2001 INFINITI Q45 Press Kit

In the last year of production for this second generation model, the 2001 Q45 receives a series of interior and exterior enhancements – many of which were introduced on the special 2000 Anniversary Edition. An all-new third generation Q45 will go on sale in March 2001 as a 2002 model.

For 2001, the Luxury Model returns (replacing the Anniversary Edition). Both the Luxury Model and Touring Model (Q45t) now offer body color door handles, genuine Bird’s Eye maple wood trim, a new wood (simulated) and leather steering wheel. The 2001 Touring Model also receives standard bright-finish 17-inch wheels.

Like last year, the 2001 Q45 also features a 100,000-mile tune-up interval, front seat active head restraints, one-touch auto-up/down front windows with safety reverse, one-touch auto-open/close sunroof with safety reverse and innovative, optional Birdview™ navigation system.

Exterior Design
The 2001 Q45 continues to stand out in the highly competitive luxury sedan segment. From the strong front grille to the inversely curved C-pillar, the elegant styling of the Q45 engages the senses and conveys a message of “luxury with performance.” Items ranging from its 17-inch bright aluminum alloy wheels to Xenon headlights let it be known that performance is of equal emphasis both outside and under the hood.

One of the Q45’s most powerful design features is its distinctive jewel-like headlights, which contain two round elements per side mounted within a rectangular clear-lens frame.

The headlights themselves are a high intensity discharge (HID) type with Xenon gas bulbs and crystalline lenses. In the rear, the integrated combination lamps are revised and the license plate finisher is body-colored to provide a more elegant look.

Other exterior features include a power glass sunroof with tilt/slide feature and sunshade. The sunroof also offers a “one-touch” auto-open/close with safety reverse feature for ease of operation. Combining style, convenience and safety, the Q45’s power remote-controlled mirrors are body-color, heated and have an anti-glare coating.

Interior Design
The 2001 Q45 continues the INFINITI tradition of combining a driver-oriented cockpit with a full array of premium luxury amenities.

Interior highlights include standard leather seats, a wood and leather steering wheel (simulated wood), one-touch auto-up/down windows with safety reverse, power-operated rear sunshade, retained accessory power for the sunroof and windows, height-adjustable rear outboard head restraints, steering wheel-mounted audio switches and genuine Bird’s Eye maple wood trim on the center console and the cabin “sweep.”

Other standard features include 8-way driver and front-passenger seats, driver’s entry/exit system with two-position memory, power windows, trunk and fuel filler door releases, new rear parcel shelf tether anchors, automatic temperature control with microfiltration ventilation and rear air conditioning/heater ducts, power door locks with selective unlocking, HomeLink® Universal Transceiver and dual cupholders front and rear.

The 2001 Q45 also offers a standard Bose? 200-watt, 8-speaker AM/FM/cassette and in-dash CD player with revised steering wheel audio controls (“next” instead of “seek”). Every Q45 is pre-wired for both an optional 6-disc CD autochanger and INFINITI cellular phones.

The 2001 Q45’s optional navigation system features an industry-exclusive three-dimensional Birdview map display with an easy-to-read rolling display of roads, buildings, and other points of interest. In addition to the mapping system, the navigation screen offers touch-screen automatic temperature controls.

Using a combination of global positioning sensors, gyroscopic sensors and mapping CDs, the system is regionally oriented, focusing on where the buyer lives. Nine total CDs, available at INFINITI dealers, enable the system to work anywhere in the U.S. Updated mapping CDs with the latest routes and points of interest will also be available as they are developed.

The navigation system works with the standard Bose audio system to lower radio volume when directions are spoken. The system is housed in the center of the dashboard with the mapping controls located on the left, while the temperature controls are located on the right. The Bose audio system is directly below the navigation system allowing the driver to easily control each component.

Engine/Suspension
The Q45 offers an advanced 4.1-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 as standard equipment. The engine provides responsive acceleration, smooth and quiet operation and low maintenance, yet still appeals to performance minded drivers as an exceptional higher speed tourer when the call of the open highway beckons. The 2001 Q45 delivers responsible fuel economy of 18 mpg City/23 mpg Highway.

The engine, rated at 266 horsepower and 278 ft-lbs of torque, is mated to an advanced electronically controlled 4-speed automatic transmission. Owners will enjoy the added efficiency and value of 100,000-mile tune-up intervals.

A viscous limited-slip differential is also standard on every Q45, along with INFINITI’s Traction Control System (TCS). TCS provides excellent all-condition driving performance, automatically engaging to enhance stability and control when any one of the wheels is slipping.

The Q45’s refined suspension utilizes front struts with coil springs designed to enhance handling and stability by minimizing camber change during cornering. The rear suspension is an independent multi-link design, using three links (instead of the typical two-link design) to provide maximum tire contact with the road and superior body roll control, even under extreme driving conditions.

The Active Damping Suspension, on Q45 Touring models, offers electronically modulated shock valving control with SPORT and AUTO driver selectable settings. With the two adjustable settings, drivers can choose between a softer, more comfortable ride or a firmer ride with more road feel, depending on driver preference. It also helps improve tire-to-road surface contact for greater stability and enhanced handling control, which helps eliminate excessive body movement, as experienced during hard cornering, braking or acceleration.

Braking is provided by standard 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes with 3-channel/4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Vehicle speed-sensitive power rack-and-pinion steering is also standard. Luxury Models feature 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels with 215/60R16 V-rated tires. Touring Models offer 17-inch 5-spoke performance style bright aluminum alloy wheels with 225/50R17 tires.

Safety and Security
The 2001 Q45’s standard front-seat supplemental side-impact air bags deploy to provide coverage of both head and chest and new front seat active head restraints help prevent head and neck injuries in certain rear-impact collisions. Other standard safety features include dual front seat supplemental air bags, three-point seat belts with front seat belt pretensioners and load limiters, child safety rear door locks, child seat anchors, front and rear crumple zones, energy-absorbing steering column and knee bolsters.

Q45 comes with the INFINITI Vehicle Immobilizer. This system uses an electronically coded key, which is recognized by the ignition system. Without the correct code, the engine will not start.

Models and Options
The 2001 Q45 is offered in two models, Luxury and Touring. Luxury models come standard with almost every imaginable amenity, while the Touring Package adds a performance edge with 17-inch wheels and tires, performance-tuned suspension, a blackout grille and headlight treatment and performance-style steering wheel.

As with every INFINITI, the Q45’s long list of standard features leaves only a few options: the INFINITI in-dash navigation system, a 6-disc CD autochanger, heated seats and INFINITI Communicator.

The 2001 Q45 is protected by some of the best warranties in the industry: 4-year/60,000-mile Basic Coverage under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty; 6-year/70,000-mile Powertrain Coverage (protection for major engine and driveline components); a 5-year/50,000-mile New Vehicle Emission Control Limited Warranty; and a 7-year/unlimited mileage Corrosion Limited Warranty.

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