Infiniti Q45 History
Infiniti's founding flagship — a 278-hp V8 sedan that debuted alongside the brand in 1989 and ran through 2006.
Photo: “File:1990 Infiniti Q45 (G50) (49857755532).jpg” by Jones028 from Hong Kong / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
History
The Q45 was the car that launched Infiniti when it went on sale in August 1989 as a 1990 model, powered by a 278-hp 4.5-liter DOHC V8 (VH45DE) and competing directly with the Lexus LS 400 and Acura Legend. Its early advertising was famously abstract — rocks and rivers rather than the car itself — which became a marketing cautionary tale.
Three generations spanned its life: the first (1990–1996) was developed specifically for Infiniti and based on the Nissan President platform; the second (1997–2001) was a more conservative rebadge of the Nissan Cima on the Y33 platform; the third (2002–2006) was a restyled car that continued until Infiniti retired the nameplate in favor of the Nissan Fuga-based M sedan.
Generations
First generation (G50) · G50
Photo: “File:1990 Infiniti Q45 (G50) (49857755532).jpg” by Jones028 from Hong Kong / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
The purpose-built founding flagship — a 278-hp V8 rear-drive sedan that introduced Infiniti to North America.
1990 Photo: “File:1990 Infiniti Q45 (G50) (49857755532).jpg” by Jones028 from Hong Kong / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1993 Photo: “File:1993 Infiniti Q45 in Beige, front left.jpg” by Mr.choppers / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1994 Photo: “File:1994 Infiniti Q45a in Black Obsidian, Front Left, 04-26-2023.jpg” by Elise240SX / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
1995 Photo: “File:1995 Infiniti Q45 (4.5) V8 front 4.13.19.jpg” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Second generation (Y33) · Y33
A rebadged Nissan Cima on the Y33 platform; more conservative styling than the original.
1997 Photo: “File:1997 Infinit Q45 4.1L front 6.20.18.jpg” by Kevauto / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Third generation
The final Q45, restyled and updated; retired after 2006 as the M sedan took over the flagship role.
2004 Photo: “File:2004 Infiniti Q45 (8878411795).jpg” by Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY 2.0. Cropped to 16:9.
Body styles
- Sedan
Related models
Collect the nameplate
Find a scale model of the Infiniti Q45
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