Vehicle Overview When it appeared at the 2004 New York International Auto Show, Infiniti called the 2005 Q45 a “redefined” premium luxury sedan. The rear-wheel-drive Q45, which serves as the company’s full-size flagship, has a more distinctive, more aggressive exterior appearance.
In addition to an exterior face-lift, the Q45 gets new interior and convenience features. New contour seats and rain-sensing wipers have been installed. The five-speed-automatic transmission has been recalibrated, and the automaker promises better downshift response and smoother acceleration in the revised version. The previously optional performance-tuned active damping suspension is now standard on all models.
Exterior For 2005, the Q45 gets new front and rear fascias, a restyled hood and grille, new headlights and a different deck lid. LED taillamps are installed, and the body is adorned with chrome trim. Luxury models can have new 17-inch wheels with a titanium-colored finish.
The heated mirrors have a memory function and a selectable tilt-down feature when in Reverse gear. The driver’s mirror dims automatically. New for 2005 is a trunk lid that opens and closes automatically.
The Q45’s seven-lens high-intensity-discharge headlights are among the most powerful in the world. Alloy wheels hold 17-inch tires on the Luxury model and 18-inch wheels on the Premium model. A tire-pressure monitor is standard, and run-flat tires are optional.
Built on a 113-inch wheelbase, the Q45 is 200.8 inches long overall, 58.7 inches tall and 72.6 inches wide. Two new metallic exterior colors are available on 2005 models.
Interior The Q45 seats five occupants. Sport contour double-stitched seats, a pure white gauge cluster and a metal gearshift bezel are new for 2005. Dark maple wood and chrome accents decorate the interior. The DVD-based navigation system has a 7-inch screen and a RearView monitor that provides a view of the area behind the car when backing up.
Heated front seats are standard. Cooled and heated front seats and Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking are optional. Power heated rear seats are included in the Premium model. The 300-watt Bose audio system has eight speakers, an in-dash six-CD changer and a cassette player. Either XM or Sirius Satellite Radio can be installed. A power rear-window sunshade and manual rear-door window sunshades can be installed in the Q45.
Under the Hood Infiniti’s 4.5-liter V-8 develops 340 horsepower and 333 pounds-feet of torque. It works with a five-speed-automatic transmission.
Safety Antilock brakes have vented discs all around. The brakes feature electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist that can help in emergency braking. Seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side curtain-type airbags are standard. New front “pre-crash” seat belts tighten under emergency braking to enhance the driver’s seating position. The front seats have active head restraints. Vehicle Dynamic Control improves stability.
