its finally here, will the real Q45 plz stand up

[rabsusa]

http://www.infinitiusa.com/now/future-v ... 6_AspenDrm


its about time,

R

[Skibane]

The extra legroom is nice...

Honestly, it doesn't look much like a luxury car - In fact, the front end looks kind of Buick-esque.

[lmheim]

If the Audi way trickles down from the top, Infiniti is doomed. My Audi experience was the worst automobile ownership experience I have had in 35 years of owning cars - even including late 70's American cars (bet you didn't think anything could be worse than that...)

[qship96]

Sadly,I think Infiniti is too little too late to ever recapture any significant market share in the full size top end luxury sedan market.....it has failed to build a brand that competes with the big, top sedans of MB,BMW,Lexus for too long.without the success of the entry level G / q50, not sure the brand would even exist.

[Q45-pj]

Sadly, the 97-01 Q45 was the last true luxury sedan in this line. The M45 was too much of a departure for it to continue on the Q's path.

[Q45Owner]

If the Audi way trickles down from the top, Infiniti is doomed. My Audi experience was the worst automobile ownership experience I have had in 35 years of owning cars - even including late 70's American cars (bet you didn't think anything could be worse than that...)

What does Audi have to do with Infiniti?
Audi is a s*** company that makes boring, plain looking, overpriced, unreliable, FWD-biased Volkswagens with leather, and tries to pass them off as direct competition to BMW, MB, and the rest. I would never ever own an Audi and I'm not surprised to hear it was your worst ownership experience in 35 years.

[Q45Owner]

Sadly,I think Infiniti is too little too late to ever recapture any significant market share in the full size top end luxury sedan market.....it has failed to build a brand that competes with the big, top sedans of MB,BMW,Lexus for too long.without the success of the entry level G / q50, not sure the brand would even exist.

Nonsense. The new flagship is coming. The Q90 is expected sometime in 2016 as a 2017 model. People can't buy what Infiniti doesn't offer. But this constant regurgitated BS that Infiniti can't sell a significant amount of top end models is simply untrue. The QX80 sells in buckets. It typically sells in the 75k-82k range with options. People LOVE the QX80. It's literally the Japanese Escalade. It has no competition in that segment other than the Escalade. It beats out Lexus, Acura, and all the Germans in the full size luxury SUV segment. The last Q45 didn't sell for one reason and one reason only - people didn't like the way it looked. The previous generation M45 sold in buckets. Why? cuz it was a handsome sedan and styled appropriately for the segment. The current generation M/Q70 got too rounded and "feminized" and thus hurt sales in my opinion. This refreshed Q70 looks about right and will sell much better.

And the G37 & Q50 are volume sellers, but so is the QX60 & QX80. Anyone saying that Infiniti is currently relying on only one or two models isn't really following the monthly sales charts. They will do just fine when the Q90 drops. That is of course, unless they seriously screw up the design

If they make it beautiful, the sales will follow. Infiniti can sell an expensive flagship. They're not Acura.

[stm37s]

Maybe, I'm just dreaming but if Infinity offered the Q70/old M37 with more power like a V8 or SuperCharged V6, I didn't see any other engine options on this, besides the 3.7 330 hp holdover. I think sells will soar thru the roof, I love the Stlying, just my 2c fellas

[lmheim]

[quote="What does Audi have to do with Infiniti?
Audi is a s*** company that makes boring, plain looking, overpriced, unreliable, FWD-biased Volkswagens with leather, and tries to pass them off as direct competition to BMW, MB, and the rest. I would never ever own an Audi and I'm not surprised to hear it was your worst ownership experience in 35 years.[/quote]

Infiniti's CEO, who joined in 2012, is the former President of Audi. He had a long career at Audi. I absolutely agree with your views on Audi - which is why I am concerned that Audi-ness may find its way into Infiniti.

[rabsusa]

i dont like the fact that you have to "badge read' to distinguish Q37 & Q50, Q50 should be different, i agree with qship96 - its too little too late - last to market is not always best, i ve not heard of Q90, but i ;ll research, i m in the market for new car in 2 yrs time, and finding difficult to pick infin again after so many years owning them (many)

R

[Q45Owner]

i dont like the fact that you have to "badge read' to distinguish Q37 & Q50, Q50 should be different, i agree with qship96 - its too little too late - last to market is not always best, i ve not heard of Q90, but i ;ll research, i m in the market for new car in 2 yrs time, and finding difficult to pick infin again after so many years owning them (many)

R

If Hyundai/Kia can bring new flagships (Equus & K900) to market (without even having a proper luxury brand) and have them sell moderately well, then certainly Infiniti can do the same and better. It's never too late. People are always looking for the next best thing. Again, this kind of talk is complete nonsense in my opinion.

[qship96]

Sadly,I think you are wrong,very wrong.

[rabsusa]

i dont like the fact that you have to "badge read' to distinguish Q37 & Q50, Q50 should be different, i agree with qship96 - its too little too late - last to market is not always best, i ve not heard of Q90, but i ;ll research, i m in the market for new car in 2 yrs time, and finding difficult to pick infin again after so many years owning them (many)

R

- i looked at Q90 - looks gr8, sadly that looks to be way beyond what i would want to spend ;(

[elwesso]

Honestly the high end sedan market is pretty limited, so I'm not sure why they'd really want to try and get into that. The BMW 7 and MB S-Class dominate that, and that's probably the way it will (and should) stay.

I think Infiniti has done a nice job though... When I got my G35, I was pleasantly surprised how much better built it feels than a BMW 3 series, handles nicely, is more reliable, and costs the same or less than a 328i. The new M/Q70 is a nice car too, and with the 5.6L it's no slouch in performance and fuel economy is there.

Practically speaking, the G35/G37, FX line, and to some extent the M and QX line have solidified Infiniti as a player that can make a better constructed car than any BMW or Audi (haven't a lot of experience with MB) for the same price...

I do like the fact they use standard automatic transmission than those stupid dual clutch transmissions, which offer nothing except extra cost.

[Q45Owner]

Honestly the high end sedan market is pretty limited, so I'm not sure why they'd really want to try and get into that. The BMW 7 and MB S-Class dominate that, and that's probably the way it will (and should) stay.

The high end market is limited, but those flagship sedans are more of a symbol for the brand than anything else. Infiniti needs a new flagship sedan to be taken seriously in the same conversation with MB, BMW, & Lexus. Doesn't matter if the new Q90 sells 200 units/month. They need to offer it and it needs to be competitive. For christ's sake, if Hyundai & Kia are offering full size flagship sedans, then Infiniti better get with it fast. They're not Acura. The Q70 is great, but it's a midsize car and it's not a flagship. So yea, while the S-Class & 7 Series might rule the school (and the LS460 as well, even though it's getting a little long in the tooth nowadays), Infiniti needs a Q45 successor. It's not a maybe. It's a non-negotiable. Thank goodness their new CEO gets it and realizes what needs to be done and he's doing it. The future of Infiniti is looking pretty bright. The one bad move however, is the fact that Infiniti announced it will no longer be investing in their V8s going forward. So whenever the new flagship drops, one thing is certain - it will not be offered with a V8

[Skibane]

The one bad move however, is the fact that Infiniti announced it will no longer be investing in their V8s going forward. So whenever the new flagship drops, one thing is certain - it will not be offered with a V8

That decision alone will relegate them to second-class status among luxury brands.

Nobody wants a high-end luxury car with a 6-banger.

[Q45Owner]

The one bad move however, is the fact that Infiniti announced it will no longer be investing in their V8s going forward. So whenever the new flagship drops, one thing is certain - it will not be offered with a V8

That decision alone will relegate them to second-class status among luxury brands.

Nobody wants a high-end luxury car with a 6-banger.

Not necessarily. It's rumored to be powered by a twin turbocharged V6 (think GT-R). So it will certainly have the power to compete and surpass whatever BMW, MB, & Lexus are currently offering in their flagships. Still, it would be nice if they offer a V8 as well, whether it be naturally aspirated or turbo charged.

[elwesso]

Infiniti needs a Q45 successor.

While I agree with that, the Q45 never really competed with the 7 series or S Class, it was more along the lines of the 5 series and E Class, especially the first gen. You might be able to make a case for the second or third gen Q to compare more with the S-class or 7 series, but even then it wasn't really a competitor. Even from the get-go, the LS was more of a competitor to the bigger "flagship" luxury sedan.

As we know, the 1st gen Q competed reasonably well to the 5 series. The 2nd gen Q didn't have the performance to compete with the 5 series/E class, and didn't have the interior space or luxury to compete with the 7 series/S-class. It was kind of a hybrid between the 2, which there's something to be said about that.

While I agree with you that the brand needs a flagship luxury sedan, my point is that up until now, they really haven't ever had one.

[Q45Owner]

Infiniti needs a Q45 successor.

While I agree with that, the Q45 never really competed with the 7 series or S Class, it was more along the lines of the 5 series and E Class, especially the first gen.

Car And Driver disagrees with you

http://www.q45.org/cd1989comparison/

You might be able to make a case for the second or third gen Q to compare more with the S-class or 7 series, but even then it wasn't really a competitor. Even from the get-go, the LS was more of a competitor to the bigger "flagship" luxury sedan.

Having owned both a 1995 LS400 & a 1994 Q45, I can say that they are completely comparable and have a similar feel in many ways. I don't think the LS was any bigger than the Q, and it certainly wasn't more powerful at the time.

As we know, the 1st gen Q competed reasonably well to the 5 series. The 2nd gen Q didn't have the performance to compete with the 5 series/E class, and didn't have the interior space or luxury to compete with the 7 series/S-class. It was kind of a hybrid between the 2, which there's something to be said about that.

I think the 3rd generation Q had less interior room than anything else it was intended to compete against, but it is what it is. I don't think it's fair to say the Q was ever more of an E Class competitor simply because Infiniti didn't have a more spacious interior or because they didn't offer a proper mid-class sedan at the time (although that changed in 2002 when they added the M sedan). It was always a smaller flagship in many ways, but the quality of materials used, especially in the 1st generation were certainly "flagship" worthy.

While I agree with you that the brand needs a flagship luxury sedan, my point is that up until now, they really haven't ever had one.

I don't agree. I think once the 2006 M dropped, it dwarfed the Q45 as Infiniti's flagship. It was just as big, offered more options, a higher class interior, better performance, etc etc. Infiniti simply gave up on the Q. Had they planned a new Q for MY 2008 or 2009, it certainly would have been superior to the M, but at the time (2001-2004), the Q45 was always included in the same conversation as the Lexus LS, 7 Series, etc. It just got too long in the tooth too quickly and the 2005 refresh wasn't enough to save it.

[rabsusa]

back in 98, i drove both 1995 Q45 and Ls400, the Q was alot faster, tighter while the Lex felt like driving a buick - granted they were both used, BUT were low miles; the Lex was nearly double the price, so choice for me was easy.
I ve owned infin for nearly 20 years and even i am confused at the new nomenclature,,,,question is why? For all the infiniti-o-philes on here, yes i know you totally understand which models were re-named to which and when, but for many new to the brand, its confusing, and ppl dont buy with their hard earned $$ wat they dont understand.
buyer to infin salesman does Q60 mean it has a 6 litre engine?,,,, no replies the salesman, so what does it mean then? - salesman - idk,,, buyer,,,seeya, i m going to test drive Lexus 460

[Q45Owner]

back in 98, i drove both 1995 Q45 and Ls400, the Q was alot faster, tighter while the Lex felt like driving a buick - granted they were both used, BUT were low miles; the Lex was nearly double the price, so choice for me was easy.

Having owned both a 95 LS400 and a 99 LS400, I can say that the 99 was much much faster and smoother than the 95. Of course 1998 was when Lexus added variable valve timing to the LS and it bumped up the horsepower to 290 and you could clearly feel the difference. I actually really loved my 99 LS and was sad to have to give it up. It was fast, smooth, extremely high quality materials, and highway gas mileage was EXCELLENT! I routinely got 30mpg cruising at 70, and even hit 34mpg once when I drove like a hyper miler. I'm lucky if I hit 20mpg on the highway with my Q and that's with me driving like an old lady

[BadQ45t]

The LS had a 5 speed, the Q had a 4, big diff.