Infiniti I
Encyclopedia
≠The Infiniti I30 and I35 are mid-size luxury cars sold under Nissan's Infiniti
marque in North America
n markets. The I was a rebadged Nissan Cefiro
and was mechanically related to the Nissan Maxima
. In the GCC region it was rebadged as Nissan Maxima. There is also an 'i30 turbo (touring).
shared with the Maxima, as it was Infiniti's first rebadged North America
n Nissan. It produced 190 hp. The "near-luxury" I30 was Infiniti's top seller. All I30/I35s were built in Oppama
, Japan
(the former home of the Maxima). The very first I30 was built on June 27, 1995. The I30 was Infiniti's entry-level car for 1997–1998, and the return of the Infiniti G20 in 1999 returned to take over from the I30 as Infiniti's entry-level car.
Infiniti released the original I30 in 1996 as a replacement for their aging J30 sedan, which was a rear-wheel drive car. Although the overseas Nissan Primera
based G20 was technically Infiniti's least expensive model, the I30 was the company's mid-level luxury car, whereas the entry level G20 competed against the likes of Acura Integra, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes C-class. I30 was aimed at buyers who would otherwise be considering the Mercedes-Benz E-Class
, BMW 5 Series
and Saab 9-5
.
Infiniti
made several revisions to the I30 throughout the mid and late 1990s, including a fairly tail lights and the touring model now had 5 spoke wheels instead of the old BBS wheels. The Touring model included more aggressive suspension tuning as well as a spoiler and BBS
wheels, and a small percentage of first-generation I30s had 5-speed manual transmission
s, many with VLSD. An In-Dash hands-free car phone was also available as an option.
was no longer offered (except in Middle East).
In late 2001 the model got its most significant host of upgrades, including minor revisions to the interior, new optional equipment, larger brakes, a re-tuned suspension system, and standard stability control. The car was renamed I35 to reflect an engine-displacement increase from 3.0 to 3.5 L. Nissan's VQ35DE V6 produced 255 hp. Styling was also updated.
Infiniti wanted to convince buyers that the new suspension tuning, enlarged brakes, stability control and 255 horsepower
engine had transformed the I into more of a sports sedan and less of sedate entry-level model, but was largely unsuccessful. The model was only available with a 4-speed automatic transmission
and front wheel drive, meaning that the ES300
and Acura
's pre-existing second generation 3.2TL
remained its closest competitors, with models like the BMW 5-Series remaining out of its league.
In September 2004, Nissan announced that I35 production would cease and that model year 2004 would be the last for this vehicle. It was also the last remaining front-wheel drive
Infiniti since the Infiniti G20 ended production after the 2002 model year. Infiniti discontinued the I after a short run of 2004 models. The I was succeeded by the new Infiniti M
(introduced for 2003).
In Indonesia
, the early models were sold from the year 2000 to 2002 as Infiniti I30 Standard and Touring. The late models from 2002 to 2003 was sold as Nissan Cefiro
3.0 Brougham VIP.
This version continued to be sold in the Middle East as the Nissan Maxima with both automatic and manual transmissions until 2009.
Infiniti
is the luxury division of automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially started selling vehicles on November 8, 1989 in North America. Marketing operations have since grown to include the Middle East, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, China, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Infiniti began sales in additional...
marque in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n markets. The I was a rebadged Nissan Cefiro
Nissan Cefiro
The Nissan Cefiro is a intermediate-size automobile range sold in Japan and other countries. The 1989 model was introduced initially as a 4-door sedan, however a wagon was later produced. A large proportion were equipped with automatic transmissions....
and was mechanically related to the Nissan Maxima
Nissan Maxima
The first car to wear the Maxima name was introduced in 1981. It was essentially a Japanese-market Bluebird 910 with a longer nose. The car was offered as the 810 Deluxe or 810 Maxima that first year, and all 810s became Maximas for 1982...
. In the GCC region it was rebadged as Nissan Maxima. There is also an 'i30 turbo (touring).
First generation (A32)
The 1996 I30 used a 3.0L VQ30DE V6 engineV6 engine
A V6 engine is a V engine with six cylinders mounted on the crankcase in two banks of three cylinders, usually set at either a right angle or an acute angle to each other, with all six pistons driving a common crankshaft...
shared with the Maxima, as it was Infiniti's first rebadged North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n Nissan. It produced 190 hp. The "near-luxury" I30 was Infiniti's top seller. All I30/I35s were built in Oppama
Oppama
Oppama may refer to:*Oppama, a location in Yokosuka, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan*Oppama Station, a train station on the Keikyū Main Line in Japan*Oppama Base/Oppama Test Facility, a fictional location in the anime series Sky Girls...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
(the former home of the Maxima). The very first I30 was built on June 27, 1995. The I30 was Infiniti's entry-level car for 1997–1998, and the return of the Infiniti G20 in 1999 returned to take over from the I30 as Infiniti's entry-level car.
Infiniti released the original I30 in 1996 as a replacement for their aging J30 sedan, which was a rear-wheel drive car. Although the overseas Nissan Primera
Nissan Primera
The Nissan Primera is a medium sized family car produced by the Japanese automaker Nissan for the Japanese domestic and European markets.-Nissan Primera P10 :...
based G20 was technically Infiniti's least expensive model, the I30 was the company's mid-level luxury car, whereas the entry level G20 competed against the likes of Acura Integra, BMW 3 Series, and Mercedes C-class. I30 was aimed at buyers who would otherwise be considering the Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a range of executive-size cars manufactured by Mercedes-Benz in various engine and body configurations. The E initially stood for Einspritzmotor, ; a new feature in volume production vehicles at the time that the E-Class first appeared, with the E as a suffix to the...
, BMW 5 Series
BMW 5 Series
The BMW 5 Series is a mid-size / executive car manufactured by BMW since 1972. The car, now in its sixth generation, is sold in sedan and touring body styles....
and Saab 9-5
Saab 9-5
The Saab 9-5 is an executive car produced by the Swedish automobile maker Saab. The first generation was introduced in 1997 as the replacement to the Saab 9000 for the 1998 model year. At the time, the car represented a great leap forward for Saab...
.
Infiniti
Infiniti
is the luxury division of automaker Nissan. Infiniti officially started selling vehicles on November 8, 1989 in North America. Marketing operations have since grown to include the Middle East, South Korea, Russia, Taiwan, China, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. Infiniti began sales in additional...
made several revisions to the I30 throughout the mid and late 1990s, including a fairly tail lights and the touring model now had 5 spoke wheels instead of the old BBS wheels. The Touring model included more aggressive suspension tuning as well as a spoiler and BBS
BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik AG
BBS Kraftfahrzeugtechnik AG is a high performance automobile wheel design company headquartered in Schiltach, Germany. BBS serves North America through BBS of America, located in Braselton, Georgia, adjacent to the Road Atlanta Racetrak...
wheels, and a small percentage of first-generation I30s had 5-speed manual transmission
Manual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
s, many with VLSD. An In-Dash hands-free car phone was also available as an option.
Second generation (A33)
The I30 was redesigned for 2000 along with the Nissan Maxima. Engine power was up to 227 hp but the manual transmissionManual transmission
A manual transmission, also known as a manual gearbox or standard transmission is a type of transmission used in motor vehicle applications...
was no longer offered (except in Middle East).
In late 2001 the model got its most significant host of upgrades, including minor revisions to the interior, new optional equipment, larger brakes, a re-tuned suspension system, and standard stability control. The car was renamed I35 to reflect an engine-displacement increase from 3.0 to 3.5 L. Nissan's VQ35DE V6 produced 255 hp. Styling was also updated.
Infiniti wanted to convince buyers that the new suspension tuning, enlarged brakes, stability control and 255 horsepower
Horsepower
Horsepower is the name of several units of measurement of power. The most common definitions equal between 735.5 and 750 watts.Horsepower was originally defined to compare the output of steam engines with the power of draft horses in continuous operation. The unit was widely adopted to measure the...
engine had transformed the I into more of a sports sedan and less of sedate entry-level model, but was largely unsuccessful. The model was only available with a 4-speed automatic transmission
Automatic transmission
An automatic transmission is one type of motor vehicle transmission that can automatically change gear ratios as the vehicle moves, freeing the driver from having to shift gears manually...
and front wheel drive, meaning that the ES300
Lexus ES
The Lexus ES series is a family of mid-size luxury sedans sold by Lexus since 1989. Now in its fifth generation, the series has been consistently built on the Toyota Camry platform with a V6 engine, automatic transmission, and front-wheel drive...
and Acura
Acura
Acura is the luxury vehicle division of Japanese automaker Honda Motor Company. The brand has been available in the United States and Canada since March 1986, marketing luxury, performance, and near-performance vehicles. It was introduced to Hong Kong in 1991, Mexico in 2004, and China in 2006...
's pre-existing second generation 3.2TL
Acura TL
The TL "Touring Luxury" debuted as 1996 model, first with the 1996 2.5 TL available with the 2.5 L 176 hp SOHC 20-valve 5-cylinder engine from the Vigor. The 3.2 TL used the 3.2 L 200 hp SOHC 24v V6 from the second generation Acura Legend. The 2.5 TL was positioned as the...
remained its closest competitors, with models like the BMW 5-Series remaining out of its league.
In September 2004, Nissan announced that I35 production would cease and that model year 2004 would be the last for this vehicle. It was also the last remaining front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive
Front-wheel drive is a form of engine/transmission layout used in motor vehicles, where the engine drives the front wheels only. Most modern front-wheel drive vehicles feature a transverse engine, rather than the conventional longitudinal engine arrangement generally found in rear-wheel drive and...
Infiniti since the Infiniti G20 ended production after the 2002 model year. Infiniti discontinued the I after a short run of 2004 models. The I was succeeded by the new Infiniti M
Infiniti M
The "M" nameplate has been used on various mid-luxury cars from the Infiniti luxury division of Nissan.The first iteration was the M30 Coupe/Convertible, which were rebadged JDM Nissan Leopard....
(introduced for 2003).
In Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, the early models were sold from the year 2000 to 2002 as Infiniti I30 Standard and Touring. The late models from 2002 to 2003 was sold as Nissan Cefiro
Nissan Cefiro
The Nissan Cefiro is a intermediate-size automobile range sold in Japan and other countries. The 1989 model was introduced initially as a 4-door sedan, however a wagon was later produced. A large proportion were equipped with automatic transmissions....
3.0 Brougham VIP.
This version continued to be sold in the Middle East as the Nissan Maxima with both automatic and manual transmissions until 2009.
External links
- Official Infiniti USA site
- Wikianswers - Infiniti I30 FAQ