Japan Beat: 12th-Generation Nissan Skyline

TOKYO — Nissan has launched its new Skyline sedan in Japan, the 12th generation of the Japan-market equivalent of the Infiniti G35.

A company official, acknowledging that minicars are riding the crest of popularity right now in Japan, said he hopes "a new wave [of sales] comes" for sedans with the new model.

Nissan's chief operating officer was quoted by the Japan Times newspaper this week.

The Skyline gets two new Nissan V6 engines, a 3.5-liter that makes 315 horsepower and a 2.5-liter that makes 225 hp, each mated to a five-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control. Sporty SP and P models have steering-column-mounted magnesium shift paddles that let the driver select a manual-shift mode. The SP and P models of the Skyline also have, as an option, "the world's first four-wheel active steering system," Nissan says.

The new Skyline is lower to the ground, slightly wider and has a sleek design described as "dynamic motion" by the company. There's a new grille and headlamp design, as well as L-shaped taillights. Sport models of the new Skyline have their own front bumper and body-side sill spoiler.

Inside, there's aluminum trim with a finish that, in true Nissan/Infiniti style, was "inspired by the texture of traditional Japanese rice paper called Washi," and optional exotic-wood trim. Seats have been lowered by a little more than an inch for a sportier feeling for the driver.

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