The Nissan L series of automobile engines ranged from 1.3 L to 2.8 Liters in both I-4 and I-6 configurations and were produced from 1967 through 1986. This was the engine used in the Datsun 240Z sports car, the Datsun 510 and the first Nissan Maxima.

The design is often incorrectly attributed to Mercedes-Benz. In 1966 Prince Motor Company merged with Nissan. At the time of the merger, Prince had been lpreviously icensed to produce copies of the M-B four- and six-cylinder engines. But by th etime of the merger, the Prince Motor Company had refined the design to such a degree that it no longer needed licensing. The engine still resembles a Mercedes in many ways, particularly the valve train.

These engines are known for their reliability, durability, and parts interchangeability. It is a 2-valve-per-cylinder SOHC non-crossflow engine, with an iron block and an aluminium head.

The four-cylinder L series engines were replaced with the Z series and later the CA series, while the six-cylinder L series engines were replaced with the VG V6 series and RB DOHC series.