Infiniti G35(a.k.a. XVL) marketing study

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I'm new to this board, but a long time Nissan (& Datsun) owner. I'm currently on my 2nd Maxima ('98 SE) which is probably why I was recently asked to participate in a comparision study between 4 current popular 4 door sport sedans and 2 models not yet for sale here in the US. One was the new Lexus IS 300 (probably a Euro model), the other was badged as an Infiniti G35. Another Infiniti was badged as an I35 with a 3.5 ltr engine & 260 hp. Also included for comparision was a BMW 323i, Audi A4, Acura TL, and Lexus ES300.
The interior of the G35 was not complete and covered with a black cloth, but they had 2 interior mock-ups for us to judge how we would rate it. Let me say that this car looks much better in person that in pictures. Just the right size...between the cramped BMW and Audi and the luxurious but larger I35. Both Infiniti's had the 260 hp engine, but the G35 had rear wheel drive, a five speed auto trans (with manual shift feature of course) and aggressive 17" wheels & performance tires.

Personally, with this combination of performance, style, and luxury I easily picked it over the other vehicles as my first choice. They worked us real hard on how much we'd be willing to pay for this new model, but I was assured later at a second group forum that the price would come in LOWER than the Lexus IS300 which was obviously the model that they consider their main competition. I'd say the G35 is much more refined and distinctive looking than boy-racer IS300, but with an aggressive stance like the BMW. Call it an "Attitude".

I came away thinking...FINALLY Nissan (and Infiniti) is getting less conservative in the styling dept. and going toe to toe with the class leaders in performance and luxury features too. My Maxima is an exceptional car for the price I paid, but for me to cough up $30k+ for a car, it needs to stand out from the crowd and stand up to the competition.

I look forward to hearing more about this daring new effort from Nissan, and hopefully driving one home in another year or two...

Happy Motoring!!!

[GTR]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by stacey:
I'm new to this board, but a long time Nissan (& Datsun) owner. I'm currently on my 2nd Maxima ('98 SE) which is probably why I was recently asked to participate in a comparision study between 4 current popular 4 door sport sedans and 2 models not yet for sale here in the US. One was the new Lexus IS 300 (probably a Euro model), the other was badged as an Infiniti G35. Another Infiniti was badged as an I35 with a 3.5 ltr engine & 260 hp. Also included for comparision was a BMW 323i, Audi A4, Acura TL, and Lexus ES300.
The interior of the G35 was not complete and covered with a black cloth, but they had 2 interior mock-ups for us to judge how we would rate it. Let me say that this car looks much better in person that in pictures. Just the right size...between the cramped BMW and Audi and the luxurious but larger I35. Both Infiniti's had the 260 hp engine, but the G35 had rear wheel drive, a five speed auto trans (with manual shift feature of course) and aggressive 17" wheels & performance tires.

Personally, with this combination of performance, style, and luxury I easily picked it over the other vehicles as my first choice. They worked us real hard on how much we'd be willing to pay for this new model, but I was assured later at a second group forum that the price would come in LOWER than the Lexus IS300 which was obviously the model that they consider their main competition. I'd say the G35 is much more refined and distinctive looking than boy-racer IS300, but with an aggressive stance like the BMW. Call it an "Attitude".

I came away thinking...FINALLY Nissan (and Infiniti) is getting less conservative in the styling dept. and going toe to toe with the class leaders in performance and luxury features too. My Maxima is an exceptional car for the price I paid, but for me to cough up $30k+ for a car, it needs to stand out from the crowd and stand up to the competition.

I look forward to hearing more about this daring new effort from Nissan, and hopefully driving one home in another year or two...

Happy Motoring!!!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>


whoa. lucky lucky you. when you say g35... is it the current g20 body style with a vq35de engine in it or is it the xvl concept with the vq35de? also have you driven a 2000 maxima or i30? if so, how does the performance compare with the i35? since i know you own a 98 maxima se, how does the performance of the i35 compare to it? sorry so many questions, but wow, i havent seen anyone yet that's been able to give much new information on future nissans and infinitis.

[noelsaw]

Stacey, welcome to FreshAlloy.com. Thanks for posting your experience. This further confirms what we've been reporting for several months - that Infiniti has a rear wheel drive sports sedan in the works. Very cool and exciting Nissan and Infiniti cars are in the pipeline!


<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by stacey:
I'm new to this board, but a long time Nissan (& Datsun) owner. I'm currently on my 2nd Maxima ('98 SE) which is probably why I was recently asked to participate in a comparision study between 4 current popular 4 door sport sedans and 2 models not yet for sale here in the US. One was the new Lexus IS 300 (probably a Euro model), the other was badged as an Infiniti G35. Another Infiniti was badged as an I35 with a 3.5 ltr engine & 260 hp. Also included for comparision was a BMW 323i, Audi A4, Acura TL, and Lexus ES300.
The interior of the G35 was not complete and covered with a black cloth, but they had 2 interior mock-ups for us to judge how we would rate it. Let me say that this car looks much better in person that in pictures. Just the right size...between the cramped BMW and Audi and the luxurious but larger I35. Both Infiniti's had the 260 hp engine, but the G35 had rear wheel drive, a five speed auto trans (with manual shift feature of course) and aggressive 17" wheels & performance tires....
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>



[This message has been edited by noelsaw (edited 05-28-2000).]

[**DONOTDELETE**]

GTR,

Unfortunatly, I wasn't lucky enough to be allowed a test drive on any of these vehicles. Hey, I can't complain, they paid me $200 cash just to look at and discuss these cars!. The marketing study was based mostly on visual impressions inside and out. Price and equipment level (standard, optional, performance package etc.) were also discussed extensively at the end of each session. I think at this point Infiniti is far enough along in development that they are looking for feedback for their advertising/marketing strategy, minor cosmetic tweaks and especially content and pricing levels.

In answer to your questions, no the G35 is NOT a modified G20 but a production version of the XVL show prototype. I don't know if it will replace the G20, but they they did have several current G20 owners at the group discussion. I'm sure they want us all to trade up.

No, I haven't driven the current generation of Maxima or I30 yet. I'm sure they are an improvement on my '98 version, but the styling just doesn't move me enough to consider a change so soon. However, after viewing the G35/XVL I plan on being one of the first in line for a test drive with check book in hand (if they live up to their promise to keep the price equal to the I30/I35 and less than the Lexus IS300). That's why I'm here at this forum to learn and share info until the real thing arrives.
After owning a '69 Datsun 2000 Roadster, a modified '79 280ZX, and 2 excellent tweaked Maximas, it's nice to get excited about another Nissan again...

[GTR]

are there any differences between the g35 that you saw and the pictures of the xvl? the pics im takling about are the ones on nissan japan's site of the xvl:
http://www.nissan.co.jp/XVL/index2.html

http://www.nissan.co.jp/XVL/IMAGES/index_6.jpg

[**DONOTDELETE**]

What did the I35 look like and how large was it? Did the xvl look any bigger compared to the compitition? What color was the G35 and I35.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The G35 I reviewed was almost exactly like the XVL pictured above. Small changes like body side molding (the model in the study had molding on one side and none on the other, they wanted our opinion about which way we preferred) and turn signal lights on the front. Probably changes to meet U.S. certification requirements.

My overall impression was Audi A6-like in size, side profile, flowing lines, and especially in interior style which tries to be high tech and luxurious at the same time. I've always liked the light (maple?)wood treatment in the A6, and this G35 example had similar wood. Of course, it also had the trademark analog clock which looks fine in the normal conservative Infiniti interior, but out of place in this application. Size-wise I'd say a little smaller than the I30...it seemed narrower but close to the same length. The back seat was easily more roomy than the IS300, 323i, and A4. A perfect fit for me anyway.
As for the I35, it didn't seem any different, aside from the powertrain, than today's model. All of the models were neutral shades of silver or gray, probably to avoid any rating decisions being swayed by color tastes.

['97 S14 SE Turbo]

Stacey,

Any hint that the G35 may be receiving a manual transmission for the touring model? If they do include it, I'll be in line fighting to buy one. A manual 5sp tranny will definetly make it a 3 series, IS and other "sports" sedan fighter...

[GTR]

damn striaight it needs a manual tranny! lexus was going on only have the is300 available in auto, but wised up and decided to add the manual for 2002. and oh yea, what happened to the extroid cvt tranny we were raving about a while back?

[jochi]

It would be nice to have a CVT here right now, but I think it's not quite necessary yet in North America. Concentrating on the other performance aspects of the car right now would be more prudent (handling, steering, feel, etc). I just hope that the 5-speed manumatic isn't a power robbing application like the automatics in the I30's and Maximas. And yes, it definatly needs a manual; which it should, since the new Z is based on the XVL platform and rumored to have a 6-speed manual.
As for calling the XVL the G35, I dunno about that. The G is one of Infiniti's worst blunders, poorly executed from the start, and poorly resurrected without correcting the previous model's mistakes. I still think the G is a lovely LOOKING automobile, but public perception of that car, or lack of it, will be a detriment to this new model. On the other hand, besides G35, there isn't really a choice, since the I30 is supposedly a step up, and the G a step down, and the only letter in between is H.......... H35, doesn't look very good.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Sorry, no mention was made or opinion asked (although several of us brought up the subject in the group discussion) of any manual transmission option. My guess is that Nissan/Infiniti is still assuming most American "luxury" buyers will opt for automatics making the manual too costly to produce and certify for such a small percentage of sales. Hopefully, the fact that Lexus reversed itself and decided to produce the IS300 with a manual trans and the input of the focus groups, Nissan will also (eventually) support true driving enthusiasts with a 5 or even a 6 speed manual. If they're really serious about going head to head with BMW, Audi, and Lexus, they'll have too!

About the CVT in production models, again no mention at all...but with the 5 spd auto-sticks so popular here in the States, I'd be suprised to see a CVT anytime soon.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

jochi,

Good point about the previous bearers of the "G" name. But frankly this car is so radically different (and better) from the G20 that a letter or number in the name shouldn't sway potential buyers. Besides, Infiniti seems determined to copy BMW & Mercedes with there model naming system, so I don't see any exception in this case. They never even asked (at the focus group session) if we found the G35 name acceptable.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Why is using the G name bad? I think the G20 is the best looking car in infiniti's line up. Even my friend who only drives honda's loves the current G20. Handling,looks, just needs some more hp.(The new Tr25 should do)

[jochi]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by zbeast:
Why is using the G name bad? I think the G20 is the best looking car in infiniti's line up. Even my friend who only drives honda's loves the current G20. Handling,looks, just needs some more hp.(The new Tr25 should do)<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree with you totally..... It is the best LOOKING car in the lineup, I've conceded that already. It handles as well as it looks as well. But how many people know that? Me, you, everyone else in this forum, that's about it. To most it's an overpriced and overweight Sentra, which is an improper perception, since they share nothing but the SR, but that's reality. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by jochi (edited 05-30-2000).]

[This message has been edited by jochi (edited 05-30-2000).]

[2HD]

I guess with a name like G35 there going to get rid of G20, that will be a sad day if it happens, the only problem with G20 was that it was marketed wrong it would have made a great Altima instead of a cheap Infiniti. But what is wrong with sticking to the XVL name I like it, just because it doesn't have a number in it doesn't really matter to me.

As for the I35 I don't think it's necessary.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jochi:
I agree with you totally..... It is the best LOOKING car in the lineup, I've conceded that already. It handles as well as it looks as well. But how many people know that? Me, you, everyone else in this forum, that's about it. To most it's an overpriced and overweight Sentra, which is an improper perception, since they share nothing but the SR, but that's reality. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/frown.gif

[This message has been edited by jochi (edited 05-30-2000).]

[This message has been edited by jochi (edited 05-30-2000).]<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I agree with Nissan's decision to replace the G20 with something sportier and roomier. I too will miss the G20, but I think it's about time! The G20 is Infiniti's (not to mention Nissan's) best looking, not to mention handling car! The only problem is it's too underpowered and too overpriced to be competitive in any category. Asking $23,000 for a car with only 145 hp is crazy! Unfortunately most people agree, and would rather opt for a less expensive or similarly priced Acura Integra. But thats besides the point, replacing the G20 with a more powerful roomier platform is a great idea, remember what Nissan is trying to do. Revamp it's entire image. Sticking with ideas and things that don't work is a bad idea at a time like this or in any time for that matter.

As far as calling it the G35, I think it is a good idea. A name alone can tell me a lot of what a car is all about. And what the name G35 tells me, is that it's the new bottom rung sporty Infiniti (which the G series has always been) that is bigger, more powerful, and alot better than the old car it replaces. If it (the G35 or whatever they call it) holds up to the expectations of the buyers (unlike the current G20 did) I think everyone will lover it, and therefore buy it! Just as long as they keep the price competitive. On another note I dont want to see Nissan blow this oportunity by skimping on some things to save money. Things like fake leather or plastic trim pieces. Things that made the current Q45's interior look like and feel like crap. Believe me compared to the Lexus's I used to work with the Infiniti's interiors have always left something to be desired. I used to work with Infiniti's as well. But that is just my 2 cents.

[GTR]

since it is a sporty model, it might be nice to see brushed aluminum inside. it's a step up from the 'aluminum look' plastic lexus is sportin in the new is.

[2HD]

Yes! I agree, some real brushed aluminum, chrome or something that is real metalic metal would be great http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/grin.gif

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GTR:
since it is a sporty model, it might be nice to see brushed aluminum inside. it's a step up from the 'aluminum look' plastic lexus is sportin in the new is.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Yes, brushed aluminum and a manual transmission! http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/grin.gif

[GTR]

they should change the grille on the sucker. im also not too sure bout the tail lamps. it looks very nice at certain angles, but its kinda odd. then again the maxima's are odd and i got used to them.. they should also change the front bumper to something more nissan. this one reminds me of a toyota camry.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I agree totally. Overall the concept is good, but the styling needs major tweaking before it will be ready for the United States. The headlights need to be less prominent while the grill needs to be made taller, and not so wide. I think Infiniti's vehicles have always had very attractive grills, to change all that at once would be a bad idea. Give it a more Infiniti-esque front and rear end and maybe you'll have something to look at. Nissan needs to establish a global identity and with the right design on the Infiniti show room they can do that.

Although I'm glad to see Nissan not copying everything from Germany, I just dont think the XVL in it's current form is ready to be the next bit hit that Infiniti/Nissan really needs. I think it should be wider, with less bulbous looking sides, and more notchy squarish in design like the current G20. A grille without the vertical or horizontal slots would be perfect for this car. Like the grille on the 02 Q45, but without the Hyundai-esque shape.

[JonCarson]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 2HD:
Yup. The front just needs a little more tunning and the rear needs to me a little more rounder. I don't like that last generation maxima cut off rear look. A cripser and less rounded side profile would make it lokk better. The front needs to be aggressive and they can fix that easily by giving the grille and headlights a more triangular shape. It just looks too happy, but my friend says he loves it. I think it's ok too but they need to do a little more sculpting.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

The rear needs to be rounder? NO!!!
If it gets any rounder, it'll look like it's mooning everything behind it. I don't want some car with an ass that looks like, well...an ASS!

They need to go back to the design of the black concept that we all peeped on busybeetoys.com

More ANGLES!!!

[Max Ima]

Saying good-bye to the G20 isn't such a bad thing. As much as I like the styling and the handling, it really is just a tastier Sentra. (same engine as the SE, I think -- I'm sure I'll be corrected if I'm wrong.) Plus the current G20 gives you the Infiniti sales/dealer royal treatment. NOW, however, if the G20 goes by-bye, the I30 becomes the entry-level model. More profit there. More separation btwn I30 and Maxima.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

i like the body styling of the XVL as well as the rear (much better than the body and rear of most of nissans cars--sentra, maxima, altima). the front looks a little odd but overall the car looks classy to me at least. http://geocities.com/r337m0nk3y/dvv/asthanos.gif

[thearabian]

yeah the front end needs work.
I kinda like front ends that flow as in the headlights are in the same orientation and size as the grille ala Silvia and older model Preludes and soo many other cars from earlier in the 90's!
That headlights perpendicular to oversized grille design just plain sucks, on ANY car.
At least if the grille had vertical bars it would flow nicer with the lights, but NOooo, damn it looks like an unglyass 2000 prelude with frogeyes! damn im getting angry!

[2HD]

Yup. The front just needs a little more tunning and the rear needs to me a little more rounder. I don't like that last generation maxima cut off rear look. A cripser and less rounded side profile would make it lokk better. The front needs to be aggressive and they can fix that easily by giving the grille and headlights a more triangular shape. It just looks too happy, but my friend says he loves it. I think it's ok too but they need to do a little more sculpting.

Does Nissan usually make production models that look exactly like the concept or do they edit it a little a least before it goes into production.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by GTR:
they should change the grille on the sucker. im also not too sure bout the tail lamps. it looks very nice at certain angles, but its kinda odd. then again the maxima's are odd and i got used to them.. they should also change the front bumper to something more nissan. this one reminds me of a toyota camry.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Slack00]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by stacey:
jochi,

Good point about the previous bearers of the "G" name. But frankly this car is so radically different (and better) from the G20 that a letter or number in the name shouldn't sway potential buyers. Besides, Infiniti seems determined to copy BMW & Mercedes with there model naming system, so I don't see any exception in this case. They never even asked (at the focus group session) if we found the G35 name acceptable.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Look at the old Lexus GS....and then look at the new Lexus GS....the old nameplate didn't seem to bother buyers so much here...especially when the car is so different than the model it replaces....

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The new Lexus GS is a vast improvement over the previous generation, but still retains nearly the same size, price, and (base) engine. So keeping the GS name doesn't seem a stretch to me.

If you consider the "G" to denote model platform (like Mercedes) than the XVL should have a different name. There is no similarity between the G20 & G35 platforms.
Maybe, in Infiniti's mind the "G" represents their performance vehicle line. Retaining the G20 as the smaller sporty choice, and adding the G35 as the upscale, larger, high performance model would then make sense. As long as buyers don't consider them to be the same basic car with different engines. That won't happen if Infiniti debuts and advertises the G35 correctly from the start.

[2HD]

I didn't mean for the rear to be Altima or J30 round just not so flat. If it looked
exactly like the pictures below Nissan would have themselves a winner.
http://www.nissan.co.jp/XVL/CO_IMAGES/CONCEPTXVL_S_R.jpg http://www.nissan.co.jp/XVL/CO_IMAGES/CONCEPTXVL_S_F.jpg

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by carsonjon:
The rear needs to be rounder? NO!!!
If it gets any rounder, it'll look like it's mooning everything behind it. I don't want some car with an ass that looks like, well...an ASS!

They need to go back to the design of the black concept that we all peeped on busybeetoys.com

More ANGLES!!!<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[GTR]

the tails in the illustration and the ones on the concept get a totally different impression from me. if they can reproduce that look from the illustration, oh hell yea thatd be sweet

[GTR]

what i just realized... is that if the rear does look like the one in the sketch, rearward visibility would be very compromised. look how much the c pillar curves into the back..

[Deadpool]

i think we are wayyyy to much worried over the styling of the car. lets worry about its engine and its suspension geometry and perfor mence. Nissan Maxima is aggressive and I30 is conservative yet they both are flying off the shelf. and the styling of the XVL isnt all that bad either. its different then Lexus who in my opinion isnt all that great. and interior . well only thing to get hiked about it is the guages. rest is just EH EH. I really think that Nissan can make cars better then toyota and Honda. and to be honest, the financial problems can be a blessing in desguise because now we got new models popping out from the company and its exciting. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/grin.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I'm also glad to see new and exciting things coming from Nissan. But I still think the overall design of the XVL needs to be tweaked a little bit before it comes States side. The rear in the drawings looks awesome, why they couldnt re-create that in the real thing is beyond me. Well, actually if you think about it the car would probably have to be bigger to accomodate those lines. It would have to be wider in order any usable amount of rearward vision, not to mention a back seat. I think this car would be an excellent replacement for the G20. Even if this car came to the states priced similarly to the I30 I still think it'd sell great! Bring it on Infiniti! Say goodbye to baby Lex. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/grin.gif hehe

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Oh btw somebody mentioned earlier of a more angular looking car from Busybeetoys. here it is: http://www.busybeetoys.com/SCOOP/05-Nissan-FR.jpg

[2HD]

Styling is what matters the most now a days. It's also the first impression a car makes on a person. The PT Cruiser isn't selling on performance. Plus we all know that the performance is going to be great on this new rwd sports sedan.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by IRL:
i think we are wayyyy to much worried over the styling of the car. lets worry about its engine and its suspension geometry and perfor mence. Nissan Maxima is aggressive and I30 is conservative yet they both are flying off the shelf. and the styling of the XVL isnt all that bad either. its different then Lexus who in my opinion isnt all that great. and interior . well only thing to get hiked about it is the guages. rest is just EH EH. I really think that Nissan can make cars better then toyota and Honda. and to be honest, the financial problems can be a blessing in desguise because now we got new models popping out from the company and its exciting. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/grin.gif<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[2HD]

I just noticed that the real life concept doesn't have wheel arcs like in the picture I posted. I guess it shows how much the engineers at Nissan mess up car and how much spirit the designers really do have.

[Max Ima]

Check out those headlights on the busybeetoy XVL. Cool cluster. I wonder what the hardware will be.

['97 S14 SE Turbo]

I wouldn't blame the engineers, they would've prefer to allow larger wheels. It's more like the cost it involves to make it with a fender like that.

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial[/img]quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 2HD:
I just noticed that the real life concept doesn't have wheel arcs like in the picture I posted. I guess it shows how much the engineers at Nissan mess up car and how much spirit the designers really do have.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I think the actual car should look more chunky and angular than the show car. More like the one in the picture on busybeetoys.com Only thing after that is the C pillar which doesnt line up with the rest of the body. It's set inwards from the A pillar, and for some reason I cant bring myself around to liking it. Still think the nose needs to be tweaked too.

[Infiniti]

I love the drawing of the XVL and I think the XVL concept is 98% true to the drawing. I love it! I think the one from busybeetoys is a lot like it but not as good. Thats just my opinion.

[Infiniti]

wow....nobody has written here for a while. Anyone got more spy/photoshopped pics of the XVL or any future Nissan/Infiniti car? Post em or send them to Binki535@aol.com

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I think the XVL should be more inviting on the inside, much like the current I30. To me the interior looks as if it's been lifted from some techno spaceship from the 80's. Kinda not something you're used to comming from Infiniti's, not to mention Nissan.

[Infiniti]

I think the interior design is very fluid, elegant, and different. It has a sporty look to it. I love how the temp display is at the top of the dash, and the pop up NAV system. Probably my favorite things are the guages, the steering wheel, the placement of the wod on the doors and shifter, and how the center console is placed high in the cabin which makes a nice arm rest. It looks extremely sport-oriented to me. I saw the XVL at the NY Auto Show, it really looks 20X's better in person. All the subtle curves and lines are a lot more vivid in person. The size is compact but it looks roomy too. The head and tail lamps are stunning! You really gotta see it in person to appreciate it. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif

[stonefield]

HammerMan, I agree with your post. Overall I don't like the interior. It looks very unclassy and very un-luxurious. Certain elements I do like. If that steering wheel was wood/leather combo like in many new Infiniti's it'd look great. I like the placement of the wood in the door. I hate the center console and the HVAC/Stereo controls--very ugly. Plus the dash overall is ugly--looks cheap. The intrument cluster looks nice and sporty. But overall is ugly. I love your description, HammerMan--"techno spaceship from the 80's". It made me laugh . . . because it is true. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/frown.gif

Infiniti, I sure hope that the XVL looks much better in person. I don't remember which post area, but I saw a sketch of the XVL that just made me drool. All these real-life pictures don't quite look the same. I am hoping that is because it makes it difficult to see in photos.

[Infiniti]

It truly is a great looking car in person. Some pics so not do it justice. My mom and pops didnt like it that much or at all in the corprate photos, but at the auto show my Dad was stunned. I showed the pics I took to my mom and she couldnt wait to save up the 25-30 grand to get it.

[2HD]

I have to say I like the interior of the XVL if only the exteriors of Nissans were as different and expressive as the interiors. The XVL's interior makes it look very spacious. I also like the arm rest on the door and the little icon display at the top of the dash, it remindes me of my 87 Maxima. Although the interior isn't as luxurious as the New Q45's, we have to remeber who XVL's direct competition is Lexus IS and BMW 3series and I know Lexus IS doesn't have any wood grain and it's not that luxurious looking. XVL's got the interior right sporty and luxurious at the same time mabybe a little more chrome and wood would do. I think it would also be cool if they gave it lots of technology like a TV, computer, hands free phone, cooler and some kind of satilite system like onstar or they can just leave it the way it is. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by 2HD (edited 08-06-2000).]

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I do agree, it is the center console and the dash overall that give the interior it's very stale non appealing appearance. I do agree it has to look sporty but does it have to look like this??? I mean come on this is the kind of thing GM would imagine us driving in this day and age back when disco was king!!! I mean geeze, this thing looks terrible. The materials they used appear much better than the MR2 plastic toyco used for the IS300 but did they have to mould it in that shape?? They should have made the interior much more luxurious like they did with the I30 and Maxima. I mean come on the center console looks like it belongs on a microwave oven.

[Infiniti]

Obviously we are indifferent on our opinions. I think the materials look great and the everything looks great. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif And to me its not a microwave oven part at all. The Viper also has a high console like that.

[stonefield]

It is actually the 1st page of this post that has the sketch I was talking about. I love the rear-view angle sketch. Man, that is something to get me excited about. I've been looking at all the different actual photos and many sketches on this site. I can finally see how that view is preserved in real life. I think that the photos don't let you see how it really looks. Any comments on those sketches compared to actuality, Infiniti?
Now the sketches/photos of the front view . . . None of them make me say, "Wow". I think the worst part of the car--besides my earlier comments on the interior--is the front. The headlights and front just look too "buggy" or frog-like. I actually changed my mind about the steering wheel. I think it looks great with the white accents. It fits with the sporty look. Save the wood/leather combo for more expensive/luxurious models. The placement of the wood in the armrests are great. But something has to be done about the center console and front. Fix that, and I will buy one for sure upon graduation. http://forums.freshalloy.com/forum/images/icons/smile.gif
And, I bet many other people would be lining up to buy these also.