The History Of INFINITI
A heritage of innovation and driver-centric design
More than three decades ago in 1989, the INFINITI logo debuted on Q45 and represented the limitless possibility of an endless road stretching onward to the horizon. To this day, INFINITI remains dedicated to that same singular pursuit of human-centric luxury. Our storied history of world’s first innovations and convention-defying ideas has paved the way for our present – and fuels our vision for an electrified future.
The Early Years
Defining A New Division
1985
DEFINING A NEW DIVISION
An elite group forms quietly within Nissan. Its purpose: to build a new division of performance luxury vehicles. One that would challenge the prevailing American and European luxury brands with more human-centric design.
A Name Is Chosen
1987
A NAME IS CHOSEN
Like that, INFINITI is born. With this development, a feeling of forward movement takes hold. To embody it, a badge is designed depicting two central lines into the horizon.
World, Meet INFINITI
1989
WORLD, MEET INFINITI
INFINITI launches with 51 dealers in the United States. There are 2 available models, the convention-defying Q45 sedan and the performance-oriented M30 coupe. With the debut of the INFINITI Total Ownership Experience, we quickly gain recognition as leaders in customer satisfaction.
Presenting The VQ Engine
1995
PRESENTING THE VQ ENGINE
A thrilling new V6 engine family is introduced: the VQ series. Designed for optimal power, torque and fuel consumption, the VQ ranks as one of Ward’s 10 Best Engines for the next 14 years – an unrivalled achievement. This is the predecessor of the INFINITI Twin Turbo V6.
Activating Our Owners Club
1999
ACTIVATING OUR OWNERS CLUB
After a decade of growth, the INFINITI Owners Club is introduced as an addition to our Total Ownership Experience. With it, our luxury now extends far beyond to the driver’s seat - owners get access to exclusive offers and exciting travel opportunities.
A DRIVER-CENTRIC STANDARD
The driver and passenger have always been at the core of everything. From innovative technology to driver-centric design, every INFINITI embodies the core belief that luxury should be lived.
Sensing What's Ahead
Refined Reversal
2001
REFINED REVERSAL
Sometimes progress starts with looking backwards. 2001 saw the introduction of our RearView Monitor. Using external cameras, this innovation brings what’s behind your vehicle into view on your in-dash display to reveal an entirely new perspective.
Pioneering Voice Recognition
2002
PIONEERING VOICE RECOGNITION
Another year leads to greater progress in our connective technologies. With the advent of INFINITI Voice Recognition, you can take command of your vehicle’s settings without removing your hands from the wheel.
Growing With Distinction
2003
GROWING WITH DISTINCTION
January sees an invigorating development. Our G35 Sport Sedan and Sport Coupe are ranked among Car and Driver’s Ten Best Cars. By November, INFINITI is the fastest growing luxury brand in the United States.
PUSHING TECHNOLOGY FURTHER
Heightening Lane Awareness
An Elevated Parking Experience
2007
AN ELEVATED PARKING EXPERIENCE
A brand new parking technology is unveiled: the world’s first Around View Monitor. Now you can access a virtual 360 view of your vehicle as you maneuver it, enabling you to gauge each space with the total perspective.
An Unwavering Trajectory
2007
AN UNWAVERING TRAJECTORY
We bring you the Lane Departure Prevention system, an evolution of Lane Departure Warning. Beyond alerting you, it automatically compensates if it senses you are about to drift to a neighboring lane, tapping selected brakes to weave you back into position. An industry first, from INFINITI
Clearing Your Periphery
2010
CLEARING YOUR PERIPHERY
Paving the way for more advanced safety technologies, INFINITI introduces the world’s first Blind Spot Intervention system. It senses when another vehicle is occupying the adjacent lane, alerts you to its presence and selectively applies the brakes.
INFINITI Motorsports Begins
2011
INFINITI MOTORSPORTS BEGINS
For the 2011 Formula One Season, INFINITI partners with the reigning F1 Champions, Red Bull Racing, to explore further technological collaborations. An exhilarating opportunity to deepen our performance thinking.
An Intelligent Backup
2012
AN INTELLIGENT BACKUP
INFINITI reveals another world’s first technology. Our Backup Collision Intervention detects what you might miss when you’re in reverse. If danger is imminent, the system warns you and engages the brakes, so you can embark in total control.
Adapt With Ease
2014
ADAPT WITH EASE
With the introduction of Direct Adaptive Steering, INFINITI brings unprecedented precision to the wheel. It lets you filter unwanted vibration while tailoring your steering in an abundance of ways – a feature like no other driver technology to date.
The Revolutionary VC-Turbo
2017
THE REVOLUTIONARY VC-TURBO
More than 20 years in the making, INFINITI’s groundbreaking new VC-Turbo is the world’s first production variable compression ratio engine. One of the most technologically-advanced internal combustion engines ever created, the VC-Turbo is capable of physically transforming on demand, delivering the efficiency of four cylinders alongside the performance of a much larger powerplant.
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THE SHOWROOM OF THE FUTURE
A NEW ERA OF LUXURY
CONTINUING TO BE AHEAD OF THE CURVE
Electrifying the INFINITI range means rethinking the luxury car from the ground up. These aren’t just our first fully electric concept vehicles, they define a new era of INFINITI design, powered by exceptional performance, range and a human-centric philosophy that puts real life at the center of everything. We can’t wait for the next 30 years. Discover what’s next.
Explore Our Range
Take some time to get to know our lineup of luxury cars, crossovers and SUVs.
Build Your Next INFINITI
Explore every INFINITI model, trim level and available feature in our engaging, interactive vehicle configurator experience.