Infiniti's IPL Range To Get 'Powered By AMG' Badges?

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Infiniti's IPL Range To Get 'Powered By AMG' Badges?

By Nelson Ireson

Editor

December 6th, 2010

The new Infiniti Performance Line was just introduced a few months ago at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, but already rumors are swirling that Nissan's tie-up with Daimler could spawn "Powered by AMG" badges for the range.

The first of the IPL cars doesn't wear the tag, however, as it gets what is essentially the same VQ-based 3.7-liter engine the NISMO 370Z uses. The first of the supposedly AMG-powered IPL cars would be the M sedan, according to Autocar, getting the 6.2-liter V-8 from the E63 AMG.

Unsurprising may be the best description for the new report, as we've already heard the new G and M sedans could be based on Mercedes-Benz's E-Class platform. On the other hand, it puts a point on the question we raised then: what impact might such sharing have on the Mercedes-Benz, and now, AMG, brands?

Sliding architecture under the sheetmetal of another marque's cars is one thing--it's out of the public eye, a fact likely to be known only to enthusiasts. But start sticking badges on cars, and the fact that you can get a discounted, restyled Mercedes/AMG product for (very likely) far less cash becomes readily apparent.

We'll believe it when we see the badges, but it's certainly not beyond the range of possibility. In the mean time, we'd like to hear from you: would you choose the cheaper AMG-powered Infiniti over the real thing? Or would you prefer to spend for the original?

link:

http://www.motorauthority.com/blog/1052206_infinitis-ipl-range-to-get-powered-by-amg-badges

[Drew Dowdell]

Mercedes would never NEVER do anything to devalue the perception of Mercedes as the premium luxury brand.

[NINETY EIGHT REGENCY]

Rumormill: Infiniti Performance Line could benefit from AMG power

by Noah Joseph (RSS feed) on Dec 6th 2010 at 11:01AM

BMW has M. Lexus has F. Cadillac has V. In short, any luxury automaker worth its grille badge needs a solid sport range. Infiniti has been trying to get in on the game with its Infiniti Performance Line, but emerging reports from across The Pond suggest it could be poised to get some help from none other than AMG.

According to reports, the Infiniti Performance Line could grow to include everything from aero kits to full-on performance models, the latter built on the same assembly lines as the existing models but carrying engines sourced from the Mercedes-Benz performance division.

The reports stem from parent company Renault-Nissan's recent deal with Mercedes-Benz to receive technology from the German automaker. Since the deal was penned, the rumormill has run rampant with speculation on possibilities as to how the Franco-Japanese automaker alliance might best implement Daimler's know-how, running from platform sharing to engine swaps, but this mooted IPL powertrain connection could be the most interesting yet.

link:

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/12/06/rumormill-infiniti-performance-line-could-benefit-from-amg-powe/