorld is a monthly magazine serving more than 68,000 automotive professionals globally. The twice-monthly newsletter Ward's Engine & Vehicle Technology Update provides analysis of engineering advancements and technical issues. WardsAuto.com is an online subscription service delivering virtually all the industry news, data and analysis compiled by Ward's Communications, the world's leader in automotive industry information. Ward's Communications is a Southfield, MI - based division of PRIMEDIA Business, the trade publication group of PRIMEDIA.

About Nissan North America, Inc.

In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.nissanusa.com and www.infiniti.com.