,2002
Mark McNabb
Vice President and General Manager
Infiniti Division
Good morning. Infiniti launched in November 1989
with two products - the Q45 and the M30. Today, we're proud to bring
back the "M" designation - but this time with the power of
the Q45 under the skin.
This new M45 performance sedan is another important
step in the total transformation of the Infiniti lineup as we
introduce four new products in less than twelve months - four
all-new models that are distinct and unique to Infiniti.
In the first 12 years of Infiniti's history we've
delivered a true performance luxury experience to over a half
million buyers. But over the course of these dozen years the luxury
segment in general has changed. Lineups have expanded and
diversified. We've seen our competitors add model after model
keeping their owners within their brands.
Well, now it's our turn. Infiniti is in the middle
of a total transformation of our product lineup, the scope of which
is unprecedented in the luxury segment. The sum of these new parts -
starting with the introduction of our flagship Q45 last spring,
followed closely by the new I35 this fall and continuing with the
powerful new products you see in the room here today is not just
greater than the whole - it's a powerful new Infiniti presence.
Earlier this month the stunning new G35 Sport Sedan
joined our lineup to strong media reviews and tremendous consumer
interest. The new G35 and the reinvigorated 2002 I35 combine to give
us a powerful one-two punch in the $30,000 price range. With the
addition of the new M45, along with our flagship Q45, we'll have an
equally strong duo of V8 performance sedans.
But here's the real kicker - when the M45 goes on
sale in November, it'll be priced in the low $40's. That's V8
performance at a price where many competitors offer only
six-cylinder cars. I'm not talking optional V8, either. Every M45
comes with the same industry-leading 340-horsepower 4.5-liter V8
found in the 2002 Q45. Not a bad place to start.
The M45 also features an advanced 4-wheel
independent suspension, a leading edge braking system, 5-speed
automatic transmission with manual shift mode, and Vehicle Dynamic
Control.
In terms of premium features, the new M45 also
reflects Infiniti's high level of advanced technology and luxury
features: a central information system with large LCD monitor,
Sojourner leather seating, Bose 7-speaker premium audio system -
items that are not even offered on competitors' sedans, much less as
standard equipment.
The M45 also features technology that truly benefits
the total driving experience, such as Voice Recognition, climate
control seats, DVD navigation and Intelligent Cruise Control, to
name just a few.
The M45 promises to deliver an exceptionally
rewarding experience for both driver and passenger. It gives us a
powerful entry in the competitive $40,000 luxury sedan segment.
In Detroit, we gave you a preview of our
"Bionic Cheetah," the FX45. And, we've previously
announced that Infiniti will be adding a full-size luxury SUV for
the 2004 model year. The other new vehicle we debuted at Detroit is
also critically important to our product lineup, the all-new 2003
G35.
The G35, which went on sale March 11th, sets the
tone for the Infiniti of the future with class-leading performance,
style, roominess and premium equipment. It has European driving
flavor, but without the typical ride, comfort and roominess
trade-offs.
Initial response to the new G35 has been
outstanding. The G35 sends the message to a whole new audience that
performance is key to the Infiniti brand. But this is a message that
we don't expect the G35 Sport Sedan to carry alone. We think this
will help.
Now things are getting interesting. By the way, this
is the production G35 Coupe, not a show car.
With a car this stunning, not a lot else needs to be
said. The G35 Sport Coupe will be available in November with pricing
expected to start under $30,000. We understand, however, that great
looks will only take you so far.
The other key motivator in this segment is
performance. I'd like to ask Jack Collins to come up to tell you a
little more about what lies under the G35 Coupe's seductive skin.
Jack Collins
Vice President, Product Planning
Nissan North America, Inc.
Thanks, Mark and good morning. While the G35 Coupe's
elegant styling draws you in, it more than delivers on its promise
once you slip behind the wheel.
There are two key elements that set the G35 Coupe
apart from the competition: use of the spectacular FM platform and
our state-of-the-art VQ series V6 engine. Both are also found in the
G35 Sedan, but for use in the G35 Coupe we dial things up a bit.
The standard 3.5-liter V6 has been tuned to produce
275-plus horsepower and 260-plus foot-pounds of torque... and that's
not just at peak rpm. There's tremendous torque available across a
broad power band, making the G35 Sport Coupe a pleasure to drive.
With the Coupe, we're offering a new close-ratio 6-speed manual
transmission, which we'll also make available for the G35 Sedan. Of
course, the Coupe will also be available with our state-of-the-art
5-speed automatic with manual shift mode.
The G35 Coupe uses 4-wheel independent multi-link
suspension and "ripple control" shock design, with
suspension tuning slightly more aggressive than the Sedan.
Aggressive 17-inch wheels and tires are standard, with 18-inch
designs like these also available. The standard brake system is
state-of-the-art, and Infiniti's advanced Vehicle Dynamic Control
comes standard on every G35 Coupe.
The Coupe's wheelbase is the same as the Sedan --
112.2 inches -- but the Coupe is four inches shorter overall and its
height is three inches lower. The Coupe is also 2.5 inches wider.
Though Mark said the styling speaks for itself, we
think the G35 Coupe's design is dynamic, emotional and distinctive.
In other words, it's gorgeous. The designers sought to create
harmony of speed and style, as you can see in the bold, powerful and
graceful front-to-rear character line, its sleek, personal cabin,
extended, rounded fenders which emphasize the sporty wheels and the
unique grille, which changes its light reflection as you view it
from different angles.
The rear of the G35 Coupe is composed of concave and
convex shapes, combined in a manner that expresses sportiness and
grace, while the dual independent exhausts give a strong visual
intention of the Coupe's high performance character. And, we've
given it an exhaust note to match.
The coefficient of drag is 0.29, 0.28 with the
aerodynamic package of rear spoiler and underside fairings. Like the
sedan, the Coupe features zero degrees of front lift, greatly
enhancing its high-speed stability and solid road feel. With the
available aero package, there's also zero rear lift. Xenon
headlights and LED taillights, like those on the G35 Sedan, are
standard.
Inside, the G35 Coupe combines a driver-oriented
cockpit with an exceptional level of premium amenities. It offers
2+2 seating with a fold-down rear seat, an available Bose audio
system with eight speakers, and an optionally available Infiniti
Navigation System with a 6.5-inch retractable monitor -- though this
is one of those cars that it won't matter where you're going. It's
enough just to be out driving.
The G35 Sport Coupe is a car with no real equal. We
expect it to establish the new benchmark by which all other sport
coupes will be measured.
There's one other quick "product
announcement" I'd like to make before turning the stage back to
Mark. Along with these two new models for 2003, we're also pleased
to offer our owners state-of-the-art "Infiniti
Communicator" Telematics system, offered as standard on every
2003 Q45, M45 and G35 Sedan and Coupe.
The Infiniti Communicator, connected with Wingcast,
features flexible technology that can be adapted to the owners'
personal preferences and enables safety and security services --
including a portable, hands-free voice-activated phone and
information portal.
For 2003, we're also pleased to be partnering with
XM and Sirius in offering 100 channels of digital quality music and
information through satellite radio systems -- available this fall
on Q45, M45, G35 Sedan and Coupe and I35 models.
Now I'd like Mark to come back up for a few closing
thoughts. Mark...
Mark McNabb
Thanks, Jack. As I said, G35 Coupe pricing should
start under $30,000 when it goes on sale in early November. When we
introduced the G35 Sedan we said we wanted to make a statement and I
think we have. The G35 Coupe makes the same statement -- squared.
Both G35 models will obviously have a big impact on
Infiniti - in terms of sales, image and momentum. We haven't
forgotten the other elements that have gotten us here, the Infiniti
Total Ownership Experience and the best collection of premium
dealers in the country. Our facilities upgrade program is well
underway as our dealers get their stores ready for our expanded
product lineup.
But the future of Infiniti is clearly in the hands
of our new, invigorated, product lineup.
Four new products in less than twelve months. Enough
said.
Thank you.