Nissan Leopard
Nissan Leopard (Y33) in Japan
Overview
Manufacturer	Nissan
Production	1980–1999
Body and chassis
Class	Mid-sizeluxury car /Executive car
Chronology
Successor	Nissan Fuga

TheNissan Leopard is a line of sport/luxury cars built by Japanese carmakerNissan from 1980 to 1999. The Leopard were initially based on the Japanese marketNissan Skyline andNissan Laurel, then later based on the chassis of theirNissan Cedric andNissan Gloria contemporaries and were rear wheel drive. Final versions were the contributing factors to Nissan's Infiniti M and J products.

The Leopard coupe and sedan were sold exclusively in Japan atNissan Store locations as a companion to theFairlady Z, allowing Nissan to sell abadge engineered version of the Skyline and Laurel. The Leopard was cancelled as a result of theNissan Revival Plan, a casualty of overproduction. It was succeeded by theNissan Fuga.

Nissan Leopard (F30)
Nissan Leopard TR-X Turbo ZGX (facelifted version)
Overview
Production	September 1980 – January 1986
Assembly	Japan:Musashimurayama
Designer	Shinichiro Sakurai
Body and chassis
Body style	2-doorcoupé 4-doorhardtop
Layout	FR layout
Related	Nissan Skyline R30 Nissan Laurel C31
Powertrain
Engine	1.8 LZ18I4 2.0 LL20EI6 2.0 LL20ETturbo I6 2.8 LL28E I6 3.0 LVG30ET turboV6
Transmission	4-/5-speedmanual[1] 3-speed3N71automatic 4-speedE4N71Bautomatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,625 mm (103.3 in)
Length	4,630 mm (182.3 in)
Width	1,690 mm (66.5 in)
Height	1,335–1,355 mm (52.6–53.3 in)
Curb weight	1,095–1,315 kg (2,414–2,899 lb)

The first Leopard (also known as Leopard TR-X) was introduced in September 1980 as a contender in the upper medium class of cars. The Leopard was positioned as a larger coupe and sedan above the top levelNissan Bluebird 810 with the six-cylinder engine. The Leopard coupe was introduced after theToyota Chaser but before theToyota Soarer.^[2][3] The angular body, available as a two-door hardtop coupé "personal luxury car", and a four-door hardtop sedan, which featured very slim C- and D-pillars and large glass surfaces. The coupé featured a "glass-to-glass" rear window sharing the very slim C- and D-pillars from the sedan. The angular appearance was shared with theFairlady Z, and the coupé was exclusive toNissan Store Japanese Nissan dealerships while the sedan was exclusive toNissan Cherry Store. The coupé replaced the Nissan Cedric coupé and the Nissan Laurel coupé. The wind resistancedrag coefficient of the two-door version is 0.37.^[4] At the time of introduction, the two body styles both carried the same price tags.^[1] The Leopard featured some industry firsts, for instance a fuel consumption gauge in the dashboard.

Originally the Leopard was available with naturally aspirated inline four- and six-cylinder engines of 1,800, 2,000, and 2,800 cc displacement; the largest engine received an electronic engine management system developed together withHitachi, and was calledNAPS-Z.^[4] The 1.8 liter fours were also originally available with a four-speed manual transmission, all others received five-speeds as standard (or an optional three-speed automatic).^[1] In July 1981 a two-liter turbocharged engine was added.^[2] Available as a GX, SGX, and ZGX, it had the same maximum output 145 PS (143 hp; 107 kW) as did the more expensive and heavier 2.8.^[5]

In September 1982, the Leopard received a mild facelift and with it, the under-performing 2.8 was dropped from the lineup.^[6] In June 1984 a limited Turbo Grand Edition with the300ZX's 230 PS (227 hp; 169 kW) 3 litreVG30ET turbo V6 engine joined the line-up.^[6]

The car shared many components with the six-cylinder version of theNissan Bluebird (910), sold in North America as theDatsun 810 (and later renamed theNissan Maxima), but used a platform based on theNissan Skyline R30.^[7] The Japanese version had side view mirrors mounted on the front fenders and (uniquely) had small wipers attached to the top of the mirrors to remove accumulated rain and dirt from the surface of the mirrors.^[2]

A list of the various trim levels and engines that the Leopard was available with at its introduction. The 2-liter engine gave Japanese buyers the option of paying less annualroad tax:^[1]

After a mild styling update in late 1982, the car was offered in the following variations:
180X GX, SGX
200X SGX, ZGX
200 Turbo SGX, ZGX, ZGX Super Edition
300 Turbo Grand Edition

Most of the information in this article was translated from the Nissan Leopard article on Japanese Wikipedia atja:日産・レパード.

Nissan Leopard (F31)
Nissan Leopard XJ-II
Overview
Also called	Infiniti M30
Production	February 1986 – May 1992
Assembly	Japan:Musashimurayama
Body and chassis
Body style	2-door "B" pillarhardtopcoupé
Layout	FR layout
Related	Nissan Skyline R31 Nissan Laurel C32 Nissan Cefiro A31 Autech Zagato Stelvio AZ1
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 LVG20EV6 2.0 LVG20ETturbo V6 2.0 LVG20DETDOHC turbo V6 3.0 LVG30DE DOHC V6 3.0 LVG30DET DOHC turbo V6
Transmission	5-speedmanual 4-speedRE4R01Aautomatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,615 mm (103.0 in)
Length	4,680 mm (184.3 in) 4,805 mm (189.2 in) (1988-1992 with 3.0 L)
Width	1,690 mm (66.5 in)
Height	1,370 mm (53.9 in)
Curb weight	1,310–1,470 kg (2,890–3,240 lb)

The F31 Leopard appeared in February 1986 and was only available as a luxuryGT coupé. This vehicle shared a platform with theNissan Skyline R31,Nissan Cefiro A31, and theNissan Laurel C32 to share development costs, benefiting fromProject 901. The Leopard sedan was replaced by theNissan Bluebird Maxima in 1988.

The F31 Leopard was directly competing mainly with theToyota Soarer,Mazda Cosmo, and theHonda Legend coupé in 1986. Whereas Toyota offered the Soarer several iterations of its straight six in 2.0, 2.8, and 3.0 liters' displacement, Nissan offered the all-new V6 either naturally aspirated or with a turbo in its Leopard. The displacements of the engines were of either 2.0 or 3.0 liters. The engines offered were theVG30DET,VG30DE,VG20DET,VG20ET, andVG20E. Early 2.0 turbo versions had the single-cam (per bank) VG20ET, but from August 1988, the quad-cam version appeared.

The bodywork was also facelifted in August 1988 and now featured a smoother front appearance, achieving a wind resistancecoefficient of 0.32. It was the facelifted version that was exported to the USA, and approximately 12,000 Leopards were sold (with around 6,000 of those being converted to convertibles byASC). In the USA, the F31 was called theInfiniti M30.^[8] Output of the VG30DE engine also increased marginally at the time of the facelift. The new turbocharged 3.0 liter VG30DET engine was available in top-spec form, which produces 255 PS (252 hp; 188 kW). Only the smaller VG20ET and VG20DET engines hadintercoolers installed.

The companion fastback sports car, the Fairlady ZX, reflected the angular bodywork. Still, the coupé remained exclusive to theNissan Store locations in Japan. The Leopard's more traditional coupé styling was offered as an alternative to the Fairlady ZX's fastback appearance.

Trim packages started with the top-level Ultima Grand Selection with the 3.0 V6 engine, the Ultima with the 3.0 V6 (later the Ultima received the 3.0 V6 turbo), the XS-II Grand Selection with the 2.0 V6 Turbo, the XS-II with the 2.0 V6 Turbo, the XS with the V6 Turbo, the XJ-II with a 2.0 V6 and the base model called the XJ with the 2.0 V6. All models came with a digital instrument cluster, all models except the XS and the XJ came with stereo and cruise control buttons installed in the steering wheel center pad, and both Grand Selection models were installed with a 6-inch CRT TV screen installed in the dashboard below the A/C controls that allowed passengers to watch broadcast TV if the transmission was in Park and the parking brake applied. The screen was not touch-sensitive and didn't offer a CD-ROM-based navigation system. The display also showed AM/FM stereo settings. The video entertainment system also hadRCA connections to attach a camcorder and watch recorded video. Sony supplied the stereo and video equipment. On top of that, the Ultima models featured a keyless entry card.

The Leopard F31 had few factory options, but dealers offered the addition of acellular phone installed in a dedicated compartment in the dashboard above the glove compartment, where a modern passenger-side airbag would now be located. They also offered a choice of a cassette tape changer installed in the center armrest compartment, with a separate single-discCD player in the dashboard. ACD changer was later upgraded to the center armrest compartment.

Catering to Japanese tastes for luxury, the Leopard wasn't available in leather for all trim packages, with a wool interior offered on the top three trim packages. The front passenger seat was also equipped with what Nissan called the "Partner Comfort Seat," where the top portion of the front passenger seat was further articulated to tilt forward, supporting the passenger's shoulders while allowing the seatback structure to recline. The front edge of the passenger seat cushion was also adjustable. This was created by Dr. Yoshiyuki Matsuoka, who worked for Nissan from 1982.^[9]

Like theSkyline andFairlady ZX, the Leopard coupé was afront-engined and rear-wheel drive vehicle. The RE4R01A four-speedautomatic with electronic overdrive was used, as well as a five-speed manual transmission, which was only available in the domestic Japanese market on the lower trim level XJ-II and the XJ 2.0 V6 without a turbo.^[3] The differential was a Nissan R200-type opendifferential.

The suspension was shared with the Skyline and Laurel, usingMacPherson struts for the front wheels and asemi-trailing arm rear suspension with coil springs for the rear. If the Leopard was optionally equipped with the "Super Sonic Suspension" system, asonar module mounted under the front bumper scanned the road surface and adjusted the suspension accordingly via actuators mounted on all four coil overshock absorbers. There was also a switch on the center console that allowed the driver to change between "Auto," "Soft," "Medium," and "Hard" settings on all models except the XS model, which removed the "Auto" selection. The speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion power steering could also be separately reduced for a sporting feeling, and the suspension setting would modify both the steering feel and the shift points on the automatic transmission. Amulti-link suspension was installed on the front wheels to accommodate the adjustable ride height shock absorbers.

The Leopard F31's production run lasted seven years, ending in June 1992 due to lagging sales. Seven years was very long by period Japanese standards, nearly equaling the runs of two generations of most Japanese cars.^[3] Nobody knows exactly how many Infiniti M30 were produced for the US market, but it has been said that just over 17,000 were made. It is unknown how many were coupés and how many were convertibles; the convertible was only available in 1991 and 1992. 38,000 F31 Leopards were sold in Japan during its seven-year production span.^[10]

Nissan Leopard J Ferie (Y32)
Overview
Also called	Infiniti J30
Production	June 1992 – February 1996
Assembly	Japan:Kaminokawa, Tochigi
Body and chassis
Class	executive car
Body style	4-doorsedan
Layout	FR layout
Related	Nissan Cima Y32 Nissan Cedric Y32 Nissan Gloria Y32
Powertrain
Engine	3.0 LVG30DEV6 4.1 LVH41DEV8
Transmission	4-speedRE4R01Aautomatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,760 mm (108.7 in)
Length	4,880 mm (192.1 in)
Width	1,770 mm (69.7 in)
Height	1,390 mm (54.7 in)
Curb weight	1,650 kg (3,640 lb)

The third generation (internally the Y32 Leopard) was designed byJerry Hirshberg, president of Nissan Design International (NDI) and marketed as theLeopard J Ferie, beginning in June 1992 — as a four-door, five-passenger rear-drive sedan. Production began on April 7, 1992 as a 1993 model, and production ended on June 18, 1997. This was the first and only Leopard to be sold in North America, when it was introduced as an Infiniti.

The Leopard abandoned the coupe, and changed platforms from the Skyline and Laurel to the longer Cedric and Gloria. The sedan was the only body style offered, and was exclusive toNissan Store. Its appearance at introduction was distinctive, and the small interior resulted from its rounded styling uncharacteristic of the crowdedexecutive car class at the time, which is now considered an early variant of afour-door coupé.^[11]

Marketed in North America as theInfiniti J30, all J30s/Leopard J Feries were manufactured inTochigi, Tochigi,Japan. The series used aMacPherson strut front suspension with amulti-link suspension rear suspension and Nissan's upgraded proprietary four wheel steering technology,Super HICAS.

The nameplateJ Férié derives from the Frenchjour férié, for holiday. The wordFerie was (almost) shared with theHonda Civic Ferio marketed at the same time.Oldsmobile had used the nameplate "Holiday" in the 1950s and 1960s with ahardtop bodystyle.

Power came from a 3.0 LVG30DEV6 (shared with the300ZX) which produced 210 PS (154 kW) and 192 lb⋅ft (260 N⋅m) oftorque. While it shares the Y32 Chassis with theNissan Cedric/Gloria, it was offered the engines used in theNissan Cima Y32 where it was offered with both theVG30DE andVH41DEV8.

In Japan, three trim levels were offered, the Type X with VH41DE V8, the Type L which had the same equipment level as the Type X with the smaller VG30DE V6 engine, and the Type F offered with the V6 but more modestly equipped. Later updates offered the Type X-S V6 sharing the equivalent content level with the North American V6 equipped J30, and the Type L-S V6 sharing the equipment package with the Type X-S. The V8 claimed 270 PS (199 kW) in Japanese specifications. This generation was the first time an engine with a displacement under 2.0 L wasn't offered in Japan, and resulted in Japanese buyers being liable for a higher annualroad tax bill which affected sales.

The previous generation 6-inch CRT TV screen was upgraded to a color LCD screen, that was installed in the dashboard below the A/C controls that allowed passengers to watch broadcast TV if the transmission was in Park and the parking brake applied. As before, the screen was not touch sensitive, and didn't offer a CD-ROM based navigation system. The display also showed AM/FM stereo settings. The video entertainment system also hadRCA connections to attach a camcorder and watch recorded video. The stereo and video equipment was supplied by Sony.

The leather interior was designed with assistance fromPoltrona Frau of Italy. The seats were made by Poltrona Frau at a rate of five per day.^[12] The interior treatment continued to use the contrasting arrangement used in the larger Nissan Infiniti Q45 with a dark color used for the dashboard, and center console, with a lighter shade color used inside for the seats, interior door panels, headliner, carpet, and carpeted floor mats. The drivers window switch was both one-touch express down and double-sized, i.e., the same width as two conventional window switches, with the front and rear passenger window switches further down and the window lockout switch installed next to the front passenger switch. The front passenger and rear passenger window switches were thumb activated, installed at the top of the interior door pull handle. The Y32 was the first car sold in Japan to include a passenger-side airbag as standard equipment.

One of the numerous reasons the Y32 Leopard did not meet projected sales goals was that its most distinguishing feature was a lack of interior room. It had the distinction of being amid-size car with the space of asubcompact (less than aSunny) due to its sloping roofline and rounded down trunk. The styling of the vehicle was more favorably regarded in Japan than it was in the USA.

All were built inTochigi, Tochigi,Japan. Over its lifetime, approximately 70,000 were sold in the United States (more than 20,000 per year for 1993 and 1994; 17,899 in 1995; 7,564 in 1996; and 4,594 in 1997)^[13] and less than 8,000 were sold in Japan.^[14]

Information for this section of the article was translated fromLeopard J Ferie.com

Most of the information in this article was translated from the Nissan Leopard article on Japanese Wikipedia atja:日産・レパード.

Nissan Leopard (Y33)
Overview
Production	March 1996 – December 1999
Assembly	Japan:Kaminokawa, Tochigi
Body and chassis
Body style	4-doorsedan
Layout	FR layout /AWD
Related	Y33 Nissan Cima Y33 Nissan Cedric Gran Turismo Y33 Nissan Gloria Gran Turismo Y33 Infiniti Q45
Powertrain
Engine	2.0 LVG20ESOHCV6 2.5 LRB25DETturbo DOHCI6 2.5 LVQ25DEDOHC V6 3.0 LVG30E SOHC V6 3.0 LVQ30DE DOHC V6 3.0 LVQ30DDDI DOHC V6 3.0 LVQ30DET turbo DOHC V6
Transmission	4-speedRE4R01Aautomatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,800 mm (110.2 in)
Length	4,895 mm (192.7 in)
Width	1,765 mm (69.5 in)
Height	1,425 mm (56.1 in)
Curb weight	1,610 kg (3,550 lb)

The fourth and last generation of the Leopard, introduced in March 1996, was offered as a hardtop sedan again, using frameless side windows with a"B" pillar. The controversial "J Ferie" appearance and the model name were canceled, and the Leopard shared its chassis, suspension, powertrain, and interior with theCedric Gran Turismo andGloria Gran Turismo to save on manufacturing and production costs. There were four available trim packages, starting with the XV-G, equipped with rear seat passenger comfort and convenience features, followed by XV, XR, and XJ. Because this version was essentially a reskinned Cedric and Gloria, the all-new telematics in-car navigation system calledCompass Link was installed as an extra cost option in all trim packages beginning with this generation using a 7-inch color LCD screen while continuing the multi-AV functionality of previous generations.

A V8 engine was deleted, and at the time of introduction, only three V6 engines were available. The XV-G and XV came with the VQ30DET turbo, the XR with the VQ30DE, and the XJ with the VG30E. In January 1997, the XJ-Limited, based on the XJ, was offered the VG20E engine.Super HICAS was also installed on the XV-G and XV, with internal model code JHBY33.

For the 1998 mid-model refresh, the XJ-4 was installed withATTESA E-TS AWD and theRB25DET turbocharged straight-six engine, borrowed from the Skyline and Laurel. The straight six was installed because ATTESA-ETS was either mated to the VH41DE V8 from the Cima, or the RB25DET from the Skyline and Laurel, which would've made the Leopard too expensive. The VG-based V6 engines were replaced with the VQ series that utilizedNissan's direct fuel injection engine configuration, which supplied fuel directly inside the engine cylinder instead of inside the intake manifold just before entering the cylinders.

As the economic downturn of the post-"Japanese bubble economy" began to take effect, the Leopard suffered diminished sales. This generation was only atNissan Saito Store locations to bolster sales and no longer atNissan Store. As it directly competed with other Nissan large sedans and performance cars, it was discontinued in December 1999.

It wasn't available in North America, where theInfiniti J30 mid-range had been replaced by theNissan Cefiro/Infiniti I30.

• 
  A 1996 Nissan Leopard
• 
  A view of the interior

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