Infiniti Q45 - Third Generation F50

Third Generation F50

Introduced as a concept at the 2000 New York Auto Show, the Q45 was completely redesigned for 2002, as was the JDM Cima and the President. This Q45 focused on performance again with a new 340 hp (253 kW) 4.5 L VK45DE V8 engine, gatling gun inspired HID headlights, and sharper styling. The car featured a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Development began in 1997, with exterior designs being frozen in 1998 and patented in March 2000.

Despite good reviews, sales remained poor — just 1129 were sold in the United States for all of 2005. This Q45 has received praise from Car and Driver, Edmunds and Consumer Guide. Low sales are attributed not to the car’s overall quality or performance, but to lack of advertising and the debatable prestige of the Infiniti name.

The 2003 was given a number of under the skin upgrades including a new security system, a numerically higher final drive ratio (for better acceleration - decreasing highway fuel economy), reprogrammed TCU, and during the year, a satellite radio option. The CD player was now a one at a time feed into the dash. The Q45 received a number of upgrades for the 2005 model year, including new front and rear fascias, restyled hood and grille, restyled trunk lid, new headlight design, integrated fog lights and LED taillights. Inside were new contoured double-stitched seats, white luminescent gauge markings, chrome accents and dark maple trim. 2005 upgrades also included a recalibrated transmission and new 17" alloy wheels.

The following features were standard in the Q45: all-leather interior, power sunroof, 8-way power front seats, remote keyless entry, rain-detecting wipers and side curtain airbags. Standard electronics include: CD, 8 Bose speakers, trip computer, rear camera parking sensors and a voice-activated navigation system. The 2002 Q45 was the first vehicle to ever offer voice-activated navigation controls and a reverse parking camera outside of Japan. The car seated five and had a base price of US$56,200.

This F50 chassis and suspension is very similar to the US FY33 (1997-2001 Q45). The F50 was also used as a basis for the Y34 M45, sold in the US from 2003–2004, which was a stopgap model that could spread out the development costs of the V8 engine, and that competed primarily in the midsize luxury segment.