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Saturday, February 5, 2011
Infiniti QX4, 2003
The QX4 received its first major update in 2001, increasing its power from a relatively weak 168 hp (125 kW) to a comparative 240 hp (179 kW) engine. This redesign also gave the QX4 an updated exterior and interior body style, including features such as a new dash, 17 in (423 mm) alloy wheels and xenon HID headlamps. In Japan, the Terrano Regulus shortened its name to Terrano and was restyled like the Pathfinder instead.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Infiniti Details European-Spec M35h Hybrid Sedan

Infiniti has released preliminary specs and performance figures for the European market version of its M35h hybrid sedan, due to arrive in dealerships this spring. Boasting an impressive drag coefficient of just 0.26, the Japanese maker’s first hybrid model weighs less than its diesel-powered M30d sibling and returns 6.9 lt/100 km (33.6 US mpg) on the combined cycle. However, customers will have to make do with a smaller boot, measuring just 350 liters.
The hybrid sedan's powertrain comprises a 306HP 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine mated to a dual-clutch transmission and a 68HP (50kW) electric motor. The combined output is 364HP, good enough to accelerate the 1.830 kg (4.035 lbs) luxury sedan from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
In electric-only mode, the M35h is capable of reaching speeds up to 80 km/h (50 mph, with Infiniti stating that in real-world testing, the car can be driven in this mode for as much as 50% of the time on mixed routes. To further improve the powertrain’s efficiency, the M35h also comes with regenerative brakes.
To warn pedestrians and the visually impaired while in electric-only mode, the hybrid sedan is fitted with the Approaching Vehicle Sound for Pedestrians (VSP) system, which emits a non-intrusive sound that varies pitch and volume at speeds up to 30 km/h (19 mph).
Infiniti said European-wide pricing will be announced before the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in early March.
By Csaba Daradics
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Monday, January 24, 2011
No Really, this is a Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider and it's Powered by a Subaru Turbo Boxer!

Don't let the Nissan 350Z snout and the Infiniti G35 Coupe (JDM Nissan Skyline V35) rear end design fool you; the glitzy painted roadster model you're gawking at is in fact a JDM Mitsubishi Eclipse Spider - possibly a third generation model. But before you try to digest all that info let us quickly add that Paint Star's Tokyo Auto Salon project car also hides a Subaru-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-four engine under its 350Z-shaped hood. See the rest of the photos in our image gallery after the break.
Photos: Phil Alex / Carscoop
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Saturday, January 22, 2011
Infiniti M45, 2003
The 2003 M45 was based on the Y34-series Nissan Gloria/Nissan Cedric, with styling similar to the Gloria. The engine is Nissan's 340 hp VK45DE V8 which produces 333 ft.lbf of torque. The rather Japanese squared-off styling did not make much of a splash on the US market, and the M45 sold poorly.
2006
Infiniti released a completely redesigned M for the 2006 model year to compete directly in the mid-size sport luxury class, against such class stalwarts as the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It uses a much more rigid version of the G35/350Z/FX Nissan FM platform and is available with the common VQ-series 280 hp (208 kW) 3.5 L V6 in the M35, or the Q45's 335 hp (249 kW) 4.5 L V8 in the M45.
The automotive press has awarded the M several best-in-class awards in direct comparisons against its competitors. Despite entering a very crowded, competitive segment in which almost every member has been recently redesigned, the M still managed to find many key distinctions: Both the M35 and M45 are fastest in their class (0-60 in 6.3 and 5.4 seconds, respectively). The M is near or at the top of every interior dimension, actually breaking into the EPA "large" category depending on which option packages are selected. In fact, while being smaller on the outside than the flagship Q45, the M45 boasts more room, greater performance, a superior multilink front suspension, and much friendlier ergonomics, threatening the position of the flagship Q45.
All-wheel-drive models are called the M35x, which uses a sports car derived system (ATTESA-ETS) to send all power to the rear wheels until slip is detected.
The M line was released in February 2005 (at almost exactly the same time as the new 2006 Lexus GS) and its first several months of sales have been far beyond expectations. Prices in the US (USD) range from approximately 40,000 - 55,000, which feature for feature tend towards the lowest in class





















