Nissan recently confirmed the next-generation Xterra will include a V6. The VQ-series of engines has been produced for more than 30 years. The Japanese brand has no plans to ditch its V6s in future models. Over the past 40 years, Nissan has produced some of the market’s finest V6 engines, and to celebrate all that’s good with six-cylinders, the company recently declared May 6 as its first annual V6 Day. According to Nissan, this is all about “giving one of the most iconic engine designs the celebration it deserves.” While the US government will obviously never acknowledge this as a real holiday, it is perhaps one that car enthusiasts could mark on their calendars. Of course, it’s all just some PR fluff and marketing from Nissan, but there’s no denying the brand has established itself as a purveyor of excellent V6 engines. Read: Nissan’s New Xterra Is Coming For Broncos And 4Runners With A V6 For Under $40,000 No doubt the finest of all V6 engines produced by Nissan is the iconic VR38DETT used by the R35-generation GT-R. Ditching the RB26, the straight-six used by previous iterations of the Skyline GT-R, was a controversial move, but the 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 has proven itself time and time again to be an absolute gem. Like the RB26, it’s also strong enough to support some serious modifications. The V6 Lives On While the R35 has been killed off, Nissan continues to sell several other models with V6 engines. For example, the Nissan Z has an excellent 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged V6, and V6s are used by models including the Armada, Pathfinder, and Frontier. Nissan launched its first V6 in the 1980s with the VG series, later following it up with the VQ series, which still remains in production after over 30 years. In an industry where downsizing has become the norm, there’s more good news for fans of Nissan V6 engines. The company recently confirmed that the revived Xterra off-road SUV will be offered with V6 and V6 hybrid engines. Exactly what V6 this new model will get remains to be seen, but it should be more than enough to ensure the Xterra can keep up with the Ford Bronco and Jeep Wrangler. “For decades, the V6 has been the beating heart of some of Nissan’s most iconic vehicles – delivering the durability, strength, and power our customers rely on,” Nissan Americas chairman Christian Meunier said. “From the speed and acceleration of our sports cars to the confident torque that defines our trucks and SUVs, the V6 offers a rare balance of performance and dependability. The V6 is close to my heart and the hearts of millions of American drivers. It will play an important role in our lineup for years to come, particularly with the return of the mighty Xterra.”