Fifth generation (C32; 1984)
Most of the information in this article was translated from the Nissan Laurel article on Japanese Wikipedia at ja:日産・ローレル.
In October 1984, the C32 Laurel was released. Osamu Ito, Development Supervisor of the R31/32 Skyline, was assigned to redesign the Laurel. He saw the car needed significant changes and set about doing so. Some of the Laurel's new features included a 4-door sedan body, variations in the hardtop, and a more overall angular appearance, and also introduced the world's first electric retractable door mirrors.[14] The C32 was the last model to be sold in Europe, where the Laurel was replaced by the front-wheel-drive Nissan Maxima (PU11) which was not available as a diesel and had a sportier, more luxurious air.
The C32 were fitted with a variety of gasoline engines, inline-fours and V6 engines ranging from 1.8 to 3.0 liters. Some engines, like the L24 and the electronically carbureted VG30S were reserved for export. The C32 Laurel also came with the LD28 diesel. In 1987, there were a minor facelift which revised the bumpers, new grilles and new lights in the front and back. The LD28 diesel engine were swapped out in favor of the similarly dimensioned RD28. This generation was the only Laurel to be equipped with a V6 engine. The suspension remained as the MacPherson struts for the front wheels and semi-trailing arm with 4-links for the rear suspension from the Skyline.
If the Laurel was installed with the "Super Sonic Suspension" system, a sonar module was mounted under the front bumper and scanned the road surface, adjusting the suspension accordingly via actuators mounted on all four coil over shock absorbers and the front suspension was installed with a multi-link suspension.[15] There was also a switch on the center console that allowed the driver to limit the adjustment information being provided by the sonar sensor, and change the setting from "Auto" to "Soft", "Medium" or "Hard" settings. 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.
The Medalist could be optionally 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 had RCA connections to attach a camcorder and watch recorded video. The stereo and video equipment was supplied by Sony. Also available was a modification to the front passenger seat Nissan called "Partner Comfort Seat" where the top portion of the front passenger seat was further articulated to tilt forward, supporting the passengers shoulders while allowing the seatback structure to recline. The front edge of the passenger seat cushion was also adjustable.
To enhance rear passenger comfort and convenience, the four-door hardtop front driver and passenger seat belt shoulder strap was connected at the top to the ceiling, however, the upper portion could be detached, with the shoulder strap emerging from the side door support, resting on the driver's and passenger's shoulder. This provided rear passengers an unobstructed view from the rear seat without the seat belt hanging from the ceiling when the windows were retracted. The upper part would then swing up to the ceiling and could be fastened into place. The styling of the Nissan Laurel began to resemble the larger Gloria but on a slightly smaller platform, with reduced tax liability based on the vehicles dimensions. The Toyota competitor was the Cresta hardtop, while the Skyline was the competitor to the Chaser sedan and in 1986, the Honda Vigor.
The RB20E engine was equipped with six-cylinder series SOHC2.0L, VG20ET-SOHC2.0L V6 turbo, CA18S-series four-cylinder (LPG and specifications), LD28-series 6-cylinder diesel SOHC2.8L. The car's system also shared a Skyline rack-and-pinion steering rack. In May 1985, the Grand Extra Limited edition was released. Detail improvements were made in October 1985 and January 1986.
In October 1986, there were mechanical changes along with significant modifications to the exterior. There was a new turbocharged DOHC engine, the 2.0-liter RB20DET 24-valve six-cylinder, while the LD28 diesel engine was replaced by the new RD28-series six-cylinder diesel engine.
In May 1987, the "Grande Extra White Special" edition was released. In August of the same year, the Grande Touring Limited was added to lineup.
Beginning January 1988, the Laurel was joined by a longer version at 2735 mm of the Nissan Gloria stablemate, called the Nissan Gloria Cima which offered an improved version of the V6 engine available on the Laurel, and an optionally available turbocharged version of the same V6. In February 1988, there was an improved and some 20 releases Super medalist anniversary special edition. In May 1988, the "White Limited" model was released. In September of the same year, the Super Series Selection was added to the lineup. In December, private car and driving school versions were discontinued, leaving only taxis and other commercial models. In January 1989, Laurels with an automatic gearbox received a shift lock.[16] The taxi/commercial versions of the fifth generation were finally discontinued in July 1993, when they were replaced by the Nissan Crew.
