Infiniti opens the 1997 model year with an all-new version of its flagship Q45, priced at $47,900.
The $20,000 entry-level G20 is gone for '97, and dealers are gearing up for a foray into the upper end of the fast-growing sport-utility market with the QX4, a Ford Explorer-size off-road vehicle based on the Nissan Pathfinder and loaded with luxury features. It's due at dealerships in November.All this comes on the heels of a massive, across-the-line price cut announced in June on '96 models. The price rollbacks, which were as high as $6,000 on the Q45, were designed to align Infiniti's prices with what customers actually were paying after rebates and haggling.
The lower prices, Infiniti officials hope, will not only increase sales but make the buying experience less stressful for Infiniti's customers.
Also, Infiniti is eager to get away from the cash-back offers; cheap, no-money-down factory-backed leases and other incentives that have created a distressed merchandise aura around its vehicles, eroded the value of its cars and hurt resale values.
The new prices and two new vehicles are expected to finally shift Infiniti's sales into drive.
Unlike the original, 1990-96 Q45, the new car's styling is not avante garde. The new car is a 180-degree turn away from the original Q, which was designed to be the Japanese equivalent to a high-performance BMW sports sedan.
Instead of a large, quirky looking hood ornament, a bulky rear end and weird-shaped door handles, the 1997 Q45 has a more conservative and mainstream ap-pear-ance. The new Q looks like something Lincoln might have made. Indeed, the car's rear styling, with its steeply angled window, is vaguely reminiscent of the old Mark VII.
Instead of a very firm, sports-tuned suspension system, the new Q now has a softer, more luxurious ride. But Infiniti officials say the new Q still performs like a thoroughbred.
"The new Q45 is much more refined, quieter and smoother. You can take it to a test track and it will perform better than the current Q45 and it won't feel as if it is working as hard," said Steve Kight, Infiniti's marketing director.
Infiniti officials say the market has changed and that if the new Q were to be an all-out sports sedan like the original, its appeal would have been too narrow for it to be successful.
"We kept all the things that our customers liked and changed what they didn't like," said Kight. "We were willing to listen to our customers and reflect what they wanted in the new Q. They said they wanted a car that was fun to drive and that had a more luxurious exterior," Kight said, speaking from Infiniti's headquarters in Carson, Calif.
The new Q45 reflects a more realistic view of today's market place. At $47,900, the base price of the '97 Q45 is about $6,000 less than the price of the Q45 at the start of the 1996 model year. In June, Infiniti slashed the Q's price and didn't increase it when the 1997 models went on sale last week.
But the lower price is not the only area in which Infiniti officials have tried to broaden the Q's appeal. The '97 Q follows many of the cues that have made the Mercedes E-Class so successful.For example, the double overhead cam V-8 engine is smaller and more efficient. The size shrunk from 4.5 liters to 4.1, and horsepower dropped from 278 to 266. But the car's performance hasn't suffered, because the slightly smaller '97 Q weighs less than the '96 model. And, more importantly, because the new Q45 gets better gas mileage, the U.S. government doesn't consider it a gas guzzler. Buyers save another $1,080 by avoiding the gas guzzler tax.
There have been some other major changes. The 1997 Q45 is not available with the old model's heavily touted full-active suspension system. The expensive computerized option proved un-pop-u-lar with buyers. Also, the new Q is a bit smaller in length and width than the old model.
Kight admitted that it's risky for an automaker to retool its flagship and make it smaller and less technically complex than the vehicle it replaces.
"It's a big risk if you don't respond to what consumers want. Our research showed that buyers didn't want to pay extra for something they didn't need. The days of ostentatious luxury cars are over."
Sales of the Q45 peaked in 1991 at 14,622. In 1995, Infiniti sold just 5,700 Q45s. And sales through July this year are dismal at only 2,003. But Infiniti thinks sales of the Q will rebound to 14,000 in 1997.
The Q45 is the automotive equivalent of smooth, cool jazz on wheels.
This handsomely styled sedan, is not one of those stuffy, make-a-statement luxury cars that tells the world you've arrived.
The new model offers very strong performance from its exceptionally quiet and smooth V-8. As with the original, the accelerator is more like an "exhilarator." The Q is quick from a stop and very responsive at all speeds.
The standard four-speed automatic transmission drives the rear wheels and delivers exceptionally smooth shifts.
At whatever speed you drive the new Q, the finely tuned independent suspension system can handle the road. The ride is soft, ultra-quiet and competent.
The power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes are the best on any Japanese sedan I've tested. The pedal is firm, and the brakes bite hard. A traction control system is standard.
Our test car was a very early preproduction car designed to test how well the various trim parts fit together.
It was, in a word, tight.
At first the new Q looks a lot like the Infiniti I30, especially from the front. But when you get closer, you see that the beauty of this car is in the gently sculpted details. There is a nice-looking accent line chiseled into the bodywork that runs the length of the car.
Although the Q45 is shorter and a narrower than last year's model, the interior has only been marginally affected. You feel cozy, not claustrophobic. The cabin has a contemporary, pleasing design and layout and a warm ambience.
The soft and comfortable tan leather seats in our test car were excellent. Rear seat passengers are treated to first-class appointments. There's a rear air-conditioning vent built into the center console and more foot room. Headroom, front and rear, is excellent.
But new Q does need a few improvements.
Why did Infiniti use fake wood trim in its flagship? Not that the faux stuff looks cheap or tacky. It looks OK, but real wood would have put the Q's interior on par with a Jaguar XJ6 or a Mercedes E-Class. Also, Infiniti ditched the classy old-fashioned-looking clock that was the most striking part of the old Q's interior.
Now there's just an ordinary electronic clock that is no different than what you might find in a Nissan Sentra. Bad move there.
And one minor shortcoming carried over from the old Q: There's still not much room for the driver's left foot, because the emergency brake pedal is in the way.