MUCH MORE THAN A LUXURY SEDAN
The first time I saw the new Infiniti Q45 was a few days before Christmas as Nissan had thought of bringing it to its annual dinner in Montreal. At that point, it was the only prototype of the car in Canada and it made quite an impression at the door of the Kempinski Ritz-Carlton. Hotel. Then the car was to be seen a again at major auto shows until I could drive it early May.
Infiniti is Nissan's deluxe brand. It has had a slower start than its arch-rival Lexus by Toyota since its introduction some ten years ago but it is now doing a lot better. The flagship of the line has always been the Q45. When it was first introduced, it seemed more of a sports sedan than a luxury car. With time, this V-8 rear-wheel driven full-size sedan became fatter and lazier. But not the totally redesigned 2002 model!
This Q45 still is a luxury product but it also has soul. Nissan raised its level of performance and technology. The car was also redesigned and it can be seen with its new signature grille set lower in the front end. The headlamps are most original as they integrate the most powerful lights on the market. Front and rear overhangs have been reduced and the greenhouse has a sportier look. Rear end has an integrated spoiler and total drag coefficient was considerably reduced. Wheelbase gained 1.6 inches (to 113 inches) but the Q45 has the same length as before.
The first time I saw the new Infiniti Q45 was a few days before Christmas as Nissan had thought of bringing it to its annual dinner in Montreal. At that point, it was the only prototype of the car in Canada and it made quite an impression at the door of the Kempinski Ritz-Carlton. Hotel. Then the car was to be seen a again at major auto shows until I could drive it early May.
Infiniti is Nissan's deluxe brand. It has had a slower start than its arch-rival Lexus by Toyota since its introduction some ten years ago but it is now doing a lot better. The flagship of the line has always been the Q45. When it was first introduced, it seemed more of a sports sedan than a luxury car. With time, this V-8 rear-wheel driven full-size sedan became fatter and lazier. But not the totally redesigned 2002 model!
This Q45 still is a luxury product but it also has soul. Nissan raised its level of performance and technology. The car was also redesigned and it can be seen with its new signature grille set lower in the front end. The headlamps are most original as they integrate the most powerful lights on the market. Front and rear overhangs have been reduced and the greenhouse has a sportier look. Rear end has an integrated spoiler and total drag coefficient was considerably reduced. Wheelbase gained 1.6 inches (to 113 inches) but the Q45 has the same length as before.