·
2002 model year
· First use of
VK45DE V-8 engine
· 340 bhp / 333 ft-lb
· Five speed automatic
transmission.
· Rear wheel drive
· Most powerful HID
headlights in the
world with seven
individual lenses.
· Three trim levels:
Base, Sport, and
Premium (includes
sport package)
So we get off the plane in Miami feeling like Batman must've felt before test-driving his
Batmobile. We knew we were on a special mission when
we "had" to go down there to test drive Infiniti's new 2002 Q45.
Not only was Miami's air humid, but redemption was in it. You see,
back in 1991 Infiniti's flagship Q45 was ahead of its time. A DOHC alloy
V-8 breathing through 32 valves and displacing 4.5 liters with 278 bhp
on tap, the car was about serious performance. When you threw in amazing
build quality and a plethora of features, there were a few out there
who knew how special this car was ...yet the mainstream luxury market
for perhaps hundreds of reasons chose the Lexus LS400.
As the 90s progressed, Infiniti made the Q45 into a softer and gentler car by adding
wood trim, a more conservative front grille, and lots of
exterior chrome trim. By then, Infiniti had lost itself and, on top of everything, sales didn't touch the LS400.
Still without any collective insight, Infiniti decided throw away the sporty image of the
Q45 and released a redesigned 1997 Q45. It was more
conservative in nature and resembled more American luxury car than any
foreign prestige brand. Besides that, it now had a weaker 4.1 liter
engine, less brand equity, and the door handles, radio, and buttons were
sourced from the Nissan parts bin. For enthusiasts, there were no reasons
left to drive a Q, except that no one else had one.
To keep up with luxury car trends, Infiniti eventually added some features
to the 99-01 Qs -- Xenon HID lights, the analog clock made it's way back, and electronically controlled suspension. Minimalists
offerings but nothing breakthrough.
We can only imagine everyone who was responsible must've been a little peeved and
embarrassed. Not only did Infiniti sell its soul with the
Q45, but all it got in exchange were lessons that came with a price tag
that didn't make any sense. It wasn't anyone's fault in particular,
but that was part of the problem. In the end, everyone sort of just scratched their heads at the lackluster results, went home for dinner and came to work the next day.
But the reality was Infiniti was bleeding at the gut. From an entrepreneurial
standpoint there was no reason to even stay in business. The Xterra
alone was many times more profitable than the entire Infiniti
line.
Desperation eventually ushered in new voices, thus a new breath of life at Infiniti. Baby boomer managers had to juice up their ambition
and imaginations to grasp new and developing trends in the automotive
luxury market. There would be no more attempting to follow the perceived
industry leader, Lexus. Infiniti needed to pave it’s own road to success.
In the end, there are two main Unique Selling Points of the new Q45:
·
·
The 2002 Q45 may very well be the beginning of that departure. With 340 horses underneath the hood, Infiniti raises the bar on power in the
premium luxury market. The LS430 has 290, which is 50 less horses in
the stable. Ouch.
Then there's the gorgeous interior with the 6-inch LCD monitor (7-inches
for those who opt for the navigation system) For the first time, the interior of an Infiniti surpasses Lexus.
Highlighting the list is standard speech recognition - allowing hands free
control of the audio, climate control, and navigation systems. Then add an array of
amenities with some of the finest leather seats we've sat on. All this make
the cabin quite the cocoon for any who needs time to
think. Powerful stuff, indeed. We'll take it personally if Infiniti doesn't
show off this interior in their TV ad spots.
