2000 Infiniti Q45

By Bob Storck

The first Q45 had some strange styling, inside and out, but handled better than any large car from Japan, fully the equal of European sports models. They offered the only fully active suspension yet applied to a production car, but with declining sales, were forced to cut back their aspirations and downsize the car.

There will be a complete redesign this year, but the 2000 model gets significant upgrading and a 10th Anniversary Touring Edition. The current engine is a refinement of the 4.5-liter, dual overhead cam 32-valve V8 previously used. Displacement is down to 4.1 liters but horsepower is a healthy 266 hp. Because of weight saved, the power-to-weight ratio is about the same as the original version. The smaller displacement and internal refinements in reducing weight and frictional power losses have meant an increase in efficiency. Fuel consumption has gone up from 17/22 city/highway to 18/23, which takes the Q45 out of gas guzzler territory.