Nissan and Infiniti at 2004 NYIAS

NEW YORK (April 2004) – Infiniti lead the way at the 2004 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) with the world debut of the sensuous M45 Concept and the revamped 2005 Q45 Luxury Performance Sedan. Then, it was Nissan’s turn with the dramatic introduction of the all-new 2005 Xterra sport utility vehicle (SUV). The mud-covered Xterra drove up the steps of the stage, and then was washed down in 15 seconds by a shower of 500 gallons of water. Nissan also revealed an exciting new 2005 Altima model – the Altima SE-R.

Infiniti announced that the M45 Concept will be a production model for 2006 (on sale in spring 2005), while the Q45 goes on sale nationwide in July 2004. The rugged Xterra hits Nissan dealerships in early 2005 and the Altima SE-R will be available in mid-September 2004.

“Nissan as a company is building a solid reputation as a design, performance and technology leader, and the product introductions made here in New York continue to help shape that reputation,” said Jed Connelly, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Nissan North America, Inc.

Also speaking at the unique back-to-back press conferences were Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division, and Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division.

More details on the vehicles introduced at the NYIAS follow.

M45 Concept The Infiniti M45 Concept not only gives a look at the next generation M45 sedan, but also the future design direction of Infiniti. The M45 Concept vehicle captures the essence of the current Infiniti M45 – including its sense of elegance, distinction and driving pleasure – while advancing its high levels of sensuous style, engaging technology and driving excitement.

The M45 Concept optimizes both luxury and sport styling to create a dynamic visual appeal. The exterior design features a low, aggressive hoodline, which flows into the anchored shoulders and contributes to the sporty, powerful silhouette. Inside, the interior is highly expressive, combining a driver-oriented cockpit with an Infiniti level of luxury and design detail.

At the heart of the M45 Concept is the high-performance power of the advanced 4.5-liter DOHC V8 currently used in the Infiniti Q45, M45 and FX45. For use in the M45 Concept, it produces 340 horsepower and is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission with short-throw performance shifter and manual shift mode. Advanced technology is abundant on the M45 Concept – starting with a new active rear control suspension system, which helps improve vehicle handling performance by adjusting the geometry of the rear according to steering input and vehicle speed. Also featured on the M45 Concept is a new Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system, which warns the driver of a pending, unintended lane departure.

2005 Q45 Infiniti’s flagship Q45 premium luxury sedan receives a more distinctive, more aggressive exterior appearance for the 2005 model year, including new front and rear fascias, restyled hood and grille, new headlight design, new integrated fog lamps, restyled trunk decklid and finisher, LED taillights and new fine-line chrome trim throughout.

Inside, the Q45 adds to its luxury appearance with new sport contour, double-stitched seats, new pure white meter cluster and soft touch control cluster paint, an all-new metal shifter bezel, metal knobs and rich genuine maple wood and chrome accents.

The 2005 Q45 continues to provide a vast array of standard and available performance and technology features, including a 340-horsepower 4.5-liter V8 engine, voice-activated controls, DVD navigation system with 7.0-inch LCD information display screen and RearView monitor. Other available features include climate controlled seats and Intelligent Cruise Control with Preview Braking.

In addition, the Q45’s advanced 5-speed automatic transmission has been recalibrated for improved downshift response and smoother acceleration. The Q45’s performance-tuned active dampening suspension, previously available only on the Premium Package, is now standard on all 2005 Q45s. A new 17-inch wheel design with a titanium-colored finish is offered on Luxury models.

2005 Xterra The all-new 2005 Nissan Xterra continues the theme of the original – everything you need, nothing you don’t. But now truer than ever.

The enhancements for the second generation Xterra, all in keeping with the spirit of the first, include more power, more roominess and more utility. The new Xterra also offers greatly improved off-road performance, a new 4.0-liter V6 and an all-new rugged, fully boxed all-steel frame.

The new Xterra utilizes a modified version of the “F-Alpha” platform, developed for the full-size Nissan Armada and full-size Nissan Titan pickup, tailored to suit this application. For its use in Xterra, the platform utilizes an independent double-wishbone front and rigid leaf spring rear suspension, standard 4.0-liter DOHC V6 rated at 250-plus horsepower and 270-plus lb-ft of torque, and a choice of 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmissions. The 2005 Xterra is available in 4WD or 2WD with an available enhanced off-road system.

Xterra’s new exterior styling evokes that of the original, including a highly functional roof rack (now with latchable lid). Inside, the 2005 Xterra offers more room, especially in 2nd row head room and leg room, and enhanced utility of the multi-flex cargo area – including an easy-to-clean luggage area and an adjustable channel system in the cargo floor.

2005 Altima SE-R When the redesigned 2005 Altima was launched in February 2004, Nissan held back one surprise – the addition of a new, first-ever Altima SE-R model. The Altima SE-R is the sixth model in the 2005 Altima line and shares all of the refinements (including new exterior and interior styling) with the others. And then some.

The Altima SE-R’s standard 3.5-liter V6 engine has been retuned to a higher level of performance and the suspension has been enhanced with performance-tuned front struts and rear shocks, stiffer front and rear springs and thicker front and rear stabilizer bars. The SE-R comes with 225/45R18 W-speed rated tires and 18-inch forged aluminum-alloy wheels.

The SE-R’s exterior offers a number of special features, including new front and rear fascias, compact fog lights, new rear spoiler and side sill spoilers and large dual exhaust finishers. Inside, the SE-R features sport-shaped leather-appointed front seats with red or silver leather inserts, dark chrome trim and a three-pod center-mounted gauge package, which is similar to that found on the legendary 350Z.

2004 NYIAS Nissan Press Conference Speech [Apr. 08, 04]

Mark McNabb
Vice President and General Manager
Nissan Division

A few years ago the original Xterra made a somewhat drier world debut at the Detroit Auto Show when it drove out of a 28-foot tall backpack.  We wanted to convey the idea that Xterra was a simple, no-frills adventure “tool.”

This morning’s introduction shows you nothing has changed.  Xterra is still everything you need.  Nothing you don’t.  For 2005, that statement is truer than ever.

We are describing the changes to the new Xterra as evolutionary.  But that’s evolutionary with a capital “E.”  This Xterra is bigger inside.  It’s bolder.  And it’s better in nearly every measure of “Xterra-ness.” 

Like the 2005 Frontier and Pathfinder, the new Xterra offers more power, more utility and more off-road capability.  All three vehicles are built on modified versions of the rugged “F-Alpha” truck platform developed for the full-size Nissan Titan and Armada.

The new, more powerful Xterra features a standard, normally aspirated 4.0-liter V6 engine with increased horsepower and torque. 

The new Xterra is also more adventure-ready with its independent front - rigid rear leaf suspension, available performance gas shocks, better effective ground clearance, available 17-inch wheels and tires, and an advanced traction control system.

The Xterra body continues the original’s rugged styling theme, but with a longer wheelbase and short overhangs for good trail maneuverability.  Other exterior enhancements now include a redesigned roof rack compartment with a latchable lid, and new rear side steps for better access to items carried on top.

The interior has also been improved to provide more room and utility.  Xterra’s “multi-flex” interior includes an easy clean cargo area with a channel system similar to the Titan’s Utili-track.

There’s also an increased emphasis on comfort and convenience, including an MP3 compatible audio system.

As with the current generation, the 2005 Xterra will be available in two- and four-wheel drive.  It will also be offered in three trim levels when it goes on sale early next year.

Now I’d like to ask Jed Connelly to rejoin us for a few closing thoughts on today’s activities.

Jed Connelly
Senior Vice President
Sales and Marketing
Nissan North America, Inc.

Thank you, Mark.  As you know, Nissan has been very, very busy in terms of product development in the past few years.  If you compared the lineup of vehicles in Nissan showrooms in 1999 against what you see there today, you would think they were two different companies – especially in terms of the number of new models on the floor, such as the Z, Murano, Titan and Armada.

In many ways, Nissan’s product revival began with Xterra – one of the first new models that was developed to reflect the “unmet needs” of the buyers.  The new 2005 Xterra remains faithful to its origins as a unique, “category of one” design.

This philosophy of designing for the customer, rather than chasing the competition, has served us well in creating unique Nissan and Infiniti vehicles ever since.  The Nissan-Renault alliance has allowed this vision to be fulfilled with greater speed and success than any of us might have imagined a few short years ago.

But beyond great products… intelligent pricing and the right marketing have also contributed.  And it is this combination that will also sustain our growth and momentum in the years ahead.

Our growth in North America has been rewarding.  And it has been a natural growth, attained without our past reliance on heavy incentives and promotions.  We prefer to sell vehicles on their merits, rather than the deal.

But to do this means keeping our product line fresh, like you see with the 2005 Xterra, Frontier and Pathfinder.  And it means keeping our product line exciting.

For 2005, we’ve upped Altima’s competitiveness with a redesign that was launched in February – featuring new exterior styling and an enhanced interior look and feel.

But there’s one other trick up Altima’s sleeve for 2005… the new, even sportier SE-R version.

The SE-R joins the line-up as the most exciting and aggressive Altima model ever in look and in performance.  The Altima SE-R will be available this September.

In today’s competitive marketplace you cannot rest on your laurels.  We have no intention of doing so.

We’re off to a great start in the full-size truck segments with our new full-size Titan and Armada – giving us a powerful presence in every major market segment.  And, of course, the new Z, Murano and Quest continue to do well in their respective segments.

These past few years have been hard work.  But now the real job begins – keeping it going.

In the next few months we’re going to step-up our dialog with you, providing ongoing announcements about our progress and our future plans.

You’ve already seen a preview of the enhancements to a number of our 2005 models, like Altima, and there is more to come in the fall.  And, we’re continuing to look at new market segments and new buyer needs – such as the design exploration sitting right over here, the Nissan Actic.

Created by the talented crew at Nissan Design America, the Actic is a showcase for future packaging, information technology and utility.

Thank you.