That has nothing to do with them making "performance" cars to try and keep up with the others.
Their sales numbers are just fine. That's a niche market and isn't really a significant percentage of the overall market.

 

That is what they are doing. You can now add IPL to that list now

 

The M and the ISF both have different motors from the regular series. (IS has 3.0-4.0L options). ISF has a larger 5.0 motor. The ISF has over 100hp more than the IS350.

Same with M. M3 has a 4.0 and the regular 3 series has a 3L motor).

The IPL is in no way close to M or the ISF. The IPL G is probably closer to the Lexus "F-Sport" option.

What's the difference between the IPL G and a non IPL G? Red seats, 10-20 more HP and cost 10 more grand? LOL

 

you missed the point... the closest car under the Infiniti name to compete with the M,AMG,ISF, ect, is the IPL. To be in the same league as these competitors Nissan needs to slap a t/tt/sc (like the new M3 platform is being planed to, I heard) or jump up to a V8 in the G.

The difference is the 18 HP a tad amount of tq lol oh and a cool new engine cover

It really pisses me off that they never came out with the Essence.

 

^I know that, I'm just saying that's an example of how good Nissan is at missing the boat.

 

Care to elaborate?

 

ESSENCE!! Where are yousmugmug.com/photos/661052695_hiZ5C-M-2.jpg[/IMG]

 

Ok, how about IPL itself??? They've only just got what they should have had for years!

 

So you think Infiniti can make an M3-competitor right off the bat? That's not how it works.

AMG was established in 1967.
M-Division was established in 1972.

They have had a long successful run in the performance market.

Lexus started their F-lineup with the IS-F. But have now created an F-Sport lineup too. BMW has also done something similar with the "is" lineup.

I think it's a lot smarter to start off with a competitor to a 335is and Lexus IS F-Sport than to take a bigger risk with something like a "G56".

Infiniti has made it pretty clear this is just the start of many IPL cars to come.

 

Nissan is a tad behind the rest. Case in point, 2001 Honda Accord has touch screen navigation. My 2006 G35 has some crappy push button crap. lol

Nissan / Infinti didn't go touchscreen til 2007 or 2008.

Same with the vvel stuff.

Toyota, Honda, Porsche, BMW, has been using that technology for years. Nissan has only been using a single cam version on most of its vehicle until 2007 or 2008.

 

^Yes. That's what I'm talking about.

Although I do have to give them credit for having one of the first to combine direct injection with a variable lift and timing valvetrain.

 

^ I believe Lexus also did that in 2007. With the VVT-iE with direct fuel injection. (Lexus LS)

 

^I don't think that had variable lift.

 

just a thought i have on it is maybe Infiniti are getting ahead of the new Subayota/Toyoaru sports cars?? the new higher end combo car will be like 300HP or so with turbo etc so maybe at first IPL are aiming at Toyota and Subaru first to make sure it does not take away from the IPL market etc and then later move to the bigger names... as said before it takes time to get to big names

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1...rwd-sports-car



anyway thats what i am thinking since Infiniti/Nissan have to know about this car coming possibly as soon as 2011/2012 so i think its a nice start to aim at been competitive with this new line soon to come first, then move to more bigger things.

my 2 cents worth

 

I don't like this one bit. Now I'm gonna feel like a bitch when I roll up next to one... XD

edit: More motivation for me to finally get around to mods.