chicagotribune.com's view

The new 1996 model Infiniti I30 that began arriving in dealerships last month is a bit confusing. To some it resembles a miniaturized Infiniti Q45, and to others a Nissan Maxima that has been . . . well, maximized.

Take your pick.

To expand its Infiniti luxury division lineup to offer a model between the smaller, compact G20 that starts at about $23,000and the larger J30 that starts at about $38,000, Nissan sandwiched in the I30 at $28,000 to $32,000.

To bring out the I30 quickly and more cheaply than developing a totally new car, Nissan molded the I30 out of the same clay as the Maxima. Lots of the same equipment, including the 3-liter Maxima V-6 but with some tweaks to the sheet metal so you have a Maxima that looks like a Q45 that’s priced less than a J30.

Now if Nissan started with a Sentra, we’d be upset, but Maxima is one solid building block to work from.

Heritage aside, the I30 is one impressive car, a front-wheel-drive luxury sedan in a rear-wheel-drive lineup.

It’s very roomy, though the model we tested, the I30t (t for touring) comes with a rather large emergency-brake handle alongside the center console that eats up some room. In back, your traveling companions will enjoy spacious leg, head and arm room.

Some luxury sedans require that couples travel in two cars because there’s no roomin back. The I30 eliminates that problem. There’s also a rear-seat slip-through into the trunk to handle skis or some 2x4s if, we suppose, you choose to build your own Infiniti.

The cabin is very quiet. No skimping on insulation or such refinements as liquid-filled engine mounts to reduce idle vibration and engine shake or rubber insulation on the fuel filter bracket to eliminate noise from fuel pulsing in the line.

We tested the I30t, with 15-inch, all-season radial tires and sports-tuned suspension (firmer struts and shocks to allow more aggressive ride while minimizing road harshness). The power steering quickly responds to driver input and provides for nimble handling. The long 106.3-inch wheelbase keeps occupants a good distance from the wheels and the point of impact with the road. You get a well-cushioned ride that’s not so soft that you float in corners or curves or so stiff that you get jarred or jostled in the same maneuvers.

Our test car was equipped with the same 3-liter, 190-horsepower, 24-valve, V-6 that’s in the Maxima, which means smooth, even acceleration and quiet operation. Our test car came with the standard 5-speed manual that despite its feather-smooth shifting is not the trans of choice for this luxury sedan. Even Infiniti admits that only 3 to 5 percent of buyers will opt for the manual over the automatic (at $1,000 more-ouch!).

It’s worth noting that the manual 3-liter is rated at 21 miles per gallon city/26 m.p.g. highway, but with the more practical 4-speed automatic the mileage rating is even better-21 city/28 highway.

If you live in an area of the country not bothered by rush-hour traffic or not scarred by road construction barriers April to October, you’ll love the smoothness of the 5-speed.(By the way, if you do live in such a pristine area, please write and send a map. We’d like a few moments of driving peace, too.)

The I30t comes with dual air bags and four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock as standard, which makes a rather complete package even more enjoyable. It also comes with “traction enhancement,” which means a limited slip differential, so if either front-drive wheel hits snow or ice, power is transferred to the wheel with solid footing in order to prevent slippage and loss of traction.

That “enhancement” is part of a package that includes heated seats, heated outside power mirrors, heavy-duty battery and low windshield fluid warning light.

Other goodies include a power sunroof, a Homel ink transmitter system that allows you to press one of three buttons in the sun visor to open the gate to your estate or the door to your garage or turn on lights in your house, a button in the driver’s door armrest to open the trunk, a button in the dash to do the same for the fuel-filler door and dual cupholders in the center console.

The I30 comes in standard, leather and touring models. Base prices range from $28,420 for the standard to$32,720 for the touring (don’t forget to add $1,000 for automatic transmission on the standard and touring models).

Standard equipment in our test car included automatic temperature control, power windows/door locks/mirrors/leather seats, cruise control, Bose AM/FM stereo with cassette and six speakers and in-dash CD player, power antenna, forged alloy wheels, digital clock and cellular phone wiring.

A nice package. The only questions are whether consumers will rationalize buying a $32,000 dolled-up Maxima and whether the U.S. government will make the car more cost prohibitive.

Last week U.S. trade chief Mickey Kantor said 13 Japanese luxury cars will be tagged with a 100 percent tariff-effective June 28-on each imported here to force the Japanese to take steps to reduce the $40 billion automotive trade deficit with the U.S.

The I30 was one of the 13. The jury is still out on whether the tariffs will be imposed or Japan will agree to open its market to U.S. cars and car parts to avoid the levy. Stay tuned.

>> 1996 Infiniti I30t Wheelbase: 106.3 inches Length: 189.6 inches Engine: 3-liter, 190-h.p., 24-valve, V-6 Transmission: 5-speed manual EPA mileage: 21 m.p.g. city/26 m.p.g. highway Base price: $32,720 Price as tested: $32,720. Add $480 for freight. Pluses: ABS and dual air bags standard. Such a powerful yet quietengine, such a smooth shifting 5-speed manual. Good cabin room (spacious in back), good road manners and good looks for those who want a Nissan Maxima tweaked to look like a miniature Infiniti Q45. Nice to be able to add only a freight charge and not fool with a long list of extra-cost options. Minuses: The 5-speed is out of character for this car and even Infiniti only expects 3 to 5 percent of buyers to opt for it-and the mileage rating with automatic (28 m.p.g. highway) is better than with the 5-speed. Hard for some to rationalize $32,000 for a dolled up Maxima. Government tariffs on import luxury cars could swell the window sticker and penalize potential buyers. >>