Infiniti's flagship premium luxury sedan continues to push the automotive envelope for 2006 with a host of innovative features. The 2006 Infiniti Q adds a new Sport Model, which includes a sport-tuned suspension with Rear Active Steer and cast alloy 19-inch wheels and performance tires.
The 2006 Q45's advanced 5-speed automatic transmission has been revised with wider gear spacing, added Downshift Rev Matching and a new torque converter design for better shift quality. In addition, the final drive has changed to 2.937:1.
Other enhancements include standard Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System and available Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system.
"With the improved transmission and available Rear Active Steer and Lane Departure Warning added to all the other standard features, the 2006 Q45 continues to earn its flagship status," said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division.
Luxurious Exterior Appearance
The Infiniti Q continues to offer a distinctive, premium performance look that stands out in its class. The car's sculpted profile features an elegant silhouette, with raised rear deck, large taillights, body-color side molding with chrome accents and chrome door handles.
Dimensionally, the 2006 Q45 continues with its long wheelbase (113.0 inches) and wide cabin (72.6 inches) but a manageable overall length (200.8 inches). The Q also offers high aerodynamic efficiency with a 0.30 coefficient of drag.
One of the most striking features of the Q45's exterior is the large, multi-lens projector High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlight system. Seven individual lenses and a free-surface reflector design combine to provide a wide distribution beam pattern utilizing a large luminous flux.
Invigorating Performance
As always, the styling of the Q45 gives a strong impression of performance and what's under the hood clearly delivers on that promise. Standard on every Q45 is Infiniti's highly regarded 4.5-liter V8, which is also utilized in the FX45 premium crossover SUV and the Infiniti M45 performance sedan. In the Q45, this engine produces 340* horsepower and 333 lb-ft of torque.
The engine features titanium valves, modular cylinder heads, microfinished crankshaft, lightweight pistons and a super-silent single stage cam drive chain. In addition, the V8 is outfitted with a variable length air induction system and Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) to enhance the engine's power delivery and operation efficiency.
The exceptional power of the 4.5-liter V8 is channeled through a high-torque capacity, electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode, which features a short, revised final drive gear ratio of 2.937:1 for strong acceleration. Downshift Rev Matching is added for 2006.
An Electronic Torque-Demand Powertrain Control system manages engine power, throttle position and the transmission gear selections to optimize performance and smoothness. For 2006, the transmission has been revised with wider gear spacing and a new torque converter design.
The Q45's rigid body and compliant suspension system – 4-wheel independent suspension with a strut front and multi-link rear – provide a smooth, confidence-inspiring handling.
The handling and stability of the new Q45 Sport model is optimized by a new Infiniti Rear Active Steer system. Unlike passive rear steering systems, this design features motor-driven control. This system helps improve the Q45 Sport's handling performance by adjusting the rear suspension geometry according to steering input and vehicle speed.
The system's electronic control unit calculates the desired vehicle dynamics from a series of sensors, including vehicle speed and steering angle, and directs the system actuator to change rear geometry by moving both rear suspension lower links. The result is sports car-like agility, combined with luxury sedan stability and ride quality.
Braking is provided by 4-wheel vented discs with anti-lock function (ABS). The braking system contains two advanced features which help to increase braking effectiveness and controllability – Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), which controls front and rear brake distribution depending on load condition (passengers and cargo) and Brake Assist (BA), which senses hard or panic pedal application and helps provide maximum braking capacity.
Also standard on every Q45 is Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), a system that helps to improve vehicle handling if it begins to understeer or oversteer. VDC can apply appropriate brake pressure to individual wheels and/or reduce engine output to help you hold to the steered path. Optional on the Q45 (included in Premium Package) is Intelligent Cruise Control, which uses laser sensors, throttle and brakes to maintain a driver-selected distance between the Q45 and a vehicle in front of it.
Included with the optional Intelligent Cruise Control System is a special feature of the standard Brake Assist system – Preview Braking. Brake Assist with preview function is designed to help improve brake response. Whereas normal braking is activated only when the driver recognizes the need and moves their foot to activate the brake pedal, the preview function utilizes the ICC sensors to identify potential sudden braking situations (by sensing the vehicle ahead in the same lane and the distance and relative speed from the vehicle) and "pre-pressurizes" the Brake Assist system before the driver steps on the brake pedal. This helps maximize braking response and performance.
The Q45's standard 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are finished in a titanium color and feature 225/55R17 V-rated all-season performance tires. The Premium Package includes 8-spoke 18-inch titanium-finish aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/45R18 V-speed rated all-season performance tires. Also available are 8-spoke 18-inch wheels with chrome finish (available with the Premium Package). A Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) is standard on all Q45s and provides real-time tire pressure readings.
An Indulgent Interior
The Q45's interior continues to feature the highest quality materials with a handcrafted look and a high level of convenience features. All interior surfaces are covered in rich textured materials, including soft leather appointments and genuine wood accents.
For the driver, the Q's cockpit features a wood-trimmed, leather-wrapped steering wheel, sport contour seats and large, electro-illuminescent instruments.
The standard DVD-based Infiniti Navigation System with a 7.0-inch LCD screen and Birdview™ display LCD contains mapping for the entire continental United States on one disc. The LCD monitor is mounted at the highest position on the instrument panel for better visibility.
The LCD screen is also used to help view what's behind the Q with the standard RearView Monitor system. The monitor operates when reverse gear is selected, displaying an image from a small camera mounted near the rear license plate. The system also indicates the approximate distance to objects in the camera's field of view behind the Q45 through the use of colored gridlines.
The standard Vehicle Information System (VIS) integrates and displays vehicle operation information ranging from audio settings, climate control and maintenance updates to vehicle settings.
Another feature found on every Q45 is Infiniti's Voice Recognition System, developed with second generation Visteon Voice Technology™. It features voice-activated control of the Bose® premium audio system, HVAC system and select navigation system functions, allowing the driver's hands to stay on the wheel at all times.
The Q45's 300-watt premium Bose® audio system features eight speakers, including a 12-inch Nd® woofer, an in-dash 6-disc CD changer, cassette deck, digital architecture and Bose AudioPilot™ Noise Compensation Circuit Technology. The Q45 base model has optional satellite radio (with a choice of XM® or Sirius™ service), while the Q45 Premium Package includes standard satellite radio.
Bluetooth® Hands-Free Phone System is standard on all Q45s for 2006. This technology seamlessly allows the user to access phone numbers, answer and make calls through the vehicle's audio system, permitting the driver to keep their eyes on the road and hands on the steering wheel.
Other features of the Q45's interior include an instrument panel with fully integrated switchgear, 10-way driver and 8-way front passenger seat with memory and a dual-zone automatic temperature control system. Infiniti's signature in-dash analog clock adds an elegant touch to the instrument panel.
Rear seat passengers are treated to a high level of luxury, with ample leg and head room creating a comfortable environment. An available power rear sunshade, along with manual rear door window sunshades, eases the heat from the sun. Available heated, power-reclining rear seats with adjustable backrest angle and exit assist, as well as an oversize center armrest with rear audio and climate controls, create an exclusive, limousine-like setting for the rear passengers in the Q45 with the Premium Package.
The Premium Package also offers climate controlled seats in the front with ventilated heating and cooling functions (in place of the standard heated seats), perforated leather-appointed seat inserts and driver lockout for the rear audio and HVAC controls.
The climate controlled seats significantly enhance individual passenger comfort in virtually all climatic conditions through a unique active temperature management system. Ambient cabin air is drawn in through a low profile fan located on the bottom of the front seats. From there, the air travels up the back of the seat through a thermo-electric device which conditions or heats the air and sends it through the air distribution channels molded in the foam seating surface.
Q45's standard leather-appointed interior is available in three premium color combinations, Graphite, Latté and Firebrick. All are designed to complement the available range of exterior colors.
A Focus On Safety
The Q45 features the latest in Infiniti safety technology for 2006, with the available Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system. The system recognizes visible lane markings and calculates the lateral distance between the vehicle and the lane marking, along with vehicle speed relative to the marking, and generates an audible signal to warn the driver of an imminent lane departure. Engagement of the turn signals cancels the warning and the system also includes a driver cancel switch.
The Infiniti LDW system is currently available in the Infiniti FX crossover SUV and the all-new Infiniti M. The Q45 offers LDW as part of the Premium Package.
The Q45 also features an abundance of standard safety features. Safety systems on the Q45 include patented brake-operated "pre-crash" front seat belts, which tighten under emergency braking to help restrain an occupant before a crash occurs. It also helps to enhance the effectiveness of the air bags by reducing forward movement of the occupants before a crash. If there is not a crash, the pre-crash belts return to a normal mode, ready for the next emergency braking situation.
The 2006 Q45 comes standard with the Infiniti Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with passenger seat occupant sensor and dual-stage supplemental air bags that sense collision severity and seat belt usage and deploy accordingly. Front seat occupants also get front-seat Active Head Restraints, which help reduce whiplash neck injuries suffered in certain rear-end collisions.
Front seats are also equipped with supplemental side-impact air bags for enhanced chest protection and side curtain supplemental air bags that deploy from the roof to help protect the heads of both front and outboard rear seat passengers in certain side-impact collisions. All Q45s are also equipped with the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system and the Infiniti Vehicle Immobilizer System, an advanced anti-theft system.
2006 Q45 Models and Packages
The 2006 Q45 comes standard with a full array of luxury and convenience features.
For buyers seeking a higher level of equipment, the Q45 is offered with an optional Premium Package, with a long list of luxurious amenities including 18-inch 8-spoke titanium-finish aluminum-alloy wheels, 245/45R18 V-rated tires, rear power sunshade and rear door manual sunshades, climate controlled front seats with heating and cooling functions and perforated leather appointments, Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking, Lane Departure Warning, heated power-reclining rear seats with rear controls for audio and HVAC, and rear HVAC vents in the B-pillars. Chrome-finished 18-inch wheels are available with the Premium Package.
A new Q45 Sport model is added for 2006. The Sport model adds a sport-tuned suspension, Rear Active Steer, cast alloy 19-inch wheels and high performance tires, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Satellite radio, with choice of XM® or Sirius™ services, is offered as part of the Premium Package or as a stand-alone option.
Source: Infiniti
