IndyStar.com's view

The calendar says it’s the third month of 1995, but as far as Infiniti Division of Nissan Motor Corp. is concerned, it’s 1996.

The division already has announced its 1996 Infiniti I30, which was introduced as a luxury sedan at the recent Chicago Auto Show. As the fourth model in the Infiniti lineup, the new I30 is positioned between the Infiniti J30 luxury sedan and the Infiniti G20 luxury sports sedan.

It’s obvious the I30 wasn’t designed to be an econobox, since it offers all the accouterments expected in luxury automobiles. Borrowing heavily from the styling of Infiniti’s flagship, the Q45, the I30 offers the performance, luxury and safety characteristics of that top-of-the-line model.

Unlike the breakneck speed at which automakers are bringing new models to market, the I30 was five years in development. And after a product overview of the car, it appears it will be worth the wait for its April appearance in Indianapolis.

“I’m expecting the first ones in late April,” said Dennis Reinbold, president of Dreyer & Reinbold Infiniti-BMW. “They haven’t released any prices as yet. But I’m expecting it to be under $30,000.”

Available in standard, touring, or leather-appointed models, the I30 embraces the latest in technology combined with a full application of comfort and convenience items. Options for the standard model are almost nonexistent, consisting primarily of an automatic transmission and a tinted glass power sunroof.

The Q45’s styling is most evident in the I30’s strong front grille, flowing lines and wide horizontal taillights. Its aerodynamics provide a 0.32 coefficient of drag for a quiet cabin at speed and excellent fuel mileage.

An all-new 3.0-liter V6 is rated at a rather potent 190 horsepower, yet fuel consumption is rated at 21 miles per gallon city and 28 mpg highway.

With its longer wheelbase, the car looks like a large automobile. Infiniti designers paid special attention to providing rear-seat room by incorporating a compact rear suspension and a high rear roofline and deck.

The sedan is a five-passenger, with rear-seat occupants afforded ease of entrance and exit and shoulder and legroom for three. I guess if you’re of the Colts lineman variety that might be whittled down to two, but for the rest of us three can ride quite nicely.

The interior is state of the art, as is the layout of instruments and controls. In the leather- appointed edition, the trim gets rather fancy with tufted side panels and touches of pleating on the seating surfaces.

The I30’s analog instruments consist of a speedometer, a tachometer and temperature and fuel gauges. Since a manual transmission is offered, I wouldn’t mind an oil- pressure gauge, particularly with a high-revving double-overhead-cam engine.

Five-speed manual gearboxes aren’t common in luxury sedans. Of American vintage, there are none. However, Infiniti offers a close ratio box for its standard and touring I30 for those who want to do their own shifting and listen to those 190 horses move.

The center console that divides two front bucket seats is a standard location for the shift lever and emergency- brake handle. The upper console that extends into the dashboard holds the stereo and climate controls and center air vents.

It’s going to be pretty hard for the driver and front-seat passenger not to get comfortable, as the driver’s seat features eight-way power and the passenger’s four-way. The seats also contain an integrated pelvic lumbar support system that helps prevent fatigue on long trips.

Infiniti never has been short on engine technology, and the I30 follows that tradition with a four-cam four-valves- per-cylinder 182.2-cubic-inch (2,988 cc) V6. That produces V8-like performance but economy equal to some four-cylinder motors.

The engine is lightweight and compact, contributing to an excellent power-to-weight ratio in a car weighing only 3,090 pounds. And in a prime example of demonstrating they knew what they were do ing, the engine designers used a chain instead of a belt to drive the camshafts.

The sedan’s acceleration of 0-60 mph in 7.0 seconds is almost equal to the Q45’s V8. While Infiniti doesn’t give a top-speed rating, I’d guess it’s about 140 mph.

At that speed it’s advisable to keep all four wheels on the ground, which the I30 does with a new multilink-beam rear suspension. Through the use of a lateral link/control-rod system, the tire treads are kept perpendicular to the road during the rise and fall of the wheels, and through camber changes in corners.

The system also enhances ease of ride, providing a moderate- weight car with the ride of a much heavier one.

Reinbold feels the I30 is going to open up a pretty big market because of the car’s size and nominal pricing structure.

“It’s a full-sized luxury sedan,” he said, “that’s going to appeal to a broad spectrum of owners.

“I believe they’re really going to like the looks of the car, and it offers features found in sedans in a much higher price range. We can’t wait to get them.”

1996 Infiniti I30 Base price: Not announcedType: Front-engine, front-wheel-drive, five-passenger, -midluxury sedanEngine: 3.0 liters, DOHC V6, 24 valves, fuel-injected, 190 horsepower, 205 foot-pounds of torqueTransmission: 0-60 mph in 7.0 secondsMileage: 21 mpg city; 20 mpg highwayWheelbase: 106.3 inchesLength: 189.6 inchesWidth: 69.7 inchesHeight: 55.7 inchesCurb weight: 3,090 poundsOptions: Four-speed automatic transmission, power sunroof