in Japan, equipped with the I30's chromed front grille and a brown interior. The I30 shared the 3.0-liter VQ30DE V6 engine producing with the North American Maxima. Revisions to the I30 over the generation included revised tail-lights and trunk garnish. The Touring model, I30t, gained five-spoke alloy wheels, more firm suspension tuning as well as a spoiler and BBS wheels. A small number of first-generation I30s had five-speed manual transmissions, many with VLSD. An in-dash hands-free car phone was available as an option. Gallery Third generation (A33, 1998-2004) Nissan released its A33 series in December 1998 initially as the JDM Cefiro, subsequently marketing badge engineered variants worldwide — prominently under its North American Infiniti brand as the I30 and I35. For the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM), Nissan offered the A33 in 2.0 and 2.5 Excimo, 2.0 and 2.5 Excimo G, 2.0 and 2.5 S Touring, and 3.0 Brougham VIP trim levels. A five-speed manual transmission was offered for the 2.0 Excimo and 2.0 S Touring. The limited edition "L Selection" and modified Autech version were also offered in Japan. In January 2001 the Cefiro received a facelift, incorporating the larger bumpers used on export models and the Infiniti I30. Worldwide In Australia, Nissan marketed the A33 as the Maxima from 1999 through to 2003. Trim levels were S, ST, and Ti—all powered by the 3.0-liter engine. In Europe, Nissan continued to market the A33 as the Nissan Maxima QX with the 2.0 and 3.0 V6 engines, producing respectively. In most Southeast Asian countries, the A33 was manufactured until 2008 as the 3.0 Brougham VIP and Excimo 2.0 G under license by Edaran Tan Chong Motor Sdn Bhd in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In Taiwan, the A33 version was manufactured by Yulon and marketed as the Cefiro, the last Nissan Cefiro manufactured by Yulon. In Iran, Pars Khodro manufactured the A33 under license from 2002 to 2012, under the Maxima nameplate. In Indonesia, versions were marketed from 2000 to 2002 as the Infiniti I30 Standard and Touring. Later models from 2002 to 2003 was marketed as Nissan Cefiro 3.0 Brougham VIP. North America Infiniti I30 (A33, 1998-2001) Infiniti based the MY 2000 I30 on the A33 Cefiro. Engine power increased to and the manual transmission was no longer offered in North America (it remained available in the Middle East). Compared to the similar Nissan Maxima, the I30 included a more powerful engine