2004 Detroit Auto Show: Infiniti Adds to Its All-Wheel Drive Lineup With Full-Size QX56 Luxury SUV and G35 Sedan AWD

DETROIT--Jan. 5, 2004--Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan North America, Inc., introduced two new all-wheel drive models, the QX56 luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) and the G35 sedan AWD, today at a press conference at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The QX56 goes on sale in spring 2004 and the G35 AWD, badged as the G35x, is currently on sale at Infiniti dealerships nationwide.

Infiniti Vice President and General Manager Mark Igo also announced that Infiniti had its best-ever sales year in 2003, surpassing the 100,000 unit mark for the first time, recording nearly 118,000 units sold, an increase of almost 20 percent.

"Infiniti was on a roll in 2003 and shows no signs of slowing down in 2004," said Igo. "With the new G35 Sedan AWD model currently available at Infiniti dealers and the all-new, full-size QX56 coming soon, Infiniti now has four powerful V8-equipped vehicles and three advanced, all-wheel drive platforms."

2004 Infiniti QX56

The all-new Infiniti QX56 full-size luxury sport utility vehicle joins the growing lineup of powerful rear-wheel and all-wheel drive Infiniti vehicles in the spring of 2004. It becomes the first Infiniti model assembled in North America.

The QX56 is designed to provide luxury on a grand scale, with eight-passenger seating (seven-passenger with 2nd row captain's chairs), standard features such as leather-appointed seating and DVD-based navigation system, advanced technology and a powerful V8 engine and an independent rear suspension (IRS) with load leveling - which contributes to the QX56's comfortable, composed ride quality.

Every QX56 comes equipped with a standard 5.6-liter DOHC 32-valve Endurance V8 engine, producing 315 horsepower and 390 lb-ft of torque, mated to a refined 5-speed automatic transmission. All QX56 all-wheel drive models feature an advanced, All-Mode full-time design with infinitely variable torque split (maximum 50:50 front/rear).

The new QX56's advanced safety technology features include standard supplemental curtain air bags for side impact and rollover protection for all three rows, Advanced Air Bag System (AABS), side-impact supplemental air bags (front seat mounted) and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system with Active Brake Limited Slip (ABLS).

2004 Infiniti G35 AWD

The popular 2004 G35 Sport Sedan is now available in an all-wheel drive model. The new G35 Sedan AWD model features an advanced all-wheel drive system with an active torque distribution management system with an electro-magnetic center differential. The advantage of this system's design is smooth starts and better traction and maneuverability on snowy roads and minimal compromise of rear-wheel drive performance characteristics on dry roads. Torque distribution front-to-rear is computer controlled and is variable between approximately 0:100 and 50:50 front:rear. A "Snow-Mode" switch allows the system to achieve a torque distribution ratio of 50:50 at low speeds.

Along with the addition of the AWD model, the 2004 G35 now comes with standard heated outside mirrors, 17-inch wheels on all models, a Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), standard rear viscous limited-slip differential on the Leather 6MT model and the availability of two new exterior colors - Diamond Graphite and Twilight Blue.

All 2004 G35 Sport Sedans, including the new all-wheel drive version, come standard with a 260-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine, part of the award-winning VQ engine series, and 4-wheel independent multi-link suspension. A 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode is standard on the G35 Sedan, Sedan Leather and Sedan Leather AWD models, while the Sedan Leather 6MT model features a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission.