For 2015, a new nameplate is added to the INFINITI portfolio with the renaming of the INFINITI G37 sedan as the INFINITI Q40. And while the badge on the trunklid is new, the sport sedan's unique blend of stunning exterior, inviting interior with unexpected roominess and highly engaging performance remains unchanged.
Two well-equipped models are offered for 2015, the INFINITI Q40 and INFINITI Q40 AWD, along with two option packages. Each comes fitted with a standard 328-horsepower 3.7-liter VVEL V6, a 7-speed automatic transmissions and 4-wheel independent suspension with lightweight aluminum components – providing responsive acceleration and agile handling. The Q40 AWD model adds INFINITI's ATTESA E-TS® Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.
Inspired, Sporty Styling and Refined Interior
The INFINITI Q40's exterior design is defined by its sleek wave form hood, raked A-pillars, trademark taillights and athletic stance – projecting a balance of power and grace that is suggestive of the performance potential within.
The front of the Q40 is highlighted by its iconic headlight and dark chrome grille design, which offer a crisp form and high-quality feel. Standard fog lights are located in the lower fascia, where they help provide an upscale and distinctive appearance. Every INFINITI Q40 offers standard High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights with auto on/off function.
The sleek Q40 silhouette offers a wedged roofline and a sweeping bodyside character line that emphasizes both the rich shoulder surfaces and the rear-wheel drive orientation. In the rear, the refined, evolutional L-shaped LED taillights express the INFINITI design identity. The trunk lid is accented by an integrated chrome spoiler, while prominent dual exhaust outlets complete the sporty appearance. A power sliding tinted glass moonroof with one-touch operation, tilt feature and sliding sunshade is available with the Moonroof Package.
Four exterior colors are offered for 2015: Liquid Platinum, Graphite Shadow, Black Obsidian and Moonlight White.
Inside the dramatic body the INFINITI Q40 provides a crafted interior environment with a long list of standard luxury features such as leather-appointed seating and "Shodo" aluminum trim, which is inspired by a style of Japanese calligraphy. The instrument panel offers a predominately white color scheme for the gauge and LCD instrument display, enhancing both legibility and cohesiveness of design. In keeping with tradition, a refined analog clock is standard on all Q40 models.
The interior also provides an unmatched harmony between the dedicated driver's cockpit and comfortable passenger space – and between modern technology and traditional Japanese design cues. The result is a "modern warmth" that is unique in the sport sedan segment.
The driver's area has a simple, intuitive layout with easy-to-read electroluminescent gauges. A center information display, located between the tachometer and speedometer, conveys updates from the drive computer (average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel economy, average speed, elapsed time, running distance, distance to empty, outside air temperature, warning displays, odometer and automatic transmission shift indicator).
An 8-way power driver's seat with manual lumber support is paired with an 8-way power passenger's front seat, with both offering a standard heating function. All front and rear power windows include a one-touch auto up/down feature.
Other standard conveniences include INFINITI Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, 7.0-inch color monitor display, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD premium audio system, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately), RearView Monitor and Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System.
The Q40's available Navigation Plus Package features the INFINITI Hard Disc Navigation System and includes a high-resolution touch-screen display, NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic Information, NavWeather with Real-Time Weather and 3-day forecast (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately) and Bluetooth® Advanced Audio Distribution Profile for wirelessly streaming audio from compatible devices to the audio system.
The Navigation Plus Package also includes an audiophile-quality INFINITI Studio on Wheels® by Bose® premium audio system with Driver's Audio Stage, which combines Bose®'s 3-way speakers using 10-inch subwoofers in the front doors with a parcel shelf-mounted subwoofer in the rear. Also included is INFINITI Voice Recognition for audio and navigation systems, along with digital video playback from USB flash drive DVD/video playback.
Powerful, Responsive 3.7-liter V6 Performance
The 2015 INFINITI Q40 features an advanced 3.7-liter VQ37HR V6 with VVEL rated at 328 horsepower and 269 lb-ft of torque. The engine's VVEL (for Variable Valve Event & Lift) system combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side to help improve performance and response. The VVEL system also offers improved emissions and fuel efficiency over the non-VVEL designs.
The VVEL intake camshafts, featuring continuously variable lift control teamed with the Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS), allow for a 7,500 rpm redline. The engine also features rigid ladder frame construction, large crank journal and pin diameters, asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors, an electronically controlled "drive-by-wire" throttle system, coated lightweight pistons, Iridium spark plugs and a symmetric twin air intake system.
The specially tuned dual exhaust system features equal length exhaust manifolds and low muffler exhaust backpressure to help improve engine breathing. Both intake and exhaust enhance driving pleasure with their authentic performance notes.
To help take full advantage of the refined engine design, both the Q40 and Q40 AWD come with a 7-speed automatic transmission with Downshift Rev Matching, Drive Sport mode and ASC (Adaptive Shift Control) that allows for sportier shifts in performance driving situations.
Fuel economy for the Q40 is rated at 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway, while the Q40 AWD is rated at 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway.
Every INFINITI Q40 is equipped with the advanced FM platform, which locates the engine in the "front mid-ship" position. The positioning of the engine provides good front-to-rear weight balance, while the combination of long wheelbase, manageable overall length and wide front and rear track adds to overall handling performance.
The Q40 suspension is a 4-wheel independent design with lightweight aluminum components and front and rear stabilizer bars, designed to provide nimble and natural feeling handling, as well as a controlled, refined ride. The front suspension minimizes alignment changes through use of a single pivot lower wishbone and a long upper link.
The Q40's rear suspension design separates the shock absorbers and springs, locating the shock absorber inline with the wheel center to help reduce suspension friction and reduce the wind-up motion of the axle on acceleration.
The Q40 AWD features INFINITI's state-of-the-art ATTESA E-TS® (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. The electromagnetic AWD system responds more quickly and precisely than conventional hydraulic AWD systems, with minimal compromise of rear-wheel drive performance characteristics on dry roads. In addition, Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) is standard on all models.
The brake system utilizes power-assisted 4-wheel vented disc brakes with 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The power steering system is a vehicle-speed-sensing design, which balances steering effort at both high and low speeds.
Also standard are 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with rich silver metallic paint finish and 225/55R17 all-season tires.
All INFINITI Q40 models come equipped with INFINITI's Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor, along with front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags for front and rear-seat outboard occupant head protection.
Also standard are 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's side ELR only) and front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors, front seat Active Head Restraints and the LATCH System (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren). Every G Sedan also features Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumple zones to help disperse crash energy around the passenger compartment.