Infiniti today unveiled the next generation of its G35 performance sedan, which will offer drivers a few new gimmicks when it goes on sale in November this year. Besides a 300-plus horsepower engine, paddle shifters, push-button ignition, touch-screen navigation and a rear-view monitor, the G35 will offer a high-end Bose audio system that integrates a digital audio converter (DAC) that lets users rip audio CDs and create digital audio files.

According to Infiniti, the unit uses a 24-bit DAC built by Burr Brown, which recently was acquired by Texas Instruments. There are few technical details available, but edmunds.com reports that the system also includes a "9.5G" hard drive, which serves as storage device for audio files.

It is unclear which hard drive the G35 actually uses but the vague information suggests that Seagate was finally able to push its EE25 2.5" hard drive series into the automotive segment, making the Infiniti the first car that is offered with a mass storage device.

Seagate currently offers the 5400-rpm EE25 in versions with 20, 30 and 40 GB. We contacted Seagate and Infiniti officials to find out more about the hard drives used in the new G35 but have yet to receive an answer.

Infiniti may be surprising its competition with the announcement to offer mass storage solutions in order to support audio systems. Manufacturers such as BMW are still focused on adding interfaces for Apple's Ipod to their cars.

Pricing of the Infiniti G35 and the hard drive-supported audio system have not been announced.

Source : Tom's Hardware US