As part of its plan to turn its upscale Infiniti lineup into a performance-oriented marque, Nissan will bring more power to a facelifted version of its I30 sports sedan this fall.
The fact that it will be called the I35 when it arrives as a 2002 model highlights the new model's primary charm -- a 3.5-litre V6. This is of course an enlarged iteration of the great 3-litre that powered I30 amd Nissan Maxima for many years.
In the I35, the DOHC 24-valve V6 will deliver 260 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque, which are increases of 33 horsepower and 29 pound-feet of torque from the car's smaller engine.
To differentiate the I35 from the I30 from the outside, it will get new front and rear styling with new exterior colors, and standard 17-inch wheels and tires, and on the inside there'll be "more luxurious appointments".
Other technical changes besides the bigger engine include a better braking system, a vehicle dynamic control system, and a new Sport Package, which is more expensive than the basic Luxury model.
The aim of the upgrade, according to Richard Pendrill, the director of Nissan Canada's Infiniti Division, was to give the model "an even stronger, class-leading balance of authoritative performance, surprising luxury, outstanding driver control and confidence and the peace of mind that goes with owning an Infiniti."
Standard on all 2002 I35s will be what Pendrill calls a "strengthened" 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, along with a standard Traction Control System which aids traction in off-the-line starts and slippery situations.
Large diameter front and rear stabilizer bars and speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering help give I35 Luxury a smooth, controllable ride, claims Pendrick, while a higher level of handling and stability is available with the sport-tuned suspension on Sport Package-equipped I35s.
Brake system upgrades for 2002 include two advanced systems -- Electronic Brake Distribution, which optimizes brake force depending on passenger and cargo load, and Brake Assist, which reduces pedal effort to aid the driver in hard or panic braking situations.
The fact that it will be called the I35 when it arrives as a 2002 model highlights the new model's primary charm -- a 3.5-litre V6. This is of course an enlarged iteration of the great 3-litre that powered I30 amd Nissan Maxima for many years.
In the I35, the DOHC 24-valve V6 will deliver 260 horsepower and 246 pound-feet of torque, which are increases of 33 horsepower and 29 pound-feet of torque from the car's smaller engine.
To differentiate the I35 from the I30 from the outside, it will get new front and rear styling with new exterior colors, and standard 17-inch wheels and tires, and on the inside there'll be "more luxurious appointments".
Other technical changes besides the bigger engine include a better braking system, a vehicle dynamic control system, and a new Sport Package, which is more expensive than the basic Luxury model.
The aim of the upgrade, according to Richard Pendrill, the director of Nissan Canada's Infiniti Division, was to give the model "an even stronger, class-leading balance of authoritative performance, surprising luxury, outstanding driver control and confidence and the peace of mind that goes with owning an Infiniti."
Standard on all 2002 I35s will be what Pendrill calls a "strengthened" 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission, along with a standard Traction Control System which aids traction in off-the-line starts and slippery situations.
Large diameter front and rear stabilizer bars and speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering help give I35 Luxury a smooth, controllable ride, claims Pendrick, while a higher level of handling and stability is available with the sport-tuned suspension on Sport Package-equipped I35s.
Brake system upgrades for 2002 include two advanced systems -- Electronic Brake Distribution, which optimizes brake force depending on passenger and cargo load, and Brake Assist, which reduces pedal effort to aid the driver in hard or panic braking situations.