after midnight

    2008년, 수입차 시장에서 가장 사랑 받았던 차들의 성적이 공개되었습니다. 



    베스트셀링에 오른 10대의 차들은 평균 5180만원이며 2754cc의 배기량으로 1대를 제외하고는 모두 4도어 세단이었습니다. 가장 작은 배기량의 모델은 1796cc의 메르세데스 - 벤츠 C200K 모델이었으며, 가장 큰 배기량은 3498cc의 인피니티 G35세단이었습니다. 가장 고가의 차는 7900만원의 아우디 A6 3.2Q모델이었으며 가장 저가의 차는 3490만원으로 혼다의 어코드 2.4와 CR-V 4WD모델이 공동으로 가장 저가의 차였습니다. 마력으로는 156마력의 BMW 320i가 가장 마력수가 낮았으며 20.4kg.m으로 토크도 가장 낮았습니다. 반면, 315마력의 인피니티 G35세단이 36.5kg.m으로 토크도 가장 높았던 모델이었습니다. BMW와 렉서스, 인피니티는 자사 판매모델 가운데 가장 저가의 엔트리 모델이 베스트셀링하였으며 BMW, 혼다, 렉서스가 베스트셀링카 10위안에 2대 이상의 모델을 랭크시켰습니다. 

    4948대가 판매 된 혼다 어코드 3.5가 베스트셀링 모델이었으며 상위 10개차종으로 3742대로 크게 뒤쳐진 BMW 528i가 2위, 유일한 SUV모델인 혼다 CR-V가 3113대로 3위, 렉서스 ES350이 2649대로 4위, 혼다 어코드2.4가 1836대로 5위, 아우디 A6 3.2 FSI Q가 1604대로 6위였으며 1601대로 아우디를 바짝 추격하는 메르세데스 - 벤츠 C200K가 7위, 렉서스 IS250P가 1573대로 8위, 9위는 1291대가 판매된 BMW320i였으며, 마지막 10위는 인피니티 G35세단이 1260대로 10위를 차지하였습니다. 평균적으로 1260대 이상을 판매해야 베스트 셀링카에 이름을 랭크시킬 수 있었습니다. 2008년 1월에 데뷔한 혼다 어코드 3.5는 평균적으로 매 달 412대이상이 꾸준히 판매되었습니다.     



    2008년 전체 판매대수에서는 22개 브랜드가 평균적으로 2829대를 판매하였는데 이 가운데 1만대 이상 판매 브랜드는 혼다가 유일하며 벤틀리, 캐딜락, 포드, 재규어, 랜드로버, 미니, 마이바흐, 미쓰비시, 닛산, 푸조, 포르쉐, 롤스로이스, 사브, 볼보는 평균 판매량 이하로 판매되었습니다. 벤틀리등의 초고가 브랜드와 소규모 브랜드를 제외하면 포드, 푸조, 사브, 볼보등이 평균이하의 판매량이었습니다. 전체 판매대수는 혼다가 12356대로 1위였으며, 이어 8396대를 판매한 BMW, 7230대의 메르세데스 - 벤츠, 6065대의 렉서스, 5136대의 폭스바겐이 상위 5개 판매브랜드로 랭크되었습니다. 

    럭셔리 브랜드 가운데서는 포르쉐가 423대로 가장 많이 판매되었으며 벤틀리 93대, 마이바흐7대, 롤스로이스 6대 순위였습니다. 2008년 판매된 수입차 가운데 가장 고가의 모델은 7억 8000만원인 마이바흐 62와 롤스로이스 팬텀 EB가 공동으로 가장 비싼 모델이었습니다. 2630만원의 혼다 시빅 1.8이 가장 저가의 모델이었습니다. 가장 높은 마력의 차로는 640마력의 람보르기니 무르시엘라고 LP460모델이었으며,  94마력의 혼다 시빅 하이브리드가 가장 낮은 마력의 모델이었습니다. 12.3kg.m으로 토크도 가장 낮았습니다. 

Infiniti is a luxury brand of Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. It serves as Nissan's luxury brand in the American, Canadian, Mexican, Middle Eastern, South Korean and Taiwanese markets. Nissan also has plans to release Infiniti into many European markets (Russia & Ukraine in 2007, Germany & United Kingdom in 2008 ), China (10 dealerships by 2007), as well as in Japan sometime after 2008.

All current Infiniti coupes, sedans and crossovers are based on the Nissan FM platform. The center of the engine is placed behind the front wheels. This placement makes weight distribution more even, which is intended to improve braking, acceleration, and handling. It also reduces the polar moment of inertia. The only exception is the QX56 full-size SUV, which rides on the Nissan F-Alpha platform.

Infiniti's model name designation includes one letter for coupés and sedans (two letters for SUVs) and a number reflecting engine displacement. For example, the QX56 is an SUV featuring a 5.6 L engine. An exception to this was the QX4 SUV, which featured a 3.3 L engine (1997-2000) and later a 3.5 L engine (2001-2003). An 'x' following the engine displacement of Infiniti sedans denotes an all wheel drive model (e.g. Infiniti G35x).


G35

The new 2007 G35 sedan has been completely redesigned (despite having the old chassis remained unchanged), and is powered by a brand new engine called VQ35HR. This engine is more powerful, more fuel efficient, and more responsive than the previous VQ35DE. The "HR" stands for High Revolution. Over 80% of the internal components have been strengthened or redesigned to handle the increased RPM range. (7500 rpm Redline). Although the horsepower rating is only 8 more than the previous generation, the real horsepower difference was much more due to the new SAE guidelines for horsepower ratings in 2007. Infiniti G35 Sedan Journey (Auto) with 306HP (228 kW) can reach 0-60 MPH (0-100 km/h) in 5.4 sec, and the 1/4 mile (400 m) 14.0 sec (according to Consumer Reports).

Consumer Report includes the Infiniti G35 (upscale sedan category) on its list of Top 10 cars for 2007.

G37

The Infiniti G37 is a sports car by Infiniti which was unveiled at the 2007 New York International Auto Show and is currently available for sale as a 2008 model. The G37, like its predecessor the G35 Coupe, is marketed simply as the G Coupe making it more of a second generation than a replacement. Although available a year later, the G37 parallels the 2007 Infiniti G35 sedan (marketed as the G Sedan). In Japan, the G37 will join the updated G Sedan under the Nissan Skyline (V36) nameplate.


M35/45

Infiniti released a completely redesigned M for the 2006 model year to compete directly in the mid-size sport luxury class, against such class stalwarts as the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It uses a much more rigid version of the G35/350Z/FX Nissan FM platform and is available with the common VQ-series 280 hp (208 kW) 3.5 L V6 in the M35, or the Q45's 335 hp (249 kW) 4.5 L V8 in the M45. In Japan the M is known as the Nissan Fuga.

The automotive press has awarded the M several best-in-class awards in direct comparisons against its competitors. Despite entering a very crowded, competitive segment in which almost every member has been recently redesigned, the M still managed to find many key distinctions: Both the M35 and M45 are fastest in their class (0-60 in 6.3 and 5.4 seconds, respectively). The M is near or at the top of every interior dimension, actually breaking into the EPA "large" category depending on which option packages are selected. In fact, while being smaller on the outside than the flagship Q45, the M45 boasts more room, greater performance, a superior multilink front suspension, and much friendlier ergonomics, threatening the position of the flagship Q45 (which ceased production after the 2006 model year; as such, the M became the current flagship itself).

All-wheel-drive models are called the M35x, which uses a sports car derived system (ATTESA-ETS) to send all power to the rear wheels until slip is detected.

The M line was released in February 2005 (at almost exactly the same time as the new 2006 Lexus GS) and its first several months of sales have been far beyond expectations. Prices in the US (USD) range from approximately $40,000 - 55,000.

EX35

The Infiniti EX35 is a compact luxury Crossover Sport Utility Vehicle (CUV) produced by the Nissan-owned Infiniti luxury brand beginning in the 2008 model year. This all-wheel drive crossover is positioned below the FX in the Infiniti SUV line-up. It shares the same FM platform as the G35, M, FX, and Nissan 350Z.

The production model EX35 was revealed on August 16, 2007 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.


FX35/45

The Infiniti FX is a mid-size luxury Crossover Sport Utility Vehicle (CUV) produced by the Nissan-owned Infiniti luxury brand since the 2003 model year. The FX replaced the QX4 as Infiniti's mid-size luxury SUV, despite being larger than its predecessor. It was released at the same time as its competitors, the Porsche Cayenne, Volvo XC90, and Volkswagen Touareg. It shares the same FM platform as the Nissan 350Z, whereas the similarly-sized Nissan Murano is based on the front-wheel drive Nissan Altima platform.

In creating the FX, its designers sought what they called a "cool fusion" – the blending of a substantial, SUV lower body with the sleek, elegant upper body more reminiscent of a classic sports car or sports GT.  In addition, they sought to combine sports-car performance with SUV functionality. The FX is a unique combination of aggressive styling, performance and luxury car comfort. The FX was based on the notion of a "Bionic Cheetah," with advanced technology employed to create a premium crossover SUV.


QX56

The Infiniti QX56 is a full-size luxury SUV sold under the Nissan-owned Infiniti luxury brand. It is based on the Nissan Armada full-size SUV, and shares the F-Alpha platform with the Nissan Titan pickup truck.

The truck is propelled by a 5.6 L VK56DE V8 engine (315 hp [227 kW] @ 4,900 rpm and 390 lb·ft (529 N·m) torque @ 3,600 rpm) and a 5-speed automatic transmission with an overdrive. Each cylinder in the engine is lined with cast iron. The valvetrain is a DOHC design with four valves per cylinder. Infiniti designed the QX56's throttle responsiveness to correspond to specific drivetrain modes: when the driver selects all-wheel drive, the throttle becomes less sensitive, presumably to allow easier regulation of acceleration when off-road.

The Infiniti QX56 has around 9,000 lb (4082 kg) of towing capacity, which is the highest in its class. Mileage is second to none with peak performance drain of 12 mpg (U.S.) (20 L/100 km). It comes in one trim level, with only key options such as: DVD entertainment system, 4WD / 2WD, and a bench instead of captain chairs as the second row. Other features which come standard are a ten-speaker Bose system, DVD-based navigation system, leather trim for all seats, dual-climate control, 18 in. chrome alloy wheels, and an adaptive cruise control system. A precrash system is a novelty in the market as well.

As with the Nissan Armada, it is built in Canton, Mississippi; and is currently only available in the United States, Canada and Saudi Arabia. It is also the first Infiniti built in the United States. Since priced lower than the Lexus LX, the QX56 has become a success for Infiniti, outselling the Lexus LX.

Since the demise of the Q45 (which was priced above the QX56) after 2006, the QX56 is the most expensive Infiniti in North America, and is Infiniti's only full-size vehicle. For 2008, the Infiniti QX56 received a minor facelift.


Q45

The Q45 was completely redesigned for 2002, now based on the new platform shared by both the Cima and the President. This Q45 focused on performance again with a new 340 hp (253 kW) 4.5 L VK45DE V8 engine, gatling gun inspired HID headlights, and sharper styling. The car featured a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Despite good reviews, sales remained poor — just 1129 were sold in the United States for all of 2005.

This Q45 has received praise from Car and Driver Edmunds and Consumer Guide. Low sales are attributed not to the car’s overall quality or performance, but to lack of advertising and the debatable prestige of the Infiniti name.

The 2003 was given a number of under the skin upgrades including a new security system, a numerically higher final drive ratio (for better acceleration - decreasing highway fuel economy), reprogrammed TCU, and during the year, a satellite radio option. The CD player was now a one at a time feed into the dash.

The Q45 received a number of upgrades for the 2005 model year, including new front and rear fascias, restyled hood and grille, restyled trunk lid, new headlight design, integrated fog lights and LED taillights. Inside were new contoured double-stitched seats, white luminescent gauge markings, chrome accents and dark maple trim. 2005 upgrades also included a recalibrated transmission and new 17" alloy wheels.

The following features are standard in the Q45: all-leather interior, power sunroof, 8-way power front seats, remote keyless entry, rain-detecting wipers and side curtain airbags. Standard electronics include: CD, 8 Bose speakers, trip computer, rear camera parking sensors and a voice-activated navigation system. The 2002 Q45 was the first vehicle to ever offer voice-activated navigation controls.

The car seated five and had a base price of US$56,200.

This F50 chassis and suspension is very similar to the US FY33 (1997-2001 Q45) and Y34 (US 2003-2004 M45).

The Q45 was discontinued after 2006 and the smaller M35/45 replaced it as the flagship car.