2000 Infiniti I30

2000 Infiniti I30
NEW YORK - Following close on the heels of the new Maxima's debut at the Chicago Auto Show, Nissan's luxury division, Infiniti, released the upscale Maxima in New York. The 2000 Infiniti I30 will go on sale in September, featuring ''more of everything,'' according to Tom Orbe, vice president and general manager of Infiniti Division.

More car, first of all. Inside and out, the I30 has grown in size. Two extra inches of wheelbase translate to another inch of legroom for both front and rear passengers. There's also more room for luggage, thanks to another 1.6 cubic feet of trunk space.

The sheetmetal is entirely new, but the I30's duds are decidedly more conservative than its Nissan sibling. The 2000 I30 was designed at the Nissan Technical Center (NTC) in Atsugi, Japan. Infiniti went for the sure thing rather than leave styling up to the artistic flair of California's Nissan Design International (NDI). The front fascia is similar in appearance to the new Chevrolet Impala, and the I30's rear carries none of the Maxima's bizarre flamboyance (thankfully).

Performance has reached new heights. The 3.0-liter V6 gains 37 horsepower when compared to last year's model, up to its current output of 227 horsepower and 217 foot-pounds of torque (up from 205). A four-speed automatic transmission is standard; Infiniti will not make available the Maxima's five-speed manual.

Antilock brakes are standard equipment, as is a premium Bose audio system and leather seats. Traction control is available as an option. Safety devices include such items as an active front-seat head restraint system and side airbags. Three-point belts harness all five passengers.

Safety equipment is important, but potential Infiniti buyers are primarily in search of something that will make them stand out from the crowd, or at least differentiate themselves from the common Maxima owner. Alas, the power increase is a modest five horsepower more than the new Maxima, and a fully loaded Maxima is only a small step down the brand-marketed ladder. As Orbe explained, the I30 comes ''with the works, like a pizza.''

That said, Infiniti plans to sell approximately 24,000 supreme pizzas for the 2000 model year.