Nissan VQ engine


The VQ is a V6 piston engine produced by Nissan with displacements varying from 2.0 L to 4.0 L. It is an aluminum block DOHC 4-valve design with aluminum heads. It is fitted with Nissan's EGI/ECCS sequential multi-point fuel injection system. Later versions feature various implementations of variable valve timing and replace MPFI with direct fuel injection. The VQ series engine was honored by Ward's 10 Best Engines list almost every year from the list's inception. The VQ series replaced the VG series of engines.

DE series

VQ20DE

This DOHC 24-valve V6 has bore and stroke dimensions of respectively, along with a compression ratio ranging from 9.5 to 10.0:1. It produces to at 6400 rpm and at 4400 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
The VQ23DE is a engine equipped with CVTC. Bore and stroke are, with a compression ratio of 9.8:1. It produces at 6000 rpm and at 4400 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
This engine is similar to the VQ20DE, but has a displacement. Bore and stroke are, with a compression ratio of 9.8 to 10.3:1. It produces at 6400 rpm and of torque. Later versions produce at 6000 rpm and at 3200 rpm. In some Nissans, this engine was replaced by the QR25DE.
The VQ25DET is a turbocharged engine with CVTC. Bore and stroke are, with a compression ratio of 8.5:1. It produces at 6400 rpm and at 3200 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
The VQ30DE has a bore and stroke of respectively with a compression ratio of 10.0:1. It produces to at 6400 rpm and at 4400 rpm. The VQ30DE was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list from 1995 through 2001. It is an aluminum open deck block design with microfinished internals and a relatively light weight.
An improved version of the VQ30DE is known by the designation VQ30DE-K. The K designation stands for the Japanese word kaizen which translates to "improvement". The engine was used in the 2000–2001 Nissan Maxima and adds a true dual-runner intake manifold for better high-end performance compared to some earlier Japanese and Middle-East market versions of this engine. The VQ30DEK produces. The 1995–1999 US spec VQ30DE was equipped with only a single runner intake manifold.
The VQ30DET is a turbocharged version of the VQ30DE. Bore and stroke remain the same at respectively, and it has a compression ratio of 9.0:1. It produces and. From 1998 onwards, it produces at 6000 rpm and at 3600 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
The twin-turbo VQ30DETT is an engine used only in Nissan's race cars, primarily in the Super GT. First used on the Skyline GT-R race cars during the 2002 season, this engine subsequently powered the Fairlady Z race cars. Homologation rules allow them to use the VQ30DETT in lieu of the stock VQ35DE. Race output of this engine is estimated at around.
The VQ30DETT was replaced in 2007 by the VK45DE for use in the Super GT Fairlady Z's and later in the GT-R.
It was utilized in the following vehicles:
The VQ35DE is used in many modern Nissan vehicles. Bore and stroke are. It uses a similar block design to the VQ30DE, but adds variable valve timing. It produces from of power and of torque depending on the application.
The VQ35DE is built in Iwaki and Decherd, TN. It was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list from 2002 through to 2007 and again in 2016.
It features forged steel connecting rods, a microfinished one-piece forged crankshaft, and Nissan's nylon intake manifold technology. It has low-friction molybdenum-coated pistons and the intake is a high-flow tuned induction system. Since its inception Nissan has improved upon the VQ35DE with changes keeping it an efficient class leading V6 engine.
A modified version of the VQ35DE, called the S1, is produced by Nismo for the Fairlady Z S-Tune GT. It produces at 7,200 rpm, a higher rev-limit than that of the original VQ35DE.
Independent tuners offer various packages utilizing forced induction and all motor tuning. Power levels up to NA and 1,000+ hp via turbocharging have been proven possible.
North American
YearsModelPower output
2001–2004Nissan Pathfinder
2013–2016Nissan Pathfinder
2001–2003Infiniti QX4
2001–2004Infiniti I35
2002–2018Nissan Altima
2002–presentNissan Maxima
2002–2006Nissan 350Z
2002–2007Infiniti G35 Coupe
2002–2006Infiniti G35 Sedan
2002–2008Infiniti FX35
2002–presentNissan Murano
2003–2016Nissan Quest
2004–2008Infiniti M35
2012–2013Infiniti JX35
2013–2016Infiniti QX60

JDM and other markets
YearsModelPower output
2000–presentNissan Elgrand
2001–2007Nissan Stagea and above
2001–2009Renault Vel Satis
2002–2007Nissan Skyline and above
2003–presentNissan Teana/Cefiro
2003–2009Nissan Presage
2003–presentRenault Espace
2003–2004Tatuus Formula V6, Formula Renault V6 Eurocup
2004–2007Nissan Fuga 350 GT
2005–2006Nismo Fairlady Z S-Tune GT
2005–2007Dallara T05, World Series by Renault
2006–presentRenault Samsung SM7
2008–presentRenault Laguna Coupé
2008–2011Dallara T08, World Series by Renault
2010–presentRenault Latitude
2012–presentDallara T12, World Series by Renault

VQ40DE

The VQ40DE is a longer stroke variant of the VQ35DE. Bore and stroke are. Compression ratio is 9.5:1
Improvements include continuously variable valve timing, variable intake system, silent timing chain, hollow and lighter camshafts and friction reduction. It is port fuel injected with platinum-tipped spark plugs. It produces at 5600 rpm and at 4000 rpm.
YearsModelPower outputTorque
2005–2019Nissan Frontier at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2005–2015Nissan Xterra at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2005–2012Nissan Pathfinder at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2009–2013Suzuki Equator at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2012–presentNissan NV1500 at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2012–presentNissan NV2500 HD at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2012–presentNissan NV Passenger at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm
2017–presentNissan Patrol at 5600 rpm at 4000 rpm

DD series

The DD series is a variant of the DE series engines with direct fuel injection and eVTC.

VQ25DD

The engine has Bore and stroke of 85 mm and 73.3 mm respectively, with a compression ratio of 11 to 11.3:1. It produces to at 6400 rpm and at 4400 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
The engine has Bore and stroke of 93 mm and 73.3 mm, with a compression ratio of 11.0:1. It produces to at 6400 rpm and at 3600 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
A larger 3.5L with direct-injection is released for 2017 model year.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
A 3.8 L version with direct-injection is released for 2020 model year.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:

VQ25HR

The 2.5 L VQ25HR is only offered on longitudinally-mounted engine vehicles which tend to be rear wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Bore and stroke are, with a compression ratio of 10.3:1. It produces at 6,800 rpm and at 4,800 rpm. It has dual CVTC for both intake and exhaust, microfinished camshafts and a redline of 7,500 rpm.
It is fitted to the following vehicles:
YearsModelPower output
2006–presentNissan Skyline V6 250GT Sedan
2006–presentNissan Fuga 250GT
2006–presentInfiniti M V6 M25 Sedan
2010–presentInfiniti EX J50 EX25 Crossover SUV
2011–2012Infiniti G25 Sedan
2012–presentMitsubishi Proudia 250 VIP

VQ35HR

The VQ35HR engine was first seen in the US with the introduction of the updated 2007 G35 Sedan model, which debuted in August 2006. Nissan updated the VQ line with the addition of the 3.5 L VQ35HR. It produces at 6,800 rpm and at 4,800 rpm, using a compression ratio of 10.6:1. As of 2009, the Infiniti EX35 produces and the same torque presumably due to tighter regulations. It has NDIS and CVTC with hydraulic actuation on the intake cam and electromagnetic on the exhaust cam. Redline is 7,600 rpm. Reportedly over 80% of the internal components were redesigned or strengthened to handle an increased RPM range sporting a lofty 7,600 rpm redline. A new dual-path intake lowers intake tract restriction by 18 percent and new equal-length exhaust manifolds lead into mufflers that are 25 percent more free-flowing for all around better airflow. The electrically actuated variable valve timing on the exhaust cams to broaden the torque curve is new over the "DE" engine. The new engine block retained the same bore and stroke, but the connecting rods were lengthened and the block deck was raised by 8.4 mm to reduce piston side-loads. This modification, along with the use of larger crank bearings with main bearing caps reinforced by a rigid ladder-type main cap girdle to allow the engine reliably rev to 7600 rpm. With an increase in compression ratio from 10.3:1 to 10.6:1 these changes add 6 more horsepower. Peak torque is up 8 pound-feet from the older "DE" engine, vs and the torque curve is higher and flatter across most of the rpm range, and especially in the lower rpm range. The VQ35HR was utilized in rear-wheel-drive platforms while the VQ35DE continued to power Nissan's front-wheel-drive vehicles. In 2010, Nissan introduced a hybrid version of the VQ35HR, pairing the engine to a lithium-ion battery pack.
YearsModelPower output
2007–2008Infiniti G35
2007–2008Nissan Skyline V36 350GT Sedan
2007–2008Nissan 350Z; US Market using revised SAE certified power benchmark -
2006–2008Nissan Fuga 350 GT
2008–2012Infiniti EX35 Crossover SUV
2009–2012Infiniti FX35 Crossover SUV
2009–2010Infiniti M35
2011–2013Infiniti M35hEngine: , Combined:
2010–presentNissan Fuga HybridCombined:
2012–presentCombined:
2012–presentMitsubishi DignityCombined:
2014–presentInfiniti Q50 HybridCombined:
2014–presentInfiniti Q70 HybridCombined:

VQ38HR

By 2007, Nissan's ambition to increase the competitiveness of the Z33 chassis in Super Taikyu racing resulted in the development of a larger displacement engine based on the original VQ35HR Block. The end result was the VQ38HR powered Nismo Type 380RS-C which went on to dominate ST class 1 racing. The 3.8-liter racing engine in the 380RS-C develops maximum power of more than, and maximum torque of. In order to use this new engine in Super GT GT500, limited numbers of the engine were reproduced in the street-legal Fairlady Z Nismo Type 380RS. The VQ38HR engine mounted in the 380RS is a detuned, street version of the racing engine used in the 380RS-C. The engine displacement remains the same, while the intake manifold and exhaust, air-fuel ratio, ignition timing, VTC and other specs have been optimized for street use. The engine produces maximum power of at 7200 rpm, and maximum torque of at 4800 rpm.
The VQ38HR fitted to the following vehicles:
The VQ35HR and VQ25HR engines were built at Nissan's Iwaki Plant in Fukushima Prefecture.

VHR series

The VHR series is a variation of the VQ-HR engine series with Nissan's VVEL.

VQ37VHR

It was the first production engine from Nissan using VVEL. It has a compression ratio of 11.0:1, with a displacement of, thanks to a bore x stroke of and a redline of 7,500 rpm. It is rated at at 7,000 rpm and of torque at 5,200 rpm, and up to at 7,400 rpm and of torque at 5,200 rpm. Although the engine VQ37VHR gains only and in the Nissan 370Z Nismo, torque over the VQ35HR and this higher torque arrives at 5,200 rpm vs 4,800 rpm in the VQ35HR, the torque curve itself is improved and flattened via VVEL variable valve timing for better throttle response and low rpm torque.
YearsModelPower output
2008–2013Infiniti G37 Coupe
2008–presentNissan Skyline V36 370 GT Coupe
2009–2014Infiniti G37 Sedan
2009–presentNissan Skyline V36 370 GT Sedan
2009–2013Infiniti G37 Convertible
2009–presentNissan Fuga 370GT
2009–2013Infiniti FX37
2009–2013Infiniti EX37
2009–presentNissan 370Z/Fairlady Z
2009–presentNismo 370Z NISMO
2011–2013Infiniti M37
2011–2016Infiniti IPL G37 Coupe
2012–presentMitsubishi Proudia 370GT
2013Infiniti IPL G37 Convertible
2015Infiniti Q40 Sedan
2014–2015Infiniti Q50 Sedan
2014–2016Infiniti Q60 Coupé
2014–2015Infiniti Q60 Convertible
2014–presentInfiniti Q70
2014–2017Infiniti QX50
2014–2017Infiniti QX70