Infiniti: G-Series news **Next Generation Spied (page 75)**
08-03-2006, 08:44 AM
#1002
That is looking pretty sweet for a red sedan. 10x better than the previous G35 garnet fire. I'd like to see it in a grey/silver or black with the performance 19" wheels.
08-03-2006, 12:34 PM
#1010
What Would Don Draper Do?
Originally Posted by gocubsgo55
isnt it great how an Acura board is all over an Infiniti? Goes to show what Acura's products have been lately.
08-03-2006, 02:09 PM
#1014
*sigh* pics don't show up for me. Firefox just loops and loops and loops.
08-03-2006, 02:45 PM
#1015
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Originally Posted by gocubsgo55
isnt it great how an Acura board is all over an Infiniti? Goes to show what Acura's products have been lately.
08-03-2006, 03:04 PM
#1016
Burn some dust here
I don't know why but all Infiniti's have the same effect on me. When they are introduced, I like them a lot and usually give them a 2nd or 3rd look. After a few months, I don't like them as much and don't really notice them. 
08-03-2006, 03:17 PM
#1017
Race Director
Originally Posted by 04EuroAccordTsx
All that Acura needs to do is put an VTEC V8 or iVTEC V8, get rid of FWD and have all RWD/AWD in all their models, and have a bit more torque and Acura's products will even beat Lexus.
Last edited by biker; 08-03-2006 at 03:20 PM.
08-03-2006, 03:28 PM
#1018
Originally Posted by gocubsgo55
isnt it great how an Acura board is all over an Infiniti? Goes to show what Acura's products have been lately.
We're auto enthusiasts at heart so we're always after the latest and greatest. When the new FMC TL is released in a couple of years, I wouldn't be surprised for a minute to see a similar reaction.
08-03-2006, 03:29 PM
#1019
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Originally Posted by biker
But people will not be willing to pay the extra cost that entails. Acura occupies a niche that would take a very long time and be real expensive to get out of - not something Honda is likely to do. Why would they - the factories are already running full tilt and they are making plenty of money. You only do that when things are not going so well.
I wonder if the big-3 thought the same thing when they were making money and the imports were just starting out.
08-03-2006, 03:43 PM
#1020
Originally Posted by mrdeeno
sounds like complacency to me...why should we change anything? we're making money, right?
I wonder if the big-3 thought the same thing when they were making money and the imports were just starting out.
I wonder if the big-3 thought the same thing when they were making money and the imports were just starting out.
The Big3 allowed the imports to gain traction by resting on their laurels. Honda is continuously improving their products...their 4-cylinder engines are the best in the industry; their V6 engines, though no longer the most powerful, are producing competitive hp despite their more simple sohc design. And unless they have a sales flop, which is inevitable, all their products are either the best selling in their segment, or at the top of the sales chart along with the respective sales leaders.
08-03-2006, 04:03 PM
#1021
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by cob3683
I don't know why but all Infiniti's have the same effect on me. When they are introduced, I like them a lot and usually give them a 2nd or 3rd look. After a few months, I don't like them as much and don't really notice them.
Where I live, it's all about the Big 3 ... Mustangs, etc. When you see an exotic (Ferrari, Lambo, etc of any model year) ... it always turns heads. Heck ... even if you see an Acura around, people will take a look (closest Canadian dealer is 120 miles away).I think a lot of car companies want to have that brand recognition through its shape. Lexus has "L-finesse", BMW has their grille, VW & Audi have their signature chrome (bling) grill, etc. Infiniti is going the same route ... but it appears everyone is chasing the similar silohette, making it difficult to make heads or tails on a lot of makes.
08-03-2006, 04:45 PM
#1022
Fahrvergnügen'd
Originally Posted by phile
That's a poor analogy, IMO. The big3 were complacent in every sense of the word. I wouldn't describe what Honda is doing as complacent.
The Big3 allowed the imports to gain traction by resting on their laurels. Honda is continuously improving their products...their 4-cylinder engines are the best in the industry; their V6 engines, though no longer the most powerful, are producing competitive hp despite their more simple sohc design. And unless they have a sales flop, which is inevitable, all their products are either the best selling in their segment, or at the top of the sales chart along with the respective sales leaders.
The Big3 allowed the imports to gain traction by resting on their laurels. Honda is continuously improving their products...their 4-cylinder engines are the best in the industry; their V6 engines, though no longer the most powerful, are producing competitive hp despite their more simple sohc design. And unless they have a sales flop, which is inevitable, all their products are either the best selling in their segment, or at the top of the sales chart along with the respective sales leaders.
Acura does not have a car that does that.
08-03-2006, 05:34 PM
#1023
She said: it's GINORMOUS!
^^ acura did. it was called the NSX. and they let it die.
don't worry, it'll be back....soon!
ps, new g35 is nice. let's hope nissan learnt their lesson and doesn't go cheap on the initial batch.
don't worry, it'll be back....soon!
ps, new g35 is nice. let's hope nissan learnt their lesson and doesn't go cheap on the initial batch.
Last edited by mg7726; 08-03-2006 at 05:37 PM.
08-03-2006, 05:39 PM
#1024
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Originally Posted by phile
That's a poor analogy, IMO. The big3 were complacent in every sense of the word. I wouldn't describe what Honda is doing as complacent.
The Big3 allowed the imports to gain traction by resting on their laurels. Honda is continuously improving their products...their 4-cylinder engines are the best in the industry; their V6 engines, though no longer the most powerful, are producing competitive hp despite their more simple sohc design. And unless they have a sales flop, which is inevitable, all their products are either the best selling in their segment, or at the top of the sales chart along with the respective sales leaders.
The Big3 allowed the imports to gain traction by resting on their laurels. Honda is continuously improving their products...their 4-cylinder engines are the best in the industry; their V6 engines, though no longer the most powerful, are producing competitive hp despite their more simple sohc design. And unless they have a sales flop, which is inevitable, all their products are either the best selling in their segment, or at the top of the sales chart along with the respective sales leaders.
Ur statement works for honda/acura up to the entry level luxury point, after that they are N/Existent even in suv land. Honda had the best I4 in the 90's, to use that now is out and i'm not so sure they are best considering the new gti 2.0t. Ridgeline, RL, etc not top selling yadda yadda
08-03-2006, 06:13 PM
#1025
I love cars!
The G/TL comparison is tough on Honda because they share a platform with their bread & butter sedan. the Accord. They can't do TOO much to the TL without brigning the Accord along. So, unless the Accord gets a big update, the TL is sort of stuck, while the G35 is pretty much its own man.
08-03-2006, 08:03 PM
#1026
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Originally Posted by fast-tl
The G/TL comparison is tough on Honda because they share a platform with their bread & butter sedan. the Accord. They can't do TOO much to the TL without brigning the Accord along. So, unless the Accord gets a big update, the TL is sort of stuck, while the G35 is pretty much its own man.
The G35 is built on the same basic platform as the M, FX, and Z. Had Nissan built the G35 on the Altima/Maxima platform, they'd be in the same boat (remember the I30/35?...same scenario).
The difference is the TL is built on the same platform as the accord, and therefore has the same limitations as any FWD family sedan platform would.
08-04-2006, 08:39 AM
#1027
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As with the past version about the only thing that would keep me from getting a G35 is the milage. I don't need 300HP, I won't use it to race kids at stop lights - I will use it for commuting and family trips. The HP wars are peaking but Nissan hasn't gotten the memo yet. Nissan is making a mistake by not offering some other less potent drivetrain.
08-04-2006, 08:43 AM
#1028
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Originally Posted by biker
As with the past version about the only thing that would keep me from getting a G35 is the milage. I don't need 300HP, I won't use it to race kids at stop lights - I will use it for commuting and family trips. Nissan is making a mistake by not offering some other less potent drivetrain.
They do need an Infiniti car that will compete with the 328i, A4 2.0, TSX, and S40. Like I said a few months ago maybe a G25 or G30?
Not related, but when is the Infiniti Cx coming out?
08-04-2006, 09:50 AM
#1029
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Originally Posted by biker
As with the past version about the only thing that would keep me from getting a G35 is the milage. I don't need 300HP, I won't use it to race kids at stop lights - I will use it for commuting and family trips. The HP wars are peaking but Nissan hasn't gotten the memo yet. Nissan is making a mistake by not offering some other less potent drivetrain.
That's why toyota has their bread-n-butter line of cars for commuting and family trips with decent mileage, then have Lexus for people who care less about mileage and more about other things such as luxury.
That's why Nissan has their bread-n-butter line of cars for commuting and family trips with decent mileage, then have Infiniti for people who care less about mileage and more about other things such as sportiness.
That's why Honda has their bread-n-butter line of cars for commuting and faimly trips with decent mileage, then have Acura for people who...er...care about commuting and family trips.
08-04-2006, 10:55 AM
#1030
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Originally Posted by 04EuroAccordTsx
All that Acura needs to do is put an VTEC V8 or iVTEC V8, get rid of FWD and have all RWD/AWD in all their models, and have a bit more torque and Acura's products will even beat Lexus.
08-04-2006, 11:49 AM
#1031
Senior Moderator
Originally Posted by mrdeeno
Uh, sounds like you should get an accord or something...
That's why toyota has their bread-n-butter line of cars for commuting and family trips with decent mileage, then have Lexus for people who care less about mileage and more about other things such as luxury.
That's why Nissan has their bread-n-butter line of cars for commuting and family trips with decent mileage, then have Infiniti for people who care less about mileage and more about other things such as sportiness.
That's why Honda has their bread-n-butter line of cars for commuting and faimly trips with decent mileage, then have Acura for people who...er...care about commuting and family trips.
That's why toyota has their bread-n-butter line of cars for commuting and family trips with decent mileage, then have Lexus for people who care less about mileage and more about other things such as luxury.
That's why Nissan has their bread-n-butter line of cars for commuting and family trips with decent mileage, then have Infiniti for people who care less about mileage and more about other things such as sportiness.
That's why Honda has their bread-n-butter line of cars for commuting and faimly trips with decent mileage, then have Acura for people who...er...care about commuting and family trips.
Biker made a great point but I think you missed it. Infiniti's competion offers less potent versions of their entry level cars. A G30 could only help the line IMO. Lure them into dealers with 300HP but have most of them leave with 250-260. BMW, Audi, MB and Lexus do this very effectively. And TSX and IS250 sales (3.5K per month +) have proven it works.
Why should someone who has a family to haul have to settle?
And har, har at the Acura comment.
08-04-2006, 11:55 AM
#1032
Race Director
Originally Posted by dom
Biker made a great point but I think you missed it. Infiniti's competion offers less potent versions of their entry level cars. A G30 could only help the line IMO. Lure them into dealers with 300HP but have most of them leave with 250-260. BMW, Audi, MB and Lexus do this very effectively. And TSX and IS250 sales (3.5K per month +) have proven it works.
Why should someone who has a family to haul have to settle?
Why should someone who has a family to haul have to settle?
08-04-2006, 12:06 PM
#1033
Well the pics are finally loading up for me.I just don't like that silver trim on the top of the trunk, it distracts from the design rather than integrate into the design.
Otherwise it looks like a more refined version of the current model. And I know the Infiniti had those L shaped headlights prior to the Mercedes CLS, but wow do these two look similar.
Otherwise it looks like a more refined version of the current model. And I know the Infiniti had those L shaped headlights prior to the Mercedes CLS, but wow do these two look similar.
08-04-2006, 12:58 PM
#1034
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Originally Posted by dom
Biker made a great point but I think you missed it. Infiniti's competion offers less potent versions of their entry level cars. A G30 could only help the line IMO. Lure them into dealers with 300HP but have most of them leave with 250-260. BMW, Audi, MB and Lexus do this very effectively. And TSX and IS250 sales (3.5K per month +) have proven it works.
Why should someone who has a family to haul have to settle?
And har, har at the Acura comment.
Why should someone who has a family to haul have to settle?
And har, har at the Acura comment.
My point is that a 300hp entry level premium-brand car isn't targeted at just the masses, unlike Accord, Camry, and Altima, which are more broad-based "family-first" cars.
I feel the reason that BMW, Audi, MB and Lex can offer lower power (and hence cheaper) alternatives of their entry level cars is not to attract the "family" person that doesn't want to settle...they want to attract the people who want to buy that "brand" for the image, but at a lower base price.
08-04-2006, 01:14 PM
#1035
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Originally Posted by mrdeeno
They don't have to settle...people who have a family to haul have many great choices...Accord, Camry, Altima, Maxima...and some of those are even sportier or plusher than needed for a commute or family trip.
My point is that a 300hp entry level premium-brand car isn't targeted at just the masses, unlike Accord, Camry, and Altima, which are more broad-based "family-first" cars.
I feel the reason that BMW, Audi, MB and Lex can offer lower power (and hence cheaper) alternatives of their entry level cars is not to attract the "family" person that doesn't want to settle...they want to attract the people who want to buy that "brand" for the image, but at a lower base price.
My point is that a 300hp entry level premium-brand car isn't targeted at just the masses, unlike Accord, Camry, and Altima, which are more broad-based "family-first" cars.
I feel the reason that BMW, Audi, MB and Lex can offer lower power (and hence cheaper) alternatives of their entry level cars is not to attract the "family" person that doesn't want to settle...they want to attract the people who want to buy that "brand" for the image, but at a lower base price.
08-05-2006, 04:53 PM
#1036
I love cars!
Originally Posted by mrdeeno
I don't agree...
The G35 is built on the same basic platform as the M, FX, and Z. Had Nissan built the G35 on the Altima/Maxima platform, they'd be in the same boat (remember the I30/35?...same scenario).
The difference is the TL is built on the same platform as the accord, and therefore has the same limitations as any FWD family sedan platform would.
The G35 is built on the same basic platform as the M, FX, and Z. Had Nissan built the G35 on the Altima/Maxima platform, they'd be in the same boat (remember the I30/35?...same scenario).
The difference is the TL is built on the same platform as the accord, and therefore has the same limitations as any FWD family sedan platform would.
08-05-2006, 04:58 PM
#1037
I love cars!
Originally Posted by mrdeeno
They don't have to settle...people who have a family to haul have many great choices...Accord, Camry, Altima, Maxima...and some of those are even sportier or plusher than needed for a commute or family trip.
My point is that a 300hp entry level premium-brand car isn't targeted at just the masses, unlike Accord, Camry, and Altima, which are more broad-based "family-first" cars.
I feel the reason that BMW, Audi, MB and Lex can offer lower power (and hence cheaper) alternatives of their entry level cars is not to attract the "family" person that doesn't want to settle...they want to attract the people who want to buy that "brand" for the image, but at a lower base price.
My point is that a 300hp entry level premium-brand car isn't targeted at just the masses, unlike Accord, Camry, and Altima, which are more broad-based "family-first" cars.
I feel the reason that BMW, Audi, MB and Lex can offer lower power (and hence cheaper) alternatives of their entry level cars is not to attract the "family" person that doesn't want to settle...they want to attract the people who want to buy that "brand" for the image, but at a lower base price.
08-05-2006, 05:18 PM
#1038
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Originally Posted by fast-tl
Yout hit it on teh head. The reason those other marques have "entry" powertrains is because their customer base would be much smaller without, due to $$$. Infiniti already has value in its corner, so it doesn't need a "loss leader" model just some people can afford to be their customer.
Infiniti should eventually consider a lower model as its models become more and more expensive, but a premium brand starting at mid $30k's isn't that expensive yet...doesn't the IS250 start around that much?
Inf and Ac don't have people who want the car for the badge yet, so offering a lower model before establishing their image would dilute their name too much...hence the killing of the RSX.
08-06-2006, 09:53 AM
#1039
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Originally Posted by mrdeeno
My thoughts exactly...these other automakers may offer lower HP trims, but I think it has nothing to do with satisfying people who don't need 300hp, it's to satisfy people who want to buy a Lexus or BMW for mid-$35k. It's only a result of costs limitation that makes these cars lower HP, so they can meet their target retail price and still make money.
Infiniti should eventually consider a lower model as its models become more and more expensive, but a premium brand starting at mid $30k's isn't that expensive yet...doesn't the IS250 start around that much?
Inf and Ac don't have people who want the car for the badge yet, so offering a lower model before establishing their image would dilute their name too much...hence the killing of the RSX.
Infiniti should eventually consider a lower model as its models become more and more expensive, but a premium brand starting at mid $30k's isn't that expensive yet...doesn't the IS250 start around that much?
Inf and Ac don't have people who want the car for the badge yet, so offering a lower model before establishing their image would dilute their name too much...hence the killing of the RSX.
08-06-2006, 12:09 PM
#1040
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Originally Posted by biker
Maybe you haven't grasped the implication of $3+/gal of gas - even people who can afford the gas just don't want to buy a gas guzzler - it has nothing to do a lower price. Most 325s (soon to be 328) are optioned the same way as the 330 (soon to be 335). Lots of folks buy the 325 cause they just don't need the power of the 330, not because they can't afford the 330. This might become even more so now that BMW has gotten into the HP wars and the difference between the 328 and 335 is so large.
325 fuel economy - 20/30
330 fuel economy - 20/30
Sure, there will be real world differences, but how much do you think that adds up to over a year? if BMW priced the 330 at 325 prices and got rid of the 325, do you think anyone will not buy it because it has "too much" hp, or cost a hundred or so more dollars a year in gas? If the fuel cost difference between a 325 and a 330 is that significant to someone, they shouldn't be shopping BMWs in the first place. They buy a 325 because they can get the badge and some of the BMW virtues at a cheaper price.
Lexus IS250 (auto) - 24/32
Lexus IS350 (auto) - 21/28
Let's look at highway difference since its greater. If someone opts for the 250, they'd get a "bonus" of about 70 more miles per tank of gas (4mpg x 17.1g = 68.4m). Since most people fillup before using all 17.1g, the difference would actually be less, but will overestimate for the sake of argument.
For the same mileage, the 350 would need about 2.5 more gallons per fillup, so at $3/gal, the IS250 owner is saving $7 per fillup. Assuming weekly fillups, 52 weeks x $7 = $364 yearly difference between owning these two cars. If this is a budget buster for someone, they shouldn't be buying a Lexus in the first place.
The actual real world mileage will be differnet, but the gas savings of a 250 over a 350 will still be about the same.
people aren't buying the IS250 because it offers better gas mileage or has less HP...they are buying it because the price is lower for the badge and other lexus virtues.
further, let's say Infiniti DOES offer a lower HP version that saves about 5mpg...but offers it for the same price as the 300hp version. Do you think people would buy it because they don't need 300hp and want the gas savings?
Last edited by mrdeeno; 08-06-2006 at 12:13 PM.