E55 KEV

Nissan Infiniti introduced the M45 at the 2002 NY Auto Show. This car will fall between the Q45 and the G35 rear drive sedans. So this car will "try" to compete with the W211. The cars styling is not fresh or forward looking and looks dated already. The base price will be under $40k. What a joke!

hmrdwn

You sure that is not a Russian import?

Looks like something that the Soviets would have produced.

Or...maybe...Cadilac...can you say DTS...

TLWiz

I was quite surprised by this info when I saw it too. I scan many auto websies daily, and had heard nothing about it until a few days before the release. I must say, I am VERY un-impressed.

If Infiniti is trying to compete with anything, I would agree that it looks like a Cadillac DTS, or maybe even uglier, if that is possible. From the photos, the basic shape and stance is reminiscent of the last Q body, save the head and tail lights. If Infiniti considers that a fresh styling that will capture market share from anything, they have been sucking on a tailpipe. The new Q is bland at best, with no awe inspiring looks (the toys are cool, but many seem to be getting them anyway). This M45 will be powerful and ugly. I personally would rather have a less powerful car that looks better, and IS better.

Anyone else?

Beltfed

The M45 is based off the Cedric in Japan, styling has been out for several year there. I don't understand this car, it looks like something Infiniti would have put out like 6 years ago. With the sporty G35 and upcoming G35 coupe, just seems like an *** backwards thing to do.

This car will probably be around for 2 years or so, then will get redesigned or go away.

I sat in it at the autoshow, interior is ok......but don't think its going to steal too many E class sales.

Silver_Lana

All i have to say is.... WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?????

JamE55

What is the world is that?? I can't even tell what the front looks like?

vectra

Man, that thing is ugly!!

Iron Sheik

I think Bubba Sparx said best with his debut song........."Ugly"
LOL ehehehe

E55 KEV

No Way Infiniti! This car can not compete with:

MBZ E-Class
BMW 5-Series
Jaguar S-Type
Audi A6
Lexus GS
Lincoln LS

Maybe they are going for the dowdy Taurus, Buick & Oldsmobile crowd! What a mistake!

thuged_out

if this front, side and butt ugly car is going to compete with e-class, what the hell is the q45 gona compete with? S-class? lololol what a joke

bankerscot

Only real competition for Eclass is in my opinion Lexus ls430 where the qualityand standard features are terrific but the exterior is boring and the bmw 7 series where the exterior is downright ugly and weird.I only hope that the reliability and the transmission of the MB is better than my 1998 e 320 4matic.Taken the plunge and ordered the new E500

vectra

Yeah, I like the Lexus LS430 as well - very nice interior. In fact, that and the E500 were the two cars that I was deciding between...

bankerscot

Vectra you can get the ls430 ultra lux package discounted from 69k to 62.4k right now ,I am hoping the E500 comes in below this slightly....... fully loaded.We will see.

knihc2008

shouldn't the ls430 and 7series be compared against the s-class?

or am i just in the wrong forum?

Beltfed

My oldman ordered an E500....has a 00 S500 coming up in November (wants a smaller car). He did toss around the idea of an Ultra luxury package LS430, as mentioned above (the interior is real nice). From the photos, I don't even think the E500 interior will be as nice (materials wise).

But, the car is rather boring....if you put a nice set of L Sportline wheels on it, it helps (but still lacking).

The way it drives aside, the rear of the new 7 is a joke and the sleepy headlights have to go.

I think the E500 will come under $62k loaded if you don't include the Sport package or Designo package. But throw in either of these or both along with all the other toys....this car will be $70k+.

vectra

When I placed my order today, my dealer said that he believed that the nav system will be standard this year. If so, that drops the "option price" by ~2k. With that said, this goes a long way toward coming in under the #'s you mentioned for a fully loaded E500. Of course, it's all a guess at the moment...we'll know for sure in a few months...

E55 KEV

knihc2008,

You are correct! the LS430, 745i and Q45 are to be compared to the S-Class for full size luxury models. The W211 is a mid size to be compared to the GS300 & GS430.

Sean

Japanese cars may look ok, but in an accident, I'd rather be in a Benz -

MusFather

hahahaha thats funny sean!

Anyway, the Q45 is againts the E-class and the M45 will probably be some compo with the C32 AMG, cause the M45 is supposed to be a sports car and all pumped up and stuff.

-Musfather

E55 KEV

MusFather, the Q45 is not a mid-size sedan it is usually compared to the S-Class and the 7-series and the LS430 in Automotive press & magazine comparison tests. Cars compete in their respective aspects with size & volume and not their prices. The new M45 will be Infiniti's mid size sedan and this car will compete with the E-Class.

The Infiniti G35 sedan competes with the C-Class.

For at list of Q45 competitors: (the Acura RL is out of place here):

http://carpoint.msn.com/Vip/Compare/...i/Q45/2002.asp

MusFather

Hey E55 KEV

thanxs for that info man. I read a car and driver they, competed the Q45 with the e-class and 5 series. But yea, i know it is suppose to be against the big boys. And the M45 againts the S-class. But i think Q45 is not a bad car, it falls inbetween the S and the E probably, what do you think?

-Later man
-Musfather

E55 KEV

The Q45 probaly only falls close to a loaded E430 in price range. The Q45 is a true full-size luxury sedan and the E-Class is a true Mid-size sedan. Infiniti had no mid-size sedan or direct competitor to the E-Class since the demise of the J30 in 1997. This new M45 will be their direct competition to the E-Class mid-size. The new G35 sedan will compete against the C-Class and BMW 3er. The G35 look pretty good, however, that M45 is awful looking and will only sell because it will be the lowest priced V8 import.

sungulent

ugly *** car i cant belive im seeing this in mb forum

if i wanna see some ugly car i would go to ugly forum

mbz #1