Nissan was very determined to enter into the premium segment, and the Q45 was its strongest contender for the U.S. market.

The Japanese carmaker took its domestic market models and converted them into Infiniti products. In 1996, it introduced the second generation of the Q45, built on the same base as the Japanese Nissan Cedric. While it was shorter than its predecessor, it promised to be a better all-around vehicle for U.S. customers.

Unlike Acura and Lexus, Infiniti tried to approach the sportier niche market of the premium segment. Its Lancia-like grille with a chromed vertical slat in the middle and the rectangular, swept-back on the sides headlights with clear lenses showed a sporty yet elegant look. The bodywork’s slightly curved lines emphasized the luxurious side of the car, while the five-spoke light-alloy wheels were a sporty accent.

Inside, the carmaker tried to put at least wood trims as possible since that element wasn’t fit for the sports-cars customers. Yet, it offered a leather-clad interior, with bucket-seats at the front and a profiled-for-two bench in the rear. Depending on the trim level, it sported a big infotainment system with a color screen on the center stack.

Under the hood, Nissan installed a 4.1-liter V-8 gasoline engine, which fit the American taste, even though the displacement was not impressive. It was mated to a four-speed automatic gearbox and sent the power to the rear wheels. Thanks to its independent suspension in all corners, the Q45 was both comfortable and sporty.