Review: Nissan M35 Stagea (2001-07)

Review: Nissan M35.I Stagea (2001-04)

Overview

Released in October 2001, the Nissan M35 Stagea was a five-door wagon that was available in rear- and all-wheel drive models. Manufactured in Tochigi, Japan, the M35 Series I (M35.I) Stagea range initially consisted of the 250RS, 250RS V, 250RX, 250RS Four, 250RX Four, 250t RS Four V, 250t RX Four, 250t RS Four V HICAS, AR-X Four and 300RX variants (see table below). The Stagea range was simplified in August 2004 with the release of the M35 Series II (M35.II) Stagea.

Please note that the M35 Stagea was not imported to Australia by Nissan Australia, such that local vehicles are private imports and the information below pertains to vehicles sold for the Japanese domestic market (JDM).

Engines: VQ25DD, VQ25DET, VQ30DD and VQ35DE

The M35 Stagea was powered by Nissan’s naturally aspirated and turbocharged VQ petrol engines. Of these,

• tthe 2.5-litre VQ25DD engine had an aluminium block, an 85.0 mm bore and 73.3 mm stroke, an aluminium cylinder head, double overhead camshafts, direct fuel injection, four valves per cylinder, continuously variable valve timing and a compression ratio of 11.0:1;
• the 2.5-litre VQ25DET engine differed in that it had a Garrett M24N turbocharger, intercooler, indirect fuel injection and its compression ratio was reduced to 8.5:1;
• the 3.0-litre VQ30DD had similar properties to the VQ25DD, albeit with a longer bore (93.0 mm); and,
• the 3.5-litre VQ35DE petrol engine omitted direct injection and had a lower compression ratio at 10.3:1.

Dimensions and dimensions

The M35 Stagea was underpinned by Nissans ‘FM’ (front-midship) platform which was shared with the V35 Skyline. The platform provided rear-wheel drive Stagea models with a 51:49 weight distribution; for all-wheel drive models, the distribution was 52:48. To reduce mass, the M35 Stagea’s tailgate was made from a rigid resin that was produced by Hitachi Chemical.

The M35 Stagea was 4765 mm long, 1760 mm wide (excluding mirrors), 1510 mm tall and had a 2850 mm long wheelbase; depending on variant, the drag coefficient was 0.32 to 0.33 Cd. The Stagea AR-X Four, however, was positioned as a crossover SUV and had larger, 18-inch alloy wheels, flared wheel arches and an increased ride height. As a result of its model-specific changes, the Stagea AR-X Four was 4800 mm long, 1790 mm wide and 1550 mm tall.

Suspension

The M35 Stagea had independent, multi-link suspension front and rear. Unlike its WC34 predecessor, the rear suspension had coil springs which were mounted separately from the shock absorbers; the upper attachment position of the shock absorbers was also lowered by 270 mm compared to the WC34 Stagea.

Steering and HICAS

The M35 Stagea had power assisted, rack-and-pinion steering. The Stagea 250t RS Four V was available with Nissan’s ‘High Capacity Actively Controlled Steering’ (HICAS), a hydraulically controlled rear-wheel steering system which enabled the rear wheels to make small counter-steering movements to improve handling.

ATTESA E-TS

The Stagea 250GT Four and AR-X variants were fitted with Nissan’s ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All-Terrain Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system. With this system, drive to the rear wheels was constant via a tailshaft and rear differential, though drive to the front wheels was controlled by a transfer case on the rear of the transmission; the transfer case contained a chain which drove a multi-plate wet clutch pack. Torque would be directed to the front wheels under acceleration or if traction was lost, with up to 50 per cent of the engine’s torque capable of being directed to the front wheels.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the M35.I Stagea included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

Features: Stagea RS

Standard features for the Stagea 250RS and 250RS Four included 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/65 R16 tyres, a six speaker sound system with an AM/FM radio and CD player, climate control air conditioning, front fog lights, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, and tinted windows.

The Stagea 250RS V was further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres, xenon headlights and rear privacy glass, while the 250t RS Four V and 250t RS Four V HICAS were also fitted with front spoilers.

Features: Stagea RX and AR-X

Compared to the Stagea 250RS, the Stagea 250RX and 250RX Four were further equipped with a power adjustable driver’s seat, xenon headlights and rear privacy glass.

The 50t RX Four and 300RX added 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres; like the 250t RS variants, the 250t RX Four was also fitted with a front spoiler.

Relative to the 300RX, the AR-X Four was distinguished by its 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 R18 tyres.

Stagea Axis

In January 2002, Axis editions were introduced for the Stagea 250RX, 250RX Four, 250t RX Four and 300RX. The Stagea Axis could be identified by its unique 18-inch alloy wheels, chrome front grille and Autech body kit with over fenders.

Stagea Aero selection

From October 2002, the Stagea 250RS, 250t RS Four, 250t RS Four V and 250t RS Four V HICAS were available as ‘Aero selection’ editions which added a front aero bumper, coloured rear bumper and body-coloured side strips and rear privacy glass.

Stagea 70^thAnniversary edition

In May 2003, the Stagea 250RX, 250RX Four, 250t RX Four were released in 70th Anniversary editions. The Stage 70th Anniversary edition featured 17-inch alloy wheels, a 200 watt Bose sound system with six speakers, a Richbass woofer, a six-disc in-dash CD player and body-coloured side strips.

Stagea 70^thAnniversary II

In October 2003, the Stagea 250RX, 250RX Four and 250t RX Four were released in 70th Anniversary II editions. The Stagea 70th Anniversary II edition featured 17-inch alloy wheels, ionising air conditioning, a power adjustable front passenger seat, tinted windows and body-coloured side strips.

2004 Stagea Navi

In April 2004, the Stagea 250RS, 250RS Four, 250RS V, 250RX, 250RX Four were released in Navi editions. The Navi editions featured a DVD-based satellite navigation, rear privacy glass and body-coloured side strips.

Related links

• Nissan Releases All-New Stagea (October 2001)

Review: Nissan M35.II Stagea (2004-07)

Overview

Released in August 2004, the Nissan M35.II Stagea introduced a revised range as the VQ25DET and VQ30DD engines were discontinued and the VQ35DE engine was offered in a wider range of variants (previously limited to the 350S Axis).

Visually, the M35.II Stagea could be identified by its new front grille, revised front and rear bumpers, body-coloured side strips and new alloy wheel designs; the interior was also updated.

In November 2005, the VQ35DE engine was certified to the U-LEV emissions standard.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the M35.II Stagea included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution, brake assist, active front seat head restraints and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters; the Stagea 350RX was further equipped with traction control, while the ATTESA ET-S system for the 250RX Four, 350RX Four and AR-X Four had its own traction control system.

Features

Standard features for the Stagea 250RX and 250RX Four included 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/65 R16 tyres, six speaker sound system with an AM/FM radio and CD player, climate control air conditioning, power adjustable driver’s seat, xenon headlights, automatic headlights, 60:40 split and folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, rear privacy glass, tinted windows, vanity mirrors, a cargo cover, power-operated tailgate and trip computer.

The Stagea AR-X Four was further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels with 225/55 R18 tyres.

Compared to the 250RX and 250RX Four, the Stagea 350RX and 350RX Four were further equipped with 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 tyres and an upgraded sound system with a six-disc in-dash CD player.

Stagea Axis

In the M35.II Stagea range, the Stagea Axis was distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels with 215/55 R17 Dunlop Direzza tyres, sports suspension, dark-plated chrome grille, unique front bumper and Fujitsubo Giken Kogyo muffler.

Stagea Limited Leather

In April 2005, the Stagea 250RX, 250RX Four, 350RX, 350RX Four and AR-X Four were released in Limited Leather editions which featured tan (brown) leather seats, the upgraded sound system with a six-disc CD changer, a rear air conditioning outlet and woodtrain interior trim. The Stagea 350RX, 350RX Four and AR-X Four, however, were fitted the Bose sound system.

Stagea Stylish Silver Leather

In June 2006, a special ‘Stylish Silver Leather’ specification was introduced which featured grey leather seats, heated front seats, upgraded sound system with a six-disc CD changer, and a rear air conditioning outlet.

Related links

• Wikipedia.org: Nissan M35 Skyline