Nissan Laurel VI (C33) photos

Debuting in late 1988 for the 1989 model year, the sixth-generation Nissan Laurel (C33) dropped the conventional pillared sedan body style entirely, becoming available exclusively as a sleek pillarless four-door hardtop aimed primarily at the Japanese domestic market. Sharing its core rear-wheel-drive platform components with the contemporary A31 Cefiro and R32 Skyline, the C33 replaced the sharper, boxy lines of the C32 generation with softer, low-slung proportions and introduced a multi-link rear suspension setup alongside optional HICAS-II four-wheel steering on higher trims. Customers could choose between the prestige-oriented Medalist trim and the sportier Club S specification featuring distinct front spoilers and interior accents. The powertrain range spanned a base 1.8-liter CA18i inline-four, several variants of the 2.0-liter RB20 inline-six—including single-cam, twin-cam, and turbocharged RB20DET versions—and a 2.8-liter RD28 inline-six diesel engine, mated to either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. A mid-cycle facelift in early 1991 refreshed the grille, headlamps, and taillight graphics while introducing a 2.5-liter RB25DE twin-cam inline-six paired with a five-speed automatic gearbox, cementing the C33's reputation both as a refined cruiser and later as a popular drift platform.