Birchwood Infiniti Blog

By: David Booth

Updated: December 11, 2009

It’s definitely Japanese, but something tells me designers of Infiniti’s new M sedan spent a little time in Italy. Maybe even took in a little opera.

Certainly, they studied the curves that are so endemic to the classic Italian sports car. At the very least, they are big fans of Steve McQueen’s 1971 classic Le Mans.

Whatever their influence, there’s a sensuality to the new M’s curves not seen in any previous Infiniti sedan (though the FX sport-brute has a certain feline look to it). What’s also immediately obvious is that Infiniti definitely wants to rekindle the excitement that surrounded the launch of the last-generation M in 2005, which diminished as the car aged.

Like all Infinitis, the base 37 version sees an upgrade to the company’s new 3.7-litre V6, essentially the same engine powering various guises of the G37 and Nissan 370Z. In this form, it’s good for 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque. Like the other variants of this engine, the M’s 3.7L uses the automaker’s Variable Valve Lift and Event (VVEL) variable valve timing system that, for all intents and purposes, eliminates the need for a throttle, benefiting fuel economy to the tune of about 5 per cent, says Nissan.

The big noise this year, however, sees a complete revamp of Infiniti’s 5.6L V8 workhorse. Not only does it get the VVEL treatment, it’s also treated to some new direct fuel-injection technology. By feeding the fuel directly into the combustion chamber rather than the intake manifiold, Infiniti has been able to raise the compression ratio to a whopping (for such a large motor) 11.5:1, increasing both power (up to 420 hp from 345) and fuel economy (by 10 per cent) compared with the 5.6L currently used in other Infinitis. It is also up 95 hp up on the outgoing M45, says Ian Forsyth, Nissan Canada’s director of corporate and product planning.

Also aiding fuel economy — and performance — is a new, paddle-shifted, seven-speed automatic that can be hooked to either rear- or all-wheel drive with both engine configurations. Also featuring heavily in the quest for better fuel economy is Infiniti’s EcoPedal system that monitors speed, acceleration, etc., and determines the best throttle setting for optimum fuel economy. Unlike other such economy-seeking systems, however, the EcoPedal pushes back against the driver’s foot, reminding him or her of his or her overly leaden driving.

Keeping all this power in check are some serious chassis upgrades as well as enough electronic gizmos for Infiniti to challenge Mercedes as the new king of auto-related acronyms. The Sport version of both Ms, for instance, gets new 20-inch wheels and sticky P245/40R20 radials for the ultimate in grip.

The same package also sees the M’s brakes upgraded to huge 14-inch discs up front (13.8 in. in the rear) and powerful four-piston calipers squeezing them. On RWD models only, the Sport package also includes Nissan’s 4-Wheel Active Steering (4WAS) that, depending on the vehicle speed, can steer the rear wheels in phase with the front tires.

All trim levels also benefit from new double-piston shock absorbers (that surprisingly escape acronymization) that offer different damping circuits for low- and high-speed damping. The low-speed circuit provides for firm damping over small bumps for optimum handling, while the high-speed version lessens the compression damping for greater comfort over large bumps.

As for harnessing all that power, besides the revised all-wheel-drive, electronic stability control and traction control systems, the Ms boast something Infiniti obliquely calls Active Tracing Control (one presumes because its pinpoint accurate steering allows the M to trace a perfect line through corners). According to Infiniti, ATC distributes both engine torque and braking force to each wheel individually, thus increasing steering precision.

Nor are all the new electronics limited to controlling the engines power; the Ms also offer a new, industry-first, camera-based system called Blind Spot Intervention (BSI) that aids the driver in returning the vehicle back toward the centre of the lane if it detects another vehicle in the blind spot area. Not one to miss an acronym, Infiniti includes a warning system for the same miscue called Blind Spot Warning or BSW. These systems work in conjunction with Infiniti’s Lane Departure Warning system (you guessed it, LDW) that alerts the driver whenever he or she is drifting into the next lane (without signalling, of course).

Not all of Infiniti’s newfangled technology is quite so logical, however.

The new M37 and 56, for instance, include a new technology branded Forest Air. A step above the normal air conditioning system, I’m not quite clear how the system works, but, according to Forsyth, it creates within the cabin a soft, gentle breeze of fresh air similar to what one might find in the middle of the forest on a perfect spring day. Among other things, the system includes a Plasmacluster Ion generator, a humidistat that keeps the cabin’s moisture content between 35 per cent and 55 per cent and a special grape polyphenol element that is claimed to filter out gasoline and farm odours.

There’s a whole bunch more new technology I could talk about in the newly revitalized M37 and M56, but, in all honesty, despite a two-hour private seance with Infiniti’s product planners, I still didn’t manage to catch it all. Suffice it to say there are many more wondrous gadgets inside the new Infinitis, all, of course, with their own acronyms. Quite how Infiniti’s salespeople will remember them all, or how they will convince prospective customers to sit still for an explanation of the long list of features, is a question I dared not ask.

What is apparent, however, is that with the Q45 no longer in Infiniti’s lineup, the M, and especially the much-reinvigorated M56, is now the flagship of the lineup.

– Canwest News Service

http://autos.winnipegfreepress.com/index.php?action=reviews&step=review&id=2144

http://www.infiniti.ca/en/general/corporate_info/futurevehicles/index.html

At Infiniti, we start with a vision of the senses we want to stir. Captured in flowing lines and magnetic shape. Crafted with the power to inspire. True luxury touches you.

The all-new Infiniti M embodies Infiniti’s passion for crafting a more vivid luxury experience—one that satisfies each of the senses. With its fluid surfaces and hand-crafted interior materials, each line draws your eye and each surface beckons your touch.

Performance, reshaped to ignite invigoration.
Infiniti engineers envisioned the all-new M to deliver a more fluid, naturally dynamic feeling of performance. By sculpting the power of the more than 400-hp 5.6-litre V8 and the 3.7-litre V6 VVEL engines to release like a rising wave, they crafted acceleration to feel limitless—while improving fuel efficiency.

Luxury, alive with the human touch.
Hand-crafted silver-powdered wood accents create a natural yet modern atmosphere. The custom leather was meticulously tested by touch around the world to create the perfect feel. Luxury made more sensory.

Industry-first technology, honed to anticipate.
At Infiniti, innovation is now tradition. The latest is a blind spot intervention system that warns of vehicles next to you and assists in returning the vehicle to its original lane. Our vision is a world without accidents, where technology anticipates and responds.

The Infiniti M will be arriving Spring 2010.

http://www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS119190+06-Jan-2009+BW20090106

Tue Jan 6, 2009

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.–(Business Wire)–
ALG today announced its Canadian Residual Value Awards, honoring the vehicles in
each segment that are predicted to retain the highest percentage of their
original price after a conventional retail lease.

The awards are based on 2009 model year vehicles. ALG also has included awards
for the brands that have the highest overall predicted resale values among all
mainstream and all luxury vehicles. The awards are derived after carefully
studying segment competition, historical vehicle performance and industry
trends, and are based on analysis using only Canada-specific data.

Honda Canada Inc. has won the Mainstream Brand Residual Value Award. Honda also
received individual segment awards for the Odyssey (Minivan segment); the Fit
(Entry Compact Car); and the Ridgeline (Compact/Midsize Pickup).

Infiniti, a luxury division of Nissan Canada Inc., has won the overall Luxury
Brand Residual Value Award. Although Infiniti does not have any segment winners,
its vehicles` residual values are consistently strong, reflecting its aggressive
pricing and superior quality.

Nissan Canada Inc. received four segment Residual Value Awards, for the Maxima
(Full Size Car); the GT-R (Luxury Sports Car); the Rogue (Compact Utility
Vehicle); and the Murano (Midsize Utility Vehicle).

Three companies received two awards each: Toyota, for the Camry (Midsize Car)
and the Sequoia (Large Utility Vehicle); Land Rover, for the LR2 (Near Luxury
Utility Vehicle) and the Range Rover Sport (Luxury Utility Vehicle); and Subaru,
for the Impreza (Mid-Compact Car) and the Impreza WRX/STI (Sporty Car). BMW,
Jaguar, Ford and Volkswagen rounded out the list with one award a piece.

“We are very excited to announce the inaugural Canadian Residual Value Awards,”
said John Blair, Chief Executive Officer of ALG. “Honda clearly set itself apart
by winning the overall Mainstream award and three segment awards. Honda benefits
from its disciplined production, consistent high quality and value pricing, and
its shift to more fuel-efficient vehicles has also helped the brand. We firmly
believe that Residual Value is the best metric for evaluating the overall
strength of an automotive brand, and congratulate all of the winners for their
successful products and marketing strategies.”

Summary of 2009 Residual Value Award Winners
Brand Award Brand
Mainstream Brand Residual Value Award Honda Canada Inc.
Luxury Brand Residual Value Award Infiniti, a luxury division of Nissan Canada Inc.
Segment Award Vehicle
Entry Compact Car Honda Fit
Mid-Compact Car Subaru Impreza
Midsize Car Toyota Camry
Fullsize Car Nissan Maxima
Minivan Honda Odyssey
Sporty Car Subaru Impreza WRX/STI
Near Luxury Car BMW 1 Series
Luxury Sedan Jaguar XF
Luxury Sports Car Nissan GT-R
Compact Utility Vehicle Nissan Rogue
Midsize Utility Vehicle Nissan Murano
Large Utility Vehicle Toyota Sequoia
Near Luxury Utility Vehicle Land Rover LR2
Luxury Utility Vehicle Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Compact/Midsize Pickup Honda Ridgeline
Fullsize Light Duty Pickup Ford F150
Hybrid/Alternative Powertrain Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Mainstream Brand Residual Value Rankings

1. Honda
2. Toyota
3. Nissan
4. Subaru
5. Mazda
6. Volkswagen
7. Mitsubishi
8. Saturn

Only brands above the mainstream average were ranked. Below mainstream average
were the following brands (listed in alphabetical order): Buick, Chevrolet,
Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Pontiac, and Suzuki.

Luxury Brand Residual Value Rankings

1. Infiniti
2. Acura
3. Lexus
4. Audi
5. BMW
6. Land Rover
7. Porsche

Only brands above the luxury average were ranked. Below luxury average were the
following brands (listed in alphabetical order): Cadillac, Jaguar, Lincoln,
Mercedes Benz, Saab, and Volvo.

About ALG (www.alg.com)

Based in Santa Barbara, California, ALG is a leading provider of data and
consulting services to the automotive industry. ALG publishes the “Automotive
Lease Guide” – the standard for Residual Value projections in North America, and
has been forecasting automotive residual values for over 37 years in both the
U.S. and Canadian markets. ALG is a company of DealerTrack Holdings, Inc.
(Nasdaq: TRAK).

TRAK-G

ALG Canada
Tanya Thompson, 905-281-6224
tthompson@alg.com
or
RF|Binder Partners
Stephanie Lowenthal, 212-994-7619
Stephanie.lowenthal@rfbinder.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009

JEREMY CATO

From Thursday’s Globe and Mail

May 14, 2009 at 11:17 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES — The seats push cool air to keep you from getting sticky in the summer sun. The audio system is loud and clear with the roof folded and tucked away (13 speakers overall, including a 10-inch speaker in the front door and headrest speakers). And the ride and handling are athletic for a car without a permanent roof.

This is the Infiniti G37 and it’s about time. Infiniti has been in need of a sexy flagship for – well, pretty much forever. And with a June on-sale imminent, the G37 convertible is it.

“It’s not an old person’s car,” says Infiniti Canada planning boss Ian Forsyth.

Forsyth and his pals are being coy about pricing, what with the muscular yen making a mess of price tags on exported models from Japan. But look for numbers in the mid- to high-$50,000s, which will make the G37 convertible competitive with BMW’s 3-Series Cabriolet ($55,600-$65,600).

Enlarge ImageThe G37 convertible goes on sale next month. (NISSAN)

That’s the point.

Infiniti sees itself as something of Japan’s answer to the Bavarians. Sporty styling, racy handling and all that. And that’s why the engineers put so much effort into making sure the G convertible is rigid, solid.

They beefed up the chassis with more structure behind the rear seats. They strengthened around the A-pillar (that supports the windshield).

It all worked, though the A-pillar’s design can make entering and exiting tricky if you’re not careful. Visibility to the side and rear is not quite ideal, either.

That said, the Sport version – the stiffest model – is quite the handler. You can carve corners happily here, boxing around the standard six-speed manual tranny or paddle-shifting the seven-speed automatic. The less aggressive, more luxurious Premier G37 has only the seven-speed autobox, by the way.

And the car looks good, too – not fat and bloated at the rear end, which can happen with these convertibles with the hardtops that fold into the trunk. All that sheet metal has to go somewhere, right?

Yet the designers and engineers managed to stay almost completely within the dimensions of the G coupe. The convertible is only 10 mm longer than the coupe and about 40 mm wider at the rear. Not a bad trick for a car with room for the roof in the trunk.

The engineering team at Germany’s Karmann Group helped a lot here. Yes, this is the same Karmann that filed for bankruptcy protection last month in Germany.

In any case, the Infiniti-Karmann partnership is moving ahead, regardless. It’s worth noting that Infiniti has never worked with Karmann, yet what the engineers did is pretty slick: the G’s roof panels shuffle and invert for more efficient trunk stacking. The roof is all gone in about 30 seconds or so.

“It’s not just a coupe with the roof removed,” Forsyth says.

I like the drive, but I love the cabin. The leather in my tester was just soft enough, but not mushy or gooey to the feel. Lots of back, thigh and lumbar support, too. The materials look and feel upscale but not ostentatious or showy. And the controls make sense, unlike a lot of high-tech cars these days.

Alas, all is not ideal. Daylight glare makes the instrument panel lights nearly unreadable. If you’re wearing sunglasses – a must in a convertible – you’ll struggle.

Infiniti needs this convertible in its lineup to jazz up a pretty basic portfolio of sedans, coupes and SUVs. It’s a halo car designed to cast a favourable shadow over the rest of the models. So the fact Infiniti might sell less than 1,000 in a good year is not the point. Brand-building, image-building, that’s the point.

And so it’s important for Infiniti to get this car right. Well, power is good from the 3.7-litre, V-6 engine: 325 horsepower.

The packaging makes sense, too. The Sport model has 10-spoke, 19-inch aluminum wheels with performance tires, sport-tuned steering, Brembo brakes, sport seats, aluminum pedals, power and memory front seats, leather interior and magnesium paddle shifters. The usual and expected electronic stability control and all the airbags are standard.

The Premier Edition comes in only one colour: Diamond graphite. It’s really metallic grey, if we’re being honest. The red leather upholstery is trimmed in real maple. The front seats are climate-controlled, there is a navigation system and the front grille is black.

If you want navigation on the Sport, you’ll need to opt for the Hi-Tech package and also pay for voice recognition, “Music Box” audio, intelligent cruise control, adaptive front lighting and pre-crash seatbelts.

The Sport model’s adaptive dual-zone climate control is pretty trick, I’ll give Infiniti that. When it’s colder outside, the system speeds up the fan to warm the cabin; when it’s hotter, more cool air is pumped into the cabin.

Then there’s the trunk. It’s a good size when the roof is up, but of little use when loaded with the folded lid. So use the back seat for your golf clubs; it’s not exactly ideal for real adults to sit, anyway.

What Infiniti has here is a great looking open-air car with excellent handling, loads of power, a rich cabin and some very smart features. Sure, we’d all like better visibility, a bigger trunk and a roomier back seat.

Then again, if we’re going to get all practical here, note that Infiniti’s residual or resale values are the best among luxury brands in Canada, according to Automotive Lease Guide.

That’s one more sensible argument in favour of this car.

****

2009 INFINITI G37 CONVERTIBLE

Type: Premium two-door convertible with folding hardtop

Price: (estimated) $55,000 and up

Engine: 3.7-litre V-6, SOHC

Horsepower/Torque: 325 hp/267 lb-ft

Transmission: Six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic

Drive: Rear-wheel-drive

Fuel economy (litres/100 km): 12.0 city/7.8 highway; premium gas

Alternatives: BMW 328i/335i Cabriolet, Audi A4 Cabriolet, Saab 9-3 convertible, Mercedes-Benz CLK350 convertible

****

Like

• Upscale, but not over-the-top, interior
• Excellent sound system
• Climate control with heating and cooling seats
• Slick folding top
• Handsome look without a big rear end

****

Don’t like

• Visibility in some directions
• Lack of useful trunk space when top down
• Small, small back seat
• Instruments tend to disappear in daylight, with top down

https://autos.winnipegfreepress.com/index.php?action=reviews&step=review&id=1336

By: Clare Dear

BEVERLY HILLS — The G series has become the volume leader for the Infiniti brand in Canada, with the second-generation G37 sedan and coupe delivering an appealing combination of advanced technologies, attractive styling and a high level of performance.

The one final piece needed to complete the lineup, says Ian Forsyth, Infiniti Canada product planning director, was a convertible — and now he’s getting his wish.

Infiniti is adding a droptop model to its G line with the 2009 G37 convertible, arriving in Canada in June. Before you assume this new model is simply a topless coupe, let me assure you it’s all new from the windshield pillar back. The body panels are different, the track is wider, the rear suspension has been reworked — even the tail lights have been redesigned.

Most of the changes were made to accommodate the retractable steel roof and its storage. The roof consists of three panels that fold away in a movement that takes about 25 seconds to complete. This design enables the G37 to have a shorter overhang and lower hatch lid. With the top up, the G37 has a stylish coupe look. Push a button on the centre console and a well-orchestrated transformation begins, with panels opening, folding, moving and closing. Once the roof is stored, the G37 assumes a clean look with no hint of the tall rear deck design seen on many competitive hardtop convertibles.

Infiniti engineers were able to achieve this lower profile by using a clamshell storage configuration for the roof, rather than the typical “stacked” design.

One issue the engineers haven’t resolved is how to find storage space for a roof plus personal items. Cargo capacity is almost nonexistent with the roof folded — just two cubic feet in a narrow trough between the stored panels and rear fascia. Forget even an overnight bag, and golf clubs will have to ride in the rear seat. Even with the top up, there’s just 10.3 cu. ft. for luggage.

Space is not a concern elsewhere, at least if you’re riding up front. The two front sport seats are heated, power adjustable and very comfy.

The G37 will be offered in Sport and Premier Edition trims. There’s just one colour combination for the latter — a graphite metallic exterior and red leather interior with handcrafted maple accents. This package also includes a navigation system with a seven-inch touch-screen display, voice recognition and 9.3-gigabyte hard-drive Music Box system augmenting the standard Bose Open Air audio system.

Standard equipment on the Sport model includes, in addition to the Bose sound system with its 13 speakers (including a pair built into each front headrest), a power tilt and telescopic steering column that also tilts the instrument cluster, adaptive dual-zone climate control that responds to changes in vehicle speed and whether the top is up or down, as well as ambient temperature, vehicle stability and traction controls, an intelligent key fob and push-button start/stop. Safety concerns are addressed by six air bags (front, seat sides and doors) plus pop-up rear rollover bars.

The Sport model also includes a brake upgrade, with larger ventilated rotors and four-piston calipers up front, twin-piston calipers in the rear.

There’s just one engine offered — Infiniti’s award-winning 3.7-litre V6, which also drives the G37 coupe and sedan. It features variable valve timing and lift, boosting response and performance while reducing emissions and enhancing fuel efficiency. It’s rated at 325 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 267 pound-feet of torque at 5,200 rpm.

Buyers have a choice of transmissions — a close-ratio six-speed manual or an electronically controlled seven-speed automatic that features a manual mode with rev-matching downshift function and magnesium paddles on the steering wheel.

– Canwest News Service

Automotive Lease Guide Canadian residual value rankings

Mainstream brands
Average 48-month residual value is 34.4 per cent

Honda: 40.4 per cent
Toyota: 39.4
Nissan: 39.2
Subaru: 39
Mazda: 38.6
Volkswagen: 37.2
Mitsubishi: 37
Saturn: 36.2
Below average (listed in alphabetical order): Buick, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Jeep, Kia, Pontiac, Suzuki

Luxury Brands

Average 36-month residual value is 41.0 per cent

Infiniti: 46.4 per cent
Acura: 45.0
Lexus: 44.7
Audi: 43.6
BMW: 43.5
Land Rover: 42.6
Porsche: 42.1
Below average (alphabetical order): Cadillac, Jaguar, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, Saab, Volvo

——————————————————————————–

How the brands do

Passenger Cars

The Canadian Black Book resale value after 48 months; the industry average is 37.8 per cent of the original price. The rankings show how much above or below the average the brand comes

ABOVE AVERAGE

Mini: 16.5 percentage points
Toyota: 13.5
Honda: 13.2
Smart: 10.7
Acura: 6.6
Mazda: 3.8
Volkswagen: 3.1
Mitsubishi: 2.4

Below average

Subaru: -0.2
Mercedes-Benz: -0.9
Volvo: -1.3
Nissan: -1.4
Audi: -2.3
Dodge: -2.8
Lexus: -4.3
BMW: -4.4
Suzuki: -5.3
Pontiac: -6.7
Hyundai: -6.8
Infiniti: -7.4
Ford: -8.3
Saturn: -8.6
Kia: -9.4
Cadillac: -10.1
Chevrolet: -10.2
Saab: -12.8
Buick: -14.1
Jaguar: -14.2
Mercury: -18.7
Chrysler: -19.8
Lincoln: -20.0

Light Trucks

Canadian Black Book 48-month resale value; industry average 27.4 per cent

Above average

Honda: 16.3
Lexus: 16.1
Mitsubishi: 15.5
Toyota: 14.2
BMW: 14.0
Infiniti: 13.7
Acura: 12.0
Hyundai: 10.1
Mercedes-Benz: 8.1
Saturn: 6.9
Subaru: 6.9
Hummer: 6.2
Nissan: 5.5
Volvo: 3.7
Kia: 3.1
Suzuki: 2.6

Below average

Land Rover: -0.2
Jeep: -0.5
Lincoln: -0.8
Cadillac: -1.5
Mazda: -1.7
GMC: -2.1
Buick: -2.8
Chrysler: -3.1
Chevrolet: -4.1
Ford: -5.3
Dodge: -6.9
Pontiac: -8.4

http://www.iihs.org/news/rss/pr112508.html

ARLINGTON, VA – Seventy-two vehicles earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2009. This is more than double the number of 2008 recipients and more than 3 times the number of 2007 winners. TOP SAFETY PICK recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, and rear crashes based on good ratings in Institute tests. Winners also have to have electronic stability control (ESC), which research shows significantly reduces crash risk.

For the first time ever, winners represent every class of vehicle the Institute tests except microcars. Most car, minivan, and SUV models, midsize convertibles, and small and large pickups are eligible. Ford and its subsidiary Volvo have 16 winners, including the Ford F-150 large pickup. Thirteen winners are from Honda and its Acura division. The Honda Fit with optional ESC is the first minicar to earn TOP SAFETY PICK.

Honda, Acura, and Subaru, which picked up 4 awards, are standouts for 2009 because they have at least 1 TOP SAFETY PICK in every vehicle class in which they compete.

“Consumers are the biggest winners,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “No matter what kind of vehicle buyers may be considering, now they can walk into just about any dealership and find one that affords the best overall protection in serious crashes.”

Front and side impacts are the most common kinds of fatal crashes, killing about three-quarters of the 28,896 passenger vehicle occupants who died in 2007. Rear-end crashes usually aren’t fatal, but they result in a large proportion of crash injuries. Neck sprain or strain is the most commonly reported injury in two thirds of insurance claims for injuries in all kinds of crashes.

Automakers improve protection: TOP SAFETY PICK provides an incentive for manufacturers to offer safer vehicle designs that go far beyond basic federal standards.

“In order to win, automakers have beefed up the side structures of vehicles and added side airbags to do a better job of protecting people in serious side crashes,” Lund says. “They’re rapidly adding ESC to prevent crashes, and they’re designing seats and head restraints that do a better job of protecting against whiplash.”

The changes are evident in the safety equipment that is increasingly standard. For the 2009 model year, 84 percent of passenger cars, 99 percent of SUVs, and 23 percent of pickups have standard side airbags with head protection. The same is true for ESC. It’s standard on 74 percent of passenger cars, 99 percent of SUVs, and 37 percent of pickups.

Crash avoidance is required: The Institute began the TOP SAFETY PICK program in 2006, initially giving out 2 tiers of awards. Gold winners scored good ratings for front, side, and rear crash protection. Silver winners had good ratings in front and side tests and acceptable ratings in rear evaluations.

For 2007, the Institute raised the bar to win by requiring good rear impact results and ESC as either standard or optional equipment. ESC helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles in the worst situation – loss of control at high speed – by engaging automatically when it senses vehicle instability and helping to bring a vehicle back in the intended line of travel. ESC lowers the risk of a fatal single-vehicle crash by about half, and it lowers the risk of a fatal rollover crash by as much as 70 percent.

Rear, side performance still lags: Crash tests have driven major improvements in the designs of all kinds and sizes of passenger vehicles. The Institute began conducting frontal tests for consumer information in 1995. Side tests were added in 2003 and rear tests in 2004. Most vehicles earn good ratings based on the frontal crash test, but significant differences remain among vehicles’ performance in side and rear tests.

Twenty-six models fall short of earning TOP SAFETY PICK because of inadequate head restraint designs. The Smart Fortwo, the only microcar in the US market, missed because of its head restraints. The same goes for Toyota’s hybrid Prius, which performed well in the Institute’s front and side crash tests but came up short for rear crash protection.

Chrysler is the only major automaker lacking a single TOP SAFETY PICK. It could have picked up 5 awards if the head restraints were better in the Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring, the Sebring convertible, and the Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country.

A 2008 Institute analysis of insurance claims found that, all other factors being the same, drivers of vehicles with seat/head restraint combinations rated good in Institute evaluations were 15 percent less likely to sustain neck injuries in rear-end crashes than drivers of vehicles with poor head restraints.

Eleven vehicles missed the mark because they didn’t earn a good rating for occupant protection in side crashes. Many of these vehicles are smaller cars whose size puts them at a disadvantage in the challenging test compared with larger, heavier vehicles.

Still, the sheer number of this year’s winners indicates that automakers have made huge strides to improve crash protection to achieve TOP SAFETY PICK designation,” Lund says. “For years Toyota had more also-rans than winners. For 2009 this automaker has come on strong by updating seats and head restraints in the Avalon, Corolla, FJ Cruiser, and RAV4 to earn good ratings. Volkswagen has done the same with the Eos, Jetta, Passat, and Rabbit.”

Winners include 8 large cars, 13 midsize cars, 6 small cars, 1 minicar, 3 midsize convertibles, and 3 minivans. Among SUVs, 19 are midsize, 10 are small, and 5 are large. The 2008 Toyota Tundra was the first large pickup to earn TOP SAFETY PICK. For 2009, the Tundra is joined by the Ford F-150 and the Honda Ridgeline. The Toyota Tacoma is the only small pickup winner.

Each year the Institute offers to test TOP SAFETY PICK candidates early in the model year. The policy is for manufacturers to reimburse the Institute for the cost of vehicles if the tests aren’t part of the group’s regular schedule. TOP SAFETY PICK is presented by vehicle size because size and weight are closely related, and both influence how well occupants will be protected in serious crashes. Larger, heavier vehicles generally afford better protection in crashes than smaller, lighter ones.

“Just because small cars are TOP SAFETY PICKs doesn’t make them as crashworthy as larger vehicles,” Lund says. “Rather, it’s all the more important to choose a small car that rates highly for safety because you give up the protection of size and weight.”

How vehicles are evaluated: The Institute’s frontal crashworthiness evaluations are based on results of 40 mph frontal offset crash tests. Each vehicle’s overall evaluation is based on measurements of intrusion into the occupant compartment, injury measures recorded on a Hybrid III dummy in the driver seat, and analysis of slow-motion film to assess how well the restraint system controlled dummy movement during the test.

Side evaluations are based on performance in a crash test in which the side of a vehicle is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph. The barrier represents the front end of a pickup or SUV. Ratings reflect injury measures recorded on two instrumented SID-IIs dummies, assessment of head protection countermeasures, and the vehicle’s structural performance during the impact.

Rear crash protection is rated according to a two-step procedure. Starting points for the ratings are measurements of head restraint geometry – the height of a restraint and its horizontal distance behind the back of the head of an average-size man. Seat/head restraints with good or acceptable geometry are tested dynamically using a dummy that measures forces on the neck. This test simulates a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck in the rear at 20 mph. Seats without good or acceptable geometry are rated poor overall because they can’t be positioned to protect many people.

ALL 72 WINNERS

Large cars
Acura RL
Audi A6
Cadillac CTS
Ford Taurus
Lincoln MKS
Mercury Sable
Toyota Avalon
Volvo S80

Midsize cars
Acura TL, TSX
Audi A3, A4
BMW 3 series 4-door models
Ford Fusion with optional electronic stability control
Honda Accord 4-door models
Mercedes C class
Mercury Milan with optional electronic stability control
Saab 9-3
Subaru Legacy
Volkswagen Jetta, Passat

Midsize convertibles
Saab 9-3
Volkswagen Eos
Volvo C70

Small cars
Honda Civic 4-door models (except Si) with optional electronic stability control
Mitsubishi Lancer with optional electronic stability control
Scion xB
Subaru Impreza with optional electronic stability control
Toyota Corolla with optional electronic stability control
Volkswagen Rabbit

Minicar
Honda Fit with optional electronic stability control

Minivans
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Entourage
Kia Sedona

Large SUVs
Audi Q7
Buick Enclave
Chevrolet Traverse
GMC Acadia
Saturn Outlook

Midsize SUVs
Acura MDX, RDX
BMW X3, X5
Ford Edge, Flex, Taurus X
Honda Pilot
Hyundai Santa Fe, Veracruz
Infiniti EX35
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes M class
Nissan Murano
Saturn VUE
Subaru Tribeca
Toyota FJ Cruiser, Highlander
Volvo XC90

Small SUVs
Ford Escape
Honda CR-V, Element
Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner
Mitsubishi Outlander
Nissan Rogue
Subaru Forester
Toyota RAV4
Volkswagen Tiguan

Large pickups
Ford F-150
Honda Ridgeline
Toyota Tundra

Small pickup
Toyota Tacoma

ALSO-RANS
These 26 vehicles earn good ratings in front and side crash tests. They have ESC, standard or optional. They would be 2009 TOP SAFETY PICK winners if their seat/head restraints also earn good ratings:

Chevrolet Malibu
Chrysler Sebring, Sebring convertible, Town & Country
Dodge Avenger, Grand Caravan
Infiniti G35, M35
Kia Amanti
Lexus ES, GS,IS
Mazda CX-7, CX-9
Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder, Endeavor
Nissan Altima, Pathfinder, Quest, Xterra
Saturn AURA
Smart Fortwo
Toyota 4Runner, Camry, Prius, Sienna

As seen in: “Newest models arriving for spring”

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/subscriber/autos/articles/general/story/4142834p-4733514c.html

By: Myron Love
Updated: April 2 at 03:32 PM CDT

…Birchwood Infiniti Nissan officially introduced the newest Infiniti model, the EX 35, as well as the G37 coupe on Wednesday at a special-event evening at the Pointe West Auto Centre dealership. About 800 guests were invited to drop in between 5 and 9 p.m. to enjoy some wine, hors d’oeuvres and music and become acquainted with the models.

The EX 35 has actually been in since the beginning of February and the coupe since November. “We wanted to wait until spring to formally introduce the coupe,” says Birchwood Infiniti Nissan general manager Greg Flom.

Sales manager Phil Chow says the coupe has been totally redesigned. The sport coupe has a 3.7L engine with 330 hp and comes with either an automatic or six-speed manual transmission.

Chow points out that the interior has been extensively revamped, with several additional luxury touches incorporated in the new look.

The base price for the G37 Coupe is $51,897, including freight and pdi.

The EX 35 retains its predecessor’s ATTESA AWD system. The big new things, Chow says, is that the model has cameras imbedded all around to help with parking in close quarters and moving in reverse. The model also offers a quieter drive, touchscreen navigation, iPod compatibility, push-button start and intelligent keyless entry.

The new EX 35 has a 3.5L V-6 engine that puts out 297 hp. The base price is $42,000, including freight, pdi and AWD, and is $51,700 fully loaded.