FRANKLIN, Tenn. – INFINITI vehicles today earned two more accolades – bringing home top honors in Total Car Score's first-ever Top Scoring Car Awards. The 2012 INFINITI M bested the competition in the Luxury Sedan/Wagon category, while the INFINITI IPL G Coupe finished atop the Luxury High Performance category. The INFINITI M was also among the elite group of top three overall scorers across all models evaluated.
"We are excited for INFINITI to be honored with this new distinction from Total Car Score," said INFINITI Americas Vice President Ben Poore. "The INFINITI M and IPL G exemplify true luxury – with premium style, performance, craftsmanship and technology, they are setting the bar high in taking the inaugural top spots in the Luxury Sedan/Wagon and Luxury High Performance categories."
The Top Scoring Car Awards cover 20 major vehicle categories for model year 2012. The best car awards are based on Total Car Score's ranking formula, which offers a comprehensive evaluation of autos in every segment. A vehicle's Total Car Score is its combination of scores from all the top automotive review and rating sites. These car reviews and ratings are translated into a single Total Car Score that allows visitors to the Total Car Score website to quickly and easily compare cars. In segments where the difference between the first and second ranked car is less than two points, Total Car Score awarded two winners. For a complete list of the rankings, visit http://www.totalcarscore.com.
"We are proud to present the first Top Scoring Car Awards from Total Car Score," said Karl Brauer, founder and CEO of Total Car Score. "What sets our awards apart is that they are based on an independent and transparent scoring system. Each award is the culmination of authoritative opinion from across the automotive industry, and each is determined by raw data without editorializing."
About the INFINITI M Line
As INFINITI's halo sedan, the INFINITI M is offered in three models: M37, M56 and M35h – INFINITI's first-ever hybrid. Each embraces the essence of all things INFINITI, delivering a performance luxury experience crafted to a higher standard.
The M37 features a refined 330-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine, while the M56 utilizes a 420-horsepower 5.6-liter V8. Both engines feature INFINITI's advanced VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) system and all models are equipped with a standard 7-speed automatic transmission. The M56 engine also utilizes Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG™) technology. The M37 and M56 are available in both rear-wheel drive and with INFINITI's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. The special Sport Package, offered on rear-wheel drive models only, offers 4-wheel Active Steer (4WAS), sport-tuned suspension, Sport Brakes and 20-inch wheels and tires.
The INFINITI M Hybrid features the all-new INFINITI Direct Response Hybrid™ system – a one-motor, two-clutch parallel hybrid system delivering the performance expected from a luxury sports sedan with the fuel efficiency of a compact car. Precise, high-speed motor control technology, enabled by the powerful Lithium-ion battery, allows power to be delivered directly to the 7-speed automatic transmission. The system also utilizes an innovative Hybrid Electric Power Steering system and Electric Driven Intelligent Brake regenerative braking system, both which help conserve energy and provide a natural, enjoyable driving feel.
The INFINITI M Hybrid's exhilarating driving performance also greatly benefits from use of INFINITI's proven 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine, which paired with the 50 kW electric motor, provides a hybrid system net power of 360 horsepower. Torque figures are equally impressive, with the V6's 258 lb-ft of toque combining with the electric motor's immediately available 199 lb-ft of torque combining to provide strong performance. Fuel economy figures are rated at 32 mpg Highway, 27 mpg City and 29 mpg Combined.
About the INFINITI IPL G Coupe
The IPL G Coupe builds on the foundation of the second-generation INFINITI G37 Coupe Journey rear-wheel drive model and adds extensive modification throughout the vehicle. The unique exterior includes a dramatic front and rear bumper/fascia design with integrated fog lights and black finishers, sculpted side sills, rear spoiler and chrome exhaust tips.
Combined with the exclusive 19-inch IPL split 7-spoke graphite-finish wheels and low-profile W-rated Bridgestone Potenza RE050A performance tires, the IPL G Coupe projects a confident stance and road-ready attitude. The IPL G Coupe is offered in just two exterior colors: Graphite Shadow and Malbec Black.
The IPL G Coupe interior is designed to harmonize with the exterior styling, offering two color treatments – Graphite and Monaco Red (red interior only available with the Malbec Black exterior and 7-speed automatic transmission). All IPL G Coupe interiors include red-stitched leather-appointed front sport seats with manual thigh extension and driver's power torso and thigh support adjustment, red-stitched steering wheel, Silk-Obi aluminum trim, and aluminum pedals and footrest.
The IPL G Coupe's advanced VQ37HR 3.7-liter V6 engine's management system has been recalibrated through air-fuel mixture and ignition timing optimization, raising the maximum horsepower output point to 7,400 rpm (from 7,000 rpm). To obtain a natural acceleration feel, the torque curve from low revs to the maximum torque point (5,200 rpm) was tuned for linearity. As a result of both the exhaust system and engine management changes, the IPL G Coupe generates 348 horsepower – an increase of 18 horsepower over the non-IPL G Coupe models – and 276 lb-ft of torque (+6 lb-ft).
A new IPL G Convertible model joins the IPL G Coupe this spring at INFINITI retailers nationwide.
About INFINITI
INFINITI offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles, including the G Coupe, Sedan and Convertible, INFINITI M sedan, EX and FX crossovers, the QX full-size SUV and the all-new INFINITI JX luxury crossover. More information about INFINITI and its Total Ownership Experience® can be found at www.INFINITIUSA.com.
Total Car Score's Methodology To Compare Cars
Total Car Score utilizes the ratings from multiple automotive authorities and converts them into a simple percentage, representing what the car could have scored from each source versus what it did score. The average number from all of these sources represents the vehicle's Total Car Score. A car must have a rating from at least 5 sources to qualify as a validated Total Car Score. Recently dubbed the Rotten Tomatoes of car review sites by Forbes, Total Car Score aims to make car buying easier by giving shoppers a clear "industry assessment" of a vehicle in an easy-to-use format.
About Total Car Score
Total Car Score is an automotive research and comparison website that establishes a new industry-wide standard for ranking every car, truck, van and crossover on the market. TotalCarScore.com evaluates and ranks cars according to an aggregate score based on the most trusted automotive authorities available. The site also features original content, reviews and insights from a veteran automotive journalism and data team. For more information, please go to www.totalcarscore.com.
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Contacts:
Ray Daniels, INFINITI Product Communications, 615-722-1449
ray.daniels@infiniti.com