Coupe SUV Refined
The next new Infiniti arrives in June 2008, in the form of an updated FX, and facing new competition from the only other coupe-SUV in the BMW X6. The new FX offers more power from a refined 302HP 3.5L V6 or an all-new 390HP 5.0L V8, with all-wheel drive still optional. There is a new standard seven-speed automatic transmission, new electronic aids for crash avoidance and easier city driving, and even self-healing paint. Infiniti gave the FX a worldwide introduction at the Geneva motor show, launching the brand in Europe at the same time, the U.S. introduction is at the 2008 New York Auto Show.

The FX keeps its unique overall shape, with short overhangs and coupe-style roofline, but a slightly longer wheelbase makes for a longer hood and better-proportioned stance. Everything about the FX has been tucked and reshaped. The reshaped integrated rear spoiler and tailgate surround are bodycolor, though the tailgate opening looks as though it is smaller this time. There are still dual exhaust pipes, but the shape of the lower rear fascia is smoother. The new LED taillights carry a more distinct, decorative shape than the prior car.

Continue reading "New York Auto Show 2008: 2009 Infiniti FX" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 11:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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According to AutoPacific's annual survey of new car and light truck acquirers, the BMW 3-Series, Acura MDX, Lexus RX, Honda Accord, and Infiniti QX56 attract the most tech savvy buyers. Tech savvy consumers made up approximately 5% of the new car buying population in 2007, up from just 2% in 2006. As Gen Y matures and enters the new vehicle market in greater numbers, AutoPacific expects these numbers to continue their growth. Tech savvy car buyers were defined utilizing a collection of data filters from AutoPacific’s Research Suite® database.

Continue reading "What Are The Top Vehicles Purchased by Tech Savvy Buyers?" »

Posted by Dan Hall at 10:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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SUVs are on their way out and Crossover SUVs are on their way up. Those in the market for a versatile vehicle with seating for four full size adults and cargo, the ride quality of a car and the image of an SUV have flocked to Crossover SUVs. It’s not a new concept but the idea really didn’t catch on until Lexus came out with their RX 300 in 1998. XUVs as they’ve come to be called are typically built off of a unitized car platform and owners really appreciate the benefits. They tend to cost less than SUVs, get better fuel economy and handle better.

Continue reading "Infiniti Announces Pricing on 2008 EX35 - $31,300 - $36,250 (to well over $40K)" »

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 09:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Infiniti G35 sedan is all new for the 2007 model year with the coupe being carried over from the previous generation. Think of the G35 as a German sport sedan from Japan. Good size, great handling, outstanding powertrain, the G35 wins against all competition in its class. This sedan/coupe duo scored particularly well for handling, exterior styling, wheel and tire size and appearance, and interior lighting. Only cargo space was rated below the segment average.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 11:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Seattle is known for rain and coffee, but the city gets its share of beautiful days complemented by a scenic backdrop of mountains, trees, and water. Infiniti picked this town for a media introduction of the latest G37 coupe. We were lucky enough to miss a ten-day rain trend and drove Infiniti's new G37 coupe through a perfect day of high 70s, clear skies, and dry roads. We reported on the Coupe Concept from the 2006 North American International Auto Show that gave us our first hint of the new generation and the formal production reveal at the 2007 New York Auto Show; now we bring you our first driving impressions.

The G37 takes the same second-generation FM rear-drive platform of the G35 sedan and that the next-generation Nissan Z and GTR will take. This is a bit backward compared with the first-generation launch schedule, when the boy-racer 350Z launched a couple of months before the G Coupe. The G coupe also introduces a new-generation of VQ engine. Larger displacement, larger bore, and variable valve timing and lift are among key elements for wringing 330HP from a 3.7L DOHC 24v V6 that betters its predecessor's fuel economy for a 18/24 city/highway rating.

The engine drives the rear wheels through an all-new five speed automatic or a revised six-speed manual transmission. Bringing 30HP more to the table, the new engine moves the G37 along with strength and grace. Despite an industry trend of more gears for automatics, Infiniti stays with five gears. The first three gears have wide ratios for maximum acceleration and response and fourth and fifth are dialed in for overall fuel economy.

The result is a very nice coupe, particularly the Sport ordered with its $1300 four-wheel active steering system. This is not at all the same as a four-wheel-drive system, which uses engine braking, traction control, ABS, and brakes to ensure traction in inclement weather or inconsistent surfaces. The sedan is offered with optional all-wheel drive, but not the coupe, and the M sedan offers rear-wheel active steering. The coupe's four-wheel-active steer improves handling, balance, and stability but does not address the issue of torque and which wheel gets more or less at any given point like AWD systems. Does 4WAS, in Infiniti speak, work? Is it worth the cost? After twenty miles of curves, we say yes and yes. The system is subtle and responsive. Diving into corners and twists can be done with a supreme confidence, and with it you could gain speeding tickets quickly.

Continue reading "2008 Infiniti G37: Refinement Doesn't Have to Mean Losing Your Edge" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 07:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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A New Infiniti Is Just Around the Corner

Infiniti's EX Concept at the New York auto show previewed a vehicle you'll find on showroom floors late this year, in plenty of time for the 2008 model year. The concept also previewed some new technology, including the next-generation of Infiniti's Lane Departure Warning (now upgraded to Lane Departure Prevention) and a system for seeing all exterior views called Around View Monitors.

Infiniti's FX has found a niche in the crossover SUV world based on its highly styled, coupe profile, but the brand missed the boat on a higher-volume entry like the Lexus RX. Though they weren't the only ones (witness the Lincoln MKX for 2007MY and the Buick Enclave for 2008MY), and this product should address the issue. Typical of most Infiniti products, the EX offers a stylish exterior and nicely designed interior. The concept highlighted a nicely executed interior design with a simply stunning level of materials that may slip a notch between now and production.

Continue reading "Infiniti EX Concept: New York Auto Show" »

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 10:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Infiniti gave us a clear idea of where the second-generation G coupe and sedan were headed in January 2006 with the Infiniti Coupe Concept at the Detroit auto show, following it up with the G35 sedan introduction at the 2006 New York show. After bringing you news of both introductions (coupe and sedan) as well as the first VehicleVoice driving impressions of the sedan in prior posts, we're able to bring you the first photos of Infiniti's image coupe. At this year's New York show, Infiniti officially takes the wraps off the G37 coupe. The show is days away, but here is the first look.

The change from G35 to G37 is no error; even as Infiniti's own homepage now only refers to models by letter, the new engine is worth calling attention to. The coupe gets the new engine, a 330HP (estimated) 3.7L V6 with variable valve timing and lift and a wide range of new or improved dynamic and convenience features. The extra power, a nice bump compared to 2007MY's 275HP or 297HP depending on transmission selected, does not carry with it a fuel economy penalty, according to Infiniti. Also new with the coupe is an Infiniti four-wheel active steering (the Infiniti M already offers rear active steer) system. Features available on the G and other 2008 model-year products include Infiniti's new hard-drive navigation or music system (MusicBox), XM NavTraffic (real-time traffic and navigation), rear-view parking camera, intelligent cruise control, and adaptive forward lighting.

Sales of the new car are set for August 2007 here in the States.

Though the production level rear styling is basically the same as the concept shown in 2006 (including LED taillights), the front lost some of the concept's angular edges and creases, to our disappointment if no one else's. The G coupe still carries a terrific profile and silhouette, where there was not much change from concept to production.

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 12:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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The Consumer Reports annual auto issue has just come out, and in it they identify their Top Picks in several different segments. Their choices are based on their vehicle tests (sample size of their staff members), projected reliability based on their (huge sample) reliability survey of prior models, and an assessment of the vehicle's safety based on government crash tests.

Why Should We Care what Consumer Reports Says?

Over years of research with American car and light truck buyers, AutoPacific has asked what influenced their purchase the most? In almost every focus group or one-on-one interview we have held, Consumer Reports is mentioned. While buyers contend that Consumer Reports does not DICTATE what they buy, the consumer magazine does help them sort through the tremendous number of vehicles available today. Sometimes Consumer Reports is accused of biasing tests against vehicles they don't like (Isuzu, Suzuki, Mitsubishi), but their large sample consumer survey is hard to beat. This year, Mercedes, in a huff because they scored poorly, said something to the effect, "Our customers vote with their wallets, not with their pencils". Bad show.

Let's see if their top picks pass the reasonableness test. The VehicleVoice reaction to their selections is shown below the fold.

Continue reading "Consumer Reports Top Picks for 2007" »

Posted by Jim Hossack at 01:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

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My family is sort of schizophrenic when it comes to vehicles. Among others, our garage includes a MINI Cooper S and a Ford Expedition. As the primary driver of the Cooper, you can easily guess how I feel about the Expedition. While I sometimes appreciate it’s utility, vehicles this big should be used for hauling vegetables, not people. When I drive it, I often gaze in wonder at its expanse of empty seats, ready to reduce my passenger miles per gallon. Yet I understand that I am clearly (still) in the minority. The US has a lot of full size SUVs with happy drivers on the road.

…Of course I’m excited about the assignment of covering the 2008 refresh of the gargantuan QX56 for VehicleVoice.

Continue reading "2007 Detroit Auto Show: QX56 Goes to Doctor 90210" »

Posted by Dan Hall at 07:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Automobile Magazine, hot on the heels of Autobytel, has just released their "2007 All-Stars Awards." Just as with the Autobytel Editors' Choice Awards, this is an award that you wonder what the validity is. Unlike the AutoPacific Vehicle Satisfaction Awards and Ideal Vehicle Awards released each summer, Automobile's award does not factor consumer input into the equation. In fact, AutoPacific's awards are purely based on consumer ratings. Automobile's award reflects their own opinion. Not all bad, but when reviewing the results, it is wise to remember that these folks are enthusiast-biased to the max.

Automobile Magazine Announces Its 2007 All-Star Awards

November 29, 2006

Each year, the editors and bureau chiefs of Automobile Magazine convene to test, evaluate, and debate the performance, significance, and pure enthusiast appeal of the cars that have made the biggest impact.

“This year, we increased the number of All-Stars from six to 10, which reflects just how brilliantly the industry is doing at providing enthusiasts with even more choice,” said Gavin Conway, editor-in-chief of Automobile Magazine. “As always, the hard part was deciding what to leave out of our constellation of All-Stars. In the end, these cars are what any connoisseur would have in their ‘dream garage.”

The 2007 Automobile Magazine All-Stars are:

* All-Star: Aston Martin V8 Vantage—This car could just about make the cut for its sensational looks alone, but it also offers a sublime driving experience and a truly inspirational engine.

* All-Star: BMW 3-Series—Remains one of the most complete cars on sale today, from its driving dynamics, quality of build, and the sheer pleasure of ownership it offers.

* All-Star: Chevrolet Corvette Z06—A friendly daily-driver that’ll leave Ferraris and Lamborghinis for dead, the Vette is an all-American hero.

* All-Star: Chrysler 300C—This one is a classic American: big V-8, rear-wheel drive, and a unique style that absolutely charms. Practical to own, too.

* All-Star: Honda Ridgeline—A clear winner with its unibody construction that gives a tight, rattle-free ride; Honda quality; and its very clever underbed trunk. [VehicleVoice note: Ridgeline had a sweep of all three AutoPacific awards for 2006... Vehicle Satisfaction Award, Ideal Vehicle Award and Motorist's Choice Award]

* All-Star: Infiniti G35—Thanks to its superbly balanced chassis, terrific grip, and a punchy powertrain, this car challenges the dominance of BMW’s 3-series.

* All-Star: Lotus Elise—An undiluted driving machine that deftly combines light weight, electrifying performance, and near-telepathic chassis response.

* All-Star: Mazda3—Terrific to drive, stylish, spacious, and capable of 155 mph in turbo guise, this proves that small cars can aspire to greatness.

* All-Star: Mercedes-Benz S-Class—One of the best-built luxury cars on sale at any price, its features technology that truly makes life easier and safer.

* All-Star: Porsche Cayman—With an extra-stiff structure, Porsche engineers were able to deliver stability, grip, ride, and composure that are just about unmatched.

Criteria and Evaluation

The Automobile Magazine All-Stars are chosen by its staff, its worldwide bureau chiefs, and its contributors, following an intensive test drive of the year’s most innovative and important new cars. Vehicles considered for the All-Stars awards combine the following traits:

* Redefines an existing category or creates a new market segment
* Provides excellent value and performance for the money
* Exhibits an exceptional design
* Offers pure driving enjoyment

Posted by George Peterson at 11:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Unlike many media/analysts, AutoPacific and VehicleVoice staffers actually have their own cars. We actually go to dealerships and buy them just like normal folks.

Two years ago just as the lease was coming due on my 2003 Ford Expedition Eddie Bauer I was driving through the local auto mall and rolled past the Infiniti dealership where they were having a fire sale on out-of-production first generation M45s. You remember the 1st M45. It was a Nissan Cedric/Gloria/Cima with "sporty" cues like a fast greenhouse and frameless door windows. The M45 had been put in the Infiniti lineup as a stopgap between the fading-fast I30 and the already faded Q45. Only a short-term proposition, Infiniti did what it could to differentiate the car and make it an "Infiniti" - did a pretty good job.

New Lease Chosen for Most Horsepower for the Buck

Frankly, I didn't like the way the car looked, but the price was too good to pass up. Turns out I have gotten into the mode of leasing vehicles based on horsepower per lease payment dollar. The 340 horsepower for the M45 made the discounted lease they were offering a real deal.

The M45 was the 1st sedan I had personally had for ten years. The previous five two-year leases had been SUVs - one Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and four Ford Expeditions. Just could not bring myself to get sixth SUV for this iteration.

On the upside, the Infiniti was very, very fast. The V8 sounded outstanding at full roar. Handling was OK. The seats with temperature controls interfering with your inboard thigh were among the most uncomfortable in the industry for few years. They were shared with the G35 and FX and thankfully they have been replaced by better seats for its most recent cars.

Continue reading "Good Bye Ol' Paint - Infiniti M45 Off Lease" »

Posted by George Peterson at 08:59 AM | Permalink

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AutoPacific take on the Win by Infiniti QX56 - The Infiniti QX56 is the overall winner of the inaugural Motorist’s Choice Award®. It also handily won the award for the Luxury Utility Vehicle class. Unique styling, luxurious interior, and powerful V8 engine combine to give the QX56 its win. Comfortable, easy to live with and distinctive, QX56 is the top Motorist’s Choice.

IntelliChoice Analysis – Having the Infiniti QX56 sit on top of the inaugural Motorist’s Choice award table gives visibility into the exact reason that we felt such a survey could be helpul for people considering a new vehicle. Here we have a vehicle that delights it’s owners and delivers great 5 year Cost of Ownership as an extra reward. The 2WD model is projected to deliver a cost of just $56,117; over $2700 less than it’s competitive set.

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 12:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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INTELLICHOICE.COM AND AUTOPACIFIC TEAM UP TO ANNOUNCE FIRST ANNUAL MOTORIST’S CHOICE AWARDS

- Awards Recognize Vehicles with Highest Driver Satisfaction and Lowest Cost of Ownership -

- Infiniti QX56 Wins Highest Rating Among All Classes/Vehicle Models -

AutoPacific, the industry source for automotive owner satisfaction ratings and IntelliChoice.com, the online source for automotive ownership cost and value analysis, today announced the results of the newly established Motorist’s Choice Awards for the 2006 vehicle model year.

IntelliChoice.com and AutoPacific created the Motorist’s Choice Awards to determine the vehicles that delivered both the highest satisfaction and lowest cost of ownership. The collaboration between the two respected firms, who have each been authorities on the U.S. car market for the last 20 years, takes selected owner satisfaction data from AutoPacific’s surveys of new car and light truck buyers and combines it with IntelliChoice.com’s rating methodology to create a new measurement that speaks to both the hearts and minds of car buyers.

“While the economic analysis of car ownership remains very important—it can save or cost you thousands of dollars over the life of the vehicle—it is also important to recognize owner satisfaction as another significant influencer in vehicle purchases,” said James Bell, publisher of IntelliChoice.com. “These are the two key benchmarks we think car buyers should be most attuned to.”

“Ratings of owners’ satisfaction with their new car and truck illustrates how well the vehicle is satisfying the emotional and practical needs of the driver. Satisfaction is more than simply how well a product is screwed together and there are many more dimensions to the equation. Combining AutoPacific’s satisfaction results with the value analysis from IntelliChoice provides the car buyer with an outstanding benchmark to use when selecting a new vehicle,” said George Peterson, President of AutoPacific.

WINNERS

For the inaugural awards, IntelliChoice.com and AutoPacific identified 29 winning models by segment and class. The top-ranked vehicles in their respective categories are:

o Cars: Lexus LS430
o Trucks: Chevrolet Avalanche 1500 (2WD)
o SUV/Crossover: Infiniti QX56
o Minivans/Wagons: Audi A6 4.2 Quattro

In terms of overall rankings, the Infiniti QX56 SUV scored highest in both driver satisfaction and lowest cost of ownership, followed closely by the Lexus LS430 sedan.

Continue reading "Motorist's Choice Awards - a New Benchmark Rating Automotive Excellence" »

Posted by George Peterson at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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If Nissan’s Xterra is a tough, rugged, and capable off-road, dust and dirt-gobbling machine providing owners with everything they need and nothing they don’t. Xterra's pavement-pounding antithesis is the Infiniti FX.

I’m now convinced that Japanese is the new German in the automotive kingdom and the Infiniti FX is a testament to that fact. Fit, finish, gaps, ride, handling, and performance; the infiniti FX has it wired. Introduced in January 2003 and given a minor facelift for ‘06 the FX is more fun and fashionable than most SUV’s, but then again it’s not technically an SUV.

Continue reading "Infiniti FX45: Everything you Want, Nothing you Need" »

Posted by Keagan Patrick at 03:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Evolutionary Improvements to Award-Winning Model
The G35 joined Infiniti's lineup for the 2003 model year and, after a relatively short four-year run, gets an overhaul for the 2007MY. On sale in November, Infiniti revealed the new sedan alongside the all-new Nissan Altima, and VehicleVoice and AutoPacific correspondents were on hand for the reveal. When the G35 was introduced, it won Motor Trend magazine's car of the year award and was a finalist for North American Car of the Year (beaten by the MINI Cooper). It also made Car and Driver's 10Best list two years running (January 2003 and 2004). It didn't make the Automobile Magazine All-Stars list or Edmunds.com's Most Wanted for 2003, but Edmunds readers did vote it in as their most wanted sedan under $35,000 for 2003MY. With the evolutionary nature of the new sedan, we wonder if it will receive similar accolades. It should in any case continue to win hearts of buyers, as its overall goodness is improved though not re-invented.

The sedan shown in New York is production form rather concept, like the Infiniti Coupe Concept in Detroit this past January. The Coupe Concept previewed the styling updates to both coupe and sedan, though the coupe is not scheduled to arrive until spring 2007 and a production version has not been shown. While striking, styling is evolutionary compared with the current design. We haven't had a chance to drive it yet, but we've been told that the updates result in a significant improvement in handling. The updated G35 gets more dramatic curves in the hood and a more aggressive lower fascia. The overall shape of the rear taillights is similar, but tweaked, and the headlights and grille take on a shape more like the M35/45.

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 10:39 AM | Permalink

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Nissan GT-R Comes to the States
Video racing games and word-of-mouth have elevated prior generations of the Nissan Skyline GT-R to iconic status, though the entry has not yet been offered in the States. This finally changes with the new GT-R. Though Nissan looked long and hard at bringing the GT-R to the States through the Infiniti channel, tradition won out. At the 2006 New York auto show, Nissan announced the 2009 Nissan GT-R will arrive in North American Nissan dealers in spring 2008. A concept version was shown at the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. AutoPacific and VehicleVoice correspondents were there to see it, and here's how it looked on Nissan's home-turf stand.

GT-R Was Almost an Infiniti
Before the announcement, speculation reported the car as both a Nissan and an Infiniti. The primary benefit for putting the car in the hands of Infiniti dealers was the luxury brand experience and that Infiniti dealers are better-equipped to deal with customers looking for a relatively expensive, high-end sports car. Nissan has the 350Z, which comes with a base price just above $40,000 when the convertible is selected. The production GT-R is likely to play in a price range closer to Chevrolet Corvette and Dodge Viper.

Based on the same platform that spawned the Nissan 350Z, Infiniti G35, and Infiniti FX SUV, the GT-R promises to capable of taking on the likes of the Lexus SC430 and Cadillac XLR. Styling is distinct from the G35/Skyline to help enable dramatically different positioning.

Posted by Stephanie Brinley at 05:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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Every April, Consumer Reports publishes its Annual Auto Issue. This is the most widely read issue of Consumer Reports by far. There is information not only on new cars and trucks, but also on cars that have been in operation for years. VehicleVoice survey research and AutoPacific survey and focus group research concludes that Consumer Reports can have a significant impact on what cars and trucks an American driver may select. When asked what information sources a person uses when deciding what car to look at, Consumer Reports is often the first source mentioned.

Consumer Reports has gone beyond simply reporting the results of the surveys of its subscribers. Now they weigh in editorially and even select a Top Ten. But those vehicles are those discussed in Consumer Reports' press releases. When you delve deeper into the April 2006 issue itself, there are many more vehicles worthy of attention. But, first for the Top Ten, as determined by Consumer Reports:

Best Sedan Less Than $20,000: Honda Civic
Best Sedan $20,000 to $30,000: Honda A