Infiniti

2010-01-28T03:07:20Z

WhosUrBuddiee:

{{List Of Infiniti Models}}

'''Infiniti''' is [[Nissan]]'s luxury brand in the United States, Canadian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, South Korean (first dealership opened in July 2005) and Taiwanese markets. [[Nissan]] also has plans to release Infiniti into many European markets (Russia & Ukraine in 2007, United Kingdom in 2008), China (10 dealerships by 2007), as well as in Japan sometime after 2008.

Infiniti vehicles are traditionally based on the same automobile platforms as [[Nissan]] models. In some cases, similar vehicles are sold as upscale [[Nissan]]s in the same market, while other Infinitis are rebadged models from the Japanese market, where [[Nissan]]'s model range includes high-end luxury vehicles. More recently, the differentiation between [[Nissan]] and Infiniti vehicles has become greater, and even where two models may share a similar platform, Infinitis tend to feature more powerful [[engine]]s, tuned [[suspension]]s, [[steering systems]], and more luxurious interior appointments.

Infiniti's model name designation includes one letter for [[coupés]] and [[sedans]] (two letters for [[SUV]]s) and a number reflecting [[engine]] displacement. For example, the [[Infiniti QX56|QX56]] is an [[SUV]] featuring a 5.6 L engine and the [[Infiniti Q45|Q45]] is Infiniti's flagship sedan, featuring a 4.5 L engine. The one exception to this was the [[Infiniti QX4|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 [[Four Wheel Drive|all wheel drive]] model (e.g. [[Infiniti G35|Infiniti G35x]]).

===History===

Infiniti was introduced in the United States by [[Nissan]] in 1989, to rival [[Toyota]] and [[Honda]]'s introduction of their own luxury brands, [[Lexus]] and [[Acura]], respectively. A series of Zen-inspired advertisements, which became known as the "rocks and trees" campaign, aimed to bring about brand awareness. The advertisements, however, neglected to feature any of Infiniti's models, and thus failed to generate adequate sales. Better advertising and the introduction of award-winning models eventually made Infiniti a chief contender in the luxury vehicle segment of the American market. Since 1989, sales have consistently grown.

Infiniti began to take part of the luxury market mostly thanks to its popular [[Infiniti Q45|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 comparatively uninspiring engines and interiors found in German imports like [[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.

In 1997, Infiniti released the [[Infiniti QX4|QX4]], 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]] 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.

By the late 1990s, however, Infiniti was consistently behind [[Lexus]] and even near-luxury rival [[Acura]], in sales due to [[Nissan]]'s struggling financial situation. The [[Infiniti Q45|Q45]] had retreated considerably from its focused, taut rendition of an executive sedan, having become a barely recognizable, ponderously-handling sedan that earned the nickname "The Japanese Lincoln." In 1999, Infiniti reintroduced the [[Infiniti G20|G20]], a compact sporty sedan that was sold between 1991 and 1995. The car had hopes of challenging [[BMW]], but with an underpowered four cylinder [[engine]], fell short. Infiniti's other offerings, the [[Nissan Maxima|Maxima]]-based [[Infiniti I30|I30]] and the strange-looking [[Infiniti J30|J30]] never garnered strong followings, and the company, bereft of an image or a following, floundered.

By the early 2000s, Infiniti was facing extinction. Its own impending doom being perhaps the best motivator, the company rededicated itself to developing a dynamic and powerful line-up of sporty luxury cars. Car and Driver reported that Infiniti executives invited members of the motoring press to a meeting where they "swore never again to take their eyes off [[BMW]]." Although this effort began with a completely redesigned [[Infiniti Q45|Q45]] flagship for the 2002 model year, it was the [[Infiniti G35|G35]] that finally turned sales around for Infiniti in 2003. A compact sports sedan far exceeding the capabilities of its [[Nissan Primera]]-based predecessor (the [[Infiniti G20|G20]]), the [[Nissan Skyline]]-based [[Infiniti G35|G35]] became an instant hit. The release of the sport tuned [[Infiniti FX45|FX45]] [[sport utility vehicle]] piggybacked on the [[Infiniti G35|G35]]'s success. The [[Infiniti FX45|FX45]] combined sports-car handling and performance with station wagon-like versatility and all-weather capability. In 2004, Infiniti graced the [[Infiniti G35|G35]] with an [[all-wheel drive]] ([[AWD]]) option in an effort to sway buyers from [[all-wheel drive]] mecca [[Audi]].

Today, Infiniti's sales and reputation continue to increase impressively as Carlos Ghosn follows through on his vision to break Infiniti away from its [[Nissan]] roots. The [[Infiniti G35|G35]] series helped re-define Infiniti as the "Japanese BMW", an image it continues to cultivate. This reputation has been enhanced by the [[Infiniti FX35|FX35]]/[[Infiniti FX45|FX45]] [[SUV]], and the redesigned [[Infiniti M35|M35]]/[[Infiniti M45|M45]] for the 2006 model year. The [[Infiniti M35|M35]]/[[Infiniti M45|M45]] has already garnered impressive acclaim from the automotive press, winning an eight-car comparison test in Car and Driver, and has proven very popular in its first few months of sales.
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===Models===
{{Infiniti}}

===Current Models===

*[[Infiniti FX]] ([[Infiniti FX35|FX35]] and [[Infiniti FX45|FX45]] variations)
*[[Infiniti G35]] ([[sedan]], [[AWD]] [[sedan]], and [[coupe]] derivations)
*[[Infiniti M]] ([[Infiniti M35|M35]]/[[Infiniti M35|M35x]] and [[Infiniti M45|M45]] variations)
*[[Infiniti Q45]]
*[[Infiniti QX56]]
*[[Infiniti EX]]

===Past Models===

*[[Infiniti M30]]
*[[Infiniti G20]]
*[[Infiniti J30]]
*[[Infiniti I]] ([[Infiniti I30|I30]], 1996-2001; [[Infiniti I35|I35]], 2002-2004)
*[[Infiniti QX4]]
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===Future Models and Concept Vehicles===

*[[Infiniti Kuraza]] (concept vehicle, no current plans for production)
*[[Infiniti EX Concept]]
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===External Links===

*[http://www.ourvq.com/ OurVQ the Premier VQ Community Forum]
*[http://www.infinitiusa.com/ InfinitiUSA.com USA Official Site]
*[http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/index.html Nissan Motors Corporation]
*[http://www.infiniti.co.kr/ Infiniti Korea]
*[http://www.infinitihelp.com/ Infinitihelp.com]
*[http://www.infiniti-forum.com/ Infiniti Forum]
*[http://www.americancarimports.com UK based Independent Importer of all Infiniti models]
*[http://www.zercustoms.com/ Custom Auto]
*[http://www.carsession.com/ Custom Cars]

[[Category:Makes]]

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