CHICAGO -- Infiniti, the luxury division of Nissan, rounded out its model line Wednesday with the unveiling of the J30, a midsized personal luxury sedan whose daring style breaks what its designers called 'the tyranny of the wedge.'
For years, automakers, domestic and foreign, have resorted to sharp angles to reduce drag and improve fuel efficiency. But the J30 emphasizes flowing curves, from its wide oval-shaped grille to its sloping trunk.
'The Infiniti J30 is designed to evoke a strong emotional response from everyone who sees and drives it. Its fluid original styling projects the sensibility of a coupe without sacrificing the convenience of a four-door sedan,' said William Bruce, vice president and general manager of the Infiniti Division.
The body, designed at Nissan Design International in San Diego, is quite distinct from the rest of the Infiniti line and represents a clear break from the angular, aerodynamic look that has dominated the industry.
'What they set out to do was ... to get away from the tyranny of the wedge,' said Peter Harris, Infiniti manager of marketing plans.
Harris said the industry had long relied on aerodynamics to help meet federal fuel efficiency standards. But Bruce said reliance on aerodynamics is no longer necessary.
'There are a lot of new materials out there that allow you to reduce weight to improve fuel effiency so we don't have to rely on shapes,' Bruce said.
As a result, he said, he expects to see a good deal more differentiation between competing car makes, and even between different models from the same automaker.
Certainly there will be no mistaking the J30 for any other model currently on the road.
The front view is highlighted by twin projector-beam headlights, a broad hood and the wide, oval grille. The top and sides arc gently to the sloping trunk. The rear view is completed with full-width taillights and an integrated bumper.
The flowing design is carried through to the surprisingly roomy interior, where broad expanses of open glass and the soft curves of the instrument panel complement the exterior lines.
The J30 comes equipped with driver-side and front passenger-side airbags; eight-way power door locks, remote keyless entry system, a Bose Audio System with in-dash compact-disc player. The cars will be pre- wired for two-types of optional, hands-free dealer-installed cellular phones, with the antenna laminated into the rear window glass.
Under the hood, the J30 is powered by a dual overhead cam 24-valve V6 engine rated at 210 horsepower and generating 193 pounds of torque.
Delivering that power to the wheels is a standard electronically controlled four-speed overdrive transmission with interactive engine- transmission controls to eliminate shift shock.
The J30 also features speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion steering, power-assisted four-wheel antilock brakes and a limited-slip differential to help in low-traction situations.
While a price has not yet been set, Bruce said he expects the J30 to be priced in the 'low to mid-30s'.
Manufactured in Japan, the J30 will go on sale in North America this spring as a 1993 model.
The midsize J30 -- which completes the Infiniti model line -- will be No. 2 in the lineup, behind its flagship Q45. The larger Q45, billed as a performance luxury sedan, is priced in the $42,000-$45,000 range.
Following the J-30 in the Infiniti lineup is the smaller M30, Infiniti's only coupe. Also available in a convertible, it sells in the $24,000 range.
Rounding out the line is the Infini G30 sedan, priced around $20,000.
