INFINITI

Infiniti Q45: More than a luxury sedan, it was a statement of intent

In the late 1980s, the Japanese automotive industry decided it no longer wanted to compete with European manufacturers solely on quality and reliability; it wanted to challenge them in the market's most sophisticated segment as well. It was against this backdrop that Infiniti—Nissan's new luxury division—was born, and its first major offering was the Q45, unveiled in November 1989 as a 1990 model. More than just a luxury sedan, it was a statement of intent. Nissan had set benchmarks using models like the BMW 7 Series and the Mercedes-Benz 560 SEL, yet it chose a distinctive path: rather than copying European luxury conventions, the Q45 emphasized technology, performance, and a minimalist interpretation of Japanese refinement.

Visually, the Q45 was almost startling for its time. Its clean design dispensed with the traditional front grille, while the cloisonné emblem on the car's nose was a direct nod to Japanese craftsmanship. The interior followed the same philosophy: there was no excess of wood trim, chrome, or traditional ornamentation. The aim was to convey sophistication through material quality, a quiet cabin, and technology. Infiniti even collaborated with the Italian firm Poltrona Frau on the interior's development. It was a bold approach, especially given the conservative nature of the large luxury sedans of that era.

However, it was under the hood that the Q45 truly revealed its personality. The sedan featured the sophisticated VH45DE engine—a 4.5-liter (4,494 cc) V8 with dual overhead cams and 32 valves, fed by multi-point electronic fuel injection. In its North American specification, it delivered 280 hp at 6,000 rpm and 396 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm—impressive figures for a luxury sedan of that size. It featured a 4-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive. Weighing in at around 1,790 kg, the Q45 delivered highly respectable performance: period tests recorded 0–96 km/h acceleration in approximately 6.7 seconds, making it clear that this was not merely a car designed to transport occupants in silence.

The chassis engineering also revealed Nissan's ambition. The Q45 employed a four-wheel independent multi-link suspension—a sophisticated solution derived from the internal "901" program, an initiative launched by Nissan with the goal of achieving the industry's best driving dynamics by 1990. The model also featured a viscous limited-slip rear differential and ventilated front disc brakes, and was available with the Super HICAS four-wheel steering system—a technology that had already become one of Nissan's specialties.

Then there was an even more extraordinary version: the Q45a, equipped with what was known as Hydraulic Active Suspension(video below). Using sensors and electronically controlled hydraulic actuators, the system sought to minimize body roll, dive, and pitch, anticipating by many years similar technologies that would only later become common in the luxury segment. Infiniti itself later highlighted the Q45 as the world's first production car equipped with hydraulic active suspension.

Measuring 5,070 mm in length, 1,830 mm in width, and 1,430 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,880 mm, the Q45 possessed a presence worthy of a true flagship. Yet, its personality differed significantly from that of a Mercedes-Benz or a Jaguar. The aim was not to flaunt wealth, but to demonstrate that Japanese engineering could produce a car as sophisticated as any European competitor. This philosophy also explained Infiniti's unique positioning: the Q45 was fast, technologically advanced, and extremely refined, yet deliberately understated. Interestingly, the very qualities that made the Q45 so special also hindered its commercial success. American luxury car buyers still expected certain visual symbols of status, and the absence of a traditional grille and conventional interior trim struck some consumers as odd. While the newly launched Lexus LS 400 adhered to a more familiar interpretation of luxury, the Infiniti embraced a far more experimental design language. Infiniti itself would later introduce a chrome grille and wood trim in subsequent updates—an indication that the market perhaps wasn't quite ready for the radical departure represented by the original Q45.

However, even without achieving the expected sales volumes, the 1990 Infiniti Q45 remains one of the most interesting Japanese cars of that era. It marked the moment Nissan decided to dive headfirst into the realm of large luxury sedans, bringing with it a sophisticated V8 engine, multi-link suspension, four-wheel steering, active suspension, and an aesthetic philosophy that favored understatement over ostentation. More than three decades later, the Q45 is still remembered for precisely that reason: it did not try to be a Japanese Mercedes or a Japanese BMW; it sought to show the world how Nissan envisioned the luxury car of the future.

 

by: Autonews