November Luxury Car Sales - Is Infiniti ready for a flagship?

No.

Putting resources to an expensive flagship during a recession would be a bad move. Infiniti has put out some great products (G35/37 sedan and coupe) and the G37 convertible looks pretty good. However, I don't think bringing back the expensive Q will help them. Between the 7-Series, S-Class, and LS, the competition is just too intense for such a small market. They are better off devoting the resources to making their bread butter sedans, coupes, and SUV's better.

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 9:41:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11   

I actually think what Infiniti needs to do is put all there resources into the refinement department......Infiniti's put out great performance basically matching the steering and handling of the benchmark BMW's but their lack on suspension compliance and quietness and feeling of refinement while driving their products shows that they need to improve in that area first before making such a large attempt on a 7-series, S-Class car......Make the G and the M an equal to the 3 and the 5 series to show the world that Infiniti is worth the purchase and give everyone the confidence that a large car is money well spent to drive a 7-series/S-Class Infiniti.

— BimmerGuyFL78 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 10:11:12 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I was thinking that Infiniti already have plans for a future flagship for the brand. The new Maxima is rather huge as compared to its past iterations.

If Nissan can use the same formula to make the new G37 from the newest Altima, then they should most-definitely do it. I flagship derived from the Maxima using that formula would be sufficient.

There was a rumor stating that the GT-R platform may be modified to provide a 4-dr super-sedan for Infiniti to compete against the Rapide, Quattroporte, Panamera, etc; but it was not intended to be the flagship.

— dumpsty (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 10:16:52 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -8   

ChuckG37, you need to get some perspective.

"Why do you think the BMW 335i has such a hard time against it? VQ engine + RWD + great tranny + Infiniti engineering = winning formula."

Infiniti has put out some GREAT products in the past couple of years (ie G35/37 sedan and coupe). However, the 3-Series is still the benchmark in its class (read pretty much any car magazine and this will be reaffirmed). Infiniti has yet to match BMW's suspension tuning and while the VQ engine is powerful, it is still harsh as the RPM's build. Don't forget that Infiniti's sell for thousands less than comparable BMW's for a reason. Infiniti's are great cars, but BMW's are still that much better.

"Actually, when you look at the BMW 7 series or Benz S class, it becomes apparent that those cars only sell because of their name / badge. The reality is that those cars are not that great."

The S-Class is the pinnacle of automotive technology (and arguably all cars). That's why people say what is in the S-Class now is what will be in every other car in ten years. The 7-Series is awfully old, but the new model looks extremely promising in both athletic performance and new technology (looks I'm not so sure yet).

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 10:45:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

http://images.automotive.com/reviews/images/98q45.jpg

vs

http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd76/belekas_2007/DSCI00012028Medium29.jpg

vs

http://www.bmwheaven.com/images/stories/image_gallery/models/7series/e38/normal_7_e38_02.jpg


chuck, i like infiniti. but i think you went a bit too far in suggesting that a mere difference in badging on the infiniti vs bmw vs benz has been the biggest factor in the german's success. please give the consumer a bit more credit. you can profess your admiration for infiniti without becoming an online punching bag, with a little restraint. welcome to autospies.

collectors will be fawning over s-classes 100 years from now, while the q45 will be practically forgoten. thats because of the car, not the hood ornament.

— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 10:54:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

ChuckG37, you also forgot to mention engines when you discussed BMW being the benchmark. Drive a G37 with its V6 back to back with a BMW with the inline 6 (whether the bi-turbo or the normally aspirated version) -- the difference is night and day. The Infiniti puts out a ton of HP and is wickedly fast, but it is coarse and rough near the redline. The I6 is amazingly smooth and linear at any RPM.

I'm 26, so I fall into your age category. Many people choose the Infiniti over the BMW because they can get a fully optioned G37 for far less money than a moderately equipped 3-Series. Other choose BMW (me included) because they feel its handling, suspension, and engines are better. It's personal preference and at the end of the day, both are great cars.

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 11:11:46 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

ChuckG37, you also forgot to mention engines when you discussed BMW being the benchmark. Drive a G37 with its V6 back to back with a BMW with the inline 6 (whether the bi-turbo or the normally aspirated version) -- the difference is night and day. The Infiniti puts out a ton of HP and is wickedly fast, but it is coarse and rough near the redline. The I6 is amazingly smooth and linear at any RPM.

I'm 26, so I fall into your age category. Many people choose the Infiniti over the BMW because they can get a fully optioned G37 for far less money than a moderately equipped 3-Series. Other choose BMW (me included) because they feel its handling, suspension, and engines are better. It's personal preference and at the end of the day, both are great cars

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 11:13:10 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The VQ engine has been on the Wards 10 best engine list every year they have made that list. What is that 16 or so years? BMW has not been on that list that long. Most manf. use the VQ as a benchmark. So it is in fact a benchmark engine.

— montyz81 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 12:21:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

I see u feel the heat from ur I-6, myself owned 2008 G35

— pchera01 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 12:30:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

monty, I was under the impression that the VQ was rewarded for its incredible adaptability. It is in everything from the Pathfinder to the M35.

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 12:39:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Chuck your clearly someone with some good points to make, good intentions, and passion for Infiniti, but you're like that guy at a meeting that everyone cringes just before he speaks. The Q may have been underrated and had some ground breaking features, but it was a failure, plain & simple.

— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 1:07:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

since when has the 335i had a hard time with the G cars, im confused, the 335i consistantly beats out the G cars, because they know there is more to this class than performance, otherwise, BMW has never been a value brand, for what reason do they need to benchmark Infiniti for that regard, ifsomeone is simply looking for value they willshop elsewhere, and besides why i have an unrefined imitation as opposed to the real car

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 2:46:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

"The S-Class is the pinnacle of automotive technology (and arguably all cars). That's why people say what is in the S-Class now is what will be in every other car in ten years."

I would argue with this.

— abcd (View Profile)

Posted on 12/4/2008 1:44:35 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

"...Very sporty, great handling and more luxury features than a Lexus LS or Benz S class."


...and where is the Q today? Oh wait, people must not want very sporty, great handling and more luxury in their flagships obviously. Oh wait, they do and they can have it right now.

— StarSearch (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 11:03:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Infiniti still needs to finesse a couple of things but overall they seem to be building better cars than Lexus. The new convertible G37 is a winner.

— E36er (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 12:19:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

The Q should come pack as a true luxury sports sedan! It should compete with the Maserati at a price that is LS ish. As a coupe, the CL is hot! They should make a performance product to compete with that as well. I would recommend closing the gap on what BMW, the S class, and the LS are missing in that segment. A true sporty looking sports sedan that will truly turn heads. Step away from conservativeness and bring it! Exotic and classy at the same time. I was never a fan of the previous Q's.

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 12:21:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I also feel that Infiniti interiors are now refined. I prefer it hands down over any BMW's blah bland and dated interior (although I am somewhat feeling the X6 interior.) The quality may be there for BMW but the execution is all wrong with the interior. There combinations suck! Their quality with Infiniti design would be HOT on the inside! Im not rough on my interiors so all of my cars held up really well in that department so maybe I am going into it biased. I have no kids or any other factors that will show me otherwise. Most of my cars have been fairly high end (BMW, Infiniti mainly)

— 0to60 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 12:24:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

First off, awesome job tallying up those sales figures - very interesting to see the comparisons. When you look at it you realize just how well Infiniti is doing with their current offerings, which is a surprise to me.

As for the Q, I think they would do better with a CLS competitor based on the GTR, as others mentioned, the flagship market is far too competitive right now.

— M35MT (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 1:10:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Having a flagship car for Infiniti would probably be a good move. However, I would be more interested in this Infiniti based off the 370Z, that would be awesome!! I agree that Infiniti puts out some amazing cars, especially the G37 coupe, which I think is just amazing!

— PerformanceGuy (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 1:16:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

They should reintroduce the Q model and take some (interior finishing) cues from Mercedes Benz or Audi (or, since they are Japanese, from Lexus). Better yet, if they can find a perfect cost/benefit equation, take some cues from Maserati. And, the new Q should not be a "luxury sport sedan". Leave the sport-sedan performance characteristics to the G or M series.

— BSBB (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 1:41:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Infiniti will suceed with the new Q because Americans are dying for change they are plenty of them that are sick of BMW, MB, & Lex and want something diff. with big balls

— AmazonPrinceIS350 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 2:01:17 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

In this day and age, what does a flagship model really provide? Seems a little antiquated especially with the push to go green.

— 100tnega (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 2:12:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

FX is a good enough Flagship. It's becoming so popular here in UAE. Especially FX50S.
S class, 7 series, LS segment is very tough, a new Q no matter how good it would be will struggle(i think that's why Acura is ignoring the segment) . Infiniti should creat new models and enter new market. something like what they already did with EX and FX. GT-R based, Infiniti badged 4 door sedan would be awesome and also 135i rival. Categories which are not crowded and are still developing gives good chances of setting strong hold.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 4:35:16 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

As I've said on this site several thousand times, I still drive a 99 Q45t and it's just as luxurious as my S class and my 645ci...I think that Infiniti went in the wrong direction w/ the next generation Q (after 2000). The Q has a great cult following. They are very good cars and have very nice rides that are similar to BMW but doesn't handle quite as good (T models have adjustable suspension though). I still get complements on my Q (when its clean..lol). I would love for Infiniti to come out w/ a replacement, but the design has to work. The last Q looks kinda of Buickish. I would take cues from MB. MB cars all look similar..ie..they all take styling cues from the S which takes styling from the Maybach..I would actually base it on the G37 and make a bigger more luxurious version, but thats just my opinion. I think it would work.

— snatchandgrab (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 5:01:53 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Kill the QX56. That is one ugly SUV.

— Dr550 (View Profile)

Posted on 12/3/2008 6:59:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

They don't have the couple of billion it would cost to develop a world class sedan.

— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 12/4/2008 5:25:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

I always chuckle when people compare the 335i to the G37. A similarly equipped 335i is $6k more than a G37. If you want to compare apples to apples, compare a $35k 328i to a $35k G37. G37 blows its doors off. It takes BMW $6k more to compete with the G37. Give Infiniti engineers $6k more to play with and then see the G37 dust the 335i. If you want to compare cars make sure they are at least close in price.

— goojman (View Profile)

Posted on 12/5/2008 7:15:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Another dumbass trying to compare a 335 to a G37. Give me $35k to spend on a BMW product and a Infiniti product. Infiniti performance wins hands down. And I stated similarly equipped which means both cars have the same options and are SIMILARLY EQUIPPED. Where does your $6k difference come from if both cars have same options? Moron. And check the Ten Best List you jackass as the G is on it. Too easy. Next!

— goojman (View Profile)

Posted on 12/5/2008 3:22:13 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I have to take up for BMW here,and I don't like them all that much.The difference is QUALITY.Infiniti gives you strong performance and good styling.Where they fall down is the quality of materials used in the construction.

— autopro (View Profile)

Posted on 12/5/2008 5:17:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1