2012 Infiniti G37 X Sedan 4-door 3.7l on 2040-cars

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Autoblog Podcast #344

Doug DeMuro from Plays With Cars, Infiniti Q50, Subaru BRZ STI, Porsche Macan
Episode #344 of the Autoblog podcast is here, and this week, Dan Roth and Executive Editor Chris Paukert are joined by Doug DeMuro, author of Plays With Cars and prolific internet autowriting presence. Topics include the latest spy shots of the Porsche Macan, the 2014 Infiniti Q50, and the teaser images we've recently seen of a Subaru BRZ wearing STI badges. As always, we start with what's in the garage and finish up with some of your questions. For those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. You can follow along after the jump with our Q&A. Thanks for listening!
Autoblog Podcast #344:

Junkyard Gem: 1999 Infiniti G20t

When Honda began making zooted-up Civics with big engines and different bodywork in the late 1980s, selling them as Acura Integras in North America and raking in many dollars, Nissan took note. For the 1990 model year and the launch of the Infiniti brand, the luxed-out version of the Euro-market Nissan Primera sedan got Infiniti G20 badging and went on sale over here. After a two-year hiatus in 1997 and 1998, the all-new G20 made its debut for the 1999 model year, and that's what we've got here: a fully equipped Touring version with 5-speed manual transmission, spotted in a Denver boneyard. The G20 Touring got leather seats, a limited-slip differential, and a racy-looking spoiler. Sure looks speedy, though the G20t was less about performance than it was about comfort. G20t buyers got these hep-looking 16" wheels. With just 140 horses from its SR20DE engine (which also went into the quicker Sentra-based machinery of 1999), the G20t wouldn't be beating many of its competitors in drag races.  With the 5-speed manual transmission, though, the stock G20t became tolerably fun. Plenty of G20 owners added more power and threw connecting rods enjoyed sport-compact domination during the early 20th century. This one seems pretty tired, but hints of the original snazziness of its interior remain. The good old packing-tape taillight repair. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Born in Japan, went to finishing school in Europe. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. In the UK, a man who felt compelled to play a driving game (equipped with a disturbingly phallic joystick controller) discovers the Primera. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. This ad positions the Primera as the car of choice for bungling British bank robbers. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. In Japan, the TV commercials touted the new Primera's advanced suspension design. Featured Gallery Junked 1999 Infiniti G20t View 17 Photos Auto News Infiniti Automotive History Sedan Junkyard Gems

Infiniti Q Inspiration inspires electrified vehicle platform

This year's Detroit Auto Show was a bit light on forward-looking concepts, so the Infiniti Q Inspiration was a highlight, what with it's gorgeous curves and elegant interior. And lucky for us, Infiniti has decided to bring the lovely sedan to production. It will have a substantial difference to the concept, though ... The concept version used the variable-compression turbocharged four-cylinder from the QX50, which was a bit of a surprise considering the car's grille was nearly filled in. The production Q Inspiration will eschew the purely internal combustion engine for an electrified powertrain. Infiniti hasn't given any details, but that wording seems to indicate that it will be some kind of hybrid, or — less likely — an EV. Supporting the hybrid theory is the fact that Infiniti plans on putting this new sedan into production within five years. Infiniti has previously announced that its first full EV will launch in 2021, which is just three years out. That being said, we wouldn't preclude the possibility of a full EV Q Inspiration later on, or even a plain internal-combustion model, since the idea behind the original concept was that it could support multiple powertrains. Besides being another vehicle to help Infiniti reach its electrified vehicle sales goals for 2025, it will also be built in China. "We very much had China in mind when designing the Q Inspiration," said Infiniti Chairman and Global President Roland Krueger." Four more Infiniti models will also be built in China following this sedan. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.