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Infiniti has announced pricing for most of the 2017 Q60 Coupe lineup. When it arrives at dealers in September, The Q60 will start at $39,855 (includes a $905 destination charge). Compared to the outgoing Q60 Coupe, the new model costs $2,000 less.

 

A lot of price drop can be attributed to a new base engine, a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder with 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Standard equipment on the base model includes 19-inch wheels, eight-way bolstered sport seats, Bluetooth, and LED headlights. All-wheel drive adds $2,000 to the bottom line.

 

Next is the Q60 2.0t Premium which kicks off at $42,205 ($44,205 for all-wheel drive). The trim adds a power moonroof and a 13-speaker Bose audio system.

 

If you want a more powerful engine, then you can step up to the twin-turbo 3.0L V6 found in the Q60 3.0t Premium. Starting at $45,205 ($47,205 with all-wheel drive), the model boasts 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet.

 

A Red Sport version of the Q60 with a 400 horsepower twin-turbo 3.0L V6 will be added down the line.

 

Source: Infiniti

 

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Infiniti announces U.S. pricing and reservation program for all-new 2017 Q60 Sports Coupe

• Select models of the third-generation of INFINITI’s iconic sports coupe set to arrive in early September at INFINITI retailers nationwide
• Pricing begins at $38,950 for Q60 2.0t rear-wheel drive model
• Special INFINITI Q60 Reservation Program now available online at InfinitiUSA.com
• Curated gifts for Reservation Program participants include GoPro® Hero4 Silver camera, Bose® SoundTouch® 20 Series III Wireless Music System, Rosewood Hotel one-night accommodation, Tumi Tegra-Lite® carry-on luggage and specially curated culinary experience
  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – INFINITI today announced pricing for select models of the all-new 2017 INFINITI Q60 sports coupe, which will begin arriving at INFINITI retailers nationwide in early September. The Q60 is offered in a range of grade levels, including all-new advanced turbocharged engines and rear-wheel and all-wheel drive configurations.

 

For buyers desiring to be among the first in line for the completely redesigned third-generation INFINITI sports coupe, a special Q60 Reservation Program is available at InfinitiUSA.com. Those who sign up for the program will not only be rewarded with their new Q60, but will receive their choice from a selection of gifts – including a GoPro® camera, Bose® music system and Tumi luggage.

 

"Like the new Q60 sports coupe, we've selected Reservation Program rewards that fit INFINITI owners' lifestyles," said Randy Parker, vice president, INFINITI Americas. "The real reward, of course, is the new Q60 with its next generation ride and handling technologies and the very latest INFINITI infotainment and driver assist systems."

 

The Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Prices* (MSRP) for the 2017 INFINITI Q60 are:

 

Model Engine/Drive MSRP

• Q60 2.0t 2.0L I4 Turbo / RWD $38,950 USD
• Q60 2.0t AWD 2.0L I4 Turbo / AWD $40,950 USD
• Q60 2.0t Premium 2.0L I4 Turbo / RWD $41,300 USD
• Q60 2.0t Premium AWD 2.0L I4 Turbo / AWD $43,300 USD
• Q60 3.0t Premium 3.0-liter V6 Twin Turbo 300 hp / RWD $44,300 USD
• Q60 3.0t Premium AWD 3.0-liter V6 Twin Turbo 300 hp / AWD $46,300 USD
  

Destination and Handling $905 USD

 

Pricing for the 2017 Q60 Red Sport 400 will be announced at a later date.

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While Infiniti will be selling the Q30 hatchback and QX30 crossover as separate models around the world, the Japanese luxury marque has decided to roll the Q30 into the QX30 lineup for the U.S. Since the two models are almost identical (the QX30 has a higher ground clearance and body cladding), Infiniti has decided to make the two models as one to eliminate confusion.

 

Here is how the QX30 lineup will look like when they hit dealers sometime in the middle of next year.

• QX30 & QX30S: Formally known as the Q30, these two models will only come with front-wheel drive. S models get a lower ride height, 19-inch wheels, unique suspension tuning, and different fascias for the front and rear.
• QX30 AWD: Features higher ground clearance, body cladding, and all-wheel drive.
  

Source: Infiniti

 

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Infiniti announces QX30 line-up in the Americas

• Infiniti QX30 Premium Crossover set to go on sale in mid-2016
  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Infiniti today announced the line-up of its all-new QX30 premium active crossover for the United States and Canada.

 

While sharing basic exterior and interior designs, the QX30 line will be offered in three unique versions, each with its own front and rear fascia, wheel design and interior themes:

• QX30: The crossover’s highly sculpted exterior, unique stance and asymmetric cabin design exemplify Infiniti’s design-led approach to product development. This version is sold in Europe and other regions outside of the Americas under the Q30 name. In the Americas, this model will be front-wheel drive.
• QX30S: With a lower stance, aggressive front and rear fascia, cross-drilled front brake rotors, 19-inch wheels and performance tires, the QX30S is the sports version of Infiniti’s new premium compact line. It was shown at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show and is sold in other markets as the Q30S.
• QX30 AWD: With an intelligent all-wheel drive system, slightly higher ride height and off-road inspired front and rear valence panels, the vehicle is able to take on urban, suburban and winding rural roads in all driving conditions. The QX30 AWD debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show as the QX30.
  

The QX30 line for the U.S. and Canada is powered by a 208-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder mated to a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, and it is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti retailers in the United States and Canada in mid-2016 and in Mexico and Latin America in the second half of 2016.
Infiniti has revealed an aggressive new product portfolio expansion based on a series of acclaimed concept cars that had been introduced in the last two years, including the Infiniti Q60 Concept. The production version of the 2017 Infiniti Q60 sport coupe makes its world debut January 11, 2016 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

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Infiniti decided to give us an early Christmas present by revealing a couple of vehicles that will be debuting at the Detroit Auto Show next month. Sadly, neither vehicle was the upcoming Q60 coupe. They are the refreshed versions of the Q50 and QX60.

 

We'll begin with the 2016 Q50 since it has a fair amount of major changes. First is a new engine lineup. The 3.7L V6 that has been with the Q50 since launch is kicked out and three new engines take its place. The base will be a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder from Mercedes-Benz. This engine found in the CLA and GLA250 produces 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Next is a turbocharged 3.0L V6 in two states of tune; a 300 horsepower version and a 400 horsepower version. The Q50 Hybrid will soldier into 2016. All engines will come paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission.

 

Another major change for the Q50 is a revised version of Infiniti's Direct Adaptive Steer system. Infiniti says enginners "optimized the control logic to improve feedback from the road". In other words, Infiniti hopes this system will begin to feel like a mechanical system.

 

Next is the 2016 Infiniti QX60 crossover which gets minor changes. Outside are new headlights, reshaped grille, and a new rear bumper. Mechanical changes include new shocks and springs to improve the ride. Interestingly, the QX60 Hybrid will continue on for 2016. Earlier in the year, we had reported that Nissan had killed off both the Pathfinder Hybrid and Infiniti QX60 Hybrid. It seems we were only half-right on that report.

 

The QX60 Hybrid uses a 2.5L inline-four paired with an electric motor to produce a total output of 250 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. The 3.5L V6 with 265 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque continues on into 2016.

 

Source: Infiniti

 

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2016 Infiniti Q50 sports sedan: New engines and chassis technologies deliver empowering performance and a more rewarding driving experience

• 2016 Q50 adds trio of new powerful and efficient turbocharged engines, including a 400-horsepower 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6
• Next-generation Direct Adaptive Steering™ (DAS) leads technology enhancements
• New Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS) offers engaging ride and handing options
• New 400-horsepower Q50 Red Sport 400 heads line of five models in North America
  

NASHVILLE – The new 2016 Infiniti Q50 sports sedan is being launched with a number of performance and dynamic upgrades that deliver a more empowering and rewarding drive experience. The comprehensive updates include a trio of all-new advanced turbocharged engines, along with next-generation ride and handling technologies.

 

The Q50 – Infiniti's top-selling model in North America – was developed from the outset to showcase Infiniti's daring design, dynamic performance and class-leading technologies within the sports sedan segment. Now in its third year, Q50 global sales between January and October 2015 reached almost 50,000 models – representing a 65 percent increase compared to the same period in 2014.

 

Four advanced powertrain options are offered with the 2016 Infiniti Q50, including an all-new 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine with direct injection. This new "VR30" engine is available in two states of tune: 400 horsepower or 300 horsepower – both developed to provide an ideal mix of drivability, efficiency and performance.

 

Also available on the Q50 is a new 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 208 horsepower, and a 360-horsepower hybrid powertrain, which combines a 3.5-liter V6 and a compact laminated lithium-ion battery with an innovative one-motor, two-clutch control.

 

Also making its debut on the 2016 Infiniti Q50 is the Infiniti's industry leading Direct Adaptive Steering, comprehensively modified from the groundbreaking first-generation system. Infiniti has enhanced the Direct Adaptive Steering after gathering customer feedback from around the world and completing 625,000 miles of real-world testing. The standard steering mode now offers advanced levels of steering feel and feedback – more akin to that of a conventional steering system. In addition, the upgraded system offers even more options to personalize and tailor the steering system's levels of response and feel to suit the driver's preferences.

 

The new Q50 also features Infiniti's Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS) for the first time, which gives the new Q50 sports sedan an optimal blend of ride comfort and class-leading response and agility. For drivers looking for a blend of dynamic settings tailored to their own particular requirements and tastes, the Q50's Drive Mode Selector (DMS) can be augmented with "Personal" mode, which permits a tailored mix of engine, suspension and steering characteristics.

 

"The new Infiniti Q50 takes the core elements that have driven its global appeal to date, and now we have made it even better by offering a number of new and stand-out technologies. With the upgraded Q50, we are furthering Infiniti's position on innovation."

 

Francois Bancon, Infiniti Vice President Product Strategy

 

Infiniti's most advanced V6 leads the refreshed engine line up
The all-new 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine, from the new and exclusive "VR-series" powertrain family, has been developed to deliver optimal power and torque, alongside greater fuel efficiency. The high-output version of the power unit delivers 400 horsepower (298 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 350 lb-ft (475 Nm) maximum torque at 1,600-5,200 rpm. The standard output version produces 300 horsepower (224 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm (295) torque at 1,600-5,200 rpm.

 

These outputs have been achieved while ensuring an expected improvement in fuel efficiency of up to 6.7 percent, representing a high power-to-efficiency ratio for the 400 horsepower power unit. This power-to-efficiency performance was made possible thanks to a combination of newly developed powertrain features.

 

An advanced new twin-turbo system contributes to the smooth and immediate power delivery while promoting gains in efficiency. The combination of a new turbine speed sensor and an optimized turbine blade design realize greater performance with more immediate response. The turbine speed sensor allows a 10 percent increase in turbine speeds, enabling the turbocharger to revolve at up to 220,000 rpm. With greater capacity for faster revolutions, the twin turbochargers enable the engine to deliver greater power and torque.

 

Advanced valve timing control incorporating a new electric motor mounted to the valve timing system delivers quicker reactions to driver inputs. Along with improved response, more immediate valve timing also helps the engine operate more efficiently, precisely controlling fuel and air quantities entering the combustion chamber.

 

A new high-pressure direct injection gasoline (DIG) system, introduced for the first time, allows for precise control of fuel injection into the combustion chamber depending on throttle position and current engine speed. DIG contributes significantly to making the new engine the cleanest and most efficient V6 that Infiniti has ever offered.

 

2.0-liter turbo and hybrid powertrains blend performance and efficiency
Complementing the new 3.0-liter V6 is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged unit, producing 208 horsepower at 5,500 rpm with peak torque of 258 lb-ft (350 Nm) available from 1,500 rpm. This 1,991 cc unit has been engineered to achieve the same goals as the 3.0-liter V6 unit, blending response and performance with efficiency.

 

Direct injection and a high-efficiency compact turbocharger combine to achieve high levels of torque from low engine speeds for an enhanced driving experience. The high-pressure direct injection system with 200 bar piezoelectric injectors, multi-spark ignition and lean-burn combustion technologies also contributes significantly to efficiency. This is complemented by a variable camshaft design on the intake side, which enables a switchover from a standard cam for higher loads and engine speeds where increased power is required, to a "small" cam for partial engine loads.

 

In addition, to minimize friction losses on the small cam a maximum valve lift of 3.8 mm has been specified. The main advantage is a reduction of charge exchange losses and a nearly throttle-free operation in a relatively broad range of scenarios for exceptional efficiency.

 

A lightweight aluminum block and cylinder head with chain-driven dual-overhead camshafts, die-cast aluminum cylinder crankcase and optimized crank assembly promote further weight savings, reduce friction and improve efficiency. For the first time, the Q50 will offer an idle stop-start system (ISS) in combination with a 2.0- liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine.

 

The Q50's advanced hybrid powertrain remains unchanged, featuring the Direct Response Hybrid® system with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control. It combines a 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy V6 and a compact laminated lithium-ion battery with an innovative one-motor, two-clutch control. The system's V6 is rated at 302 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque, while the advanced 50 kW electric motor is rated at 67 horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid system net power is 360 horsepower, providing strong acceleration and lean fuel economy.

 

The hybrid powertrain is designed to put performance first, while bringing significant benefits for fuel efficiency. It takes full advantage of the electric motor's instant torque for exceptional acceleration and, in combination with the 3.5-liter V6, provides an energetic feel under all driving conditions.

 

Smooth shifts from seven-speed automatic transmission
All 2016 Q50 powertrains are matched to an advanced seven-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode and steering column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters.

 

Adaptive Shift Control enhances gear selection by using a lateral acceleration sensor to detect changes in the road, such as hills and turns. Sport mode allows the driver to select a more aggressive shift pattern with automatic up- and down-shifting at higher rpm. The combined effect is for any driver to enjoy quick, smooth shifts and gear choices that are appropriate to both the road and the desired driving style.

 

The new Q50 can be configured by the customer with one of two driveline options – rear-wheel drive or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive. Both are available with any of the four engines.

 

Dynamic performance from innovative technology
A range of new and innovative ride and handling technologies deliver on the promise of the Q50’s daring design and instill confidence in all driving conditions.

 

Infiniti Q50 models equipped with the new 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine, or the hybrid powertrain, are available with the second-generation Infiniti Direct Adaptive Steering. The system has undergone significant re-tuning to enhance steering feel and feedback.

 

The changes to Direct Adaptive Steering – the world’s first digital steering system – have been made following extensive consultation with existing Q50 customers around the world and over 625,000 miles of testing.

 

For the new second-generation Direct Adaptive Steering, engineers have optimized the control logic to improve feedback from the road. They have fine-tuned parameters so that the default setting better mimics the feeling drivers are used to from conventional systems.

 

The new system also provides more customization options, fully utilizing the potential that Direct Adaptive Steering offers, giving drivers’ flexibility to choose the level of steering assistance and feedback according to personal preferences.

 

Direct Adaptive Steering actively adjusts the steering ratio and effort according to vehicle speed and scene. In slow-moving situations, such as city driving or parking, the system is tuned for ease of maneuverability.

 

In order to further enhance the steering feel in sporty driving conditions, the steering effort on the second generation Direct Adaptive Steering gradually saturates with high lateral G-force and acceleration in line with the overall vehicle behavior.

 

Direct Adaptive Steering is able to transmit the driver’s input to the wheels faster than a mechanical system while requiring fewer steering corrections and is able to make 1,000 steering adjustments per second. The new system enhances the steering feel by quickly and intelligently communicating to the driver feedback about road surface and chassis behavior. This gives the driver a secure and confident feeling at the wheel, free from unnecessary steering kickbacks or vibrations. The elimination of unwanted feedback has the further benefit of reducing driver fatigue.

 

The expanded selection of steering modes within Direct Adaptive Steering is accessed through the Drive Mode Selector (DMS). Located via menus displayed in the center console, Drive Mode Selector allows the steering response to be selected from six available options: Personal, Standard, Snow, Eco, Sport, and – new for the 2016 Q50 model – Sport+.

 

The Q50’s Personal steering mode allows for a high degree of fine-tuning. Drivers first select one of three core modes (Standard, Sport and Sport+) and then specify their preferred level of response (Default, Dynamic and Dynamic+). For a slower steering response and conventional feel, the driver would select a combination of Standard mode and Default response. For the highest level of assistance, the driver would choose Sport+ mode with Dynamic+ response – making best use of Direct Adaptive Steering technology.

 

The Sport mode of the Drive Mode Selector enhances the response of Direct Adaptive Steering, elevating the steering effort required while reducing the required steering movement from lock to lock. In the new Sport+ mode, steering effort remains the same as Sport mode, but the response of the steering is further increased, with an even quicker gear ratio for an enhanced performance feel. With both the Sport and Sport+ modes the result is an even greater sense of connection and control when the car is being put through its paces.

 

The new version of Direct Adaptive Steering works with Active Lane Control to maintain lane positioning against crosswinds and uneven road surfaces. This semi-autonomous capability is a precursor to future steering systems that will form a key building block on the way to achieving fully autonomous driving.

 

As standard, Q50 models equipped with the new 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine feature Infiniti’s Rack Electronic Power Steering. This all-new system provides a linear and in-control driving experience that can be tuned through the Drive Mode Selector.

 

When making a steering input or returning the steering wheel following an input, traditional steering systems can create an unnatural feeling through imprecise control of the power assistance, reducing the feeling of linearity. To counter this, Infiniti’s Rack Electronic Power Steering precisely increases the steering effort required as the vehicle’s yaw rate changes, before adjusting to provide more assistance when the wheel returns towards on-center.

 

Infiniti Q50 2.0-liter models are equipped with a speed-sensitive hydraulic electronic rack-and-pinion power steering system as standard. This increases assistance at low speeds and reduces assistance for enhanced feel and response at higher speeds.

 

The Q50 features independent multi-link suspension and, for the 2016 model, revised suspension settings now provide an improved balance between confident handling and a comfortable ride. The front suspension is a double-wishbone design, while the revised rear suspension utilizes a multi-link design with coil springs and Dual Flow Path® shock absorbers. Extensive use of aluminum components for the suspension keeps weight down.

 

The Q50 now benefits from revised front and rear stabilizer bars. The result is heightening resistance to unwanted adjustments in the lateral movement of the suspension, affording a flatter ride and greater agility during cornering. The revised system is also better able to maintain contact between the tires and road.

 

All 2016 Q50 Sport models are upgraded with Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS) for the first time, which offers enhanced ride comfort with class-leading response and agility. The shift from a comfort-biased ride to enhanced dynamic response can be made when the driver places the electronically adjustable shock absorbers in either Sport or Sport+ modes (adjusted via the Drive Mode Selector), providing firmer damping control for more agile handling. While in these modes, the suspension is constantly adjust¬ing to provide ideal performance and a flat ride.

 

In all modes, Dynamic Digital Suspension (DDS) also constantly adjusts the shock absorber valve within a wide range of damping force to control body motion when cornering. It monitors body roll, pitch and bounce rate to restrain body motion for a comfortable, confident and insulated ride in all conditions, ensuring that bumps and undulat¬ing road conditions are absorbed to maintain flat body posture.

 

Daring, expressive design
The Infiniti Q50 adds a new dimension of premium style to the sports sedan segment, thanks to its sleek proportions and athletic stance.

 

A strong first impression is created by Infiniti’s signature “double arch” grille. The grille's three-dimensional, textural quality is provided by elaborate detailing of the waved mesh pattern surface and chrome surround, while the distinctive LED headlights and daytime running lights suggest an expressive form, almost like the human eye.

 

Rising from the double arch grille is a smooth yet commanding character line, which flows energetically through the body-side like a wave and merges with the rear, creating a highly fluid profile – a trademark Infiniti look.

 

Infiniti Q50 models equipped with the new 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo 400 hp engine are designated as the Q50 Red Sport 400 and feature unique staggered 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and 245/40R19 front/265/35R19 rear summer performance run-flat tires, as well as unique exhaust tips. These changes help to assert the car’s performance credentials and add to its aggressive, confident aura.

 

New safety features
The new Infiniti Q50 builds on the long list of safety and security technologies already found in other Infiniti models, maintaining the car’s class-leading position.

 

The Technology Package adds Front Seat Driver/Passenger Pre-Crash Seatbelts; Blind-Spot Intervention (BSI); Lane Departure Warning (LDW); and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) with Active Lane Control.

 

The new Driver Assistance Package includes features such as Forward Emergency Braking (EB); Blind-Spot Warning (BSW); Back Collision Intervention (BCI) with Cross Traffic Alert (CTA); Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW); and Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD).

 

Comfort and convenience features, customizable for a personal touch
Infiniti InTouch™ telematics system brings the future of in-car connectivity to the Q50 interior. Unlike conventional interfaces, the Q50 has not one but two touch-capacitive color screens (LCD/VGA 8-inch upper and 7-inch lower), with intuitive hand-gesture screen operation for easy changing of settings.

 

Along with the large dual screens, the Infiniti InTouch™ system is designed to effortlessly synchronize car and driver. Content and functions directed to the upper screen include the most frequently used applications, such as navigation maps. Other content is directed to the lower display screen.

 

In North America, the 2016 Infiniti Q50 is offered in a range of trim levels, each in a choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel drive – Q20 2.0t, Q50 2.0t Premium, Q50 3.0t Premium, Q50 Hybrid Premium, Q50 Sport and Q50 Red Sport 400.

 

New for Q50 in 2016 is the feature-rich Premium Plus Package, available on all engine options and including: auto dimming exterior mirrors; electric memory exterior mirrors; electrically adjustable steering wheel with memory and easy entry functions; Infiniti InTouch with navigation and one year of InTouch services; navigation-synchronized adaptive shift control; SiriusXM® Traffic; voice recognition; 60/40 split-fold rear seat with center armrest; electric lumbar support and position memory for the driver’s seat; heated steering wheel and heated front seats. For 3.0-liter Sport models, the Premium Plus Package also adds remote engine start.

 

The Technology Package has been revised to now include: Auto-leveling Adaptive Front Lighting System; High Beam Assist; Intelligent Cruise Control with full speed range; Distance Control Assist; Eco pedal; Advanced Climate Control System with Plasmacluster™ and Grape Polyphenol filter; as well as a range of safety features.

 

The new Infiniti Q50 goes on sale in selected markets later in 2016.

 

Infiniti QX60 premium crossover offers enhanced design, dynamics, comfort and convenience for 2016

• Refreshed exterior design adds to premium look and feel
• Chassis dynamics retuned for a more engaging, comfortable drive
• Interior revisions bring enhanced luxury for up to seven occupants
• Augmented suite of assistive and intuitive technologies
  

NASHVILLE – Infiniti has comprehensively enhanced its versatile QX60 premium crossover for 2016, introducing a wide range of changes that improve the seven-seater’s exterior design and its driving dynamics, while showcasing new features and technologies that improve comfort, convenience and safety.

 

Reflecting an evolution of Infiniti’s stand-out artistic design, the 2016 QX60’s revised form accentuates its powerful elegance and craftsmanship. This is a premium crossover that continues to defy segment expectations by providing flexible and accessible seating for up to seven, while at the same time delivering superior standards of comfort and luxury.

 

The 2016 QX60’s new suspension components and settings combine to deliver superior levels of both comfort and agility, while a revised steering system delivers greater feedback for a more rewarding drive. Available in both front-wheel drive and optional Intelligent All-Wheel Drive versions, the QX60 is offered with a choice of powerful and efficient powertrains – 3.5-liter V6 gasoline or Hybrid.

 

Whichever engine is chosen, upgraded cabin sound insulation and revised engine mounts for the 2016 model reduce the ingress of noise, vibration and harshness, enabling occupants to better appreciate the uprated cabin materials and the feature-rich audio and connectivity systems.

 

Seven new equipment packages and a new range of exterior colors for 2016 allows customers to take a truly tailored approach in specifying the QX60 premium crossover to meet their individual needs and preferences. The personal touch is reinforced with thoughtful new assistive and intuitive technology features, such as the Infiniti Personal Assistant™, a 24-hour personal concierge service.

 

Global sales of the QX60 during the first eleven months of 2015 reached 48,684, year-on-year, representing a growth of 24 percent. The U.S. market alone posted a 32 percent increase compared to the same period in 2014. Infiniti expects the new 2016 model to attract even more premium buyers to the brand.

 

“The new QX60 will become an important part of Infiniti’s global growth strategy as the global premium crossover market continues to grow. The new model builds on the characteristics that have made QX60 an increasingly popular choice with premium buyers, offering enhanced design, driving dynamics and best-in-class levels of interior comfort and convenience.”
Francois Bancon, Infiniti Vice President Product Strategy

 

Refreshed exterior conveys a premium look
The exterior of the QX60 reflects Infiniti’s design-led approach to product development, and a desire to craft vehicle forms which combine power and confident artistry through taut, muscular shapes and flowing lines. The look is unmistakably Infiniti and the new QX60 features familiar signature brand design cues such as the dramatic double-arch front grille, double-wave hood and crescent-cut D-pillar.

 

At the front, the redesigned double-arch grille is flanked by standard-fit bi-xenon headlamps. There is greater use of LED lighting, including new LED daytime running lights. Complementing the revised headlamps are front fog lamps, which feature LED lighting and chrome finishers.

 

The lighting extends to the side and rear of the vehicle, with side indicators and taillights sitting flush to body and incorporating the turn signal in red. The rear hatch has also received attention, featuring a new chrome finisher, while retaining its power lift function. Above the rear hatch a new roof-mounted and body color “shark fin” antenna has been added, working in-conjunction with the in-glass antenna.

 

Incorporated into both front and rear bumpers are new, flush-mounted sonar sensors. Except for two additions at the center of the front bumper, these body-colored sensors no longer have a surrounding bezel, adding to the premium appearance.

 

The 2016 QX60 is available in seven exterior colors: Liquid Platinum, Black Obsidian, Hermosa Blue, Majestic White, Graphite Shadow, plus new Hagane Blue and Jade Green.

 

The smooth and aerodynamic shape of the QX60 achieves an unchanged drag coefficient of 0.34. The new model manages airflow over, under and around the exterior to promote road holding and high-speed stability. A front underbody spoiler, integrated rear spoiler and rear tire deflectors contribute to achieving zero lift across both front and rear axles.

 

A significant enhancement for the 2016 QX60 is the addition of acoustic glass for better insulation from high frequency noise. Constructed of three layers, the acoustic side glass minimizes the intrusion of wind noise into the cabin, while also reducing the effects of tire noise. The result is class-leading noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels at a constant speed.

 

Retuned dynamics for a more engaging drive
The focus for Infiniti’s QX60 engineers was to provide an even more assured and confidence-inspiring driving experience. This has been achieved through the introduction of new chassis technologies and revised settings for components carried over from the previous model.

 

The independent-strut front and multi-link rear suspension feature new shock absorbers and spring units, which result in smoother ride control with a reduction in body movement when cornering. New 235/65 R18 T-rated all-season tires are standard, selected to provide improvements in grip and balance. Completing the dynamic changes, a retuned vehicle-speed-sensitive power steering system, now requiring just 2.9 turns lock-to-lock, offers the driver increased response to steering inputs and enhanced feedback.

 

The Infiniti Drive Mode Selector (DMS) allows the driver to vary throttle response and gearshift patterns to optimize performance for the conditions and their own preferences. The driver can select from four drive modes – Standard, Sport, Eco and Snow – using a rotary dial mounted in the center console.

 

To enhance stability and feel through the controls when cornering, the Active Trace Control system links with the QX60’s standard Vehicle Dynamic Control system (upgraded for 2016), to automatically apply the brakes in a specific pattern and then smooth engine torque characteristics while accelerating.

 

The new QX60 is available in four models, QX60, QX60 AWD, QX60 Hybrid and QX60 Hybrid AWD. All variants provide the responsive performance and fuel efficiency increasingly demanded by premium crossover buyers.

 

The standard 3.5-liter V6 is mated to a sport-tuned, electronically controlled continuously variable transmission with D-Step Logic that provides high levels of response and a seamless, efficient shift feel. The transmission’s logic mimics the shift pattern of a more traditional step transmission. Included is a manual shift mode, allowing the driver to manually select from the pre-set gear ratios, if preferred.

 

The 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 265 horsepower at 6,400 rpm with peak torque of 248 lb-ft (336 Nm) available at 4,400 rpm. The engine includes a variable induction control system to improve volumetric efficiency at low and middle speed ranges, while an efficient belt layout reduces maintenance requirements and aids fuel efficiency. Revised engine mounts reduce the vibration transmitted to the cabin and controls engine movement during cornering for enhanced stability and response.

 

The 2016 QX60 is also offered with a hybrid drivetrain, featuring a supercharged 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder engine and an electric motor powered by a compact Lithium-ion battery pack. The system produces a combined 250 horsepower and 243 lb-ft (329 Nm) of torque. For 2016, the engine is mounted using new electric-active controlled liquid-filled engine mounts for reduced vibration in the cabin and enhanced cornering.

 

Premium comfort and convenience for seven occupants
The QX60 utilizes a flat platform floor, which not only allows for a more dramatic design approach but also enhances interior space and flexibility. The second-row seating features almost six inches (150 mm) travel, adjustable either to the benefit of passenger leg room or rear cargo space, as required.

 

Traditionally a compromised area, the third-row seating is able to accommodate children or adults with practical head- and knee room. Access to the third row of seats is facilitated by wide door openings and the long forward travel of the second-row seating. The second-row seating’s unique forward movement function also negates the need to remove any child seat fitted to the second row when accessing the third-row seating. In addition, both second- and third-row seating incorporate a split folding function, 60/40 for the second row and 50/50 for the third row, to further increase versatility and practicality. Both rows also recline for greater occupant comfort.

 

As well as being truly versatile, the interior of the QX60 offers elegance and fine craftsmanship. Key design features include Infiniti’s signature driver-oriented cockpit, highlighted by thin chrome accents. Boosting the premium feel of the interior, for 2016 the upper instrument panel has been wrapped in soft-touch material with contrast stitching, while the gearshift knob and surround feature a new design and finish.

 

“Graphite Weave” is the standard interior leather trim, with a quilted seat base and maple accents available with the Deluxe Technology Package. All models benefit from contrast stitching to the upper instrument and door panels available in three colors, Graphite, Java and Wheat. As an additional convenience for front seat occupants, the memory seat button has been relocated to the upper door trim.

 

The tri-zone automatic temperature control system with microfilter has been revised for the 2016 QX60, offering improved performance for the first- and second-row occupants. A power sliding moonroof with tinted glass, one-touch open/close, tilt feature and sliding sunshade is standard on all models.

 

Available as part of the Deluxe Technology Package is an Advanced Climate Control System with Plasmacluster® air purifier, grape polyphenol filter and auto recirculation. Also included within the Deluxe Technology Package is a panoramic moonroof with power rear sunshade, which provides a light, airy environment for rear passengers.

 

Standard connectivity and entertainment features include Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio, SiriusXM® Satellite Radio (SiriusXM® subscription required, separately available), and USB connection port for iPod® interface and other compatible devices. For 3.5-liter models, three additional USB charging ports have been added to the cabin, one convenient for the second-row seating and two for the third-row seating.

 

High levels of connectivity, convenience and safety
For 2016, the QX60 continues to deliver a high level of assistive and intuitive technology features, aimed at enhancing the premium crossover experience for all occupants.

 

Infiniti Connection™ services include 24-hour automatic crash notification, emergency call, enhanced roadside assistance, stolen vehicle reporting, remote door lock/unlock, alarm notification, maintenance alert and scheduled maintenance notification. The “My Schedule” function can automatically synch a user’s schedule through Google Calendar™ and provide navigation guidance to appointments.

 

The 2016 QX60 features Infiniti Personal Assistant™, Infiniti’s personal concierge service with 24 hour access to a live team of professional assistants. The service allows owners to make reservations, get directions, find points of interest, make dinner reservations, access gift services and receive a wide variety of other services at the touch of a button from inside the vehicle or through the owner’s mobile or home phone. In vehicles equipped with Infiniti Connection™, owners can have their Infiniti Personal Assistant™ find a restaurant, make the reservation, and have directions sent directly to their QX60’s Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System.

 

Safeguarding occupants is a top priority for Infiniti, and several new safety technologies are available through 2016 QX60’s revised options packages.

 

Forward Emergency Braking (FEB) utilizes advanced technology to calculate the distance between QX60 and the vehicle in front, as well as the speed of both vehicles, to detect the possibility of a collision and help mitigate or prevent it. The system operates in two stages, risk detection and collision detection. On detecting a risk, the system initially alerts the driver with visual and audible warnings and forcibly backs off the throttle. If the driver releases the accelerator, the system will apply partial braking. In the event that the system detects a collision may occur and there is no action taken by the driver, the system provides an additional set of warnings and applies harder braking to help avoid a collision, or mitigate the consequences should one occur. The Pedestrian Detection function within the FEB system applies this technology to avoid or mitigate collisions with pedestrians.

 

Forward Collision Warning (FCW) alerts the driver of hazards in the road ahead – taking automatic action to help avoid or mitigate the effects of a collision.

 

Backup Collision Intervention (BCI) alerts the driver to crossing vehicles and other large stationary objects to the rear when the transmission is in reverse. If necessary, the system is able to automatically to engage the brakes to help avoid or mitigate a collision.

 

Parking is made easy with the addition of a new Around View® Monitor (AVM), with Moving Object Detection (MOD), using four wide-angle lenses – one on each side of the vehicle – to create a “birds-eye” view on the center console and give drivers a clear picture of nearby hazards during low-speed maneuvers.

 

In addition to the long list of standard equipment, seven option packages, newly introduced for 2016, provide a means of personalization that reflects Infiniti’s versatile and passenger-minded approach to the new QX60.

 

The new Infiniti QX60 goes on sale in selected markets later in 2016.

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Infiniti has decided to pull the camouflage off the Q30 before its official debut at Frankfurt Motor Show in September. This new model marks Infiniti's entrant in the entry-level luxury class.

 

We have to give Infiniti a bit of credit for keeping much of the design from the Q30 concept shown at the 2013 Frankfurt show. The swoopy lines and squared off front end are here. We can't tell if the rear end design is the same as Infiniti only released one picture of the Q30 - the image seen here.

 

The Q30 will go into production later this year in Sunderland, England. Sales are expected to begin sometime next year.

 

Source: Infiniti

 

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Jul. 21, 2015

 

Infiniti Q30 Premium Active Compact set for Frankfurt IAA 2015 premiere

• Daring, expressive design meets advanced ride and handling performance
• Category-breaking Q30 faithful to 2013 concept car
• World premiere for global media September 15th at Frankfurt Motor Show
  

Hong Kong – The first-ever Infiniti Q30 Premium Active Compact is ready for its world premiere at the International Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year.
Featuring Infiniti's iconic design language, the all-new Q30 represents a category-breaking vehicle concept developed for customers seeking urban individuality. Its dynamic drive characteristics provide for Infiniti-typical confident and responsive performance as well as excellent ride and handling. Crafted trims and expressive interiors extend the striking design approach from the exterior into the passenger cabin.
The public premiere of the Q30 Active Compact comes exactly two years after its precursor, the Q30 Concept, was introduced at the 2013 Frankfurt show. The unmistakable approach of that winning concept has been fully maintained as Infiniti's all-new Q30 compact vehicle is introduced to the market.
"Design is a key pillar of the Infiniti brand, and the new Q30 Active Compact perfectly embodies this approach," said Infiniti president Roland Krueger. "The Q30 Active Compact delivers the distinctive design, the driving dynamics and the individuality that our customers expect of an Infiniti vehicle. With our first ever entry in the compact car segment, we continue the product offensive and provide additional options for our discerning customers."
The Q30 Active Compact underwent final testing and development in Europe. It will be built in Sunderland in the UK, which then becomes the fourth country on three continents to build Infiniti vehicles.
Press days for the international motor show in Frankfurt this year are on September 15 and 16; public days are held September 17 to 27.

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Infiniti's showing for the Paris Motor Show seems to be inspired by the likes of the Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera with their four-door fastback design. Meet the Q80 Inspiration Concept.

Infiniti's take on the four-door fastback is to add more curves throughout the body. You also notice that the concept doesn't have any door handles or side-view mirrors. The company says that would only take away from the design profile. As for measurements, the Q80 Inspiration Concept is 198.9 inches long, 79.8 inches wide, 53.1 inches tall, and a wheelbase of 122.2 inches.

Inside, the Q80 Inspiration Concept features seating for four passengers and comes with carbon fiber, aluminum, and leather.

"After showing Q30 Concept and Q50 Eau Rouge, Infiniti is eager to show the upper range of our portfolio expansion," said Infiniti Executive Design Director, Alfonso Albaisa. "In Q80 Inspiration, we wanted to capture that unforgettable feeling when you experience something important, something beautiful, something magnetic for the first time."

We'll have more information on the Q80 Inspiration Concept when debuts at Paris, next week.

Source: Infiniti

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Feasting the senses: Infiniti Q80 Inspiration

- Infiniti unveils four-door concept that will lead to future model

- Q80 Inspiration embodies the invigorated Infiniti brand

- Fastback sedan showcases autonomy and powertrain technologies

HONG KONG / PARIS – The Paris Auto Show is fast approaching, and companies are jockeying for position in the eye of a media storm.

Infiniti presents Q80 Inspiration: Infiniti's vision of category-breaking, supreme luxurious driving – a top-of-the-line, four-seat fastback that rises above the crowd. It's an audacious and elegant step forward for Infiniti as a global player designed to shake up the status quo in the premium large four-door club – a no-compromise ambassador of driver-centric powertrain and onboard technologies.

At 15:30 local time on October 2 in Hall 5 of the Parc des Expositions de Versailles in Paris, Infiniti will introduce the progressive Q80 Inspiration to the media and provide a glimpse into its high-performance and efficient hybrid-electric powertrain implementation as well as additional technologies.

In profile, Infiniti Q80 Inspiration extends to 5052 millimeters (198.9 inches) with a long wheelbase of 3103 mm (122.2 in) framed by custom 22-inch five-dual-spoke lightweight alloys. It strikes an imposing stance with its width of 2027 mm (79.8 in) and height of 1350 mm (53.1 in).

"After showing Q30 Concept and Q50 Eau Rouge, Infiniti is eager to show the upper range of our portfolio expansion," said Infiniti Executive Design Director, Alfonso Albaisa. "In Q80 Inspiration, we wanted to capture that unforgettable feeling when you experience something important, something beautiful, something magnetic for the first time."

The Q80 Inspiration's expansive, edgy, sensual interpretation of the Infiniti brand really makes a statement. There are no side-door mirrors to break up the aesthetics of the unmistakable profile. The full roof length of the teardrop passenger greenhouse is accentuated by lightweight acoustic glass. And its doors open portal style, which allows the stunning cabin to be fully on display while driver and passengers step in and out with ease.

A concept as impactful as Q80 Inspiration is set to push boundaries in more ways than through the beauty of its attention-grabbing skin. The cabin is able to bring together the four occupants in a highly stylized and personalized ambiance of the highest quality. Carbon fiber, aluminum and leather surround those inside in spacious "1 + 1 + 1 + 1" seating.

Earmarked for an advanced adaptive suspension, the light and rigid chassis combines with the acoustic glass all around and additional sound deadening to promise a driving and ride experience among the very best.

A design and technological highlight to which Infiniti's four worldwide design studios will refer regularly in coming years, the Q80 Inspiration four-door fastback is to be taken as clear intent to have an entry into the newly defined premium fastback segment.

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William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

August 27, 2013

A few weeks ago, Infiniti announced their showing at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Named the Q30, the concept in our eyes looks to be more of a dramatic take on the Etherea concept shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Today, Infiniti revealed a single shot of the concept.

Infiniti says the Q30's defy traditional body styles in the compact luxury class. design From the release: "The shape of the Infiniti Q30 Concept deliberately challenges categorisation – not a coupe, not a hatch and not a crossover but a fusion of the three body styles."

Now we can only see two out of three body styles Infiniti mentions. The most obvious is the hatchback shape. The crossover shape is somewhat there with a highbelt line. But for the life of us, we can't seem to figure out where the coupe comes into play. Maybe Infiniti explain in a few weeks time.

Source: Infiniti

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at william.maley@cheersandgears.comor you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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Infiniti releases first image of sleek, seductive Q30 Concept ahead of world premiere at Frankfurt Motor Show

• Design of Q30 Concept is a unique fusion of body styles merging of the dynamic design and sportiness of a coupe, the roominess of a hatch and the higher stance of a crossover

• World premiere in Frankfurt September 10 at 10:15 am CET

Hong Kong – Infiniti has provided a first look at the Q30 Concept which will have its world premiere at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show as the next step in Infiniti's foray into new premium segments.

The Infiniti Q30 Concept signals the contemporary design vision for a compact Infiniti vehicle which will target a new generation of premium customers. It is set to be unveiled at Infiniti's press conference, scheduled for 10:15 am CET on September 10 in Hall 5 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Q30 Concept embodies Infiniti's vision to deliver head-turning design, innovative materials with precise fit and finish and passionate craftsmanship, while provoking a radical shift in the premium compact segment.

The shape of the Infiniti Q30 Concept deliberately challenges categorisation – not a coupe, not a hatch and not a crossover but a fusion of the three body styles. It is designed for younger customers seeking an alternative to traditional premium compact vehicles and open to convention-challenging approaches.

Infiniti is confident this merging of the dynamic design and sportiness of a coupe, the roominess of a hatch and the higher stance of a crossover will resonate with these customers.

The Q30 Concept design language reflects the brand's vision to deliver new levels of design, materials, fit and finish, craftsmanship and performance. The Infiniti design team, led by Executive Design Director Alfonso Albaisa, has explored bolder, sensual sculpting and enhanced muscularity with the Q30 Concept as the brand's design language continues to evolve.

The Q30 Concept signals the next step in an aggressive strategy to extend the Infiniti brand into new premium segments.

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William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

August 9, 2013

Auto show season is just right around the corner with Frankfurt kicking off this season in September. Already, automakers are beginning to tease what they will be showing at the show. For example, Infiniti released teaser shots of their Q30 Concept.

"This Infiniti Q30 Concept is a prelude to the product portfolio expansion which underpins our aggressive global growth strategy. In our quest to appeal to the modern, young-minded premium customer, the Infiniti Q30 Concept has a distinctive style and reaches new levels of product quality,"said Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti.

The Q30 Concept to our eyes looks to be a more aggressive take on the Infiniti Etherea concept shown at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The Q30 Concept has two firsts for the company,

• First Infiniti concept to come out under the company's new design director, Alfonso Albaisa
  
• First Infiniti vehicle that will have F1 Driver and Infiniti's Director of Performance, Sebastian Vettel develop (When it hits production)
  

Source: Infiniti

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at william.maley@cheersandgears.comor you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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Infiniti set to reveal Q30 Concept at IAA Frankfurt Motor Show

• Q30 Concept signals Infiniti's next step in its portfolio expansion into new premium segments
  

Hong Kong – Infiniti will stage the world premiere of its Q30 Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

The Infiniti Q30 Concept signals the contemporary design vision for a compact Infiniti vehicle which will target a new generation of premium customers.

Set to be unveiled at Infiniti's press conference, scheduled for 10:15 am CET on September 10 in Frankfurt, the Q30 Concept is the next step in Infiniti's foray into new premium segments. It embodies Infiniti's vision to deliver head-turning design, innovative materials with precise fit and finish and passionate craftsmanship.

"This Infiniti Q30 Concept is a prelude to the product portfolio expansion which underpins our aggressive global growth strategy," said Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti Motor Company, Ltd. "In our quest to appeal to the modern, young-minded premium customer, the Infiniti Q30 Concept has a distinctive style and reaches new levels of product quality."

It represents the latest evolution of the Infiniti design philosophy introduced with the Infiniti Q50 which had its world premiere at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. Like the Q50, the Infiniti Q30 Concept also incorporates dramatic design cues from the visionary Infiniti concept trilogy – Essence, Etherea and Emerg-e.

Infiniti envisions provoking a radical shift in the premium compact segment. The adventurous design and graceful athleticism of Q30 Concept inspire greater expectations of what is possible beyond the designs dominant in the market today.

"Q30 Concept is slender, sleek and seductive," said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director. "When you see speedy big cats, like cheetahs, they have a slenderness and a lightweight stride. It's almost like they're floating. That's the muscularity we were aiming for with Q30 Concept."

Infiniti's forthcoming compact premium entry will be the first Infiniti model Sebastian Vettel, Infiniti's Director of Performance, will influence from its inception. The three-time Formula One world champion from Infiniti Red Bull Racing, who was actively involved in honing the driving dynamics of the Infiniti Q50, is engaging with Infiniti's technical teams around the world as part of a commitment to infuse the brand with race-bred performance.

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By William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

January 14, 2013

The exterior design of the new Q50 draws heavily from the current M (soon to be Q70). Up front, the Q50 wears a large grille and a tapered, vertical front fascia. The side profile features fluidic lines running along the fenders and doors, and a unique crescent-shaped C-pillar. The back end has a tail trunk lid with an integrated spoiler, and a set twin exhaust pipes. When compared with the current G sedan, the new Q50 is longer, wider, lower, and more aerodynamic (0.26 drag coefficient).

The Q50's interior is an evolution of the current G sedan's interior with a dual-cowl styling. The dash features genuine aluminum trim and will offer maple wood as an option. Leatherette seats will be standard, while leather, heated seats and sports seats are optional. The big change in the Q50's interior is the center stack. The stack features two touchscreens that are a part of Infiniti's new InTouch system. InTouch uses touch and hand-gesture commands to control audio, climate, navigation, and other functions. There will also be actual buttons for the climate and audio.

Under the hood of the Q50 are two engines. The base is the 3.7L V6 carried over from the G37 that produces 328 horsepower and 269 pound feet of torque. New for the Q50 is a hybrid powertrain from the M Hybrid that uses a 3.5L V6 paired to a 50 kW motor and compact lithium ion battery to provide a total output 354 horsepower. Both engines use a seven-speed automatic with rev matching. The Q50 will come in either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive versions.

Tech-wise, the Q50 will have intelligent cruise control, forward collision warning, forward emergency braking, back-up collision intervention, and numerous cameras to name a few.

The Q50 arrives at Infinti dealers in the summer.

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at william.maley@cheersandgears.comor you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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2014 Infiniti Q50 Press Kit: Overview 2014 Infiniti Q50 Sports Sedan Unleashes Inspired Performance and Hospitality

• All-new model sets the fresh design, performance and technology direction for new generation of Infiniti vehicles and brand
  
• Choice of powertrains for United States launch includes 3.7-liter V6 and 3.5-liter Hybrid; other powertrains to be added as part of global market launch rollout
  
• Offers world's first technologies designed to enhance the driving experience, including Direct Adaptive Steering™ and Active Lane Control™
  
• Fully customizable digital environment for linking various driver settings and driving characteristics to i-Key
  
• Infiniti InTouch™ next-gen smart connectivity features dual touch-screens and an array of advanced functions, features and custom apps
  
• On sale in North America beginning summer 2013
  

Building on Infiniti's legendary sports sedan design, performance and technology leadership, the all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50 is designed to create a new, distinct level of customer engagement when it launches in the North American market in summer 2013. The Q50 rollout will be followed by other Infiniti global markets later in the year.

Said Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen: "This exciting new Infiniti Q50 stretches the boundaries of what a sports sedan can be, propelling Infiniti in a bold new direction."

A New Dimension in Dynamic Design

While Infiniti sports sedans have always been noted for their outstanding proportions and presence, the new Infiniti Q50 adds a new dimension of premium style.

Its strong first impression is anchored by the smooth yet dynamic character line arising from its "double arch" grille. It energetically flows through the bodyside like a wave and merges with the rear end, creating a highly fluid and intriguing profile and fully illustrating the Infiniti Q50's dynamic and athletic stance.

"The Infiniti Q50 reflects the direct influence of the Infiniti concepts known as the ‘Infiniti Trilogy', particularly Essence, while honoring the iconic design dynamics of earlier Infiniti sports sedans. The new Q50's athletic and tightened appearance blends its lower and wider proportions with enhanced interior roominess to stunning effect inside and out," said Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer.

Signature Infiniti exterior design features include the "double arch" grille, dynamic arch roofline and Crescent-cut C-pillar. The front end is decidedly aggressive, with a sport front fascia offered on the Q50 sport models. The new grille's three-dimensional, textural quality is provided by elaborate detailing of the waved mesh pattern surface and chrome surround, while the distinctive LED headlights and marker lights' sharp lines suggest an almost human look.

The lean, robust body sides are designed to anchor the performance stance with a strong, solid "bone" and arched roofline that flows to the Crescent C-pillars that are similar to those that originally appeared on the Essence Concept. In the rear, the side character lines smoothly merge with the shape of the rear LED combination lights. The familiar rear double-arch trunk line completes the strong, unforgettable view from behind. Heated outside mirrors with integrated LED turn signals are standard, while a power sliding and tilting glass sunroof is optionally available.

Other exterior refinements include new door architecture with narrower, roll-formed A- and B-pillar sashes that provide improved ingress and egress, as well as a more open cabin environment. A new color palette has been specially selected to accent the Q50 contours and sculpted surfaces and includes a range of eight premium colors.

The new body design also offers enhanced airflow over both the upper and lower body portions, resulting in a coefficient of drag of just 0.26. The Q50 also features zero front and rear lift.

"Moving forward, we want all Infiniti vehicles to reflect an energetic force rooted in nature, such as the shape of a dynamic wave," said Nakamura. "The Q50's enhanced sense of three-dimensionality gives it a look of strength and agility – a look that is highly personal, seductive and slightly mysterious."

Performance With a Personal Touch

Throughout the Infiniti Q50's development, compromise was never an option. No compromise on innovation, design or performance targets, allowing the development teams to stretch the boundaries of what a sports sedan can be.

"The new Q50 amplifies every driver's performance preference and enjoyment behind the wheel. We have one of the fastest accelerating hybrid engines, which also happens to be projected as one of the most fuel-efficient. We have advanced performance and safety technologies that can see and react before the driver can. And, we have the world's first quick and precise Direct Adaptive Steering technology," said de Nysschen.

At launch in North America, two advanced powertrains will be available, followed by additional engine options in other global markets later in the year. The Q50's refined 3.7-liter aluminum-alloy DOHC 24-valve V6 is rated at 328 horsepower (est.) and 269 lb-ft of torque (est.) and features Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS) and Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL®).

The available hybrid powertrain features the Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid™ system with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control. It combines a 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy V6 and compact laminated lithium-ion battery design with an innovative one-motor/two-clutch motor control. The system's V6 is rated at 296 horsepower (est.) and 255 lb-ft of torque (est.), while the advanced 50 kW electric motor is rated at 67 horsepower (est.) and 199 lb-ft of torque (est.). The hybrid system net power is 354 horsepower (est.), providing strong acceleration and lean fuel economy.

"True to the Infiniti DNA, our hybrid powertrains put performance first, without compromising fuel efficiency. It takes full advantage of the electric motor's instant torque for exceptional acceleration and, in combination with the 3.5-liter V6, provides a sporty driving feel under all driving conditions. We have targeted the best balance of performance and fuel economy and hit it dead center," said de Nysschen.

Both Q50 powertrains are matched with an advanced 7-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode and available steering column-mounted magnesium paddle shifters. The Q50 is available in rear-wheel drive and Intelligent All-Wheel Drive with both powertrains.

Precise handling is provided by the 4-wheel independent multi-link suspension. The front is a single pivot double-wishbone design, while the revised rear design utilizes a multi-link design with coil springs and Dual Flow Path® shock absorbers, with increased camber stiffness and improved ride comfort. The suspension features extensive use of lightweight aluminum components, along with front and rear stabilizer bars. A sport-tuned suspension is available with Sport models. Also supporting the enhanced handling is an improvement in front body stiffness (versus the previous generation).

The Q50 rides on 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels with machine-finished surface with 225/55R17 all-season run-flat tires. Also available are 19-inch aluminum-alloy sport wheels with 245/40R19 run-flat all-season or summer tires. Confident braking is provided by 4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes with 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution and Brake Assist. Also available are sport brakes with upgraded rotors, 4-piston front calipers and 2-piston rear. Steering is provided by a power-assisted vehicle-speed-sensitive rack-and-pinion system.

The new Q50 also features available Infiniti Direct Adaptive Steering™ technology, a world's first production vehicle design. The system allows independent control of the Q50's tire angle and steering inputs, transmitting the driver's intentions to the wheels faster than a mechanical system.

This increases the direct driving performance feel by quickly and intelligently communicating road surface feedback to the driver. Four different steering settings are offered, allowing customization by driver preference or road conditions. This world's first technology provides the flexibility for the driver to change both steering effort and the steering gear ratio. A backup mechanical steering system is provided with models utilizing the new Direct Adaptive Steering technology.

Also offered is another world's first, Active Lane Control™, which uses a camera-based straight-line stability system to further enhance on-center driving capability and improve vehicle stability. The system is included as part of the Lane Departure Prevention system, not only adjusting for unintended lane drift, but also making finer adjustments for minor road surface changes or crosswinds (as detected by the camera-based, lane marker detection system). The system goes beyond the traditional Lane Departure Prevention system, taking it a step further by not only reading the road ahead (the camera is located above the rearview mirror) for unintended lane drift but also by making small steering input angle adjustments if the Q50 undergoes minor direction changes due to road surface changes or crosswinds (as detected by the lane marker detection system). By reducing the need for steering input for the driver, the driver's effort may be reduced.

"The beauty of these advanced systems is to allow a more personal driving experience, with more input when desired and less intrusion of road imperfections in the steering wheel," said de Nysschen. "These are just the start of a range of future technologies that are becoming a point of differentiation for our Infiniti customers."

In fine-tuning the Infiniti Q50's exceptional performance standards, Infiniti's partnership with Red Bull Racing enabled three-time Formula One World Driver's Champion Sebastian Vettel and the team's Test & Reserve driver Sebastien Buemi to provide an extra dimension to its development. With the goal of making the new model the most dynamic and exciting sports sedan on the market, Vettel provided input on the Q50's performance and handling at Infiniti's Tochigi facility in Japan.

Buemi tested at Nurburgring – one of the toughest proving grounds in the world – pushing prototypes to the limits to help produce a chassis with outstanding handling characteristics.

Infiniti recently announced that from 2013 it will be Title Partner and Technical Partner to ‘Infiniti Red Bull Racing.' This deep collaboration will lead to joint technical projects for mutual benefits on the track and the road.

"Having the opportunity to receive feedback on chassis development from two world class drivers is priceless," said de Nysschen. "Our partnership as ‘Infiniti Red Bull Racing' is an extensive one. We are working together to identify a number of areas for technical collaboration and to apply the benefits of partnering with the Formula One World Champions to our own people, processes and technology."

Another way that the new Infiniti Q50 raises the performance standards in class is the high degree of available personalization, which is made possible with the new fully customizable digital environment. The system works with the vehicle's advanced i-Keys to recognize the vehicle settings for up to four different drivers.

Offering a sense of "my car knows me," the i-Key can recognize each driver and automatically engage pre-set preferences for driving position, heating and cooling, audio, navigation and telematics. For example, up to 96 optional settings in are offered in the custom mode alone. Easy setting or changing of settings is accessed through the innovative dual touch-screen displays.

In addition, by using the drive mode selector located on the center console, engine, transmission, handling and steering adjustments can be instantly tuned, for example, for sport or touring settings.

Modern Luxury Meets Meticulous Craftsmanship

Matching the inspired Infiniti Q50 design and performance is an interior created to the same extraordinary standards. The interior environment offers a powerful blend of three-dimensional textures, highest craftsmanship and premium quality, combining modern luxury and user-focused advanced technology.

"An interior is a confluence of thousands of parts and many materials, including leathers, fabrics, metals and glass. The harmony with each element is an important part of the Q50's warmth and high quality feel," Nakamura explained. "Our designers approached the integration of every element in the interior in terms of not just function but also of stimulation of the senses – color, touch, texture, finish and beauty – creating an environment that is both intuitive and indulgent."

The Q50 interior is also designed as an invitation to drive – to celebrate the elation of driving that is often lost in the modern world. As such, special attention was paid to the driver position, offering a generous range of customizable adjustments within a cosseting yet comfortable cockpit. The Q50's instrument panel honors Infiniti's "double wave" design tradition, while updated with a new asymmetrical flow from the top of the center cluster to the wide center console. Access to all key operations and controls is designed so that the driver does not need to change driving posture, including use of hard switches, touch panels and drive mode selector controller.

The front and rear seats are a new ergonomic design, developed to help distribute body pressure across a wider range of the upper seating surface. When sitting, the pressure load on the backbone is about 1.4 times greater than while standing. The bending moments that become a factor of load are reduced by the new seat design, with the additional support for the pelvis and the self-weight of the chest.

The roomy interior space offers ample front and rear head room, ample rear knee room enhanced by the new, thin front seatback design, and greater front seat slide and lift adjustability. Front and rear seat hip points have also been adjusted for greater comfort. The rear seat foot room is also expanded by moving the B-pillar forward nearly an inch (versus traditional designs), making it easier to enter and exit. Effective luggage space is expected to be the best in the segment at 18.0 cubic feet with the 3.7-liter V6 and 14.1 cubic feet with the hybrid powertrain.

The Infiniti Q50 features a choice of interior fabrics and colors, including available leather-appointed seating surfaces. Three interior colors are offered: Wheat, Graphite and Stone.

Finishing off the elegant interior is a combination of "Kacchu" aluminum inspired by traditional Samurai armaments and genuine maple wood trim, which is representative of the 16th century Urushi painting technique.

"Quality is another Infiniti Q50 strong point," added Nakamura. "Our designer's passion, obsession with detail and devotion to craftsmanship and continuous improvements ensure we are producing a truly premium product of the best quality."

The Q50's quiet cabin is augmented by standard Active Noise Control, with cancelling of intrusive low frequency noise from four door-mounted speakers, allowing easy conversation with passengers. Premium audio systems include an available next-generation Studio on Wheels by Bose® audio system with a new instrument panel 3-speaker array (14 speakers total throughout the cabin) and Advanced Staging Technology®. SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM subscription required, sold separately) and High Definition (HD) radio are standard.

Other features include Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System, RearView Monitor and available Advanced Climate Control System (ACCS) with Plasmacluster® air purifier and Around View® Monitor with Moving Object Detection.

Infiniti Connected Technologies

Building on Infiniti's unique approach to making owners' lives easier, which includes the Infiniti Personal Assistant program with 24-hour access to a live team of professional assistants, the new Infiniti InTouch™ telematics system brings the future of in-car connectivity to the Q50 interior today. Unlike conventional interfaces, the Q50 has not one but two touch capacitive screens with intuitive hand gesture screen operation to easily connect drivers to their lives outside the car.

"We have new technologies that embrace the way people live today – seamless connectivity and personalization everywhere they go, including while in their cars, with an optimized human-machine interface for ease of use," said de Nysschen.

Along with the large dual screens, the Infiniti InTouch™ system is designed to effortlessly synchronize car and driver. Content and functions directed to the upper screen includes the most frequently used applications, such as navigation maps. Other content is directed to the lower display screen.

The two screens work together so that, for example, the navigation map can be viewed on the top screen while setting destinations or finding points-of-interest can be done on the lower screen. A limited number of critical functions, such as heating and cooling, are operated by hard switches. Content can be customized using easy-to-understand menus. A selection of vehicle-centric apps will be pre-loaded into the system. Owners will also be able to download, update and synch personal apps through their smartphones and USB drives. Additional details on the system's operation will be available at a later date.

Safety Shield Technologies

The final area of segment leadership for the new Infiniti Q50 is its advanced safety systems. Building on the long list of safety and security technologies already found in other Infiniti models, the Infiniti Q50 offers available Intelligent Cruise Control with Full Speed Range, predictive Forward Collision Warning (world's first technology), Forward Emergency Braking, Distance Control Assist, Blind Spot Intervention, Back-up Collision Intervention®, Lane Departure Prevention and Active Lane Control™.

Coming Soon

The all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50 will be initially offered in the United States and Canada beginning in summer 2013. At launch, two powertrains – the 3.7-liter V6 and 3.5-liter Hybrid – will be available, each in a choice of rear-wheel drive or Intelligent All-Wheel Drive and in a selection of trim levels, including Sport models.

The Q50 will roll out in other global Infiniti markets beginning in summer 2013 and will include additional powertrain offerings adapted to respective market needs.

"The new Infiniti Q50 is a true game changer in the sports sedan segment," said de Nysschen. "With its cutting-edge performance, design and technology, it breaks away from ordinary – just like the Infiniti brand."

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William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

December 19, 2012

When Infiniti announced on Monday night that they would be changing their nomenclature to Q and QX, the outpouring of rage and sarcastic comments were overwhelming. Today Johan de Nysschen, Infiniti's president sent an open letter to the press and its fans explaining its decision.

de Nysschen explained that Infiniti will be going on a product offensive in the next few years and and found itself in the situation of finding alphanumeric combinations that weren't already taken by another automaker. de Nysschen also said that the current nomenclature is causing confusion in new markets that Infiniti is entering.

"Our new customers are unfamiliar with the brand and struggle to understand our range hierarchy. Is a JX above or below an FX? Where does an EX fit? What is the relationship between G and Infiniti M? Research confirms the majority of newcomers to our brand consider the naming to be somewhat arbitrary and confusing." said de Nysschen.

There's one part of the letter that has everyone in the automotive media buzzing and dreaming. de Nysschen references a "new high-tech 550+ horsepower performance flagship for the Infiniti M range above it (M56 which uses a V8), using a potent charged induction V6". Interesting if a bit random example to use. But for de Nysschen to reference horsepower and a 'potent charged induction V6' has caused everyone to go into a tizzy about a M or I should say Q70 sedan with a GT-R powertain.

We'll wait and see if that comes to fruition, along with seeing if Infiniti's name change is a good idea.

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at william.maley@cheersandgears.comor you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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A Message from Johan de Nysschen to Infiniti Owners and Fans

Dear Infiniti fans: We love you dearly. And we know you love the brand. Which means it’s only natural that you may feel surprised by the announcement that we plan to change our nomenclature philosophy. No one likes change.

It was a tough decision. We like our current model names as much as you do. But we had no choice but to change. Let me explain.

1. We are embarking on a massive product offensive, and these new cars need names. There are no suitable combinations of Alphanumeric naming options remaining that are not already trademarked by another automaker. In order to expand our line up with the fascinating new models we are developing, we must create a more flexible nomenclature philosophy.

2. Our new advanced technology engines under development will be smaller, lighter, more fuel efficient yet more powerful. And we will introduce some exhilarating performance machines in the future. I’m sure you will agree, it would be a bit odd to have a powerful, luxurious and refined V8 powered Infiniti M56, then position a new high-tech 550+ horsepower performance flagship for the Infiniti M range above it, using a potent charged induction V6, but then call it Infiniti M30, which we would be obliged to do, following our current naming logic.

3. Infiniti is becoming a global brand now. We are already active in almost 50 countries, the majority only very recently. Our new customers are unfamiliar with the brand and struggle to understand our range hierarchy. Is a JX above or below an FX? Where does an EX fit? What is the relationship between G and Infiniti M? Research confirms the majority of newcomers to our brand consider the naming to be somewhat arbitrary and confusing.

4. Infiniti owns the naming assets of Q plus double digit, and QX plus double digit. And it is a permanent part of our heritage.

So the solution is pretty straightforward – use Q for cars, QX for crossovers, and double digits in increments of ten, to denote hierarchy, linked to the price point of the model, not size and not engine displacement. And no, we wont call all-wheel drive models Q50X or QX50X. The fact that a model may feature four-wheel drive will be indicated by specific badging describing this feature on the car and is not part of the model name.

The really exciting implication of all this is that it prepares the way for the introduction of several fascinating new models above and below the current line up, and a wider range of powertrains including some truly stunning performance cars in our future.

So there is only good news for all Infiniti fans around the globe. We are working very hard to bring you great products, a great brand and a compelling ownership experience. And we are really confident you will love the new Q50. It’s simply that good.

Warmest regards,

Johan de Nysschen

President

Infiniti Motor Company Limited

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William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

December 17, 2012

From the Redundancy Department: Infiniti announced tonight that starting with the 2014 model year they would introduce a new nomenclature strategy that would have their passenger vehicles wearing the Q prefix and crossovers and SUVs wearing the QX prefix. The first vehicle that will wear the Q prefix will be the replacement for the G Sedan, named the Q50, to be shown at Detroit.

Why is Infiniti going forth with Q, a prefix that hasn't been used since the departure of the Q45 in 2006. The answer is simplicity. According to Infiniti, going with the Q and QX prefixes is simpler than the current alphabet soup (G, M, EX, FX, JX, and QX).

Umm how? Let me demonstrate the new naming convention against the old one.

• G Sedan = Q50 Sedan
  
• G Coupe/Convertible = Q60 Coupe/Convertible
  
• M Sedan/Hybrid = Q70 Sedan/Hybrid
  
• EX Crossover = QX50 Crossover
  
• JX Crossover = QX60 Crossover
  
• FX Crossover = QX70 Crossover
  
• QX SUV = QX80 SUV
  

Qonfused? (Sorry.) But how will Infiniti show what engine it has? The Q50-37? The Q50 V6? More random letters?

Hopefully Infiniti can make this clearer in the near future.

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at william.maley@cheersandgears.comor you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.

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INFINITI ANNOUNCES NEW NAMING STRATEGY

-- Infiniti models from the 2014 model year to carry Q or QX prefix

--New nomenclature symbolizes new brand direction and the commitment to Infiniti under the leadership of Johan de Nysschen

--The use of Q & QX captures the inspiration within the next generation of Infiniti models, while relating back to Infiniti's roots of the Q45

--New premium sports sedan to launch at the North American International Auto Show in January will be first Infiniti to carry new Q badge

HONG KONG, December 18th 2012: Marking another significant step in its plan to further expand its presence in the premium automotive sector, Infiniti today announced details of a new nomenclature strategy to be applied to its complete product range beginning with the 2014 model year. The first model to carry Infiniti's new Q badge will be the Q50, an all-new premium sports sedan to be unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2013.

The premium automotive brand will see its model range simply prefixed either by Q – for sedans, coupes and convertibles, or QX, for crossover and SUV models. Each model will be further identified by a double digit representing hierarchy within the range. This strategic change reflects Infiniti's desire for clarity and cohesiveness as it embarks on ambitious growth plans, including significant expansion of the Infiniti portfolio.

Commenting on the revised naming philosophy, Johan de Nysschen, President of Infiniti Motor Company Limited, said: "Over the past few months, we have talked at length with our retailers, our customers, and our business partners about our brand. The need for a new identity and direction to promote consumer familiarity with our model range as we expand the portfolio became evident. To achieve this, we clearly needed a simple and consistent nomenclature framework. After exhaustive research and evaluation, we concluded that 'Q' captured the inspiration within the next generation of Infiniti models, as well as emphasizing our performance credentials while harking back to our heritage with the Q45 – Infiniti's first iconic flagship product in 1989."

Infiniti's new nomenclature strategy will be implemented in logical stages within the existing product range, as 2014 model year variants are introduced. The brand's future plans include a range of next-generation Infiniti models that will carry Q and QX badging from the outset.

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William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

June 11, 2012

As the 2012 model year comes to a close, automakers begin to announce changes to their lineup for the coming year. This past week, Infiniti made an announcement as to their changes for the coming model year.

First off, the Infiniti G25 will be gone after 2012. Positioned as the base model in the G sedan lineup, the G25 used a 2.5L V6 producing 218 HP. Infiniti didn't give a reason as to why they're dropping the G25, but the close proximity between it and the G37 in price and the strong Yen are likely reasons.

Also, Infiniti announced the EX and FX crossovers will get a engine transplant. Infiniti will bid adieu to the 3.5L V6 and place the 3.7L V6 producing 325 HP into both vehicles.

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<p>

Building on the recent introduction of the all-new Infiniti JX 7-passenger luxury crossover, the Infiniti lineup enters the 2013 model year with a number of key product enhancements – led by the addition of standard 3.7-liter V6 engines for the Infiniti EX and V6 versions of the Infiniti FX. The new models are designated the Infiniti EX37 and FX37 (the 5.0-liter V8-equipped FX50 AWD model also remains available). Another new model, the IPL G Convertible, joins the G Convertible lineup.

Other enhancements for the new model year include the addition of the advanced Moving Object Detection system, first introduced on the Infiniti JX, to the standard Around View^® Monitor on the Infiniti QX and FX. Also, the popular Sport Package is offered for the first time with Infiniti M AWD models.

All 2013 Infiniti vehicles come with Infiniti Personal Assistant, a live 24/7 personal concierge service, included free of charge for the first four years of ownership.

Key changes to the 2013 Infiniti lineup include, but are not limited to, the following:

Infiniti JX Luxury Crossover

• Introduced in spring 2012
  
• Offers 3-row / 7-passenger seating
  
• Designed to push the boundaries of what a luxury crossover can be
  
• Unique features include exceptional seating flexibility and easy access to the roomy 3^rd row (without having to remove a 2^nd row child seat)
  
• Available advanced technology includes Infiniti Connection™ and world’s first Back-Up Collision Intervention™ (BCI) system
  
• Starting M.S.R.P. of $40,450 USD
  
• Available now
  

Infiniti M Performance Luxury Sedan

• The popular Sport Package is offered for the first time with Infiniti M AWD models
  
• Sport Package includes features such as 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension, Sport Brakes, solid magnesium paddle shifters, sport seats with enhanced bolstering and unique front fascia
  
• The M56 AWD Sport Package also adds the content of the Sport Touring Package (Bose^® Studio Surround^® sound system with 16 speakers, Forest Air^® system and power rear sunshade)
  
• The Premium Package now includes rear sonar system and Infiniti Connection™
  
• All 2013 Infiniti M models add auto-dimming sideview mirrors and an auto-trunk cincher
  
• A new Stone Sport interior color is offered with Sport models
  
• A new Performance Tire & Wheel Package with 20-inch wheels and tires and Sport Brakes replaces the previous 18-inch Wheel Package
  
• Available July 2012
  

<p>

Infiniti G Sedan

• A simplified lineup for 2013 with three available models: G37 Sedan Journey, G37 Sedan Sport 6MT and G37x Sedan AWD
  
• The previously available G25 Sedan, G37 Sport Appearance Edition and G37 Limited Edition are discontinued (the 2012 Infiniti G25 will be available through Dec. 2012)
  
• There are no major enhancements
  
• Available September 2012
  

Infiniti G Coupe

• For 2013, the G37 Coupe base model is no longer available
  
• Revised Stone interior color with Graphite components (Wheat interior color is no longer available)
  
• Standard Silk Obi aluminum interior trim replaces the previous Shodo aluminum trim
  
• Available now
  

Infiniti G Convertible

• No changes to the G37 Convertible and G37 Convertible Sport 6MT models
  
• Available now
  

IPL G Coupe

• IPL logo replaces the previous Infiniti logo on IPL model front seatbacks
  
• Monaco Red interior now also offered on G37 Coupe IPL 6MT models and Graphite Shadow exterior color (previously offered only with the 7AT and Malbec Black exterior)
  
• Available now
  

IPL G Convertible

• IPL G Convertible joins IPL lineup
  
• IPL G Convertible includes an array of special performance and luxury upgrades – including 18 extra horsepower (343 hp), 19-inch IPL split 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with Graphite finish, Sport Brakes, IPL-tuned exhaust and suspension, unique front fascia and side sills, and climate-controlled front seats with IPL logo.
  
• Available now
  

Infiniti QX Full-Size Luxury SUV

• Moving Objection Detection (MOD) added to the standard Around View^® Monitor
  
• New standard auto-dimming exterior mirrors
  
• Upgraded remote control and interface added to the Theater Package
  
• New Smoky Quartz exterior color (replaces Mountain Sage)
  
• Available September 2012
  

Infiniti FX Performance Luxury Crossover

• FX37 model replaces previous FX35, includes standard 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 (replaces previous 3.5-liter V6)
  
• Moving Objection Detection (MOD) added to the available Around View^® Monitor
  
• Iridium Blue exterior color now offered for all models except Limited Edition
  
• Limited Edition available only with Moonlight White exterior and Graphite interior color combination
  
• Java interior color now available with Liquid Platinum and Graphite Shadow exterior colors
  
• Available July 2012
  

Infiniti EX Luxury Crossover

• EX37 model replaces previous EX35 model
  
• 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 standard (replaces previous 3.5-liter V6)
  
• Available August 2012
  

Following is a more detailed overview of Infiniti products for the 2013 model year:

2013 Infiniti JX

The all-new Infiniti JX offers real 3-row utility, plus all the premium features, performance and innovations that Infiniti has become known for worldwide. The breakthrough JX design offers excellent legroom in all three rows and ample cargo room behind the 3^rd row. In addition, an innovative multi-mode middle seat design provides entry to the 3^rd row without removing a 2^nd row child seat.

The JX also continues Infiniti’s tradition of developing world’s first technologies with the introduction of the Back-Up Collision Intervention™ (BCI) system. With this technology, when the transmission is in reverse, the JX will help the driver detect crossing vehicles, as well as objects behind the vehicle, and, if necessary, the system can automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision.

Among the other advanced standard or available technology found throughout the new JX are Infiniti Connection™ with Google Calendar^TM, Drive Zone/Speed Alert and Infiniti Personal Assistant; Around View® Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection (MOD); Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP); Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range); Distance Control Assist (DCA); Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW); Active Trace Control; Front Pre-Crash Seat Belts; and a Bose^® Cabin Surround^® 15-speaker sound system with digital 5.1-channel decoding and new Acoustic Waveguide subwoofer.

Offered in both front-wheel drive and with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, the JX features a standard 265-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 mated to a sport-tuned Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) to provide high responsiveness and seamless, efficient shifting feel. The CVT can mimic a step transmission when the Sport mode of the Infiniti drive selector is engaged. The CVT design also features a wide gear ratio and low friction design.

Fuel economy is rated at 24 mpg Highway, 18 mpg City and a real-world 21 mpg Combined for the FWD model and 23 mpg Highway, 18 mpg City and 20 mpg Combined for the AWD model – while still offering the power to carry a full load or passengers and cargo.

The 2013 JX is offered in two fully equipped models – Infiniti JX35 FWD and Infiniti JX35 AWD – and is assembled in Smyrna, Tenn.

2013 Infiniti M

For the 2013 model year, the Infiniti M Sedan is again offered in five well-equipped performance luxury models – M37 RWD, M37x AWD, M56 RWD, M56x AWD and M35h RWD with 3.5-liter Direct Response Hybrid™ System. It is on sale now at Infiniti retailers nationwide.

The M37 features a 330-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 engine, while the M56 offers 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. Both the M37 and M56 are available with rear-wheel drive or Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. A special Sport Package, available for the first time on AWD and RWD models, includes 4-Wheel Active Steer (4WAS) on RWD only, sport-tuned suspension, Sport Brakes and 20-inch wheels and tires.

The Infiniti M Hybrid delivers V8 performance with 4-cylinder fuel efficiency. Powered by the Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid™ System, it is the first V6 true luxury performance “driver’s” hybrid – and the only such vehicle to offer more than 350 horsepower (360 net horsepower) and 32 mpg fuel economy. Estimated fuel economy is 27 mpg City, 32 mpg Highway, with combined fuel economy rated at 29 mpg.

All five 2013 Infiniti M models once again combine dramatic sports exterior styling with a roomy, comfortable interior environment that features standard leather-appointed seating, standard Japanese Ash wood trim or available silver powdered genuine White Ash wood trim and available premium audio and climate control systems. Key standard features include Infiniti Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, SiriusXM Satellite Radio (SiriusXM Satellite Radio subscription required, sold separately), Bluetooth^® Hands-free Phone System and power sliding glass tinted moonroof.

The 2013 Infiniti M remains a showcase for Infiniti’s advanced, user-focused technologies, including:

• Infiniti Drive Mode Selector, a four-mode driver-selectable control of throttle and transmission mapping that helps optimize vehicle performance.
  
• Active Noise Control, which reduces undesirable engine harmonics, providing a quieter cabin.
  
• Blind Spot Warning (BSW), which helps alert the driver if another vehicle is detected in the blind spot area; Blind Spot Intervention^® (BSI), a world’s first system that, in addition to the Blind Spot Warning, helps the driver return the vehicle back toward the center of the lane of travel.
  
• Forest Air® system, which helps reduce the intrusion of unpleasant odors into the cabin and provides natural “breeze-like” airflow.
  
• Eco Pedal, which provides driver feedback to encourage eco-driving behavior
  
• Active Trace Control, which adjusts engine torque and the control of braking at each of the four wheels to help enhance cornering performance.
  

The 2013 M also offers a next-generation Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System, Bose^® Studio Surround^® premium audio system, Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range), Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) systems, Distance Control Assist (DCA), Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Front Pre-Crash Seat Belts.

2013 INFINITI G LINE

Infiniti’s best-selling nameplate, the Infiniti G, is again offered in three body configurations – G Sedan, G Coupe and G Convertible, each powered by a proven 3.7-liter V6. In addition, both the Coupe and Convertible are available as part of the Infiniti Performance Line, or IPL, with specially modified exteriors, interiors and drivertrains – including increased horsepower and sport-tuned suspensions. Full information on each Infiniti G model follows.

2013 Infiniti G Sedan

The G Sedan features a streamlined model lineup for 2013 with three available models: G37 Sedan Journey, G37 Sedan Sport 6MT and G37x Sedan AWD. They become available in September 2012.

The 2013 Infiniti G37 Sedan features a 328-horsepower 3.7-liter VVEL V6 and choice of 7-speed automatic (Journey and AWD) or 6-speed manual (Sport 6MT) transmissions. Each offers the proven FM (Front Mid-ship) platform featuring a 4-wheel independent suspension with lightweight aluminum components to provide responsive acceleration and agile handling. The G Sedan AWD model adds Infiniti’s “intelligent” ATTESA E-TS^â all-wheel drive system.

All 2013 G Sedans continue to offer a strikingly seductive exterior, defined by its sleek wave-form hood, signature G-style taillights and raked A-pillars and athletic stance. Inside, the G Sedan provides a crafted, heritage-inspired interior environment and luxury features such as standard leather-appointed seating and an available audiophile-quality Infiniti Studio on Wheels^â by Bose^â.

Advanced technologies offered include Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and RearView Monitor; a touch screen Infiniti Navigation System with NavTraffic real-time traffic information (SiriusXM Satellite Radio subscription required, sold separately);Intelligent Cruise Control; and Brake Assist with Preview Braking.

2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe

For 2013, the G Coupe lineup includes three models: Infiniti G37 Coupe Journey, Infiniti G37x Coupe AWD and Infiniti G37 Coupe Sport 6MT. The G Coupe is available in both rear-wheel and all-wheel drive and comes equipped with a standard 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 with VVEL (for Variable Valve Event and Lift) rated at 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque (non-IPL models). The engine is backed by a choice of an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with available magnesium paddle shifters or a 6-speed manual.

All G Coupes are marked by a dynamic exterior design featuring seductive and muscular shapes, including flowing front fender lines with low silhouette roofline, strong side character lines and side sills, wave-form hood, integrated fog lamps and double-arch grille, and Infiniti signature L-shape High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon headlights and large LED Infiniti G-style taillights,

Inside, the G37 Coupe blends unique materials and finishes with traditional Japanese design cues. Interior features include a predominately white color scheme for the gauges and LCD instrument display, “Silk Obi” aluminum trim and available high-gloss Maple accents. The 2013 G37 Coupe also includes an extensive list of available technology features, including a touch screen navigation system with NavTraffic Real-Time Traffic information (SiriusXM Satellite Radio subscription required, sold separately), standard RearView Monitor and an available 11-speaker Infiniti Studio on Wheels^® by Bose^® audio system.

The Infiniti G37 Coupe is on sale now.

2013 Infiniti G37 Convertible

The 2013 G Convertible comes equipped with a 3.7-liter VQ-series V6 with VVEL (for Variable Valve Event and Lift) rated at 325 horsepower and backed by a choice of an electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with available solid magnesium paddle shifters or a responsive close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission. The G37 Convertible Sport 6MT adds sport-tuned steering and larger sport brakes, along with 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and W-rated performance tires.

Unique G Convertible features (versus the Infiniti G Coupe) include a wider rear track, modified rear suspension and a special convertible-focused interior with rear Pop-up Roll Bars and available Bose^® front seat Personal Speakers and available climate-controlled front seats. Its exclusive body structure for open-top use includes unique panels from A-pillar rearward (compared to the G Coupe) and an exclusive three-piece power retractable hardtop with one-button operation.

All G Convertible models also offer standard leather-appointed seating and an available Bose^® Open Air Sound System that dynamically changes equalization based on outside noise, vehicle speed, and top position, and an adaptive climate control system that adjusts fan speed in accordance to top position and vehicle speed.

Technology features include standard RearView Monitor, available Pre-Crash Seat Belts and Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC), and available Infiniti Navigation System.

2013 IPL G Coupe, IPL G Convertible

For 2013, the Infiniti Performance Line expands to include a new IPL G Convertible to the previously available IPL G Coupe.

The limited production IPL G Coupe is offered in two models, the IPL G Coupe with 7speed automatic transmission and IPL G Coupe 6MT with 6-speed manual transmission. Each features an advanced VQ37HR 3.7-liter V6 engine that generates 348 horsepower – an increase of 18 horsepower over the non-IPL G Coupe models – and 276 lb-ft of torque (+6 lb-ft). The IPL G Coupe’s unique exterior includes a dramatic front and rear bumper/fascia design with integrated fog lights and black finishers, sculpted side sills, rear spoiler and exclusive 19-inch IPL split 7-spoke graphite-finish wheels and low-profile W-rated Bridgestone Potenza RE50A performance tires. The IPL G Coupe is offered in just two exterior colors: Graphite Shadow and Malbec Black.

The new IPL G Convertible, which was announced at last year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, joins the IPL portfolio for the 2013 model year.

The new IPL G Convertible shares the same design philosophy as the IPL G Coupe. More than just focusing on engine power and acceleration, Infiniti Performance Line products emphasize “total vehicle performance,” including unique driving attributes and exclusive exterior and interior features at highly attractive price points.

The IPL G Convertible includes a 343-horsepower 3.7-liter V6, 7-speed automatic transmission, IPL-tuned exhaust and suspension, 19-inch IPL aluminum-alloy wheels, three-piece retractable hardtop and Stone or Monaco Red leather-appointed interior set against a choice of just two exterior colors – Malbec Black or Moonlight White.

The three IPL models are available now at Infiniti retailers nationwide.

2013 Infiniti QX

Now in the third year of the current generation design, the 2013 Infiniti QX continues to offer an unmatched combined of power, strength and luxury style – capable of transporting up to eight adults and their belongings with spacious elegance. Its drivetrain is rugged enough to handle tasks such as towing boats or trailers (8,500-pound towing capacity, when properly equipped), while being equally at home transporting friends and family for a night on the town.

The 2013 QX is offered in two fully equipped models – Infiniti QX56 2WD and Infiniti QX56 4WD. It is scheduled to go on sale in September 2012.

For 2013, the advanced Moving Objection Detection (MOD) has been added to the standard Around View^® Monitor. Also new are standard auto-dimming exterior mirrors and a new Smoky Quartz exterior color. In addition, an upgraded remote control and interface is added to the Theater Package.

All 2013 Infiniti QXs include a high-stiffness frame structure that enhances ride comfort while reducing noise, vibration and harshness. The proven 5.6-liter V8 engine combines the responsive acceleration of Infiniti’s VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) technology with the efficiency of Direct Injection Gasoline (DIGÔ) to produce 400 horsepower and 413 lbs-ft of torque. A smooth 7-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models.

The QX interior is long on luxury and comfort, including standard Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System, Around View^® Monitor, Bose^® 13-speaker Premium Audio System and available Bose^® Cabin Surround^® Sound System with digital 5.1 decoding and 15 speakers, available perforated semi-aniline leather-appointed seating and an available Theater Package with dual 7-inch color monitors, which allows different sources to be played at the same time.

2013 Infiniti FX

The Infiniti FX, Infiniti’s iconic performance crossover, received a number of exterior and refinements just last year. For 2013, the biggest change is under the hood of the previous FX35 – with the addition of a 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 replacing the 3.5-liter V6. Now named the FX37, it is available in three models: FX37 RWD, FX37 AWD and FX37 AWD Limited Edition.

The top-of-the-line FX50 AWD with standard 390-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 and Infiniti Intelligent All-Wheel Drive is also offered. Both engines are paired with a standard 7-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) and available solid magnesium paddle shifters. The 2013 Infiniti FX will be available in July 2012.

The FX37 AWD Limited Edition includes an extensive list of special features, starting with 21-inch 10-spoke dark finish aluminum-alloy wheels, dark tinted headlights and roof rails, aluminum pedal accents, Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System, Around View^® Monitor, Graphite interior and more. It is available only in a Moonlight White exterior/Graphite interior color combination.

Other enhancements for the new model year include the addition of the advanced Moving Objection Detection (MOD) to the Around View^® system (standard on FX50, optional on FX37).

As in previous years, the 2013 Infiniti FX offers standard double-wishbone front/multi-link rear suspension and large 4-wheel disc brakes, along with available Continuous Damping Control (CDC)^®, Rear Active Steer, Intelligent Brake Assist and 6-spoke 21-inch super lightweight aluminum-alloy wheels (FX50 Sport Technology Package).

The FX’s warm, modern, inviting environment is highlighted by a driver-oriented cockpit with intuitive controls, available sport seating and advanced audio, navigation and technology ranging from an 11-speaker Bose^®-developed audio system to Infiniti Intelligent Key, and available Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range).

2013 Infiniti EX

Like the Infiniti FX, the 2013 Infiniti EX switches to a new 325-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 from the previous 3.5-liter V6. Now named the EX37, it is offered in four models: EX37 RWD, EX37 AWD, EX37 RWD Journey and EX37 AWD Journey. Each comes equipped with a standard 7-speed automatic transmission. The AWD models feature Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system.

Infiniti EX Journey models include a power sliding tinted glass moonroof, Bluetooth^® Hands-Free Phone System, auto-dimming inside mirror with HomeLink^® Universal Transceiver, maple interior accents, power tilt and telescopic steering column and heat front seats (RWD only). The 2013 Infiniti EX37 goes on sale in August 2012.

The Infiniti EX once again combines a sleek, sculpted, elegant skin, exhilarating driving performance and an engaging interior environment. Standard features include leather-appointed seating and Intelligent Key push button start, and available driver’s seat headrest coat hanger, advanced audio systems and power up-folding 2^nd row seat. Eight-spoke 18-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are also standard, with available 19-inch wheels and tires offered with the Deluxe Touring Package.

Available technology includes available Blind Spot Warning (BSW) system and available Around View^® Monitor, which utilizes four small cameras located front, side and rear to give the driver a “top-down view” of the outside of the vehicle and help reduce blind spots when parking. Other driving aids include available Lane Departure Prevention system (LDP), Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range), Distance Control Assist (DCA) and Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning.

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William Maley

Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

March 6, 2012

Despite pictures being leaked out a few weeks before its showing, Infiniti has kept their lips shut on their Emerg-E concept. Now, Infiniti is talking about their new sports car concept at the Geneva Motor Show.

The overall design of Emerg-E is stunning. A rakish shape with bulbous curves and sharp creases help define the look.

The Emerg-E concept sits on a Lotus Evora platform. Also from Lotus is the beating heart of the Emerg-E. The Emerg-E comes with a plug-in hybrid setup; two electric motors mounted at each rear wheel and connected to a 15-kWh battery. A 1.2L three-cylinder engine mounted mid-ship provides range extension.

Infiniti says the Emerg-E will produce a stout 402 HP, do 60 MPH in 4.1 seconds, and reach a top speed of 130 MPH. Range for the Emerg-E will be 30 Miles on EV and 300 Miles when the 1.2L engine is brought into play.

Press Release is on Page 2

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400 Wild Horses in a Silky Dress

GENEVA -

Imagine a superfast, near silent sports car, cruising the neon-lit streets of an after-dark London. This is the compelling image that gave birth to INFINITI EMERG-E, and this concept is its realization.

INFINITI EMERG-E is a highly advanced, mid-ship, electric motors powered sports car concept. It projects Infiniti’s already advanced electric vehicle technology deep into the future with a range-extender powertrain that delivers the performance expected of sports car bearing the Infiniti badge. Combining thrilling performance with the scope to drive in urban conditions for up to 30 miles with zero emissions, it emits no more than 55g/km of CO2 (NEDC cycle) over a 300 mile combined range. INFINITI EMERG-E lays down a radical new marker for mid-ship sports cars, and explores one of a number of the alternative propulsion avenues that Infiniti is considering.

The thinking that brought the INFINITI EMERG-E concept about came from the department of Francois Bancon, Division General Manager of Exploratory and Advanced Product. “When I was in charge of exploring the next step, I thought, how can we be innovative? We started with Essence. It was very successful, but arguably not a dynamic performance flagship. Then came ETHEREA, an indication of Infiniti’s future in the compact luxury segment. Now we have to think about a flagship, an emblem for the brand – not necessarily a big car, a limousine, because Infiniti is about inspired performance, and sporty cars,” said Bancon.

Creating a sporty, dynamic and unusual flagship is one inspiration for the INFINITI EMERG-E program, but equally important is Infiniti’s continued exploration of alternative propulsion systems, a logical next-step for a company that is already selling the advanced Infiniti M35 Hybrid.

That exploration takes an unusual form with INFINITI EMERG-E, its range-extender driveline a first for Infiniti.

“Infiniti has a deep knowledge of what an internal combustion engine is because this is what we are providing, and we also have a deep knowledge of what hybrid is, which we are also providing in the market right now,” explained Bancon of Infiniti’s decision to pursue a range-extender series hybrid technology. “This is about changing the rules of the game. You have more and more cities in Europe that are banning internal combustion engine emissions, but with this car you can run downtown in London, for example, with no guilt – you are not guilty, because you are zero emission. At the same time, you’re going to have fun on a racetrack with the maximum performance you can enjoy.”

INFINITI EMERG-E also represents a new way of developing cars for Infiniti. It is the first car developed in Europe, and the first car it has built as part of a UK government sponsored technology initiative. That initiative is run by the Technology Strategy board, whose aim is to fast track the arrival of low carbon cars to the UK’s roads. The TSB’s competition is framed to encourage contact with innovative and pioneering suppliers who might not normally gain access to major manufacturers, providing Infiniti with the opportunity to harness promising new technologies that might enable it to produce better low carbon cars. That projects like INFINITI EMERG-E only qualify for partial funding if they pioneer new technologies – which this Infiniti clearly does – also encourages innovation.

“This is a new way of thinking about the sports car of the future,” said Bancon.

Development

INFINITI EMERG-E was designed under the direction of Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura. While some of Nissan Global design bases were involved in this project, the overall design development were mainly led by Nissan Design Europe (NDE), Paddington, London, and built by Nissan’s European Technical Centre (NTCE), Cranfield.

It’s a highly significant car for Infiniti because it advances on many fronts. It is the first mid-ship sports car the marque has ever produced. It takes the Infiniti design vocabulary in a fresh, intriguing and convincing new direction. It stretches Infiniti’s already accomplished expertise in the areas of electric vehicles and alternative propulsion systems. And it will provoke debate about the form an Infiniti flagship should take.

INFINITI EMERG-E is also unusual for being a project part-funded by the UK Government’s Technology Strategy board, a development that has significantly deepened the resource that the brand can draw on for the creation of new models, while lending this project an intriguingly international flavor.

The desire to stretch Infiniti’s knowledge of electric vehicles lead to the idea of a range-extender electric vehicle, and just such a machine began to be developed in Japan. An unexpected opportunity to advance the project through Britain’s Technology Strategy Board (TSB) – whose mission is to speed the passage of low carbon vehicles to UK roads – provided the chance to access new technologies and work with a variety of organizations. These included universities, suppliers and OEMs, this facet of the development broadening the scope and ambition of INFINITI EMERG-E. The opportunity to work in a consortium revealed that fellow member Lotus Engineering was also developing a range-extender electric sports car, the two companies deciding that it made sense to collaborate. That decision, explained Bancon, was eased by the fact that “Nissan (and Infiniti) have had a relationship with Lotus for 10 years, mostly about methodology. We have never agreed a contract to do a car with Lotus, but we have done many studies together, utilizing their additional resource when ours was taken,” he said. Further benefits included co-funding of the INFINITI EMERG-E project from the TSB, and access to a range of highly innovative suppliers.

A key feature of the INFINITI EMERG-E Concept is that it contains a blend of technologies and solutions that have not previously been tried, as required by the TSB funding rules. The sharing of several components by other members of the consortium is also an element of the TSB initiative, the aim being to promote developmental economies of scale, although the approach to their deployment differs.

“A key aim of the TSB approach is to develop projects that are closer to commercial reality,” said Jerry Hardcastle, Vice President Vehicle Design and Development, the Nissan Group Technology Centre Europe and senior member of the UK’s Automotive Council. “So there’s more of a chance of the technology making it to market.”

That chance will gain extra momentum when Infiniti produces two fully functioning INFINITI EMERG-E demonstrators in the next step of this highly unusual and innovative concept development program.

Design

Although Infiniti has only been on sale in Europe since 2008, the brand made a big impact when it was launched in the U.S. in 1989 as Nissan’s luxury marque. From the very beginning the Infiniti name has symbolized “Inspired Performance,” the ownership experience painstakingly tailored to combine these qualities with exceptional customer care. Those first two decades culminated with the 2009 unveiling of the Essence, an elegantly sensuous-looking high-performance coupe. Apart from making a very favorable impact that resonates to this day, Essence was the first of a trilogy of concept cars showcasing the three core strands that characterize Infiniti’s design values. The second concept was ETHEREA, and INFINITI EMERG-E is the third.

This dramatic trilogy of show cars embodies the three strands that form the foundation of Infiniti’s Design Values. The elegantly spare muscularity of their bodywork is inspired by the Energetic Force to be found in nature. Their Seductive Aura is also immediately apparent, from the sensuous, hourglass squeeze of Essence’s cockpit to the graceful, unbroken arching of Etherea’s roofline and the subtle, cloth-like folds of INFINITI EMERG-E’s haunches. Yet the drama in the lines of all three show cars is tempered by the qualities of Dignified Intelligence that suffuses all Infinitis.

The concepts also bear a unique set of highly individual hallmarks that characterize an Infiniti. These include a radiator grille elegantly book-ended by a double arch and Infiniti’s highly distinctive crescent-cut rear pillar. Just as distinctive are the headlights, which are redolent of the eyes of a human, this shape reinforced by a fine eyebrow line of LEDs.

INFINITI EMERG-E takes the brand’s design vocabulary in an exciting new direction, this being the first time that it has been applied to a mid-ship sports car.

“Infiniti has always had rear-wheel drive styling,” said Nakamura. “The FX is a good example – it has a long hood, short rear deck, it is not wedged and has a very horizontal movement. But a mid-ship layout usually has a different attitude – it’s slightly wedged, so that’s a challenge for us.”

That challenge was all the greater, said Nakamura, because a mid-engined car was never a part of the original plan for Infiniti or its design philosophy. “Designing a mid-ship car sounds very exciting, but at the same time there’s even less freedom because of the package constraints and the distribution of weight. Because of the FX and Essence, we have already established an Infiniti look and proportion. Also, we now have front-wheel drive cars with ETHEREA. We’ve got to go beyond our existing proportions, so this is a good experience.”

That experience began with the creation of three-quarter scale model proposals from Infiniti studios in Japan, the UK and California. The winning design, the work of California-based Infiniti designer Randy Rodriguez, was recreated as a full-size clay model constructed at Nissan Design Europe’s Paddington studio.

The aim has been to combine the brand’s characteristic long nose with the heavier volume at the rear, while maintaining what Nakamura calls “the emotional flow of an Infiniti.” Unlike most mid-engined cars, INFINITI EMERG-E is not a wedged design, although there is considerable energy in its shape.

“We wanted to make it elegant yet dynamic, to show graceful power,” said Nakamura. “Mid-ship cars are usually more crude - this is like silk wrapping over the wheels.”

Taisuke Nakamura, NDE Design Manager, explains that, “The volume of INFINITI EMERG-E starts from the badge and the grille and flows like a stream from here all the way to the chopped tail.” This fluency of line is all the more effective for the extra length grafted into the INFINITI EMERG-E platform ahead of the windscreen, the fast angle of its A-pillars and the subtly flexing curve in the upper surfaces of INFINITI EMERG-E’s flanks, a characteristic of every Infiniti. So is the crescent-cut sculpting of the car’s rear pillar – fast-becoming a key Infiniti signature – which gives INFINITI EMERG-E a distinctively shaped greenhouse.

The furl of the neck of a Kimono is the inspiration for INFINITI EMERG-E’s subtly voluptuous lateral air intakes, explained Nakamura, adding that he did not want to see the crude grille of an air intake.

Bold headlights also identify INFINITI EMERG-E, their crescent-shaped LED illuminations visible during day and night. It is a future Infiniti design cue that was first shown on the ETHEREA concept. The penetrating quality of these lamps and their eyebrows is suggestive of human insight, a product of Infiniti’s Dignified Intelligence approach. The double arch grille also resonates with the flowing shape of the INFINITI EMERG-E’s shapely rear wings. The crowning visual highlight is the dramatic liquid silver paint that envelops this leanly tensioned, low, wide and more masculine Infiniti. Underlining the theme of Energetic Force, this liquid metal paint emphasizes the INFINITI EMERG-E’s sculptural, fluid lines.

“We’re moving the design language forward,” said Nakamura. “We’re still in the same form language as the Essence – elegant, sensual, but taut and sharp – and now that we’re confident, we can go beyond front engine, rear-wheel drive proportions,” he concluded. He also said that “designing a sports car is always fun.”

Technology

“Silence is the new vroom,” said Bancon of INFINITI EMERG-E’s potent and technologically advanced drivetrain. “It is elegantly silent, and responsible.” INFINITI EMERG-E is a range-extender electric vehicle, and it is propelled at all times by a pair of 201bhp (150kW) EVO ELECTRIC motors driving the rear wheels. These advanced motors direct their power via a single speed (XTRAC) transmission to create what is effectively an open differential, this arrangement significantly reducing driveline friction losses. A quartet of inverters controls the motors and their energy regeneration role under braking, the recovered power directed to a lithium-ion battery mounted behind the seats. The battery can be recharged from a mains power supply (domestic and fast-charge) and stores sufficient energy to propel the INFINITI EMERG-E for 30 urban miles, at which point the on-board petrol engine starts up to act as a generator. This light, ultra-compact, Lotus-engineered three-cylinder 1.2-liter35kW engine has been purpose-designed for its range-extending role. It operates between crank speeds of 1500-4000 rpm, producing peak power at only 3500 rpm.

The INFINITI EMERG-E high performance, low emission propulsion system is installed within a lightweight, extruded aluminum chassis unit to which ultra-light carbon fiber panels are attached, Infiniti keen to explore the potential for this material in future low production volume models. Given that it provides a 20 percent strength gain in tandem with a 50 percent reduction in weight compared to the sheet molded composite often used in sports car construction, it’s easy to see why INFINITI EMERG-E’s carbon upper body construction is a major contributor to the car’s 3,523-pound curb weight – impressively low for an EV offering performance at this level.

INFINITI EMERG-E has been developed for excellent aerodynamic performance, both to reduce energy-draining drag – which stands at 0.34 Cd – and to generate positive downforce, and downforce balance, to enhance its high-speed handling. “One of the biggest challenges was cooling the car, especially for the range-extender and the car’s EV mode,” explained Hardcastle. There are a surprising number of air intakes and extractors let into INFINITI EMERG-E’s body, but they have been introduced with such flair and subtly that they enhance the sensuous drama of the car.

As you’d expect of a machine created for ultimate performance, INFINITI EMERG-E features the double-wishbone suspension of race car practice, its arms of aluminum to save weight. Its carbon fiber panels have been developed in the UK in conjunction with a number of leading motorsports specialists (Lola Composites, supported by Cranfield University), with the aim of using the material in higher volumes than has previously been possible.

‘This is 400 wild horses of muscle in a silky dress,” said Francois Bancon.

Craftsmanship

The cocooning cockpit of a sports car, the artful grace of craftsmanship, the intrigue of experiencing an innovative machine – all these qualities and more are to be found inside INFINITI EMERG-E.

“We wanted to explore the excitement and desirability of a true sport car,” said Bert Dehaes, Project Lead Designer. “And because it is an electric vehicle, we also wanted to show its innovation.”

INFINITI EMERG-E is a strict two-seater sports car, and it provides the classic reclined seating position that heightens the driver’s sense of connection to car and road below. The cockpit is clearly oriented around the driver, and as with all the best sports cars, its simplified controls are located for speedy and intuitive use, this more mechanical, functional look reinforcing the theme of inspired performance. Yet the overwhelming impression is of the flowing lines of this cabin’s highly distinctive architecture, their contrast with its high-precision cut lines and the elegantly executed attention to detail.

The swooping lines of Infiniti’s trademark double-wave dashboard structure, a lightweight, floating center console and the inviting textures of locally sourced, semi-aniline leather upholstery make this a sports car cockpit with a difference, especially in the detail, and the dark chrome center console finisher echoes the crescent cut signature in the car’s rear pillars. But the most dramatic detail appears when INFINITI EMERG-E is powered up, bursts of light briefly streaking around the cabin to provide live confirmation that the EMERG-E is ready for action.

This lighting is an essential part of the INFINITI EMERG-E experience, not only because it confirms the electric heart of the car, but also because it provides a striking, modern alternative to the conventional roar of an internal combustion engine. The lighting sequence signals the flow of energy within the car, a heartbeat signature radiating from the ignition to illuminate the floating centre console and the silhouettes of the seats. A small, jewel-like lamp in the steering wheel boss also lights up momentarily to reinforce the drama. After three seconds these illuminations fade out, leaving the eye free to concentrate on the excitement of driving INFINITI EMERG-E.

Among the finer details is the dramatic undercut of the dashboard ahead of the passenger, a sculptural device that doubles as an air vent. The line of this cut runs in a single, energetic swoop into a center console whose lightweight, carbon fiber construction makes a satisfying reminder that the entire outer structure of the car is made from the same material. The center console’s upper surface is angled to present the INFINITI EMERG-E’s transmission controls to the driver, who sits behind a finely detailed instrument pack that includes a gauge indicating the percentage of total available power. The instrument illumination mostly glows blue, but shades to hot purple when INFINITI EMERG-E is driven with vigor.

The excitement of the drive is further heightened by a neatly integrated, touch-screen display, a wheel whose upper and lower portions are flattened off, and a light in the center of the boss that illuminates when the car is deploying full power. A pair of slender, lightweight, luxuriantly supportive bucket seats provide grippy Alcantara® side bolsters and leather centre panels, the fine stitching of this upholstery confirming Infiniti’s painstaking mastery of interior detail.

“It’s very cool to design a mid-engined sports car,” said Dehaes. “We produced a lightweight feel that’s sharply cut, like a tailored suit. It fits well with Infiniti’s approach. An EV is pure and clean so the interior is the same, but it’s a friendly interior and ergonomic too, but not brutal.”

The inviting nature of the interior is a reflection of Japanese hospitality, while the influences of traditional craftsmanship can be seen in the slightly shiny texture of the semi-aniline leather encasing the dashboard and seats, the subtle violet-tinted lacquer sheathing the cabin’s carbon fiber elements and INFINITI EMERG-E’s novel flooring. Fashioned from an architectural material called Sefar, this fine metallic mesh allows light to shine through to provide an intriguing, translucent glow. “It’s the first time this material has been used in an automotive application,” said Gail Patrick, Senior Color Designer, adding, “it adds depth and allure,” while underlining the car fact that this car is electrically propelled.

Exotic though all this sounds, Dehaes emphasizes that “this is not a show car that goes wild – it’s important to be realistic and believable. It’s a car you’d design for yourself.”