PEBBLE BEACH, Calif., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire/ -- The all-new 2008 Infiniti EX35, which goes on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide in late December 2007, made its world production debut today on the lawns near the famed Pebble Beach Golf Course's 18th green. The Infiniti EX35, the latest addition to the Infiniti lineup, was driven onto a platform by Nissan Senior Vice President and Design Director Shiro Nakamura. Also shown for the first time was the new 2008 Infiniti M sport sedan, which features extensive exterior and interior enhancements, as well as the addition of a new all-wheel drive M45x model.

In related activities at the 57th annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, Infiniti is sponsoring a special exhibit, "The Infiniti Gallery of Design," a showcase of important designs from a variety of disciplines including architecture, jewelry, fashion, and home. Hearst Magazines is coordinating the exhibit, titled "Form Follows Emotion." Infiniti is also sponsor of the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance Media Center.

"Infiniti is pleased to have a major presence at this prestigious week- long festival of automotive heritage and luxury," said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti. "We can't think of a better venue to launch the all-new Infiniti EX35 and new 2008 Infiniti M than right here among some of the most exciting automotive designs in the world."

The 2008 Infiniti EX35

The all-new 2008 Infiniti EX35 offers an exceptional combination of seductive design, elegant interior and advanced technology systems - including the North American debut of the advanced Around View Monitor (AVM) system, which utilizes four small cameras to give the driver a "top-down view" of the outside of the vehicle while parking. The new EX35 also becomes the second Infiniti production vehicle, following the fall introduction of the 2008 Infiniti M, to offer the new Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, and the first to feature "Scratch Shield," a special "self-healing" clearcoat paint.

The EX35's sculpted elegance expresses a timeless appeal - sleek lines that portray speed, grace and finesse. Its layout combines the look and feel of a luxury coupe and an SUV's flexibility. Its sporty proportions include a long hood, short front and rear overhangs, rearward cabin and smooth coupe- like roofline arching over the windows to the C-pillars.

"The EX35 is the perfect fusion of a luxury coupe and a high-utility SUV," said Igo. "Its 'right-sized' packaging gives it excellent around town maneuverability, while the wide rear hatch and low load floor make it a versatile performer for everyday and weekend use."

Like all Infiniti vehicles, the EX35 is conceived to offer a reinvigorating and engaging interior environment, one that is both indulgent and inspiring. The driver-focused "wave-inspired" cabin layout features an Infiniti signature "double-wave" instrument panel, easy-to-read high-contrast gauges with white-and-violet illumination, hospitality lighting and Infiniti- signature analog clock.

EX35 also offers a number of advanced technologies, including available Bluetooth(R) Hands-Free Phone System, Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) subscription required, sold separately), RearView Monitor (available separately or as part of the Around View Monitor system) and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC).

Other available features include a Bose(R) Premium Audio System with Burr- Brown 24-bit DAC, 11 speakers including 2 subwoofers, 6CD in-dash changer and iPod(R) connectivity, and an available Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for music storage and playback.

Under the EX35's dramatic body is an equally advanced platform and powertrain based on the latest Infiniti performance technology. Its advanced FM platform provides the same high levels of handling precision and balance as it does for the Infiniti M, FX and G Coupe and Sedan.

Every 2008 Infiniti EX35 comes standard with a fourth-generation VQ35HR 3.5-liter V6 engine (shared with the new G35 Sedan), rated at 290-plus horsepower (estimated) and 5-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, DS sport mode with Downshift Rev Matching (DRM), and Adaptive Shift Control.

The front engine/rear-wheel drive EX35 is also offered with intelligent all-wheel drive. EX35 AWD models feature Infiniti's ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) all-wheel drive system, which is also utilized on the 2008 M, FX and G Sedan.

The EX35's advanced technology is highlighted by the Infiniti Around View Monitor and the Lane Departure Prevention system. The Infiniti Around View Monitor utilizes small front, side and rear-mounted cameras to project an all- around view of potential objects on every side of the vehicle - helping reduce blind spots when parking.

The Lane Departure Prevention system builds on the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system that is currently available on the Infiniti FX and Infiniti M. Rather than just use an audible/visual warning system to alert the driver of unintentional vehicle movement outside the designated lane, the LDP system uses the vehicle's Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system to help assist the driver in maintaining lane position if the vehicle inadvertently starts to drift outside of the lane.

Both LDP and the LDW systems use a small camera installed behind the windshield to detect lane markers in front of the vehicle and calculate its position relative to lane markers and warn the driver of lane drift (pending lane change without use of the turn signal) with a visual display and audible buzzer. At the same time, the LDP system assists the driver by using gentle control (generating part of the necessary yaw movement), using the VDC's brake actuator to control the brake pressure of each individual wheel to generate the intended movement.

"Infiniti has taken a leadership position in offering the first Lane Departure Warning systems for production vehicles. We're now poised to take the next step with the EX35's Lane Departure Prevention system," said Igo.

2008 Infiniti M

Just two years after its highly successful introduction, the Infiniti M receives major upgrades for 2008 that include the first-ever availability of Infiniti's intelligent ATTESA(TM) E-TS all-wheel drive system on the 4.5-liter V8-powered M45. The new model, designated M45x, joins the M35x to provide buyers with two choices in all-climate AWD performance.

"The Infiniti M is an expression of power, refinement, technology and design -- all the things that make Infiniti owners' hearts pound," said Igo. "The M captures the soul of the Infiniti brand, expressing it in invigorating, forward thinking ways."

Other enhancements for 2008 include revised interior and exterior styling and added luxury amenities and technologies, including the production debut of Infiniti's newest safety technology, the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system.

For 2008, climate-controlled front seats, rain-sensing wipers and HID Bi- Xenon headlights with automatic leveling and Advanced Front lighting System (AFS) are now standard. In addition, previous M Sport models have been replaced by an available Sport Package, which includes unique exterior and interior styling, Rear Active Steer (RAS) and 19-inch sport wheels and tires.

The Infiniti M's exterior enhancements for 2008 include revised front and rear fascia, grille, rear fender panels, rear decklid and taillight design, new chrome accents and new 18-inch and 19-inch sport aluminum-alloy wheels. There are also six new exterior colors (out of an available eight). There is also greater visual differentiation between the Sport Package-equipped models and non-Sport Package models.

Inside, the new 2008 Infiniti M includes revised wood and aluminum trim, an upgraded available Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with touch-screen, 9.3GB Music Box hard drive for digital music storage and playback and available XM NavTraffic(R) (requires active XM(R) subscription, sold separately), as well as new white and violet instrument panel and interior lighting, standard XM(R) Satellite Radio (requires XM(R) subscription, sold separately) and a revised Stone colored interior.

The M45 continues to offer a 325-horsepower 4.5-liter aluminum-alloy DOHC V8, while the M35 features the award-winning VQ-series 3.5-liter V6, tuned for the M to produce 275 horsepower. Both engines are mated to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission with performance shifter and manual shift mode with downshift rev matching.

In addition to the advanced navigation system, other technology includes standard Bluetooth(R) Hands-free Phone System, Infiniti Information Display with 7-inch LCD screen and easy-to-use controls, Infiniti Voice Recognition and available RearView Monitor.


Source: Nissan North America