Spotted in China: Infiniti Q45 sedan
Here we have a very rare and special automobile. This is an original first generation pre-facelift Infiniti Q45 sedan, seen in one of Beijing’s famous ‘hutong’ alley-lanes. The first-gen Q45 was made from 1990 until 1996, it was facelifted in 1994 when the characteristic closed grille was replaced by a conventional open grille. Check license plate, the owner must like his Q45 very much. Good!
The Infiniti Q45 was powered by a 4.5 liter V8 that pooped out 278 official horses, but the real number was closer to 320. The Q45 was an extremely beautiful car with not a line too much. It was never officially exported to China, this well-maintained example was the first Q45 I have seen in Beijing in ten years.
Sadly the market didn’t really like it and it never became a great success like the first-gen Lexus LS which was its direct competitor. Some say it was the grille, some say it was the name, some say it was the lack of wood in the interior. I think when it comes to cars in this class most buyers instinctively go for the most boring vehicle they can find. Sad! But in 100 years the Lexus will be forgotten and the Infiniti a design icon. Mark my words…
