The headlights are new, with integrated fog lamps and larger bulbs for high beams. The headlamps incorporate a revised version of the Q45's trademark circle of seven xenon low beams that look like a Gatling gun. The aggressive appearance of the headlamps suggests the ability to turn night into day. Infiniti claims they are among the world's most powerful; its low beams are bright and have a dispersion pattern designed for long-range illumination in a narrow beam as well as wide-angle illumination in the foreground. The pattern of the low beams is designed to reduce glare to oncoming drivers by cutting the beam sharply on the left side. A switch on the dash allows the driver to adjust the height of the beams, a feature we liked.
Overall, the front view of the Q presents a handsome shape, a sweep, as if the lines were poured on. There's very little chrome. The wide-mouthed grille is fully but sparsely filled by four broad, horizontal slats with a bright Infiniti emblem in the center. Hungry-looking air intakes dominate the lower bumper.
In profile, the Q45's long wheelbase and relatively short overhangs suggest solidity and efficiency at the same time. Its drag coefficient is among the lowest of any production car we know, at just 0.30. The roof seems to have more rake when viewed from the rear.
The 2005 Q45 has a new rear bumper, deck lid, and LED taillights, the latter reminding us of the lights on the smaller G35, all accented by new fine-line chrome trim. The exterior modifications bring a new sense of power and athleticism to the Q, along with a stronger family resemblance to our other Infiniti performance vehicles.
