IT’S probably a coinci-
derice that both the
engine size and the price
of the new Infiniti Q45
have been reduced by -
about. 10%. ;
- But‘in'an age when con-
spicuoiis consumption and
frivolous excess is becoming ;
~ - passe, even for luxury cars,
“many.carmakers are trimming ~
the fat, and doing as much,
or more, with less.)
ao eThe redesigned 1997
“Infiniti Q45 is definitely not’
*-Jean— but it is a rnore con-
servative interpretation of
luxury than the previous

Vé angine which improves Base price: $65,000 ;

base piics than iast year's model. Test d Type: four-door, five-passenger luxury sedan
Burrard St. in Vancouver. Layout: longitudinal front engine/rear-wheel-drive
Engine: 4.1-litre V8, DOHC, 32 valves ;
Horsepower: 266 @ 5,300 r.p.m.

Torque: 278 ft.-lbs. @ 4,000 r.p.m,

Transmission: four-speed automatic

the new Q45 is lighter and
has a comparable power-ro-
weight ratio.

weight MacPherson strut
frent suspension and a
stronger, redesigned body
structure,

“majority (70%) of @45’s are
. Jeased, not purchased.
Though it looks bigger,

J model -—.a retreat from the
_bold and rnodernistic Q45 *
~. which first appeared in 19990.

. Price reductions are signif-
icant. The:1997 base price is
. $65,000, a $7,000 decrease

. from the. 1996 model. The

Q45t (touring model) is now
$67,500, also $7,006 less.

This should cnable Infiniti .

» dealerships to'offer a more’.
attractive monthly leasing:

“gate than competitors such as

“the Lexus LS400 and’
Mercedes-Benz £420. As
with most luxury sedans, the

the full-size, rear-wheel-drive
Q45 is about the same size as
the previous model, It’s
sharper edges, more upright
grille, larger ‘headlamps, larg-
er tailights, and an inverse-

‘curving rear deck that Infiniti

stylists say was modeled after
pre World War L1 Rolis-
Royce models add to its pres-
ence, but also make it look
heavier.

Tronically, the 1997 Q45
is 90 kilograms (200 Ibs.)
lighter than the 1996 Q45,
due in part to a new, light-

Under the V-scuipted .
hood is a new 266 horsepow-
er 4,1-litre V8 engine with

‘dual overhead cams and four

valves per cylinder. This
replaces the 278 horsepower
4.5-litre DOHC 32 valve V8
engine. Though it’s smaller,
the performance of the new
engine is almost as good as
the old one, partly because

The Q45’s around-town
erformance has improved
ecause the new engine has

more low-end torque than
the 4.5-litre V8, however this
has been ‘done at the expense
of xop-end performance.

Fuel economy has

improved markedly. The.
smaller VS engine achieves a

See Performance page 30

Tires: 215/65 VR-16 — «

Curb weight: 1,761 kg (3,883 Ibs.}
Wheelbase: 2,830 mm (111.4 in.)

Length: 5,060 mm (199.2 in.)
Width: 1,821 mm (71.7 in.)
Height: 1,445 mm (56.9 in.)

Cargo capacity: 303 litres (10.7 cu.
Fuel consumption: City —. 13.4

ft.)
1/100 kms (21

mp.g.); Hwy — 9.2 1/100 kms (31 m-p.g.}

Warranty: four-years/ 100,000 kms

The ALL NEW Q451 NF UNIT I

wr Infiniti began to design its flagship Q45, we didn’t start with an engine, o1 a suspension, of
even a clay model. We started with the most important feature that goes into every one of our

iuxury cars: You. So before ever putting pen co paper, we started aski
We asked what attracts you. And answered with one of the most elep

nye questions. | :
rant shapes on the road today,

Dramatic curves. Uninterrupted lines. The perfect blend of classic and contemporary styling.
We asked how we could make you mure comfortable. And we provided features that make driving the

new Q45 a luxury. Ten-way power adjustable seats.
integrated Homelink* Transinitter that lets you operate

doors frém the comfort of you Q45. .

We asked you what makes your heart pound. And ou
liter V8. An engine with the luxury of performance and the spirit of Infiniti.

A custem designed Bose® audio system. Even an
radio-controlfed devices like gares and garage

F response was a powerful one: the new Q45 4.1

And when we asked how we could protect you, we already knew the answer. The new Q45 was designed’ -

to help you pratect you and your loved ones in every way. With a comprehensive list of active and

passive safety features, Because at Infiniti, we know cars are replaceable. You aren't.

Remarkably, we came to one extraordinary answer, Your looking at it. The new infiniti? Q45*

AVAILABLE 18ST WEEK IN SEPTEMBER