Cue the Q

In 2014, Infiniti choose to rename it's entire line of cars and SUVs. A risky move for sure, one that can lead to confusion (just look at what happened to Lincoln). But confusion is an understatement this time around.

Infiniti wants you think of the letter Q when you see an Infiniti.  Why Q?  I assume it's because of the Q45, which was it's first model - one that strove to be different.  And maybe that's what Infiniti wants to be again.  But there inlies the problem - they had a car model called the Q45, which was always their halo model.  Maybe they want people mistaking even their cheapest car for their halo model?

The 45 in Q45 originally stood for displacement.  And this is the next confusing bit - they now want the number just to signify a size of car or SUV.  Think Audi or Mazda.  Except they'll still use two numbers for some reason.  Maybe to look like their old naming structure?  I think the reason for this is because engine sizes are decreasing as fuel efficiency is a concern.  And with turbos flooding the market, displacement shrinks even more.  Having a Q45 one year and a Q35 the next might have some people thinking it's less of a car.  You can see this over at BMW and Mercedes, whose model names also used to refer to displacement. Nowhere is this more obvious than in the 3 Series.  The E36 328i was a top-of-the-line model with a 2.8L six. Today's 328i uses a 2.0L turbo four. You could call it a 320i, but the designation was typically a lower rung model - it's been the base model 3 Series for a while now, powered by a non-turbo 2.0L four.  Borrowed displacement it is then...

 

Inifiti QX80: New Name, Same Angry Hippo Looks

Back to Infiniti.  The displacement issue has already cropped up in a couple of ways.  The first, most obvious one centers around the QX56, which was renamed the QX80.  No - it doesn't have an 8.0L V8 now.  But now it's joined by the QX50 (previously the EX35/EX37), QX60 (briefly on the market as the JX35), and the QX70 (previously the FX35/FX45).  QX50, QX56, and QX60 are all so close when written, but are all drastically different vehicles.

And then there's the Q40 and Q50, which both used to be called the G37.  When the last G37 was up for a refresh, it happened just in time for all this Q renaming nonsense.  So when the new generation of G37 came to be, it was rechristened the Q50.  So what exactly is the Q40?  Infiniti dealers were wanting a base model to get more people in the showroom.  The Q37/Q50 being their current lowest priced model, Infiniti decided to continue making that last generation Q37 and sell it as a Q40.  The car is identical - it just has a new name 10 digits less than the QX50 so it fits in the new naming structure hierarchy.

G37? Q50? No - Q40!

Oh yeah - and the G37 coupe was renamed the Q60, but unlike the Q50 (and like the Q40), it isn't a redesigned model and was simply renamed, which may or may not mean the coupe may begin to stray farther from it's sedan roots.

G37? Q50? Q40? No - Q60!

So there you have it.  Thoroughly confusing.  Hopefully it will make more sense with time, at least until they need a model smaller than the inevitable Q10.

To Infiniti and Beyond...

Yeah - I may have used that tag line before. But these guys aren't above recycling, so why can't I be? The ironically named Japanese maker of bodykits knowns of DAMD, make the kits you see here. Turn your Infini G35 / Nissan Skyline / Nissan 350Z / Nissan Fairlady into a convincing Aston Martin ripoff from the headlights forward! Possibly a link to James Bond in here, as he's also molested many fair ladies.

To Infiniti and Beyond

This is one Pathfinder whose path should never have been found.

Fug with the Animals

The new-for-2002 Nissan Murano and Infiniti FX were - and still are in my eyes - high points in SUV design. Sleek and angular, the both look better than their replacements.

2002 - Sleek

2009 - Shriek

While still mostly attractive, both SUVs have grown more curvy and organic, in the process lost the creased wedginess that made them unique.

2002 - Understated

2009 - Overwrought

The largest offense however, are front and centre. The clean, simple face of the Murano has become an overwrought, Gigeresque metallic spider/lamprey hybrid.



Meanwhile the sculpted face of the Infiniti has gained a grimace and beady headlights that Infiniti calls the look of a "Bionic Cheetah". Remind me more of an angry warthog without it's tusks...

Bionic Cheetah, or Angry Warthog?

Continental Kit

You can only see a portion of the front, but this appears to be one of those Japanese Neoclassic cars. Possibly of the home-made variety. Gets extra fug points for the fender fenders and cow hide interior.

Attack of the Clones: Hyundai Genesis

Hyundai's first foray into the realm of near-luxury has been a relative success, achieving accolades and sales. But it hasn't exactly done so with a daring new design. Like the last generation Sonata, it's more of an attractive conglomerate than anything original. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.



I mean, what's the fault in making your car look kinda like the Lexus LS - the Genesis's "I can make a world class luxury car too" spiritual predecessor - but actually looks better? I suppose the similarity falls mostly in the appearance of the headlights and the shape of the grille.



Had the Genesis come over with it's Korean spec grille consisting of narrow, horizontal chrome bars the look would be even more similar. Speaking of that grille - it's one of the Genesis's worst features. Sure it's unique, but it doesn't look very classy. More like a chrome interpretation of a Klingon forehead. Or maybe the guided ribcage of some poor animal.


The rear end and greenhouse look in my eyes like a Japanese take on the BMW 5-Series. When looking at the rear ends of the LS, 5-Series and Infiniti M, you can see slight resemblances to all of them. Which might say more to the slightly bland appearances of all modern cars than it Hyundai's lack of originality.

Infiniti QX56

Freshly leaked onto the internet, the 2011 Infiniti QX56 replaces the last QX's blocky, slightly boring look with this new hideously swoopy version. Sadly, in the process it removes unique and interesting details, like the C-pillar rear door handles and the gentle arch to the tops of the rear doors, and replaces them with a pretty generic midsection. Up front the previous slab-like headlights and grille have been replaced with units looking like these ripped from a M45. Not exactly elegant, as the bulging hood above gives the truck a slightly neanderthal look. And those fender vents looks suspiciously like those you can buy in bulk at Wal-Mart.

Attack of the Clones: Infinidia Fugelantra

Where do you find inspiration when it's time to pen a new luxury sedan? Why, in mediocre South Korean economy cars of course. The new Nissan Fuga / Infiniti M look very similar to the Hyundai Elantra (albeit much sexier).

Attack of the Clones, Pt. 8

If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Infiniti should be proud. Kia's new for 2006 Sonata twin (the Majentis, or Optima to us Canadians) bears a striking resemblance to the Infiniti Q45. Sadly, the Kia is slightly better off as it's headlights aren't so bug-eyed. Again, I wouldn't say either are fugly. But the Kia is plagarific.

Tri-Wing Fug

A couple examples of extreme tri-spoilers. The LS has a stacked effect, while the Q45 has a sorta "spoiler-within-a-spoiler" on top of a ducktail type spoiler.

Q45, Pt. 1

Another trend in the Japanese car scene are cars that have both widebody kits and multiple headlights and/or foglights, and this car is a fine example. Although the widebody kit is relatively simple, it does have 6 foglights and is painted an interesting hue of fuschia.

So it's even more strange that the interior looks like a Ferrari threw up. Red and yellow and fuschia do not match. Well - not that that interior would match any car anyway.