The upscale line of Infiniti, developed through Nissan of Japan but skewed toward luxury and performance, expands with a new all-wheel-drive version of the G35 premium sports sedan plus a vast sport-utility wagon cut for the full-size class.

In all, there are six distinct series of products in Infiniti's class of 2005, each canted for high-powered action and fitted with premium equipment.

Infiniti's elegant Q45 flagship sedan leads the line as a full-size luxury car rigged with a powerful V8 engine mounted up front with all muscle directed to the rear wheels for classic rear-wheel-drive (RWD) format. The 2005 issues reflect more aggressive exterior features with new fascia, reshaped hood and grille plus fine-line chrome trim. Inside, world-class luxuries and elegant appointments abound, along with high-tech gear and power-motivated gizmos that make the experience of driving and riding safe and comfortable, even fun. New double-stitched leather sport bucket seats stand up front with a new white meter gauge cluster and trim work in dark maple wood and chrome.

The Infiniti signature of an oval analog clock mounts at the center of the dash, and a high center pod contains controls for audio and climate systems plus the screen of a vehicle information system with DVD navigation and RearView bumper camera monitoring plus Visteon voice recognition. Power comes from a hunker V8 displacing 4.5 liters and knocking out 340 hp. It connects to an electronically-controlled five-speed automatic with manual shift gate. Further, the Q carries Infiniti's vehicle dynamic control (VDC) with traction control system (TCS) for computerized anti-skid control.

Shrink the Q one size to reach Infiniti's M45 performance sedan, which stocks Q45 drive train components. It draws on a 340-hp V8 and has four-wheel independent suspension, high intensity discharge (HID) xenon headlights and VDC with TCS. In the plush cabin standard equipment includes a Bose premium audio system with seven speakers, sport bolstered bucket seats clad in luxurious Sojourner leather plus frontal and side-impact air bags as well as curtain-style side air bags. The 2004 editions of M45 repeat in Infiniti's 2005 line while awaiting an entirely new treatment for this sedan that's due in the spring of 2005.

Consider the QX56 as an ultra-luxury treatment for Nissan's Pathfinder Armada SUV. Styling of the exterior does not disguise the bigness of this wagon -- it looks big because it is. Inside, the QX56 carves out enough space for as many as eight passengers on the three tiers of seats with twin buckets in front, a second row with bench or flip-forward buckets and a standard third-row bench that drops easily into the floor to expand the cargo capacity. To motivate such a behemoth requires massive muscle and the QX gets it from a V8 forged at Nissan's engine plant in Tennessee. The plant, constructed with an aluminum block, displaces 5.6 liters and generates 315 hp.

Tied to the engine is an electronically-controlled automatic transmission with five forward gears and a tow/haul mode, which reworks shift patterns when towing. When properly equipped with a tow rig, QX56 earns a trailer tow rating of 8,900 pounds. Infiniti casts QX56 as only one fully-equipped trim but it brings choices for RWD or AWD traction. Options are minimal -- a sunroof, Smart Vision Package, DVD-based video entertainment system, and satellite radio service through XM or Sirius subscription. (CONTINUED...)