Infiniti G20
|
|
The G20 was Infiniti's entry-level car during most of the 1990s. It shared it's platform with Nissan's Japanese/European-market Primera with only one motor, the SR20DE 2.0 litre Inline 4-cylinder, also shared with the Nissan Sentra/200SX SE-R and Nissan NX2000. The engine produced only 140 horsepower (104 kW), but became extremely popular among "tuners" who liked it for its flexibility, reliability, fuel economy and high power-handling capabilities. Thanks to this and their low buy-in cost, used SR20 powered Sentras, 200SXs and G20s have become popular and prominent in the tuner sub-culture.
Two variations of the G20 exist, the P10 built from 1991 to 1996 and the P11 built from 1999 to 2002. All G20s were built in Oppama, Japan. The first 1991 G20 was completed on July 10, 1991. The final 1996 G20 was completed on July 19, 1996. The main change came in 1994 when a new chrome grille was added, air bags replaced motorized seatbelts, and the suspension was softened (though the new G20t retained the harder settings).
The second-generation G20 took several steps backward, one being adapting the beam-axle rear suspension of the 1995 Sentra and Maxima. 140 horsepower just didn't cut it anymore, and the interior was less elegant than before. The first 2nd generation 1999 G20 was completed on May 18, 1998. The final 2nd generation 2002 G20 was completed on January 11, 2002. The G20 was discontinued in favor of the rear wheel drive G35, which is vastly more competent though also priced $5,000 USD above the MSRP of the last G20s.