Infiniti's I30 mid-sized luxury sports sedan has been completely revamped and upgraded for 2000, but in the way of such things today will carry smaller pricetags.
Specifically, the regular I30 will list for $39,700, which is down from the $40,970 that the previous model cost, and which includes about $1,500 more standard equipment as well as being an improved car.
For those drivers who like a little more edge to their cars, there's the I30 touring, which will list for $41,500 in 2000, down from 1999's $43,500 and with more features. In general terms, the Infiniti I30 sports-luxury sedan is bigger, roomier, and more powerful than its popular predecessor. Nissan Canada's Infiniti division expects big things from this car, says Ian Forsyth, the company's director of product planning; specifically, that would mean annual sales in the 1,500 mark, or about double what the I30 did previously.
I30 for 2000 is significantly bigger than its predecessor: it's now 4920 mm long (up from 4816 mm) and rides on a 2750-mm wheelbase (up from 2700 mm). This creates a bigger interior, which is very noticeable and quite welcome from the second row of seats. Compared to its predecessor, the 2000 I30 model offers more passenger space, up from 2.82 cubic-metres to 2.88 cubic-metres. Front seat head room and front leg room are up and the front footwell width is wider.
As well as being bigger than its predecessors, the I30 for 2000 is also stiffer (20 per cent in bending and 30 per cent in twisting) which has a whole bunch of positive affects, including a quieter and more stable ride.
Styling on the I30 has moved farther away from its Nissan Maxima sibling and Forsyth says the "uniquely styled body panels give I30 an elegant and sensuous shapewith a hint of muscle."
Bigger wheels and large tires (16-inch on the Luxury I30 and 17-inch on the Touring version) are meant to "convey I30's sporty, fun-to-drive character."
The Touring version (aka the I30t) also comes with smoked-look headlamps and high-intensity discharge Xenon headlights.
For 2000, the 3-litre, 24-valve V-6 gets more power -- 227 horsepower instead of 190, and 217 pound-feet of torque instead of 205. It uses the same 4-speed electronically-controlled automatic, but it has been tweaked for 2000 as well.
Power delivery is pretty flat across the rev range, and Forsyth points out that I30's power-to-weight ratio of 1:14.7 is among the best in class, ahead of Acura TL at 1:15.4, Toyota Avalon at 1:16.9, Volvo S70 GLT at 1:17.4, and BMW 528i at 1:19.6.
This increased juice from a been-there, pulled-that engine was created through the adoption of new intake and exhaust manifolds, Nissan Variable Induction System air intake control with a plastic intake collector, new equal length exhaust pipes and theaddition of a new variable capacity muffler.
The muffler includes a special flap valve that uses high temperature aerospace spring technology and materials. It opens at 3,000 rpm and above and that reduces exhaust system back-pressure.
The 24-valve V6 includes micro-finished crank journals and cam lobes, molybdenum-coated pistons, digital knock control, six coils (one per spark plug) and a cross flow coolant pattern.
Additional engine refinements now include a new programmable engine control module, larger air intake chamber, bigger radiator and new cooling fans and a 4-point engine mount layout with three mounts liquid-damped and two electronically controlled.
I30's engine boasts double-tipped platinum spark plugs that should facilitate 160,000-km tune-up intervals and lower ownership costs.
To get all this around corners, Forsyth explains, I30 uses Nissan's rear Multi-Link Beam suspension that "already offers precise handling and outstanding stability by minimizing camber change during cornering."
In the year-2000 version, the rear suspension has been refined through use of thicker stabilizer bars, larger and softer trailing link bushings, and a relocation ofthe unique lateral link. It's now behind the rear beam.
Stopping power for I30 comes from 4-wheel disc brakes with bigger rotors and a standard 4-channel/4-sensor anti-lock system.
On Canadian-market I30s, handling on slippery roads is enhanced through inclusion of standard traction control and limited-slip differential.
Improved driver ergonomics were a focus of attention during the design phase, Forsyth says, so gauges were revamped and a "classically elegant clock was been added." The standard equipment levels on the Infiniti I30 have been raised with "more of everything."
New seats were developed to minimize driver fatigue, so the driver's seat has 8-way power adjustments the front passenger seat has 4-way power adjustments, and the centre console between them has dual storage levels with space for a mobile phone.
There's a 60/40 split fold-down rear-seat with a valet lock function, fold-down armrest, height-adjustable head restraints and integrated seat belt latches.
Comfort touches include heated seats, climate control, outside temperature display and rear heater ducts.
Convenience features range from "one-touch" up and down front windows, auto on/off headlights, sunvisors with illuminated vanity mirrors, five cup-holders, front and rear 12-volt power outlets, and a premium 7-speaker 200-watt Bose AM/FM/Cassette/CD audio system.
To keep you healthy enough to enjoy all these things, I30 has been given a body structure that disperses crash impacts. Safety features include reinforced roof side rails, B-pillars and side sills, pipe-style steel side-door guard beams, 3-point seat belts forall seats, front belts with pretensioners and load limiters, and front and side-impact air bags.
Infiniti is also introducing its first active head restraints as standard equipment on the I30. They cradle the head in the event of a rear-end collision, helping reduce the risk of whiplash injury.
The I30 will be in dealer showrooms at any time.