1991 Infiniti Q45a Test Drive

In 2003 General Motors and Delphi developed MSRC (Magnetic Selective Ride Control), a system that uses iron particles in magnetorheological oil, and by charging the particles electronically, it changing the viscosity, thus making the shock absorber harder or easier to compress, translating into firmer or softer ride depending on the road conditions and driver inputs (steering wheel, brake and accelerator pedal), initially used in Chevrolet’s Corvette, and Cadillacs pre-rear driven STS. Pretty high tech stuff! But rewind twelve years, and Nissans Infiniti division released something quite similar using hydraulics. As the computer receives and processes data, it operates the hydraulic servos, mounted beside each wheel. Almost instantly, the servo-regulated suspension generates counter forces to body lean, dive, and squat during driving maneuvers. Also very high tech stuff!! While Toyota’s Lexus LS was a stunning success, Infiniti Q45 sales never took off due in part to a notorious advertising campaign which did not include actual photos or information about the car. Poor sales were also blamed on the car’s unconventional styling, particularly the grille and lack of interior wood grain or chrome trim. The Q45 came in three variations: base, Q45t and Q45a. The Q45t and Q45a featured a multi-link suspension at both the front and rear wheels, and included a rear stabilizer bar (with the ” a ” model being larger in diameter) and both models having a 1 mm smaller in diameter front sway bar, rear spoiler, BBS forged alloy wheels, 4-wheel steering and Q45a featured also a hydraulic active suspension. HICAS and the faster steering ratios was discontinued in the 1995 Q45t model and the Q45a model was not imported in 1996.