In 1989, the inaugural Q45, with its soul-stirring 278-horsepower V8 engine and powerful, sporty styling, seized the attention of driving enthusiasts around the world. This year, as the 2000 Q45 celebrates its 10th anniversary, it is still widely regarded as one of the finest luxury performance sedans on the road.
While the 2000 Q45 receives only minor refinements from the 1999 model, a special limited Q45 Anniversary Edition will be produced, featuring unique "Anniversary Edition" badging and upgraded interior and exterior styling. Leading the changes for the 2000 Q45 are a 100,000-mile tune-up interval, front seat active head restraints, one-touch auto-up/down front windows with safety reverse, one-touch auto-open/close sunroof with safety reverse and optional navigation system (available spring 2000).
Exterior Design
For 2000, the Q45 continues to stand out in the increasingly competitive luxury sedan segment. From the strong front grille to the inverse curve C-pillar, the elegant styling of the Q45 engages the senses and conveys a message of "luxury with performance."
Exacting exterior details give the Q45 its unique qualities. Such features include strong "horizontal bone" – an etched character line that runs the entire length of the vehicle near the top of the beltline. Visually, the "bone" underscores the substance and solidity of the Q45, while creating a character for the vehicle that implies smoothness and elegance. Items ranging from its 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels to halogen headlights also let it be know that performance is of equal emphasis both outside and under the hood.
One of the Q45's most powerful design features is its distinctive jewel-like headlights, which contain two round elements per side mounted within a rectangular clear-lens frame. The headlights themselves are a high intensity discharge (HID) type with Xenon gas bulbs and crystalline lenses. In the rear, the combination lamps are revised and the license plate finisher is body-colored to provide a more integrated, elegant look.
Other exterior features include a power glass sunroof with tilt/slide feature and sunshade. The sunroof also offers a new "one-touch" auto-open/close with safety reverse feature for ease of operation. The Q45's body-color, power remote-controlled and heated outside mirrors now have an anti-glare coating.
The 2000 model is available in eight exterior colors, including Tuscan Beige, Hunter Green, Black Obsidian, Titanium, Titanium Silver, Pewter, London Grey, Aspen White Pearl and Aspen White Pearl/Platinum Frost. Three interior colors are offered: Beige, Stone Beige and Black.
Interior Design
The 2000 Q45 continues the Infiniti tradition of combining a true driver-oriented cockpit with a seemingly endless list of luxury amenities. The most notable expression of the Q45's timeless style is its signature analog clock. The classically designed clock, located in the middle of the instrument panel, was a distinguishing characteristic of the original Q45.
Interior highlights for 2000 include one-touch auto-up/down windows with safety reverse, power-operated rear sunshade, retained accessory power for the sunroof and windows, height-adjustable rear outboard head restraints, steering wheel-mounted audio switches and wood-tone trim.
Other standard features include 8-way driver and front-passenger seats, leather seating surfaces, driver's entry/exit system with two-position memory, power windows, trunk and fuel filler door releases, new rear parcel shelf tether anchors, automatic temperature control with microfiltration ventilation and rear air conditioning/heater ducts, power door locks with selective unlocking, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver and dual cupholders front and rear.
All Infiniti models in 2000 offer standard Bose® audio systems, including the Q45's 200-watt, 8-speaker AM/FM/cassette and in-dash CD player. Every Q45 is pre-wired for both an optional 6-disc CD autochanger and Infiniti cellular phones.
Engine/Suspension
The Q45's standard 4.1-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 remains one of the most advanced designs in its class. The engine was developed to meet the everyday demands of around town driving, including responsive acceleration, smooth and quiet operation and low maintenance, yet still appeal to performance minded drivers as an exceptional higher speed tourer when the call of the open highway beckons. The Q45 also delivers responsible fuel economy of 18 mpg City / 23 mpg Highway.
The engine, rated at 266 horsepower and 278 ft-lbs of torque, is mated to an advanced electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission. For 2000, owners will enjoy the added efficiency and value of 100,000-mile tune-up intervals.
A viscous limited-slip differential is also standard on every Q45, along with Infiniti's Traction Control System (TCS). TCS provides excellent all-condition driving performance, automatically engaging to enhance stability and control when any one of the wheels is slipping.
The Q45's refined suspension utilizes front struts with coil springs and is designed to enhance handling and stability by minimizing camber change during cornering. The rear suspension is an independent multi-link design, using three links (instead of the typical two-link design) to provide maximum tire contact with the road and superior body roll control, even under extreme driving conditions.
The Active Damping Suspension, available as standard equipment on the Q45t, offers electronically modulated shock valving control with SPORT and AUTO driver selectable settings.
The system uses real-time, independent 4-wheel shock absorber damping force regulation in response to input from vertical G-sensors and steering angle sensors. Signals from these sensors are sent to the system's computer control unit, then matched with vehicle speed. "Instruction" data is then sent back to actuators above each individual shock absorber, which immediately adjust shock absorber damping force.
The system helps eliminate excessive body movement, as experienced during hard cornering, braking or acceleration. It also helps improve tire-to-road surface contact for greater stability and enhanced handling control. With the two adjustable settings, drivers can chose between a softer, more comfortable ride or a firmer ride with more road feel, depending on driver preference.
Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes with 3-channel/4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Vehicle speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering is also standard.
The Q45 comes equipped with 16-inch luxury style aluminum-alloy wheels with 215/60R16 all-season radial tires. The Q45t offers 17-inch 5-spoke performance style aluminum alloy wheels with 225/50R17 tires.
Safety and Security
The Q45's standard front-seat supplemental side-impact air bags deploy to provide coverage of both head and chest and new front seat active head restraints help prevent head and neck injuries in certain rear-impact collisions. Other standard safety features include dual front seat supplemental air bags, three-point seat belts with front seat belt pretensioners and load limiters, child safety rear door locks, child seat anchors, front and rear crumple zones, energy-absorbing steering column and knee bolsters.
The standard Infiniti Vehicle Immobilizer uses an electronically coded key which is recognized by the ignition system. Without the correct code, the engine will not start.
Model Availability
The 2000 Q45 is offered in a choice of two models, the fully-equipped Q45 and for buyers seeking the ultimate in sporty looks and performance, the Q45t. In addition to the 17-inch wheels and tires and electronically modulated suspension, the Q45t includes performance-tuned suspension, a blackout grille, blackout headlight treatment and performance style steering wheel. It also features special "t" badging on the rear decklid.
With the Q45's long list of standard features, only a few options are offered: a new integrated satellite navigation system (available spring 2000), 6-disc CD autochanger and heated seats.
To commemorate the Q45's 10th anniversary, a special edition Q45 model will also be produced on a limited basis. The Anniversary Edition will offer all of the performance, luxury and styling features of the Q45t, as well as commemorative "Anniversary Edition" markings on the tailgate badge, ignition key, front seat embossing and floor mats. The special edition "t" package will also include authentic genuine wood trim, wood tone/leather steering wheel, a brighter machined finish to the Q45t's 17-inch performance wheels and exclusive body color door handles.
Like all Infiniti models, the Q45 is protected by some of the best warranties in the industry: a 4-year/60,000-mile Basic New Vehicle Limited Warranty; a 6-year/70,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty (protection for major engine and driveline components); a 5-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Emission Control Limited Warranty; and a 7-year/unlimited mileage Corrosion Limited Warranty.
Source: Infiniti
