FUGA is a luxury car known in the United States by the name of "Infinity M." It is the Nissan's premium brand for overseas market that matches Toyota's high-end car Lexus. It is, of course, the Nissan's flagship car rated as one of the supreme models in the Japanese car market. Its rivals include Toyota's Crown, Mercedes' E Class, and BMW's 5-Series.
The new FUGA, the second generation evolved from its initial model, comes in an upgraded luxury sedan of sports car style with long-nosed hood, bulged tire fenders, and tires and wheels of large diameter. It gives a sort of wild look compared to the first generation. Acclaimed V-engine of 3.7 liters provides sporty and sophisticated drivability. The original model had a conservative and composed image but the new model has distinctive attributes in many ways to surpass its rivals.
The development team appealed at the presentation the harmonization of three key concepts of the car, namely, "performance, beauty, and comfort." In other words, FUGA is a high-quality vehicle featuring excellent drivability and run, attractive styling, and comfortable cabin with superb interior. These are the qualities that people will seek for any premium car, but Nissan has accomplished them on FUGA at the highest possible levels.
In light of drivability, there are a number of world-first devices installed on the car, the devices that signify high standard of technologies the Japanese car industries have attained. "Eco-pedal" is one of them. When the driver overly steps on the accelerator and uses more fuel than necessary, this system alerts the driver by activating counter push-back mechanism to ensure eco-driving. The pedal becomes a little heavier but can save the fuel consumption by five to 10 percent in this way.
Another striking feature of this car is interior quality and superior trim. Customers may choose from two types of specifications of Standard and Premium. Standard-type interior is composed of plated curve lines and woodgrain panels, symbolizing the essence of Japanese culture in the form of vigor and mellowness. In the premium-type interior, seats are covered with semi-aniline authentic
leather while the woodgrain panels are applied with silver powder finish wrought by exquisite craftsmanship. The silver powder application onto the grain texture requires special
technique and gives varied impression depending on the angle viewed due to interference of light. It sure will startle Mercedes and Toyota.
Forest Air-conditioning is one more world-first appurtenances for the cabin comfort. As the name implies, the equipment serves to produce forest atmosphere in the cabin. Once it detects filthy air or cigarette odor, it ventilates automatically and creates fresh air with high-density plasma-cluster ion to make you feel soaked in the air of the woods.
There are some other features to note. Intelligent Pedal or Distance Control Assist is a device which, synchronized with car navigation system, brings the vehicle to slow down when it detects a sharp curve ahead. Intelligent Cruise Control is a system that helps to keep the appropriate distance from preceding cars in accordance with the cruising speed the moment the sensor detects them. Thus, the new car is equipped with the most advanced technologies aspiring toward future full-automatic navigation system.
The second generation of FUGA, having satisfied the needs for driving pleasure and user-friendly ambience to the highest degree, is a pioneer car that meets the requirements of the coming age.
