Infiniti is a luxury brand of Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. It serves as Nissan's luxury brand in the American, Canadian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, South Korean and Taiwanese markets. Nissan also has plans to release Infiniti into many European markets (Russia & Ukraine in 2007, Germany & United Kingdom in 2008), China (10 dealerships by 2007), as well as in Japan sometime after 2008. All current Infiniti coupes, sedans and crossovers are based on the Nissan FM platform. The center of the engine is placed behind the front wheels. This placement makes weight distribution more even, which is intended to improve braking, acceleration, and handling. It also reduces the polar moment of inertia. The only exception is the QX56 full-size SUV, which rides on the Nissan F-Alpha platform.
For the 2007 model year a redesigned version of the G35 sedan was introduced, to be followed in 2008 by a new version of the company's G coupe which will be called the G37. The coupe was first unveiled at the New York International Auto Show. Also to be released in 2008 is the new Infiniti EX35 compact crossover, which will be Infiniti's entrance into the compact luxury crossover market. The EX will share the G35's 3.5 liter, 306 hp (228 kW), V6 engine. Competitors will be the BMX X3, Land Rover LR2, and Acura RDX. In 2006, it was announced that the Infiniti range would be imported to the UK. Sales are set to begin during the later part of 2008.
Infiniti's model name designation includes one letter for coupés and sedans (two letters for SUVs) and a number reflecting engine displacement. For example, the QX56 is an SUV featuring a 5.6 L engine. An exception to this was the QX4 SUV, which featured a 3.3 L engine (1997-2000) and later a 3.5 L engine (2001-2003). An 'x' following the engine displacement of Infiniti sedans denotes an all wheel drive model (e.g. Infiniti G35x).
Infiniti began to take part of the luxury market mostly thanks to its popular Q45. The vehicle included a class leading (at the time) 278 hp (207 kW) V8 engine, four wheel steering, the first active suspension system offered on a motor vehicle, and numerous interior luxury appointments. These made it competitive against the German imports like Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, which by the time of Infiniti's release had overtaken Cadillac and Lincoln in dominating the luxury segment of the American market.
Launched alongside the Q45 sedan in 1990, the 2-door M30 coupe was able to hold steady but relatively weak sales during its three production years. The M30 was basically an "Americanized" version of the Japanese Nissan Leopard F31, built mainly to compete with the Acura Legend coupe. As stated above, the M30 could only muster out relatively weak sales during its production life ranging from 1990 to 1992. Unlike the Nissan Leopard, the M30 was available with only one engine choice; the 162 horsepower Nissan VG30E "V6 3000", and one transmission, the Nissan RE4R01A 4-speed automatic with electronic overdrive. This small amount of power was not enough to propel the rear-wheel drive, 3333 lb. M30 fast enough. Whilst the Q45 sold very well, the M30 sold rather slowly, but was able to fend off the Acura Legend well.
Infiniti's sales and reputation continue to rise as Carlos Ghosn follows through on his vision to break Infiniti away from its Nissan roots. The G35 series helped re-define Infiniti as the "Japanese BMW", an image it continues to cultivate. This reputation has been enhanced by the FX35/FX45 SUV, and the redesigned M35/M45 for the 2006 model year. The M35/M45 has already garnered impressive acclaim from the automotive press, winning an eight-car comparison test in Car and Driver and also named the best luxury sedan in Consumer Reports. The M45 model featured the same engine as the flagship Q45, and its success prompted Infiniti to remove the Q45 from its lineup for the first time ever in 2007, at which time the M45 became the flagship model.
Although the M30 did not exactly appeal much to the American market due to its 80s-like styling and underpowered engine, it easily excelled past its competitors in terms of luxury, reliability, and overall comfort. In 1991, a convertible M30 joined the lineup, but its life was rather shortlived. Sadly, in 1992, only two years after being introduced to the American market, Infiniti was forced to discontinue the M30 after experiencing lackluster sales. Today, although considered the rarest Infiniti ever produced, some knowledable enthusiasts refer to the M30 as the model that, although faded away, tried its best to make Infiniti happy.
In 1997, Infiniti released the QX4,pronounced "queue-by-four", a modified and more luxurious version of the Nissan Pathfinder, making Infiniti the first maker (apart from SUV specialists, Jeep and Land Rover) to offer a mid-sized luxury SUV - predating the release of the Lexus RX 300, Acura MDX and the Mercedes-Benz ML320. Like a traditional SUV, it was based on a truck platform, which gave it a competitive edge against the aforementioned competitors for its off-roading abilities.
Infiniti Cars Future Vehicles: Infiniti G37 - The new G coupe which features an all-new 3.7 liter V6 producing 330 hp (246 kW). Release date: Fall 2007. Infiniti EX35 - A compact Crossover positioned under the FX to compete with the BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, and Acura RDX. Release date: Fall 2007. Infiniti FX - An all new FX series will be released in 2009. The FX35/FX45 will be replaced with the FX37 (utilizing the same 3.7 liter engine as the G37 coupe) and the FX50 (debuting Infiniti's new 5.0 liter V8 with 390 hp (291 kW) and 369 ft·lbf torque). Release date: Fall 2008. Infiniti M - An all new M sedan is slated for release for the 2010 model year. The 2010 Infiniti M is expected to come in M37 (330 hp, 270 lb-ft, 3.7-liter V6 as seen on the 2008 Infiniti G37 coupe) and M50 (390 hp, 369 lb-ft, 5.0-liter V8 debuting on the new 2009 Infiniti FX crossover) variations. Release date: TBD Infiniti Q - Infiniti will be resurrecting its departed flagship sedan, expected to utilize Infiniti's new 5.0-liter V8 (390 hp, 369 lb-ft). The new Q is slated for release in early 2009. Infiniti Current models: Infiniti G35 (sedan, and AWD sedan). Infiniti G37 (coupe). Infiniti M (M35/M35x and M45 variations). Infiniti EX35. Infiniti FX (FX35 and FX45 variations). Infiniti QX56, Infiniti SS. Infiniti Past models: Infiniti M30, Infiniti G20, Infiniti J30, Infiniti I (I30, 1996-2001; I35, 2002-2004), Infiniti QX4, Infiniti Q45.Infiniti Concept Vehicles: Infiniti Kuraza (concept vehicle, no current plans for production).
