Infiniti M45 Sedans over Inaccurate Fuel Gauge Reading

For various reasons, it's not uncommon for drivers to run their cars on empty before filling up at a gas station - which isn't usually a problem if the fuel gauge reading is accurate.

However, for a number of owners of the short-lived Infiniti M45 sedan from the 2003 and 2004 model years, waiting for the low fuel warning light to go up before visiting a service station, can prove to be troublesome.

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration [NHTSA] said that it's Office of Defects Investigation has received 43 complaints alleging inaccurate fuel gauge reading from owners of the aforementioned Infiniti M45 sedans.

NHTSA noted that from the 45 complaints, 26 incidents allegedly resulted in engine stall. "All 26 incidents reported stalling because the fuel level reading indicated fuel in the tank when there was none. The complaints show an apparent increasing trend, with most received within the past year," said the safety agency.

As a result, NHTSA has opened a preliminary investigation into some 8,100 Infiniti M45s from model years 2003 to 2004 to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.

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Infiniti’s Mercedes A-Class-based Compact Model to be Built by Magna Steyr

Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Japan’s second biggest automaker, wants Nissan's luxury brand, Infiniti, to have a 10 percent share in the premium segment, which amounts to 500,000 units.

The “Power 88” plan that Ghosn revealed last June calls for the rapid expansion of Infiniti, which is an established player in the U.S. market but almost non-existent in Europe: in 2010 it sold 4,500 units, a tenth of BMW’s January 45,000 sales…

Back in August, we revealed that Infiniti was preparing a small, entry-level premium model to compete with the likes of Audi’s A3 and BMW’s 1-Series, and that it would use another premium carmaker’s help: Mercedes Benz and its newly developed MFA platform employed by the 2012 A-Class.

Now, Autonews reports that the Infiniti's C-segment model, which was previewed by the Etherea concept at the Geneva Motor Show this past March, will be manufactured in Austria by Magna Steyr.

The Austrian company has a huge experience in manufacturing vehicles for other carmakers. It's most well-known models are the first-generation BMW X3, the European Jeep Grand Cherokee, the Peugeot RCZ and the Mini Countryman, and of course, Mercedes’ no-frills 4x4, the G-Wagen, which it has built since 1979.

Sources report that the deal, which is expected to be signed next month, stipulates that Magna Steyr will receive many preassembled “complete parts” from Mercedes-Benz .The new model’s annual production will be around 50,000-60,000 units, significantly boosting Infiniti’s global sales.

The entry-level Infiniti will be launched in 2013 and will be based on Mercedes’ MFA new front-wheel drive platform. Tying up with Daimler on April 2010 was Nissan’s first move towards its target, cutting development and production costs for both groups.

Using a sub-contractor and a rather experienced one at that to build a mainstream model means that you can save even more, since you don’t have to retool your existing plants or set up a new one, either of which are much more expensive solutions.

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Infiniti Offers Select FX European Buyers a Chance to See the Inner Workings of Red Bull F1 Team

The FX “concept” that was unwrapped at the Frankfurt Motor Show was supposed to be a one-off model designed with input from 2010 (and, subsequently, 2011) Formula 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel.

However, Infiniti did what everyone expected, and less than a month later confirmed that the tweaked, 420HP luxury crossover would indeed enter production, albeit in limited numbers.

Now, as part of the celebrations for Sebastian Vettel's 2011 championship, Infiniti is offering European buyers of the FX the chance to get a unique insight of the inner workings of the Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team.

The FX World Champion Experience, as Infiniti calls it, will be offered only to select customers in Europe (there will only be 10 invitations for the UK) who order an FX. This applies not just to the top of the line FX50S Premium, which is also Vettel’s ride, but any model in the crossover range.

These select FX buyers will be invited to Red Bull Racing Milton Keynes headquarters early next year where a member of the team will take them on a behind-the-scenes tour. January is probably the best time to witness first-hand a Formula 1 team, because everyone will be working at full speed in preparation for the 2012 Season.

The F1 factory tour includes the three main areas of the factory: design, production and assembly. The lucky visitors will get a genuine piece from an actual RBR F1 car to take with them, as well as a free Red Bull Racing wrap for their FX. The latter is available to all FX customers, but at an extra cost…

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New Audi A6 Ties with Infiniti M37 and Saab 9-5 Flunks

Until now, Consumer Reports' [CR] number one choice in the medium segment luxury sedan, the Infiniti M37. Not anymore, because the assessment after reviewing 2012 Audi A6, the M37 is to share first place with the Ingolstadt premium sedan.

The new Audi A6 was awarded an "excellent" with a total score of 93 points. This is a huge improvement over the previous model is 79 points.

"The Audi A6 is an impressive new design car and fun to drive," said senior director of the Auto Test Center in CR. Consumer Reports says that the significant improvement is due to the combination of the revised model acceleration, handling and ride comfort and high quality interior and quiet.

Other models included in the test medium sized luxury CR were the Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetec, the hybrid and the new Infiniti M35h 9-5.

With the diesel engine, 210HP Mercedes, was proof "excellent" scores street, and a new fuel economy for its class of 26 mpg for a player who managed 25 mpg hybrid M35h.

M35h also received the "Excellent" for all the test score, thanks to its quick acceleration and fuel economy, but has received criticism over his non-linear power delivery and handling and braking are more limited version of the M37 a regular basis.

"The gas-electric system that can provide rapid acceleration and fuel economy that goes along with some four-cylinder family sedans, but its power delivery tends to be jerky and abrupt, and its handling and braking not quite, the conventional M37, "said Consumer Reports.

Unfortunately for Saab in trouble, the new 9-5 marks the test well in the Czech Republic. He received praise for its interior shape and an excellent finish and handling, but its noisy engine, stiffness, poor visibility and speeding led to a new model of Saab slow to not receive a "recommended" label.

"The new design of the Saab 9-5, is disappointing in that rarified class. It shares a platform with the Buick Regal and LaCrosse, his former GM cousins, but the 9-5 does not measure many of these models or their competitors," said CR . "In general, performance is not high enough to be recommended."

Story References: Consumer Reports

 

AUDI A6

INFINITI M35h

MERCEDES-BENZ E350 BLUE-TEC

SAAB 9-5

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