Passport Infiniti of Alexandria
160 S Pickett Street Alexandria, VA 22304
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Autoblog.com First Drive: 2011 Infiniti M37S and M56S answer many questions
What is an Infiniti? That's a pretty harsh question to be asking 20 years after the brand's debut, but sadly, it's pertinent. To be fair, the possible answers to this question got much narrower in 2003 when Infiniti introduced a legitimate BMW 3 Series competitor, the G35 (now G37). The situation further clarified that same year when the "Bionic Cheetah," known to the rest of us as the FX showed its (then) quite handsome face. But it was the 2005 introduction of the second generation M sedan that announced most loudly Infiniti's luxury-performance aspirations: to kick BMW in the back of the pants.Read the full Autoblog review here.
IIHS releases latest round of safety scores for Infiniti M
First the Oscars and now this! The envelope please! The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released a bevy of scores for the Infiniti M, Lexus HS 250h and Toyota 4Runner and it was nothing but "Good" all around. The Infiniti and Toyota were tested for frontal offset and side impacts, with their "Good" score maintaining the scores of their predecessors. The Lexus scored a first-time Good" in the frontal offset test. You can get all the details on the most recent round of crash-testing here and scan the IIHS archives to see how the competition stacks up.Passport giving back to the community
Children's National Medical Center, locally referred to as Children's Hospital, is the only exclusive provider of pediatric care in the Washington, Metropolitan area.Many children in the hospital require fresh blood or special rare types of red blood cells. Red blood cells, platelets, and plasma are in constant demand for victims of accidents, cancer treatments, blood diseases, and many types of surgery.
The Passport-sponsored blood drives are in support of Madison Grace Major. Click here to see her story.Please take a few minutes from your busy schedule and donate lifesaving blood for the patients at Children's National.
- Location: Passport Nissan-Infiniti
- 150 S. Pickett Alexandria, VA 22304
- Date: Thursday, January 7th
- Time: 10 am-noon
To schedule an appointment, contact: Andrea Wolschleger at awolschl@cnmc.org or call (202) 476-3306
The Infiniti G: Brains and beauty
Infiniti convertible looks good with top up or down and can handle any road
Scott Burgess: Auto review
The addition of the hardtop has transformed convertibles from Sunday summer strollers to everyday drivers.
For the most part, they look like regular cars, drive like regular cars and generally feel like them. But then touch a single button and the three-piece roof folds up smartly into the trunk, and all of sudden everything ordinary becomes better. For those who want it all, hardtop convertibles make it possible.
Earlier this year, Infiniti introduced the 2009 G convertible. The word "ordinary" and "regular" never should be used when mentioning this vehicle. Things like "great" and "beautiful" should be said often. Top up, top down, the G convertible is just as nice in January as it is in July.
Infiniti, the luxury brand of Nissan Motor Co., on the whole seems to have found its identity in recent years. Throughout its sporty lineup, there's a flowing feel to the vehicles as they mix sweeping curves with high-tech luxury. The G convertible is merely Infiniti's next step after producing the stellar G37 coupe and sedan. It's as it should be -- a progression of luxury.
Under the long, graceful aluminum hood is Infiniti's 3.7-liter aluminum V-6. The 325-horsepower engine lets the driver toss the car around with glee. The seven-speed automatic transmission pushes through the gears so quickly, you hardly notice when you're in seventh.
If that's too fast, then use the magnesium paddle shifters to wind out each gear and take advantage of the car's full 267 pound-feet of torque. The car can transform from sleepy cruiser to near rocket ship at the click of a paddle. (There's also a manual six-speed transmission for drivers who prefer to drive more and steer less, but the automatic seems to fit this car's style more. Not every car needs to be a beast at a traffic light.)
A quiet ride
There's a sophisticated feel to the G convertible that defies description. The car's performance is much more mature than its age. (The first G37 arrived in 2002.) On the road, it feels a little heavy and planted. It weighs just a hair over 4,000 pounds, but the pounds are nicely spread around -- with a 52 percent to 48 percent front-to-rear weight ratio. The independent suspension holds the car to the road and lets a driver push through corners faster and faster. Push this car too hard and you'll swallow your gum. The back end will push back and slide a little, but the vehicle's dynamic control and traction control will help straighten out your line.
The rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensitive power is nicely tuned to provide firm feedback and nice return to center, but also makes parking easy. The long wheelbase glides over bumps and concrete seams with never a hassle. Most of all, when the top is up, the G convertible is extremely quiet.
Long gone are the days when a convertible top flapped in the wind, providing the feeling that the top was down. I tested the G convertible during warmer months, but it would easily hold up to a Michigan winter. The only limitation would be the rear-wheel drive, which provides fun on snow and ice, but not necessarily safety.
Muffling outside noise is one of the hallmarks of luxury. People need quiet and time to think -- and the G convertible provides both. If everyone would drive around in a quiet car, and just sit and think for a few minutes every day, the world would be a better place. Infiniti is doing its part.
Sensing danger
The G convertible also takes over some mindless driving habits, freeing the driver to concentrate on more important things. The optional intelligent cruise control with preview braking will adjust the car's speed to the traffic in front while also looking out for dangerous situations. If it senses one, it pre-charges the brakes -- meaning as soon as you tap the pedal, the ventilated discs and calipers will spring into action.
Really, the G convertible performs much better than people might suspect, but that's only because it's so beautiful.
The front end stretches the car's body, and the L-shaped headlamps look like they stretch nearly all the way back to the driver. The Xenon headlamps are on par with those on the very best luxury cars, transforming glass and light into jewelry.
The well-proportioned body cuts the overhangs in the front and rear, providing it with a 112-inch wheelbase and taut stance. The wheels are stuffed into the curvy fenders, which are delicately flared. The wedge-like profile makes the G convertible look as if it's a cat ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey.
Then, take the top down and listen to every one say, "G, that looks nice."
Its beltline now takes on a much sharper look, and a parallel line below it cuts from the front fender all the way to the taillight.
Many convertibles have a tendency to bulk up on the backside, as they have to create space for the roof. This Infinity, however, remains slender from front to rear.
Front seats are heated
The interior combines performance and luxury. The leather seats are well-bolstered and very comfortable. Heating is standard on the front seats; ventilated seats are available as an option. Convertible-lovers know the benefit of both features. The optional 13-Bose-speaker stereo system sounds great with the top up or down, and most of the features seem oriented toward the driver. There is Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operation, as well as voice recognition for operating the stereo, climate and optional navigation systems.
The controls on top of the dash for the navigation system take some time to learn to operate. And while the overall look of the dash and instruments feels elegant, Infiniti uses a little too much silver plastic around the center console and dash. It detracts from the car's beauty instead of enhancing it.
There also is an easy-to-use button to move the seats forward for easy access to the cramped second row. While the sedan can carry five people, the convertible is designed for only four. Then again, when was the last time you loaded up four adults into your current ride?
In the past, it took sunny days for convertible owners to grin. With the Infiniti G convertible, it doesn't matter what season it is. This car is ready for all of them.
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Scott Burgess: Auto review
The addition of the hardtop has transformed convertibles from Sunday summer strollers to everyday drivers.For the most part, they look like regular cars, drive like regular cars and generally feel like them. But then touch a single button and the three-piece roof folds up smartly into the trunk, and all of sudden everything ordinary becomes better. For those who want it all, hardtop convertibles make it possible.
Earlier this year, Infiniti introduced the 2009 G convertible. The word "ordinary" and "regular" never should be used when mentioning this vehicle. Things like "great" and "beautiful" should be said often. Top up, top down, the G convertible is just as nice in January as it is in July.
Infiniti, the luxury brand of Nissan Motor Co., on the whole seems to have found its identity in recent years. Throughout its sporty lineup, there's a flowing feel to the vehicles as they mix sweeping curves with high-tech luxury. The G convertible is merely Infiniti's next step after producing the stellar G37 coupe and sedan. It's as it should be -- a progression of luxury.
Under the long, graceful aluminum hood is Infiniti's 3.7-liter aluminum V-6. The 325-horsepower engine lets the driver toss the car around with glee. The seven-speed automatic transmission pushes through the gears so quickly, you hardly notice when you're in seventh.
If that's too fast, then use the magnesium paddle shifters to wind out each gear and take advantage of the car's full 267 pound-feet of torque. The car can transform from sleepy cruiser to near rocket ship at the click of a paddle. (There's also a manual six-speed transmission for drivers who prefer to drive more and steer less, but the automatic seems to fit this car's style more. Not every car needs to be a beast at a traffic light.)
A quiet ride
There's a sophisticated feel to the G convertible that defies description. The car's performance is much more mature than its age. (The first G37 arrived in 2002.) On the road, it feels a little heavy and planted. It weighs just a hair over 4,000 pounds, but the pounds are nicely spread around -- with a 52 percent to 48 percent front-to-rear weight ratio. The independent suspension holds the car to the road and lets a driver push through corners faster and faster. Push this car too hard and you'll swallow your gum. The back end will push back and slide a little, but the vehicle's dynamic control and traction control will help straighten out your line.
The rack-and-pinion steering with speed-sensitive power is nicely tuned to provide firm feedback and nice return to center, but also makes parking easy. The long wheelbase glides over bumps and concrete seams with never a hassle. Most of all, when the top is up, the G convertible is extremely quiet.
Long gone are the days when a convertible top flapped in the wind, providing the feeling that the top was down. I tested the G convertible during warmer months, but it would easily hold up to a Michigan winter. The only limitation would be the rear-wheel drive, which provides fun on snow and ice, but not necessarily safety.
Muffling outside noise is one of the hallmarks of luxury. People need quiet and time to think -- and the G convertible provides both. If everyone would drive around in a quiet car, and just sit and think for a few minutes every day, the world would be a better place. Infiniti is doing its part.
Sensing danger
The G convertible also takes over some mindless driving habits, freeing the driver to concentrate on more important things. The optional intelligent cruise control with preview braking will adjust the car's speed to the traffic in front while also looking out for dangerous situations. If it senses one, it pre-charges the brakes -- meaning as soon as you tap the pedal, the ventilated discs and calipers will spring into action.
Really, the G convertible performs much better than people might suspect, but that's only because it's so beautiful.
The front end stretches the car's body, and the L-shaped headlamps look like they stretch nearly all the way back to the driver. The Xenon headlamps are on par with those on the very best luxury cars, transforming glass and light into jewelry.
The well-proportioned body cuts the overhangs in the front and rear, providing it with a 112-inch wheelbase and taut stance. The wheels are stuffed into the curvy fenders, which are delicately flared. The wedge-like profile makes the G convertible look as if it's a cat ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey.
Then, take the top down and listen to every one say, "G, that looks nice."
Its beltline now takes on a much sharper look, and a parallel line below it cuts from the front fender all the way to the taillight.
Many convertibles have a tendency to bulk up on the backside, as they have to create space for the roof. This Infinity, however, remains slender from front to rear.
Front seats are heated
The interior combines performance and luxury. The leather seats are well-bolstered and very comfortable. Heating is standard on the front seats; ventilated seats are available as an option. Convertible-lovers know the benefit of both features. The optional 13-Bose-speaker stereo system sounds great with the top up or down, and most of the features seem oriented toward the driver. There is Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free phone operation, as well as voice recognition for operating the stereo, climate and optional navigation systems.
The controls on top of the dash for the navigation system take some time to learn to operate. And while the overall look of the dash and instruments feels elegant, Infiniti uses a little too much silver plastic around the center console and dash. It detracts from the car's beauty instead of enhancing it.
There also is an easy-to-use button to move the seats forward for easy access to the cramped second row. While the sedan can carry five people, the convertible is designed for only four. Then again, when was the last time you loaded up four adults into your current ride?
In the past, it took sunny days for convertible owners to grin. With the Infiniti G convertible, it doesn't matter what season it is. This car is ready for all of them.
Infiniti Is Tops Among the Luxury Cars In Consumer Reports Most Reliable Cars Review
In their October 2009 issue, Consumer Reports named Infiniti as the most reliable luxury car line in their article on reliability and owner satisfaction.
This graph shows how the upscale/luxury makes rank based on their average predicted reliability scores, and which models by each make have the highest and lowest ratings (higher scores better). The score is the overall reliability calculated as a percentage better or worse than the average of all cars.
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Infiniti: 37 Acura: 36 Lexus: 32 Buick: -5 Lincoln: -6 Mercedes: -15 Audi: -17 BMW: -20 Cadillac: -45
This graph shows how the upscale/luxury makes rank based on their average predicted reliability scores, and which models by each make have the highest and lowest ratings (higher scores better). The score is the overall reliability calculated as a percentage better or worse than the average of all cars.
Revealed: The All-New 2011 Infiniti M
August 14, 2009 - The all-new 2011 Infiniti M was revealed today at Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the famed celebration of timeless automotive design. Infiniti Senior Vice President and Design Director, Shiro Nakamura, unveiled the completely redesigned M in a dynamic 3D digital presentation showing how the M has been transformed through natural inspiration and passionate craftsmanship into a luxury sedan of sculpted form and rejuvenating refinement.Inside the new M, meticulously crafted leather materials and wood accents-sanded and polished by hand-are fused with vividly modern design and advanced technologies. Outside, the lines of its unique double wave hood and sculpted body panels flow with organic grace, while its athletic stance hints at thrilling performance. Powering it will be the 3.7-liter VVEL V6 producing more than 320 horsepower, or an all-new 5.6-liter VVEL V8 producing more than 400 horsepower. The new M also demonstrates Infiniti's continued leadership in technological innovation. The 2011 M will feature an industry-first blind spot intervention system that warns of vehicles next to you and assists in returning the vehicle to its original lane. To view this exciting reveal, and find out more about the new M, select the link below.
Click Here to see the all-new 2011 Infiniti M
Learn about the Infiniti Around View Monitor
With great design comes great vision. And new levels of confidence and convenience. The Infiniti-first Around View Monitor uses cameras on every side to "see" objects or vehicles around you. Then it presents your surrounding environment in a composite bird's-eye perspective on the central screen.
Click the Play button to view this video describing the Infiniti Around View Monitor System
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Click the Play button to view this video describing the Infiniti Around View Monitor System
Learn about the Infiniti Lane Departure Warning System
Available Lane Departure Prevention helps keep your vehicle from unintentionally drifting from your lane. It utilizes sensors to monitor the distance between the vehicle and lane markings, and when the vehicle drifts unintentionally towards the lane markers, the system first sounds an audible warning. Then it will lightly apply selected brakes to help ease your vehicle back into it's lane.
Click the Play button to view this video describing the Infiniti Lane Departure Warning System
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Click the Play button to view this video describing the Infiniti Lane Departure Warning System
AutoPacific's Research Reveals the Most Highly Recommended Vehicles - Infiniti G37 recommended the highest!
TUSTIN, Calif. (May 12, 2009) - Who do you go to for advice when buying a new car? What about owners themselves? AutoPacific has just analyzed recommendation intentions from 25,000 new-car owners, and the results offer interesting insights.
AutoPacific, which has provided automotive analysis to carmakers since 1986, bases its findings on a just-completed comprehensive survey of more than 25,000 consumers who purchased or leased new cars or light trucks in the period from September to December 2008.
"Typically, car buyers are very pleased when they first drive their new car off the dealer lot. But just as a vehicle's worth depreciates over time, some car owners' level of confidence depreciates," says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. "We have quantified their level of confidence to see which new car owners will recommend their model most and this is information which will help new car shoppers make informed, confident buying decisions. While many owners can be happy with their new cars, it takes another level of confidence to recommend it."
Porsche leads as the top brand in a close race, with the highest owner recommendation of 91%. "Porsche owners' feelings for their cars run deep, some might call it devotion," says Peterson. "Clearly that is still the case as the Porsche line-up all scored well in this survey."
The vehicle - car or truck - registering highest overall satisfaction in 2009 is the Infiniti G37, which was recommended by 95% of new owners. The truck with the highest overall satisfaction score is the Ford F-150 recommended by 89% of its owners. In a tie, the SUVs with the highest overall satisfaction score are the GMC Yukon XL and Honda CR-V recommended by 93% of their owners.
At the manufacturer level, multiple top-ranked award winners include: Toyota with eight top rankings (Toyota 6, Lexus 2), Ford with six (Ford 5, Lincoln 1), Honda with three and both General Motors and Chrysler with two (Chevy 1, GMC 1) (Dodge 1, Jeep 1).
AutoPacific's research objectively measures owner recommendations with newly purchased or leased passenger cars or light trucks by ranking new owners' responses to the question "Would you recommend your new vehicle to a friend or relative? Scores are based on the responses, ranging from "Yes, definitely," "Yes, with reservations," or "No."
Infiniti G37 Named to Car & Driver's 10 Best for 2009
Car and Driver magazine has named the Infiniti G37 to its 10Best list for 2009. Out of a field of 56 vehicles, the G Coupe and G Sedan rose to the top, marking the fourth time Infiniti has won this award, in addition to 2003, 2004 and 2007.
Each year, Car and Driver selects its 10Best vehicles according to particular criteria: how well it does what it should do (for example, performance cars should be fast and exhilarating), how fun it is to drive, and how much of a good value it is. G Coupe and G Sedan showed that their breathtaking styling and thrilling performance features make them truly worthy of recognition.
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Each year, Car and Driver selects its 10Best vehicles according to particular criteria: how well it does what it should do (for example, performance cars should be fast and exhilarating), how fun it is to drive, and how much of a good value it is. G Coupe and G Sedan showed that their breathtaking styling and thrilling performance features make them truly worthy of recognition.
LA Auto Show 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible Video
It's all right to consider the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible the company's first real drop top. Sure, there was that M30 thing back in the early days, but it was just a regular old coupe that got shipped to ASC for a lobotomy.
This G37 convertible is the real deal. It has unique bodywork, an upgraded interior and a three-piece retractable hardtop. Add to that Infiniti's new 3.7-liter V6 and this G37 drop top should have no trouble erasing the bad taste left behind by the M30.
With the top in place, the G37 convertible looks almost identical to the coupe. It's somewhat of an illusion, however, as the convertible's body panels are unique from the A-pillars back. The result is a car that's actually 1.1 inches wider overall.
The rear track is also 1.4 inches wider, as the rear suspension was modified slightly to make room for the folded hardtop. Overall, the G37 convertible is roughly 442 pounds heavier than the comparable coupe. Cargo capacity with the top up is actually better than the coupe at 10.3 cubic feet (versus the coupe's 7.2 cubic feet). With the top down, the space nearly disappears as the capacity drops to a little less than 2 cubic feet of space.
There will be two models available ? base and Sport 6MT. Both get the same 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 as the coupe. The base model gets a seven-speed automatic transmission as standard, while the Sport model comes with a close-ratio six-speed manual. No fuel-efficiency figures are available yet, but expect them to be slightly lower than the coupe's numbers of 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
Every G37 convertible gets an extra dose of aluminum trim on the dash, doors and center console. Both the dual-zone climate control system and the optional Bose audio system have the ability to compensate for top-down driving. On the less technical side, there's also a rear-seat windscreen to reduce cabin turbulence.
Sales of the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible are expected to start in the spring of 2009. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but expect to see the base model come in just under $40,000.
Click the Play button to view this video showing the G37 Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show
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This G37 convertible is the real deal. It has unique bodywork, an upgraded interior and a three-piece retractable hardtop. Add to that Infiniti's new 3.7-liter V6 and this G37 drop top should have no trouble erasing the bad taste left behind by the M30.
With the top in place, the G37 convertible looks almost identical to the coupe. It's somewhat of an illusion, however, as the convertible's body panels are unique from the A-pillars back. The result is a car that's actually 1.1 inches wider overall.
The rear track is also 1.4 inches wider, as the rear suspension was modified slightly to make room for the folded hardtop. Overall, the G37 convertible is roughly 442 pounds heavier than the comparable coupe. Cargo capacity with the top up is actually better than the coupe at 10.3 cubic feet (versus the coupe's 7.2 cubic feet). With the top down, the space nearly disappears as the capacity drops to a little less than 2 cubic feet of space.
There will be two models available ? base and Sport 6MT. Both get the same 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 as the coupe. The base model gets a seven-speed automatic transmission as standard, while the Sport model comes with a close-ratio six-speed manual. No fuel-efficiency figures are available yet, but expect them to be slightly lower than the coupe's numbers of 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway.
Every G37 convertible gets an extra dose of aluminum trim on the dash, doors and center console. Both the dual-zone climate control system and the optional Bose audio system have the ability to compensate for top-down driving. On the less technical side, there's also a rear-seat windscreen to reduce cabin turbulence.
Sales of the 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible are expected to start in the spring of 2009. Pricing will be announced closer to launch, but expect to see the base model come in just under $40,000.
Click the Play button to view this video showing the G37 Convertible at the Los Angeles Auto Show