Well, San Diego has done it again. Nissan Design International in La Jolla has improved on the elegant, sleek 1999 Infiniti Q45 and Q45t body with subtle interior and exterior styling changes. Although conservative in its looks, this car departs from the "jelly bean" look of the rest of the Infiniti family with what can best be described as a muted European shape.
    The Q45 is one of a group of cars priced around $50,000 — Lexus GS400, Mercedes Benz E430, BMW 540, and Cadillac STS — all of which sport V-8 engines, around 260 to 300 horsepower, and go like the wind. The Q45 has a smooth, gorgeous virile-sounding double overhead camshaft, all-aluminum, 4.1 liter, 32 valve, 266 hp V-8 engine. The powerful engine, accurate, speed-sensitive steering and tight suspension make this a sporty car. If you like driving, this car will bring you a raft of tickets, it is so addictive.

Infiniti Q45

    As you zoom along, you can change the suspension settings from automatic to sporty on the fly, and although there was little difference between the settings, the Q45 cornered and handled like a sports car with either setting. It did experience a little freeway hop, but not enough to be unpleasant. The four-speed electronic transmission allowed for instantaneous rapid acceleration on demand, which is very useful getting onto freeways or just getting out of difficult traffic situations. The car just blows away from everything else on the highway. It is calmly quiet in the cabin, allowing the Bose radio renderings to be heard flawlessly. The four-wheel disc brakes haul this heavy car (4,040 pounds) down from 75 mph to zero in an impressively short distance.
    If you are a more sedate driver, the Q will purr along quietly and smoothly, hiding its rocket-ship potential. Driven like this it can be almost bland, performing tasks with such complete accomplishment it appears that it’s not making any effort. This is a full five-seater, so you can show it off when you take the office crowd to lunch.
    Aside from all the usual power-everything accessories one would expect to find standard in a luxury car, this one has a power moonroof, power rear window sunshade, traction control, anti-lock four-wheel disc brakes, prewiring for a cell phone, fog lights, alarm system, garage door opener, dual heated power mirrors, analog clock, dual front and side impact air bags, dual eight-way power leather seats, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, power trunk release and pull down and a headlight beam adjustment switch for foggy or rainy nights. All this for a base price of $48,200. You can get the Q45t (touring) with larger 17-inch wheels and sport suspension (the model tested) for $49,900. The inside and outside color options are subdued to say the least.
    The only accessories offered are a "safe and sound package" with six-disc CD changer, mudguards, wheel locks and cargo compartment mat ($940), heated front seats ($420), two tone paint ($500) and a spoiler ($510). One other option is the Infiniti Communicator, which through cellular communication and global positioning systems signals on the push of an "ambulance" or "police" button with a help desk at Infiniti that will communicate with the nearest ambulance or police department and send them to you. Also, if your air bag deploys, this communication is automatic. The cost for this option is $940.
    The warranties are impressive, four-year/60,000-mile basic; six-year/70,000-mile power train and four-year unlimited mile, 24-hour roadside assistance. Not only that. If you break down more than 100 miles from your home on a trip within the warranty period, Nissan will cover reasonable charges for a hotel, meals and general expenses until your car is fixed. Discover Infiniti of Convoy Street in San Diego, and all Infiniti dealers nationwide, offer free loaner cars for customers while service and warranty work is being performed. Fuel mileage estimates are 18 mpg city, 23 mpg highway.
    Q aficionado (there is a Q45 club in San Diego) regret the replacement of the more powerful 4.5 liter engine installed in earlier models, with the present 4.1 liter engine. Fear not. Rumor has it that the larger engine is coming back, maybe next year, although why anyone would want more power than the 1999 model offers is beyond my comprehension. The original motor is one of two motors used to power Indy 500 race cars.
    Nissan builds good, reliable, long life cars and this may be the best one yet. If you have $50,000 to spend on a car, this would be a smart buy.

Motoring since 1952, Austin Lynas has owned 54 cars and at one time raced mini-sedans in England. An aerospace engineer, he was instrumental in developing the anti-skid systems used in British military aircraft that preceded today’s ABS systems. Lynas can be reached by e-mail at osten@aol.com.