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April 3, 2008 http://www.thecarconnection.com/fullreview/infiniti_q45_2002

  Eric Peters
EditorEric Peters

Infiniti, Nissan's luxury car division, has a striking commercial for the 2002 Q45 luxury sedan. The opalescent car moves like a chariot entering Valhalla as leaves flutter and time stands still.

Unfortunately, the car itself is not so striking in person -- and even less so once you close the door and hit the road.

Yes, the Gatling gun-styled, projector beam high intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlights (whew!) are cool, especially since they can be aimed remotely. And the unique voice-recognition software that enables the driver to change radio stations, adjust the climate control or work the optional on-board satellite navigation system by voice command will amuse the neighbors. It represents a truly Star Trek-like glimpse of the future.

But actually driving the car, its class-leading 340-hp rating notwithstanding, is a somewhat deflating experience.

Z-quivalent

Infiniti claims the new Q will make 60 mph in a very quick 5.9 seconds, but it sure doesn't feel like it -- at least, given the emotional expectations that attend flogging a twin-cam, "performance tuned" V-8 with just 10 fewer advertised horsepower than a new (and very quick) 350-hp Corvette, 50 more than the 290-hp Lexus LS430, and barely 50 less than the sledgehammer BMW M5. It’s not slow, but the Q’s undefeatable VDC traction/stability control system is such that you come away from the experience seriously let down. No smoky burnouts are possible, not even so much as a tire squeal -- in other words, no sensual indications of massive horsepower.

Naturally, all of this won't matter to you if you're looking for a large, well-equipped and well-built luxury-trimmed dreadnought that will separate you from the ugly, dirty world out there. But Infiniti weirdly touts this thing as the luxury line's "equivalent of the Nissan Z-car." Huh?

-Another view of the '02 Q-You review the '02 Q45 Infiniti, Nissan's luxury car division, has a striking commercial for the 2002 Q45 luxury sedan. The opalescent car moves like a chariot entering Valhalla as leaves flutter and time stands still. Unfortunately, the car itself is not so striking in person -- and even less so once you close the door and hit the road. Yes, the Gatling gun-styled, projector beam high intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlights (whew!) are cool, especially since they can be aimed remotely. And the unique voice-recognition software that enables the driver to change radio stations, adjust the climate control or work the optional on-board satellite navigation system by voice command will amuse the neighbors. It represents a truly Star Trek-like glimpse of the future. But actually driving the car, its class-leading 340-hp rating notwithstanding, is a somewhat deflating experience. Z-quivalent Infiniti claims the new Q will make 60 mph in a very quick 5.9 seconds, but it sure doesn't feel like it -- at least, given the emotional expectations that attend flogging a twin-cam, "performance tuned" V-8 with just 10 fewer advertised horsepower than a new (and very quick) 350-hp Corvette, 50 more than the 290-hp Lexus LS430, and barely 50 less than the sledgehammer BMW M5. It’s not slow, but the Q’s undefeatable VDC traction/stability control system is such that you come away from the experience seriously let down. No smoky burnouts are possible, not even so much as a tire squeal -- in other words, no sensual indications of massive horsepower. Naturally, all of this won't matter to you if you're looking for a large, well-equipped and well-built luxury-trimmed dreadnought that will separate you from the ugly, dirty world out there. But Infiniti weirdly touts this thing as the luxury line's "equivalent of the Nissan Z-car." Huh? -Another view of the '02 Q -You review the '02 Q45 Infiniti , Nissan's luxury car division, has a striking commercial for the 2002 Q45 luxury sedan. The opalescent car moves like a chariot entering Valhalla as leaves flutter and time stands ...