Infiniti Named as an Official Corporate Partner of the 2010 NCAA® Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and CBS Sports

Expanded Presence in Men’s College Basketball Includes Exclusive ”Inspiration” Vignettes and Sponsorship of CBSSports.com’s marquee “Infiniti Bracket Challenge”

Infiniti continues to expand its substantial presence in men’s college basketball with the announcement that Infiniti is an “Official Corporate Partner of the 2010 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship and CBS Sports.” The agreement with CBS Sports follows Infiniti’s recent multi-level, multi-platform sponsorships with ESPN, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), the SEC (Southeastern Conference) and the Big Ten Conference.

Infiniti also is creating, in conjunction with CBS Sports, original-content custom on-air features that bring inspired college basketball and coaching stories to viewers during CBS Sports’ broadcasts.

“This is our second year of involvement as a major sponsor of college sports through individual conference partnerships and now, what we believe is one of the most exciting sporting events of the year, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship on CBS Sports,” said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit. “The tournament on CBS Sports is also the ideal showcase for the broadcast debut of our all-new 2011 Infiniti M performance luxury sedan and our message, ‘Inspiration changes the game.’”

As part of its ongoing relationship with CBS Sports, Infiniti is the exclusive sponsor of CBSSports.com’s marquee “Infiniti Bracket Challenge,” which attracted 1.1 million players in 2009. The winner of “CBSSports.com Bracket Challenge presented by Infiniti” will be awarded a new 2011 Infiniti M sedan. Fans can sign up now for their bracket challenge at CBSSports.com.

Infiniti also supports NCAA.com’s “March Madness on Demand” throughout the NCAA Championship Tournament (7.5 million unique visitors in 2009).

“We’re bringing together the strong consumer interest in the all-new 2011 Infiniti M, which goes on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide on March 18th, with the large national audience for the tournament,” said Poore. “The timing and synergy of the two events couldn’t be better for the launch of the latest and most advanced addition to the Infiniti lineup.”

The Infiniti M, which features inspired technology such as the world’s first Blind Spot Intervention™ System, is available in M37 and M56 model designations and with rear-wheel drive or with Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.

 

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The Infiniti G: Brains and beauty
Infiniti convertible looks good with top up or down and can handle any road

Scott Burgess: Auto review

The addition of the hardtop has transformed convertibles from Sunday summer strollers to everyday drivers.

For the most part, they look like regular cars, drive like regular cars and generally feel like them. But then touch a single button and the three-piece roof folds up smartly into the trunk, and all of sudden everything ordinary becomes better. For those who want it all, hardtop convertibles make it possible.

Earlier this year, Infiniti introduced the 2009 G convertible. The word "ordinary" and "regular" never should be used when mentioning this vehicle. Things like "great" and "beautiful" should be said often. Top up, top down, the G convertible is just as nice in January as it is in July.

Infiniti, the luxury brand of Nissan Motor Co., on the whole seems to have found its identity in recent years. Throughout its sporty lineup, there's a flowing feel to the vehicles as they mix sweeping curves with high-tech luxury. The G convertible is merely Infiniti's next step after producing the stellar G37 coupe and sedan. It's as it should be -- a progression of luxury.

Under the long, graceful aluminum hood is Infiniti's 3.7-liter aluminum V-6. The 325-horsepower engine lets the driver toss the car around with glee. The seven-speed automatic transmission pushes through the gears so quickly, you hardly notice when you're in seventh.

If that's too fast, then use the magnesium paddle shifters to wind out each gear and take advantage of the car's full 267 pound-feet of torque. The car can transform from sleepy cruiser to near rocket ship at the click of a paddle. (There's also a manual six-speed transmission for drivers who prefer to drive more and steer less, but the automatic seems to fit this car's style more. Not every car needs to be a beast at a traffic light.)
A quiet ride

There's a sophisticated feel to the G convertible that defies description. The car's performance is much more mature than its age. (The first G37 arrived in 2002.) On the road, it feels a little heavy and planted. It weighs just a hair over 4,000 pounds, but the pounds are nicely spread around -- with a 52 percent to 48 percent front-to-rear weight ratio. The independent suspension holds the car to the road and lets a driver push through corners faster and faster. Push this car too hard and you'll swallow your gum. The back end will push back and slide a little, but the vehicle's dynamic control and traction control will help straighten out your line.

The rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensitive power is nicely tuned to provide firm feedback and nice return to center, but also makes parking easy. The long wheelbase glides over bumps and concrete seams with never a hassle. Most of all, when the top is up, the G convertible is extremely quiet.

Long gone are the days when a convertible top flapped in the wind, providing the feeling that the top was down. I tested the G convertible during warmer months, but it would easily hold up to a Michigan winter. The only limitation would be the rear-wheel drive, which provides fun on snow and ice, but not necessarily safety.

Muffling outside noise is one of the hallmarks of luxury. People need quiet and time to think -- and the G convertible provides both. If everyone would drive around in a quiet car, and just sit and think for a few minutes every day, the world would be a better place. Infiniti is doing its part.

Sensing danger

The G convertible also takes over some mindless driving habits, freeing the driver to concentrate on more important things. The optional intelligent cruise control with preview braking will adjust the car's speed to the traffic in front while also looking out for dangerous situations. If it senses one, it pre-charges the brakes -- meaning as soon as you tap the pedal, the ventilated discs and calipers will spring into action.

Really, the G convertible performs much better than people might suspect, but that's only because it's so beautiful.

The front end stretches the car's body, and the L-shaped headlamps look like they stretch nearly all the way back to the driver. The Xenon headlamps are on par with those on the very best luxury cars, transforming glass and light into jewelry.

The well-proportioned body cuts the overhangs in the front and rear, providing it with a 112-inch wheelbase and taut stance. The wheels are stuffed into the curvy fenders, which are delicately flared. The wedge-like profile makes the G convertible look as if it's a cat ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey.

Then, take the top down and listen to every one say, "G, that looks nice."

Its beltline now takes on a much sharper look, and a parallel line below it cuts from the front fender all the way to the taillight.

Many convertibles have a tendency to bulk up on the backside, as they have to create space for the roof. This Infinity, however, remains slender from front to rear.

Front seats are heated

The interior combines performance and luxury. The leather seats are well-bolstered and very comfortable. Heating is standard on the front seats; ventilated seats are available as an option. Convertible-lovers know the benefit of both features. The optional 13-Bose-speaker stereo system sounds great with the top up or down, and most of the features seem oriented toward the driver. There is Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operation, as well as voice recognition for operating the stereo, climate and optional navigation systems.

The controls on top of the dash for the navigation system take some time to learn to operate. And while the overall look of the dash and instruments feels elegant, Infiniti uses a little too much silver plastic around the center console and dash. It detracts from the car's beauty instead of enhancing it.

There also is an easy-to-use button to move the seats forward for easy access to the cramped second row. While the sedan can carry five people, the convertible is designed for only four. Then again, when was the last time you loaded up four adults into your current ride?

In the past, it took sunny days for convertible owners to grin. With the Infiniti G convertible, it doesn't matter what season it is. This car is ready for all of them.
 

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Infiniti Confirms M35 Hybrid Production

Infiniti today confirmed that its first production hybrid vehicle will be part of the recently announced line of 2011 Infiniti M luxury performance sedans, which are scheduled to go on sale in spring 2010 at Infiniti dealers nationwide. The Infiniti M35 hybrid is expected toarrive about 12 months later as a 2012 model. It is Infiniti’s first hybrid in its 20-year existence, as well as the cleanest and most economical car in Infiniti’s history.

Realizing the high performance/low emissions promise of the recent Infiniti Essence concept car, the M35 Hybrid has been designed and engineered to add to, not take away from, the driving experience, a key part of any Infiniti’s appeal. The M35 Hybrid is based on the all-new M, which itself picks up styling cues from Essence, the show-stopper that made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show early in 2009.

The M35 Hybrid maintains a high performance luxury sedan profile,overlaying it with the fuel economy and CO2 emissions of a smaller car,while delivering driving flair to please any enthusiast – complete with charismatic V6 and rear-wheel drive handling.

Infiniti’s hybrid system, developed solely within Infiniti’s parent group, is a single electric motor/twin clutch arrangement. Innovatively, the first clutch is installed between the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 and the electric motor. The result of this configuration, where all components act on a single prop shaft to the rear differential, is a consistent driving feel under all conditions with linear performance and the “direct responses” that the engineers sought.

The electric motor acts as both propulsion unit, boosting the V6 in“power assist” mode when maximum acceleration is required, and also asa generator. Along with charging the battery in the normal way, the motor recovers energy otherwise lost during deceleration and braking.

The M Hybrid can also run solely on its electric motor in certain driving conditions, furthering fuel efficiency and optimizing energy usage across the widest possible range of driving conditions. Details of driving range, performance and transmission will be released later.

As expected of Infiniti, several new technologies are introduced in the new M35 Hybrid, including a “laminated” lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack that is the same size as conventional batteries but offers twice the power. Lamination enhances the pack’s cooling performance, while temperature stability is further improved by the use of manganese positive electrodes. An end result of this is exceptional battery reliability.

The M35 Hybrid joins conventional engine-equipped 2011 M versions –including a new high-performance diesel V6 for Western Europe – as the first Ms to be sold across all of Infiniti’s world markets, currently33 countries. All of the new-generation Infiniti M models are on target to beat their predecessors on fuel consumption and emissions – despite across-the-board performance improvements – thanks to a range of efficiency-enhancing measures.

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Revealed: The All-New 2011 Infiniti M

August 14, 2009 – The all-new 2011 Infiniti M was revealed today at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the famed celebration of timeless automotive design. Infiniti Senior Vice President and Design Director, Shiro Nakamura, unveiled the completely redesigned M in a dynamic 3D digital presentation showing how the M has been transformed through natural inspiration and passionate craftsmanship into a luxury sedan of sculpted form and rejuvenating refinement.

Inside the new M, meticulously crafted leather materials and wood accents-sanded and polished by hand-are fused with vividly modern design and advanced technologies. Outside, the lines of its unique double wave hood and sculpted body panels flow with organic grace, while its athletic stance hints at thrilling performance. Powering it will be the 3.7-liter VVEL V6 producing more than 320 horsepower, or an all-new 5.6-liter VVEL V8 producing more than 400 horsepower. The new M also demonstrates Infiniti's continued leadership in technological innovation. The 2011 M will feature an industry-first blind spot intervention system that warns of vehicles next to you and assists in returning the vehicle to its original lane. To view this exciting reveal, and find out more about the new M, select the link below.

See the all-new 2011 Infiniti M

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AutoPacific's Research Reveals the Most Highly Recommended Vehicles - Infiniti G37 recommended the highest!

TUSTIN, Calif. (May 12, 2009) - Who do you go to for advice when buying a new car? What about owners themselves? AutoPacific has just analyzed recommendation intentions from 25,000 new-car owners, and the results offer interesting insights.

AutoPacific, which has provided automotive analysis to carmakers since 1986, bases its findings on a just-completed comprehensive survey of more than 25,000 consumers who purchased or leased new cars or light trucks in the period from September to December 2008.

"Typically, car buyers are very pleased when they first drive their new car off the dealer lot. But just as a vehicle's worth depreciates over time, some car owners' level of confidence depreciates," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "We have quantified their level of confidence to see which new car owners will recommend their model most and this is information which will help new car shoppers make informed, confident buying decisions. While many owners can be happy with their new cars, it takes another level of confidence to recommend it."

Porsche leads as the top brand in a close race, with the highest owner recommendation of 91%. "Porsche owners' feelings for their cars run deep, some might call it devotion," says Peterson. "Clearly that is still the case as the Porsche line-up all scored well in this survey."

The vehicle - car or truck - registering highest overall satisfaction in 2009 is the Infiniti G37, which was recommended by 95% of new owners. The truck with the highest overall satisfaction score is the Ford F-150 recommended by 89% of its owners. In a tie, the SUVs with the highest overall satisfaction score are the GMC Yukon XL and Honda CR-V recommended by 93% of their owners.

At the manufacturer level, multiple top-ranked award winners include: Toyota with eight top rankings (Toyota 6, Lexus 2), Ford with six (Ford 5, Lincoln 1), Honda with three and both General Motors and Chrysler with two (Chevy 1, GMC 1) (Dodge 1, Jeep 1).

AutoPacific's research objectively measures owner recommendations with newly purchased or leased passenger cars or light trucks by ranking new owners' responses to the question "Would you recommend your new vehicle to a friend or relative? Scores are based on the responses, ranging from "Yes, definitely," "Yes, with reservations," or "No."

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EX earns TOP SAFETY PICK from Insurance Institute for Highway Safety

Affording "superior overall crash protection among vehicles in its class," the all-new Infiniti EX35 has earned an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2008 and 2009. With a highest rating of good in the Institute's front, side, and rear tests and standard Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), the EX35 was praised by Institute president Adrian Lund as a "leader in its class for state-of-the art-safety."