http://www.infinitinews.com/infiniti/2005vehicles/q45/glance.shtml
a Glance: 2005 Infiniti Q45


Infiniti’s flagship Q45 premium luxury sedan receives a more distinctive, more aggressive exterior appearance for the 2005 model year, including new front and rear fascias, restyled hood and grille, new headlight design, new integrated fog lamps, restyled trunk decklid and finisher, LED taillights and new fine-line chrome trim throughout.

Inside, the Q45 adds to its luxury appearance with new sport contour, double-stitched seats, new pure white meter cluster and soft touch control cluster paint, an all-new metal shifter bezel, metal knobs and rich genuine maple wood and chrome accents.
The 2005 Q45 continues to provide a vast array of standard and available performance and technology features, including a 340-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 engine, voice-activated controls, DVD navigation system with 7.0-inch LCD information display screen and RearView monitor. Other available features include climate controlled seats and Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking.

In addition, the Q45’s advanced 5-speed automatic transmission has been recalibrated for improved downshift response and smoother acceleration. The Q45’s performance-tuned active dampening suspension, previously available only on the Premium Package, is now standard on all 2005 Q45s. A new 17-inch wheel design with a titanium-colored finish is offered on Luxury models.

Other enhancements for the new model year include standard rain-sensing windshield wipers, revised standard DVD-based Infiniti Navigation system and new front “pre-crash” seat belts, which tighten under emergency braking to enhance the position of the driver for emergency maneuvering control and help position the driver and front passenger for potential air bag deployment.
The new 2005 Q45 goes on sale at Infiniti dealers nationwide in July 2004.

Highlights of the 2005 Q45 performance sedan include:

Body
• Revised exterior appearance with new front and rear fascias, new grille, hood and head lights, new integrated fog lamps, new trunk decklid and finisher, LED taillights and fine-line chrome trim
• Heated outside mirrors with memory and selectable left/right auto reverse tilt-down in reverse, puddle lights on underside of mirrors and driver’s side auto-dimming
• New fully automatic trunk open/close function
• Seven-lens High Intensity Discharge (HID) xenon headlights – among the most powerful headlight systems in the world???
• New rain- and speed-sensing windshield wipers
• All-steel unibody with high level of torsional rigidity
• Two new metallic exterior colors – Lakeshore Slate (medium blue) and Beryllium (medium brown)



Engine and Driveline
• 32-valve 4.5-liter DOHC V8 producing 340 horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque, certified as Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV)
• Modular cylinder head design, lightweight pistons, titanium valves, continuously variable valve timing, variable length induction system
• 5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with improved downshift response and revised manual shift mode
• Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) for improved stability
• Electronic Torque-Demand Powertrain Control System optimizes smoothness and performance

Suspension, Steering and Braking
• 4-wheel independent suspension with independent strut front suspension with front strut tower bar, stabilizer bar, multi-link rear suspension design with stabilizer bar
• Standard performance-tuned active dampening “RJ” suspension
• New standard 17-inch alloy wheels with titanium finish and P225/55VR17 tires (Luxury model)
• New standard 18-inch alloy wheels and P245/45VR18 tires and available 18-inch chrome-finish wheels (Premium Package)
• Standard Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS)
• Available P225/55R17 run flat tires (available on 17-inch wheels only)
• 4-wheel vented disc brakes with 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD)
• Revised variable vehicle speed-sensitive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering

Interior Features
• New sport contour, double-stitch front seats
• New pure white meter cluster, soft touch paint, real metal knobs on control panel, new shifter bezel and additional chrome accents throughout the interior
• New dual-tone Black and Firebrick interior color combination (replaces Willow)
• New dark genuine maple wood trim accents
• Contemporary, comfortable interior design with driver-oriented instrument panel and controls, dual zone heating and cooling, Infiniti signature analog clock, embroidered Infiniti logo on front seat backs
• Standard Vehicle Information System and DVD-driven Infiniti Navigation System with center multi-function 7.0-inch LCD screen
• Standard RearView monitor and heated front seats
• Available climate controlled seats for driver and front passenger with cooling and heating functions (standard on Premium Package)
• Standard satellite radio pre-wiring with choice of XM or Sirius services
• Premium 300-watt digital Bose® audio system with eight speakers, Bose AudioPilot™ Noise Compensation Circuit Technology, in-dash 6-disc slot-type CD changer, plus AM/FM and cassette
• Infiniti Voice Recognition System featuring Visteon Voice Technology™
• Standard electronic compass in rearview mirror
• Available power-operated heated rear seats, rear A/C and audio controls (standard on Premium Package)
• Available power rear window sunshade and manual rear door window sunshades (standard on Premium Package)


Safety and Security
• Dual-stage front air bags with seat belt sensors, front-seat side-impact supplemental air bags
• Brake-operated pre-crash front seat belts
• Supplemental side-impact curtain air bags for head and chest protection
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tether for CHildren) rigid bar child seat anchorage system
• Front-seat active head restraints, rear seat center head restraint with two-way manual adjustment
• 3-point seat belts for all seating positions, ALR/ELR for all passenger seating positions, driver ALR
• Available laser-based Intelligent Cruise Control (Premium Package) with new Preview Braking feature

Models and Manufacturing
• Available in Luxury model, Luxury model with Premium Package and Luxury model with Premium Package with Chrome Wheels
• Exterior and interior designed at Nissan Technical Center (NTC) in Atsugi, Japan
• Assembled by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. at Tochigi, Japan


http://www.infinitinews.com/multimedia/infiniti2005/q45/800px/01_2005_q45.jpg
http://www.infinitinews.com/multimedia/infiniti2005/q45/800px/17_2005_q45.jpg
http://www.infinitinews.com/multimedia/infiniti2005/q45/800px/05_2005_q45.jpg
http://www.infinitinews.com/multimedia/infiniti2005/q45/800px/09_2005_q45.jpg
http://www.infinitinews.com/multimedia/infiniti2005/q45/800px/18_2005_q45.jpg
http://www.infinitinews.com/multimedia/infiniti2005/q45/800px/10_2005_q45.jpg

Ya those lens in the headlights look awesome. The interior looks quite nice too.
But the exterior simply does not belong to a $50k+ car. Not aggressive, not conservative, but more rather, ludicrous.:egads:

IMO the interior is just gorgeous.

The front grill replacement is the best thing to happen to this current generation of Q; the previous grill was too small and totally threw the proportions off. Now, I really like the car.

:thumbup: :thumbup:

M.

I like the refresher. :thumbup:

Nice job indeed.

-Anthony

i remember that during the debut of the current generation Q, Infiniti boasted the headlamps to be so omnipotent that foglamps were no longer necessary.

guess they were wrong. :egads:

either rate, the interior is nice, but i picked my gs because the q45 test drive was unremarkable. this is coming from a person who used to drive a 1990 q45 (when the q's were designed to be great drivers' cars).

Not bad.......but ill still take LS430 over it anyday.

Whats up with the "Infiniti" logo on the front seats, looks out of place. :thumbdn:

Originally posted by RNM GS3
Not bad.......but ill still take LS430 over it anyday.What you said.:agreed:
Whats up with the "Infiniti" logo on the front seats, looks out of place. :thumbdn: Now that you pointed it out...yeah...they could've at least engraved the logo instead of printing it. The otherwise luxurious looking seats are suddenly interrupted there. Just plain weird.

Originally posted by ligflava
i remember that during the debut of the current generation Q, Infiniti boasted the headlamps to be so omnipotent that foglamps were no longer necessary.

guess they were wrong. :egads:

either rate, the interior is nice, but i picked my gs because the q45 test drive was unremarkable. this is coming from a person who used to drive a 1990 q45 (when the q's were designed to be great drivers' cars).

Damn, u are so right with the headlights. They did say that. Car still looks like a Mercury Sable to me.. Nice updates but buy over the competition, not at their asking price OR at the usual 10k discount.

The interior is very nice I just love that color, although after a while I my grow tired of it. the exterior ....... Can you say Crown Victoria (front grill) I'll pass.

They make these changes for the Q45, which is good, but do most buyers in this segment even care ?

Always like the Q45's interior, but the exterior still does nothing at all for me.

http://www.infinitinews.com/multimedia/infiniti2005/q45/800px/01_2005_q45.jpg

Am I the only one that thinks these lights are *rediculously* large?

That multi-tier design and the stacked-up fixtures make it look like a damn goldfish should be in there swimming thru the caves.

In an age where lights can be small they go and do this? Even their own FX has the right idea.

Looks like a scared rabbit. Timid, yet shocked and dopey. :eek3:

:thumbdn:

Originally posted by SexySC
They make these changes for the Q45, which is good, but do most buyers in this segment even care ?

Always like the Q45's interior, but the exterior still does nothing at all for me. My thoughts exactly!

I do however like the LED tail lights. Other than that, to put it mildly, the car looks weird.

Originally posted by CleanSC
http://www.infinitinews.com/multimedia/infiniti2005/q45/800px/01_2005_q45.jpg

Am I the only one that thinks these lights are *rediculously* large?

That multi-tier design and the stacked-up fixtures make it look like a damn goldfish should be in there swimming thru the caves.

In an age where lights can be small they go and do this? Even their own FX has the right idea.

Looks like a scared rabbit. Timid, yet shocked and dopey. :eek3:

:thumbdn:

Thats hilarious I never paid much attention until now and yes your right they're huge and here I thought the S class head lights were big.

Originally posted by Milla...
Thats hilarious I never paid much attention until now and yes your right they're huge and here I thought the S class head lights were big. Ahem...actually 01-03 LS430 has even bigger headlights.
Size is not the problem. Shape is.

Still didn't get rid the Taurus/Sable exterior styling, no threat to LS430.

Pretty nice car for the money. I wouldnt mind having one but its not the looks that bothers me its the quality.

Some of you guys make it sound like the car looks awful. Do you prefer the bland LS430 styling with its prevous generation S class / Avalon looks? Unsurpassed build quality/ reliability Aside. Both are extremely dull looking boats.

Originally posted by iloveGS300
Some of you guys make it sound like the car looks awful. Do you prefer the bland LS430 styling with its prevous generation S class / Avalon looks? Unsurpassed build quality/ reliability Aside. Both are extremely dull looking boats. Both are dull, yes. But the LS430 is the previous-gen S-Class kind of dull, while the Q45 is the enlarged econobox kind of dull. I'll take dull with a class over dull with an identity crisis any day.:doh:

Originally posted by XeroK00L
Both are dull, yes. But the LS430 is the previous-gen S-Class kind of dull, while the Q45 is the enlarged econobox kind of dull. I'll take dull with a class over dull with an identity crisis any day.:doh:

LOL. you think the LS430 has identity?

Originally posted by iloveGS300
LOL. you think the LS430 has identity? When I said identity crisis I meant, from the looks at least, the LS430 is able to identify itself as a luxury car (copycat styling somewhat yes, but at least it's copying some classic lines), while the Q45 as a luxury car can't appear to identify and recognize itself at nearly the same level.

I love the interior and the rear, but it kinda does look oddly shaped. The headlights look really big cuz of the shape. Oh well....It will probably be 10 times better looking when it is fully redesigned.

Originally posted by XeroK00L
When I said identity crisis I meant, from the looks at least, the LS430 is able to identify itself as a luxury car (copycat styling somewhat yes, but at least it's copying some classic lines), while the Q45 as a luxury car can't appear to identify and recognize itself at nearly the same level.

Oh ok I see your point. :cool:

Doesn't really hit any excitement with me. For some reason, the thought Chevy Malibu keeps going through my head. What is with the headlights? Reminds me of a weapons array from one of the sci-fi anime shows....it's too much. Interior...I'll be nice and just say :thumbdn:

As far as Infinity is concerened with me, their body designs lose appeal with each generation. The overall package with the LS flows nicer. Toyota designers suit my preferences in more areas.

Originally posted by RA40
. . . . . As far as Infinity is concerened with me, their body designs lose appeal with each generation. The overall package with the LS flows nicer. Toyota designers suit my preferences in more areas.

You are referring only to the Infiniti Q45 right ?

IMO, the Infiniti G35 & the new M35/45 have more appealing body designs than the new models Lexus will be offering that we've seen.

I rember awhile back 1SICKLEX posted an article about the Q45 and how it really never took off. Infinity should drop the Q altogether and start from scratch and build the ultimate flagship. The G35 is relatively new and it's a hit, so is the FX 35/45. The next generation M45 also looks good. In the past Infinity had dropped the M30, J30 and the QX4. Might as well drop the Q45 and start with a new letter and a fresh start. I've also noticed the inconsistency of the designation of the Infinity cars. Ever noticed the I35 has a cursive I instead of a regular I. Whereas the other Infinity models have the regular letters and none have cursive letters. Infinity cars are alright but doesn't compare to Lexus.

Originally posted by Trexus
I rember awhile back 1SICKLEX posted an article about the Q45 and how it really never took off. Infinity should drop the Q altogether and start from scratch and build the ultimate flagship. The G35 is relatively new and it's a hit, so is the FX 35/45. The next generation M45 also looks good. In the past Infinity had dropped the M30 and the J30. Might as well drop the Q45 and start with a new letter and a fresh start. I've also noticed the inconsistency of the designation of the Infinity cars. Ever noticed the I35 has a cursive I instead of a regular I. Whereas the other Infinity models have the regular letters and none have cursive letters. Infinity cars are alright but doesn't compare to Lexus. Article on the failure of the Q45

A Car Whose Time Will Never Come.

Detroit. There is one car lost in the euphoria of the miracle resurrection of Nissan, which has been engineered by the latest auto industry star-of-the-moment, Carlos Ghosn. It is also the one car that has not been able to be improved upon or enhanced by yet another rendition of Nissan's rear-wheel-drive "FM" platform. And it is the one car that apparently no amount of money can cajole or pull up by its lapels to the level aspired to by the Nissan brain trust.

And that car is the Infiniti Q45.

The "Q" has been a star-crossed nameplate ever since its disastrous introduction - when it went up against Lexus armed with its infamous "rocks and trees" ad campaign, which defiantly never showed the car. This was back when the two Japanese luxury entries were trying to gain a foothold in the U.S. market. Infiniti's strategy was to position the "Q" as the driver's car of the two dueling nameplates, but that was lost in the fact that no one could see the forest, I mean the car, through the rocks and trees. And we all know how that turned out.

Lexus, the luxury extension of the Toyota product/marketing juggernaut, became one of the most formidable brands in this market, while Infiniti continued to flounder through a series of fits and starts amounting to nothing more than a sequence of marketing mistakes piled on top of bad product decisions (the ungainly previous-generation "Q" looked like a ten-year-old car the moment it was introduced and was so blatantly out of place on the road that it veered dangerously close to achieving "clown car" status), which left the nameplate as a literal afterthought.

Yes, Infiniti has recovered of late through the brilliant massaging of a single basic Nissan platform that has yielded the G35 coupe and sedan - and the distinctive FX35/45 sport utility, but the "Q" continues to be an misfit that steadfastly refuses to capture the luxury car buying public's fancy - no matter what they do to it.

Nissan sold a grand total of 3,717 Q45s last year - and a scintillating tally of just 560 in the first three months of this year. Just for the sake of comparison, Lexus sold 7,877 LS430s in the first three months of this year.

Just as Nissan is touting yet another "freshened" iteration of the "Q", which will be coming in June, I have to ask the toughest question - why? As in why now, or even better - why bother?

If Nissan is serious about having a luxury presence in the U.S. market, then they have to accept the fact that the "Q45" is a tainted nameplate. And no matter how good the specs of the "Q" sound on paper, the car-buying public is conditioned to believe that it's either not worthy of consideration, or worse - it doesn't even show up on their radar screens at all.

I rarely recommend walking away from a nameplate, because it takes so much time to establish a nameplate to begin with, and the costs to seed a new nameplate in this market are staggering (not to mention the level of patience required to see it through).

But in this case, it's clear to me that the Q45 nameplate is beyond resuscitation, and if Nissan ever hopes to gain a real presence in the luxury market in North America, they would be better off just starting over - without the letter "Q."

Thanks for listening, see you next Wednesday.
http://www.autoextremist.com/