2001InfinitiQ45Infiniti Q452001 Infiniti Q45 TouringSedanSedanRWDTichigi, JapanFew changes accompany the current Q45 as it gasps a few final breaths before a welcome, and long overdue, redesign debuts in spring of 2001. A new Luxury model replaces last year's Anniversary Edition. All Qs get body-colored door handles and license plate surrounds, revised taillights, real bird's eye maple wood interior trim, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel rim trimmed in ersatz timber. The Touring model has standard bright-finish 17-inch wheels.Price advantage over other luxury flagships, dealer blowout sales events when new Q arrives.Buick ride quality, dated cabin design, poor resale value.As the second-generation Q45 enters its final year of production, Infiniti openly admits that the current car represents less than the sum of its parts. A new Q is due soon, and Nissan's luxury division is hyping the redesigned car as a true performance-oriented competitor to the Lexus LS 430, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class. Currently, the Q45 more effectively dukes it out with the likes of the mushy Acura RL and the cushy Cadillac DeVille. Not surprisingly, changes to the Q45 for 2001 are limited. A new Luxury model replaces last year's Anniversary Edition, while the sport-themed Touring model continues to slot in as the top-dog version of Infiniti's flagship. Real bird's eye maple wood trim decorates the cabins of both versions, though the lumber on the steering wheel rim is simulated. Touring models get standard bright-finish 17-inch alloy wheels. Just as one would expect inside a premium sedan from a luxury marque, all Qs overflow with sumptuous features. Eight-way power leather seats, a 200-watt Bose sound system, driver's seat memory, automatic climate control, power sunroof, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power rear sunshade, and keyless entry are standard. An optional navigation system with an exclusive 3D "Birdview" display is available, but it relies on nine regional CDs to map the entire country, and the car comes standard only with the disc that details the region where you live. Better get a Rand McNally. Heated front seats, a cellular phone, Infiniti Communicator and a six-disc CD changer are other notable options. Powered by a DOHC, 4.1-liter V8 engine, the rear-wheel-drive Q45 is swift if not quick, despite its 266 horsepower and 278 ft-lbs. of torque. At least the tune-up interval measures 100,000 miles, and fuel economy is decent at 18/23 city/highway. Overall, the Q45 offers a luxurious ride that is perfect for cross-country cruising but not canyon carving. The Luxury model comes with a four-wheel independent suspension, speed-sensing power-assisted steering, traction control and a viscous limited-slip differential. Sixteen-inch alloy wheels and four-wheel disc brakes, with ABS of course, give this Infiniti a secure and confident feel. Acura RL-SeriesAudi A6Lexus GSVolvo S80460,000670,0004Unlimited7UnlimitedNANANA84.1 litersV8266 hp @ 5600 rpm278 ft-lbs. @ 4000 rpm199.6 in.71.7 in.56.9 in.4043 lbs.111.4 in.37.6 in.36.9 in.56.7 in.56.7 in.55.7 in.55.7 in.43.6 in.35.9 in.12.6 cu.ft.StandardStandardStandardStandardNot AvailableStandardNot AvailableRating = Not TestedRating = Not TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot TestedNot Tested21.4 gal.18 mpg / 23 mpg385 mi. / 492 mi.Insurance costs can vary greatly for this vehicle, depending on such factors as driver age, driver gender, teenage drivers in the household, driving records, theft loss data for your particular geographic region, miles driven per year, and other widely variable factors. Additionally, some companies charge a premium for certain makes and models, while others do not.$45,039$50,5957.35%$545N/A3% of the Base MSRPBASE (4A): 4.1L V8 DOHC SMPI 32-valve engine with variable valve timing (requires premium unleaded fuel); 4-speed electronic OD automatic transmission with lock-up torque converter; 110 amp alternator; rear-wheel drive, viscous limited-slip differential, traction control, 3.69 axle ratio; stainless steel exhaust with tailpipe finisher; front independent strut suspension with anti-roll bar, front coil springs, rear independent multi-link suspension with anti-roll bar, rear coil springs; rack-and-pinion power steering with vehicle-speed-sensing assist; 4-wheel antilock disc brakes; 21.4 gal. capacity fuel tank; side impact bars; express open/close sliding and tilting glass sunroof with sunshade; front and rear body-colored bumpers with chrome bumper insert; with chrome bodyside insert; clearcoat monotone paint; internally adjustable aero-composite high intensity fully auto headlamps; additional exterior lights include front fog/driving lights, underhood light; driver's and passenger'spower remote body-colored heated folding outside mirrors; 16" x 7" silver alloy wheels; P215/60VR16 BSW A/S tires; compact alloy spare wheel; air conditioning with climate control, air filter, rear heat ducts; premium AM/FM stereo radio, seek-scan feature, cassette player, single-disc CD player, 8 premium speakers, power retractable diversity antenna, radio steering wheel controls; cruise control with steering wheel controls; power door locks with 2-stage unlock, remote keyless entry, child-safety rear door locks, power remote hatch/trunk release, power remote fuel door release; cell phone pre-wiring, 4 power accessory outlets, front and rear lighter element(s), trunk pull-down, driver's foot rest, retained accessory power, garage door opener, smokers' package; instrumentation display includes tachometer, water temperature gauge, clock, exterior temp, trip odometer; warning indicators include oil pressure, battery, lights on, key in ignition, low fuel, low washer fluid, bulb failure,door ajar, trunk ajar, brake fluid; driver's and passenger's front airbags, driver's and front passenger's seat-mounted side airbags; ignition disable, panic alarm, security system; tinted windows, power front and rear windows with driver's and passenger's 1-touch down function; variable-speed intermittent front windshield wipers, sun visor strip, rear window defroster, rear power blind; seating capacity of 5, front bucket seats with anti-whiplash headrests with adjustable tilt, center armrest with storage, driver's seat includes 8-way power adjustment and power 2-way lumbar support, passenger's seat includes 8-way power adjustment and power 2-way lumbar support; rear bench seat with adjustable headrests, center armrest with storage; height-adjustable front seatbelts with pretensioners; leather seats, leatherette door trim insert, full cloth headliner, full carpet floor covering with carpeted floor mats, genuine wood dashboard insert, leather-wrapped gearshift knob, genuine wood doorpanel insert, genuine wood console insert, chrome interior accents; driver's seat memory includes 2 settings for steering wheel; interior lights include dome light with fade, front and rear reading lights, 4 door curb lights, illuminated entry; leather/simulated wood steering wheel with power tilt and telescopic adjustment; dual illuminated vanity mirrors, dual auxiliary visors; auto-dimming day/night rearview mirror; full floor console, locking glove box with light, front and rear cupholders, 2 seatback storage pockets, driver's and passenger's door bins, rear door bins; carpeted cargo floor, carpeted trunk lid, carpeted cargo mats, cargo net, cargo light; chrome grille, chrome side window moldings, chrome front windshield molding, chrome rear window molding and body-colored door handles.
TOURING (4A) (in addition to or instead of BASE (4A) equipment): Sport-ride suspension, driver adjustable ride control, 17" x 7.5" machined alloy wheels; P225/50VR17 BSW performance A/S tires and black grille.