Infiniti M and IPL G Coupe Take Top Scores in Luxury Sedan/Wagon and Luxury High Performance Categories

Infiniti vehicles today earned two more accolades – bringing home top honors in Total Car Score's first-ever Top Scoring Car Awards. The 2012 Infiniti M bested the competition in the Luxury Sedan/Wagon category, while the Infiniti IPL G Coupe finished atop the Luxury High Performance category. The Infiniti M was also among the elite group of top three overall scorers across all models evaluated.

"We are excited for Infiniti to be honored with this new distinction from Total Car Score," said Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore. "The Infiniti M and IPL G exemplify true luxury – with premium style, performance, craftsmanship and technology, they are setting the bar high in taking the inaugural top spots in the Luxury Sedan/Wagon and Luxury High Performance categories."

The Top Scoring Car Awards cover 20 major vehicle categories for model year 2012. The best car awards are based on Total Car Score's ranking formula, which offers a comprehensive evaluation of autos in every segment. A vehicle's Total Car Score is its combination of scores from all the top automotive review and rating sites. These car reviews and ratings are translated into a single Total Car Score that allows visitors to the Total Car Score website to quickly and easily compare cars. In segments where the difference between the first and second ranked car is less than two points, Total Car Score awarded two winners. For a complete list of the rankings, visit http://www.totalcarscore.com.

"We are proud to present the first Top Scoring Car Awards from Total Car Score," said Karl Brauer, founder and CEO of Total Car Score. "What sets our awards apart is that they are based on an independent and transparent scoring system. Each award is the culmination of authoritative opinion from across the automotive industry, and each is determined by raw data without editorializing."

About the Infiniti M Line
As Infiniti's halo sedan, the Infiniti M is offered in three models: M37, M56 and M35h – Infiniti's first-ever hybrid. Each embraces the essence of all things Infiniti, delivering a performance luxury experience crafted to a higher standard.

The M37 features a refined 330-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine, while the M56 utilizes a 420-horsepower 5.6-liter V8. Both engines feature Infiniti's advanced VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) system and all models are equipped with a standard 7-speed automatic transmission. The M56 engine also utilizes Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG™) technology. The M37 and M56 are available in both rear-wheel drive and with Infiniti's Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. The special Sport Package, offered on rear-wheel drive models only, offers 4-wheel Active Steer (4WAS), sport-tuned suspension, Sport Brakes and 20-inch wheels and tires.

The Infiniti M Hybrid features the all-new Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid™ system – a one-motor, two-clutch parallel hybrid system delivering the performance expected from a luxury sports sedan with the fuel efficiency of a compact car. Precise, high-speed motor control technology, enabled by the powerful Lithium-ion battery, allows power to be delivered directly to the 7-speed automatic transmission. The system also utilizes an innovative Hybrid Electric Power Steering system and Electric Driven Intelligent Brake regenerative braking system, both which help conserve energy and provide a natural, enjoyable driving feel.

The Infiniti M Hybrid's exhilarating driving performance also greatly benefits from use of Infiniti's proven 3.5-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 engine, which paired with the 50 kW electric motor, provides a hybrid system net power of 360 horsepower. Torque figures are equally impressive, with the V6's 258 lb-ft of toque combining with the electric motor's immediately available 199 lb-ft of torque combining to provide strong performance. Fuel economy figures are rated at 32 mpg Highway, 27 mpg City and 29 mpg Combined.

About the Infiniti IPL G Coupe
The IPL G Coupe builds on the foundation of the second-generation Infiniti G37 Coupe Journey rear-wheel drive model and adds extensive modification throughout the vehicle. The unique exterior includes a dramatic front and rear bumper/fascia design with integrated fog lights and black finishers, sculpted side sills, rear spoiler and chrome exhaust tips.

Combined with the exclusive 19-inch IPL split 7-spoke graphite-finish wheels and low-profile W-rated Bridgestone Potenza RE050A performance tires, the IPL G Coupe projects a confident stance and road-ready attitude. The IPL G Coupe is offered in just two exterior colors: Graphite Shadow and Malbec Black.

The IPL G Coupe interior is designed to harmonize with the exterior styling, offering two color treatments – Graphite and Monaco Red (red interior only available with the Malbec Black exterior and 7-speed automatic transmission). All IPL G Coupe interiors include red-stitched leather-appointed front sport seats with manual thigh extension and driver's power torso and thigh support adjustment, red-stitched steering wheel, Silk-Obi aluminum trim, and aluminum pedals and footrest.

The IPL G Coupe's advanced VQ37HR 3.7-liter V6 engine's management system has been recalibrated through air-fuel mixture and ignition timing optimization, raising the maximum horsepower output point to 7,400 rpm (from 7,000 rpm). To obtain a natural acceleration feel, the torque curve from low revs to the maximum torque point (5,200 rpm) was tuned for linearity. As a result of both the exhaust system and engine management changes, the IPL G Coupe generates 348 horsepower – an increase of 18 horsepower over the non-IPL G Coupe models – and 276 lb-ft of torque (+6 lb-ft).

A new IPL G Convertible model joins the IPL G Coupe this spring at Infiniti retailers nationwide.

• Call: (914) 428-0900
• Click: www.PepeInfiniti.com
• Visit: 300 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606

Infiniti officially opened its new global headquarters in Hong Kong Tuesday, signaling the rising importance of Asia for high-end automakers.

The relocation, almost 3,000 km from Nissan's Yokohama headquarters, heralds Infiniti's expansion plans with China a key tenet.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, opening the Infiniti HQ, said Hong Kong is an ideal base for continued growth in the world's largest auto market.

"Why? Because Hong Kong is the door to China," Ghosn said. "It's also a place where you can easily connect with the southeast of Asia, so that's why we said let's get out of Tokyo, let's go to Hong Kong, put the whole team together so we can reinforce the identity of the brand and the people working for the brand and be very near, and interacting with, the main promising market for Infiniti, which is China."

• Call: (914) 428-0900
• Click: www.PepeInfiniti.com
• Visit: 300 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606

Inspired Style, Performance, Roominess and Innovation.

- 265 horsepower @ 6,400 rpm and 248 lb ft of torque @ 4,400 rpm
- 23 mpg Highway, 17 mpg City and a real world 19 mpg Combined

For more information click here.

• Call: (914) 428-0900
• Click: www.PepeInfiniti.com
• Visit: 300 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606

The New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA) selected the 2012 Infiniti QX56 for the second time during its annual Winter Vehicle Awards with the best in class premium SUV.

NEMPA members gather every February to evaluate a wide range of vehicles for performance qualities in the harsh winter weather conditions of Boston and the greater Northeast area. The award will be presented May 11 during an awards dinner at Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

“The Infiniti QX56 will not be ignored,” said one NEMPA judge. “This strikingly styled, full-size body-on-frame SUV carries Infiniti design themes proudly and exudes its premium status from every angle. A brawny 5.6-liter V8 employs direct injection for both power and efficiency. Innovative Hydraulic Body Motion Control keeps the QX56 flat during cornering, reducing drama and delivering a surprisingly easy yet sporty driving experience. The cabin is finished to a stunning degree of luxury, and the QX56 offers some of Infiniti’s highest levels of driver information and passenger entertainment.”

• Call: (914) 428-0900
• Click: www.PepeInfiniti.com
• Visit: 300 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606

Pepe Infiniti's Executive Manager Mark Hersh interviewed on News 12 discussing the new features of Pepe Infiniti's brand new location at 300 Central Avenue in White Plains, NY.

In honor of our Mothers, we will be closed on Mothers Day, May 13, 2012.

Construction of engine assembly operations in Decherd supports Daimler partnership

The partnership between the Renault-Nissan Alliance and Daimler reached a milestone today when Tennessee officials joined Nissan leadership to break ground on a new manufacturing facility in Decherd, Tenn. The new facility - located at the existing Nissan powertrain assembly complex - will produce Mercedes-Benz 4-cyl. gasoline engines for Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz models.

Senior Vice President Research & Development, Nissan Americas Carla Bailo and Vice President Production Engineering and Component Facilities Mark Swenson joined local officials to mark the start of construction on this significant project.

"Today, we begin an exciting new chapter for the Renault-Nissan Alliance and our continued investment in the United States," Swenson said. "Today's groundbreaking marks the latest move in our collaboration with Daimler to localize production capacity and enhance our competitiveness in the global market."

• Call: (914) 428-0900
• Click: www.PepeInfiniti.com
• Visit: 300 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606

Pepe Infiniti will be closing early at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 10th, 2012 for a private event.

Formula One returned to in-season testing for the first time since 2008 yesterday, but heavy rain at Mugello disrupted most teams' planned programs. Following are highlights from the testing:

Driver: Mark Webber
Car: RB8
Laps: 24 laps
Best time: 1:23.648
Circuit length: 4.655 km
Fastest lap: F. Alonso (1:22.444)

Initial forecasts had suggested there would be a 30% chance of rain at the Tuscan track, but damp conditions in the early morning led the team to run a re-worked plan, which included some running on Pirelli's intermediate tires. The Team used those outings to test a number of aerodynamic and mechanical development parts, which had been brought to Italy for the test.

A brief lull in the wet weather later in the morning gave Mark a couple of dry tire runs and the team maximized the opportunity before the heaviest rain of the day arrived. During that spell, Mark set the day's second quickest time, recording a lap of 1.23:648

Mark commented: "Obviously, the weather wasn't great today, so we didn't get to do much running in the dry. Really, we only got one decent run on the slicks. Then it rained after lunch and with limited sets of wets available, you can't do that much. We're hoping for better over the next couple of days.

"It's an important test. We have a lot of information to gather and, while today didn't quite work out as expected, I'm optimistic that over the course of the next few days we'll get the information we need.

"I have to say this is a fantastic track. It's very challenging for the driver and very quick. I don't know if we'll ever race here in the future, you never know, but to see the crowd here today was very special. A lot of people came to watch and that's great."

• Call: (914) 428-0900
• Click: www.PepeInfiniti.com
• Visit: 300 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606

Check out the brand-new Pepe Infiniti, now located at 300 Central Avenue, White Plains, NY 10606.