Being Nice Won’t Do When Daring Is What’s Needed
“Although relentlessly pursuing a dream is admirable,” advises the latest lofty homily from Infiniti, “you won’t notice when the rest of the world passes you by.”
Pity the reverse prophet who wrote that.
For since 1989, Infiniti has relentlessly pursued its dream of becoming a leader in building grand luxury cars.
In those seven years, the worlds of Lexus, Lincoln, Cadillac, Mercedes, BMW and Jaguar have passed them by.
And the numbers are bloody awful.
Lexus LS400 outsells the Infiniti Q45 almost 3 to 1 and has been that far ahead since the Japanese rivals first locked grilles. Americans buy far more big Mercedes-Benz sedans than they do large Infiniti four-doors. Cadillac is so far ahead of Infiniti that under the mercy rule it should be ordered to stop selling Eldorados. Even the Oldsmobile Aurora enjoys a point spread that political candidates would bribe for.
Unfortunately, the 1997 Infiniti Q45, which goes on sale late this month, is unlikely to lighten those somber stats nor reduce this imbalance of trade.
Here’s the better view: The new car will sell for under $48,000--a further reduction from June when the big guy’s price was dropped about $5,000.
It arrives with a smaller 4.1-liter engine and less horsepower and torque--but that’s a cost-cutting move that also means better fuel economy and no gas-guzzler taxes.
The car is 180 pounds lighter, and shorter and narrower owing to some chassis sharing with a smaller Nissan sold in Japan. Magic stuff has been worked on valves and cams, which improves the power-to-weight ratio to the point of no perceptible performance loss from that less-endowed engine.
From sepulchral quiet, through leather sofas for seats, to just about every automatic, power and computerized trinket known to the super-cushioned car trade, this is a first cabin flagship.
And as sure as God created wet weekends in Seattle, the rear-drive Q45 continues to show the quality appointments and substantial ride that earned the current car a J.D. Power seal of quality.
But here’s the lesser news: Infiniti claims it has “revised or refined” almost every piece and panel. But even with larger, 16-inch wheels, the new Q looks no different than the old Q, except for door handles that pull out instead of lift up. We doubt that new or repeat buyers will find the change irresistible.
Styling has eased sideways, from conventional to careful--which also is medium-dry sherry, white shirts, vacations at Carlsbad, eggless doughnuts and all things very, very safe. We happen to feel that second generations of anything should look better, live brisker and attempt more risks than their parents.
Where the Q45 once marched with a mission emphasizing performance without ostentation, the new Q shows more chrome and sufficient wood trim to arouse rain-forest lobbies. In other words, it seems to be copying, not challenging, its adversaries.
Even a darling distinction of the old car--a Tiffany dashboard clock with real hands and jewel points for numbers--has been dumped in favor of a digital horror that is standard on Civics and Saturns.
In fairness, Infiniti can’t be lumbered with all the blame. When the yen went south, so did the American market for Japanese luxury cars. Including Acura and Lexus.
Then Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar and others dropped prices, overhauled their lines, raised the level of pizazz and, suddenly, the overpriced and unattainable Europeans became affordable and highly attractive.
Infiniti, however, can be criticized for reverting to caution and forgetting how to be different. For if the Q45 has moved anywhere, it seems to have crept a whisker closer to the heavier feel, operational silence and sense of isolation of a Lincoln or a Cadillac. And that’s ironic, coming after a period when Chrysler, GM and Ford had spent millions trying to emulate the afeared Infiniti and Lexus.
The Q comes in two flavors, both powered by a double overhead cam, 32-valve, 266 horsepower V-8. They have a buttery four-speed automatic with shifts that barely quiver; aluminum alloy wheels; two-memory power seats with multiple adjustments by Barca-Lounger; an eight-speaker, Hollywood Bowl sound system; a three-button remote for opening gates, garage and doggy doors; automatic air; and the usual luxury offerings of power mirrors and windows, alarm, cruise control, air bags, knee bolsters and power sunroof.
Traction control is now standard. Speed-sensitive steering. Anti-lock brakes. An overdrive button for downshifting. Plus two storage compartments in a center console--with adjustable dividers, coin holder, Kleenex dispenser and 12-volt outlet--could have been designed by Tim “the Tool Man” Taylor.
There’s also the Q45t where a Touring Package rumored to be priced around $2,000 buys a rear deck spoiler, heated seats, crisper suspension, five-spoke wheels and a CD player with a six-disc magazine in the trunk.
But no side-impact air bags, which have become a trademark of the European competition. Also, no automatic or manual deactivation of the passenger-side air bag.
On the move, the Q45 is faultless.
It’s a constant, pleasant surprise to poke the relatively small power plant and have it convert a 2-ton lump into a muscle car. Despite a gentle dive when braking hard, and a slight float when maneuvering around freeway irritations, here’s a vehicle with the pace, security and measure of anything out there.
Maybe a Q is not as nimble as it could be. Maybe it feels a little large between the lanes. But it’s as quick as a Mercedes, as elegant as anything from Cadillac, and certainly as impressive as a Lexus. Yet not as sporting as a BMW, nor does it make the distinctive statement of a Jaguar.
The interior of the Q45 is something to move into. Easy, comfortable and, even in rapid motion, the car feels restful. All the little compartment lids hiss open, controls work with rich, velvet clicks, and commutes become almost indolent.
But, damn, we miss that clock.
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1997 Infiniti Q45t
The Good: Quiet, elegant, powerful, quality luxury car that Infiniti builds so well. Leather and wood interior more comfortable than the Savoy. And the price has been chopped by an estimated 10%.
The Bad: Bland, blend-anywhere styling. Touring designation, but not exactly touring handling.
The Ugly: Q45 sales figures.
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1997 Infiniti Q45t
Cost
* As tested, estimated, $51,000. (Includes touring package of heated seats, sport suspension, rear spoiler and CD player. Also dual air bags; automatic transmission; automatic climate control; leather interior; sunroof; eight-speaker Bose sound system; power windows, seats and mirrors; cruise control; alloy wheels; and power steering.)
Engine
* 4.1-liter, double overhead cam, 32-valve, V-8 developing 266 horsepower.
Type
* Front-engine, rear-drive, luxury sedan.
Performance
* 0-60 mph, as tested, eight seconds.
* Top speed, manufacturer’s estimate, 144 mph.
* Fuel consumption, city and highway, estimated, 18 and 23 mpg.
Curb Weight
* 3,890 pounds.
