2012 Infiniti FX launches with aggressive new front end design, New limited edition model

2012 Infiniti FX35

FRANKLIN, Tenn. : August 4, 2011 - Infiniti today announced U.S. pricing for the refreshed 2012 Infiniti FX performance luxury crossover, which is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti retailers nationwide beginning in early October. The iconic FX design has an aggressive new front grille and fascia for 2012 – featuring a heavy influence from the stunning Infiniti Essence Concept – as well as a new 20-inch wheel design and an updated instrument cluster.

Infiniti also announced that an FX35 Limited Edition will be available for 2012, featuring an exclusive Iridium Blue exterior color, unique 21-inch 10-spoke graphite- finish aluminum wheels with V-rated all-season tires, dark tinted headlights with Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) and auto-leveling, and dark tinted side air vents and lower door trim. Other Limited Edition equipment includes aluminum roof rails and roof rail crossbars with graphite finish, aluminum pedals, and graphite floor mats with unique blue piping. The FX35 Limited Edition also features an Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System, Around View® Monitor (AVM) and much more as standard equipment. Just 550 FX35 Limited Edition models, each with Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive System, will be produced for the United States.

Pricing for the base FX35 and FX50 AWD increases slightly, while prices for the popularly equipped FX35 models remain unchanged. The popularly equipped FX50 AWD increases just $100 USD.

Every 2012 FX also comes with the new, complimentary Infiniti Personal Assistant benefit, which provides new Infiniti owners with unlimited 24-hour access to a live team of professional assistants. Accessible primarily through the owner’s mobile phone, callers can ask for answers or assistance on a range of topics and tasks, including directory assistance and driving directions, weather forecasts, dining suggestions and reservations, travel arrangements, emergency assistance and much more. Infiniti is the first luxury automobile brand to offer this type of service nationally in the United States. The Infiniti Personal Assistant benefit is offered at no cost for the first four years of Infiniti ownership.

About the 2012 Infiniti FX

Continuing as one of the most aggressive expressions of sport and utility prowling the streets today, the 2012 Infiniti FX is available with a choice of a 390-horsepower 5.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 engine with VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) or with a 303-horsepower 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 engine. Both engines are paired with a standard 7-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). Solid magnesium paddle shifters are available on the FX50.

The 2012 Infiniti FX is also offered with Intelligent All-Wheel Drive (standard on FX50), double-wishbone front/multi-link rear suspension and large 4-wheel disc brakes, along with available Continuous Damping Control (CDC®), Rear Active Steer, and Intelligent Brake Assist.

Inside, the FX interior provides a warm, inviting environment, highlighted by a driver-oriented cockpit with intuitive controls, available sport seating and advanced audio, navigation and technology – ranging from a Bose? 11-speaker Premium Audio system to the Infiniti Intelligent Key, Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range) and Around View® Monitor system.

The FX again offers an array of available advanced technology systems, including Distance Control Assist (DCA), Lane Departure Warning LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP), and Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW).

The 2012 FX is offered in four models: FX50 AWD with 5.0-liter V8, FX35 AWD with 3.5-liter V6, FX35 RWD with 3.5-liter V6, and FX Limited Edition with 3.5-liter V6. Also offered is a range of special equipment packages, Premium Package, Deluxe Touring Package, Technology Package and Sport Package.

Images : 2012 Infiniti FX35

    
    
   

[Source : INFINITI]

Infiniti releases first image of Infiniti JX Concept

Infiniti JX Concept teaser image

• Automaker Provides the First Look at Upcoming Seven-Passenger Luxury Crossover and Launches “Power of 7” Campaign

FRANKLIN, Tenn. : July 8, 2011 - Infiniti released an image of the Infiniti JX Concept today, giving the first official glimpse at a new luxury crossover that will join the Infiniti line next Spring. Reinforcing the vehicle’s seven-passenger seating, the photo was launched at exactly 7:07 am.


Infiniti also announced the launch of the “Power of 7”, an innovative social media campaign designed to initiate conversation about the JX Concept in advance of its global reveal at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 18.

The campaign includes a series of seven images that will be distributed exclusively on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/Infiniti) every Thursday over the next seven weeks. The Facebook page will include an opportunity to win a trip for two to join Infiniti at the vehicle’s reveal at the Pebble Beach Concours.

“Families don’t have many luxury vehicle options today. The new Infiniti JX will be the 7-passenger antidote to the ho-hum luxury crossovers that are out there right now,” said Ben Poore, vice president of Infiniti Americas.

Infiniti will officially debut the production version of the 2013 Infiniti JX, which goes on sale in the Spring of 2012, at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November.

[Source : INFINITI]

Infiniti ETHEREA to grace “Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este”

Infiniti Etherea Concept

ROLLE, Switzerland : May 5, 2011 - Infiniti has announced that its innovative ETHEREA concept, first shown at the 2011 International Geneva Motor Show, will be entering the “Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2011”.


Designed under the direction of Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura, ETHEREA brands elements of coupe, sedan, hatchback and even crossover in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form with Infiniti’s future design direction evolved from the initial aspects seen on the Essence concept supercar which joined the Villa d’Este event in 2009.

As all Infiniti models, Etherea puts driving pleasure and sports feeling as top priority, it has been designed for a strong and highly efficient drivetrain based on an innovative hybrid system and around in-house platform.
The long wheelbase and minimal overhangs guarantee unmistakable but the perfect proportion, its bold and futuristic design elements such as headlights which resemble the eye of the mythical god and the dynamic crescent C-pillar are also the distinctive features of Etherea.

Even though a compact model at 4.4 meters long, Etherea has an excellent roominess of interior space.

Interior design is another highlight of Etherea, it embodies artistic expression with fine craftsmanship as well as inspirations from nature with an elegant and highly ergonomic solution.

Including newest trim design inspired from Japanese traditional paper work “KASANE-WASHI” layering paper, all of these reflect Etherea’s profound cultural connotation through leading-edge technologies.

Images : Infiniti Etherea Concept

Images : Infiniti Etherea Concept @ 2011 Geneva Motor Show

[Source : INFINITI]

Infiniti announces JX Luxury Crossover to join its line next spring

2013 INFINITI JX - Teaser image

• North American Debut of IPL G Convertible Concept and Red Bull Racing Formula One Car Set for New York International Auto Show

FRANKLIN, Tenn. : April 19, 2011 - Infiniti has announced an all-new three-row luxury crossover designated the Infiniti JX that will go on sale at its retailers in spring 2012 as a 2013 model.


An exterior sketch of the Infiniti JX suggests a vehicle that pushes the boundaries of what a luxury crossover can be – with signature styling cues of the brand, such as dynamic and elegant line treatments inspired by nature. The brand styling theme continues with a “crescent cut” greenhouse design influenced by the Infiniti Essence concept car. More details will be provided when the Infiniti JX concept is shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance this August. The production version will make its global debut at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

“The all-new Infiniti JX crossover will allow us to continue to expand the Infiniti brand’s presence in the Americas,” said Carlos Tavares, chairman, Nissan Americas. “In 2010, Infiniti was one of the fastest-growing luxury brands in the United States, and this year we will expand our presence further to Mexico and Panama, followed by Chile in the first half of 2012.”

“There aren’t a lot of choices for luxury families today. The all-new Infiniti JX is the 7-passenger antidote to the ho-hum luxury crossovers that are out there right now,” added Ben Poore, vice president of Infiniti Americas. “The Infiniti JX will have a stunning interior, while offering exceptional seating flexibility, easy access to the roomy third row, plus the latest in-vehicle technology – including next-generation telematics. A fitting addition to our line, it will challenge the status quo in its class.”

In addition to the JX announcement, Infiniti said that the New York International Auto Show will be the regional debut of its IPL G Convertible Concept and Infiniti-sponsored Red Bull Racing Formula One car.

The IPL G Convertible Concept, which made its world debut at the Paris Auto Show last fall, features unique aerodynamic styling, the performance of an IPL-tuned V6, exhaust and system, 19-inch IPL aluminum wheels, three-piece retractable hardtop and a dramatic red leather-appointed interior set against a Malbec Black exterior. The IPL G Convertible Concept will be displayed near the limited production IPL G Coupe, which is available now at Infiniti retailers in the United States and Canada.

The competition-tested Red Bull Racing Formula One racer will also be on display, representing Infiniti’s marketing and technical collaboration agreement with the current Formula One World Champions. As part of the partnership, Infiniti has branding presence on the racing car, drivers clothing and related team uniforms and equipment.

The 2011 New York International Auto Show runs April 22 through May 1 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

[Source : NISSAN-INFINITI]

Infiniti M35 Hybrid: First official photos

We've known it's coming, but here is the first look at Infiniti's new petrol electric exec: the M35 Hybrid. As signalled by the Essence concept car, Infiniti is keen to stress that its hybrid cars won't be just about saving pennies – they'll be fun to drive too. Sounds like a dig at sensible old Lexus to us.

The new Infiniti M35 Hybrid will be the upmarket Nissan arm's first hybrid in its 20 years of building exec rivals to the default Audis, BMWs and Mercedes. And since it doesn't yet sell any diesels, it'll also be its cleanest and most efficient.

Infiniti M35 Hybrid: the tech bit

This is a Nissan inhouse hybrid set-up. There are two clutches, positioned between the naturally aspirated 3.5-litre V6 and the electric motor, so both motors turn a single propshaft to the rear wheels.

The electric motor can drive the car at low speeds, or be used in tandem with the V6. As usual, it'll act as a generator and top up the lithium ion battery during braking or coasting.

When can I buy Infiniti's hybrid?

No prices or performance stats have been issued yet, but Infiniti says the M35 Hybrid will go on sale in spring 2011 – around a year after the M lands in showrooms.

Don't forget Infiniti will also launch a V6 turbodiesel next year. It'll probably offer the best economy/price mix for the larger new Infinitis.

Source: CAR magazine

2011 Infiniti M / Nissan Fuga?

This may be the new Infiniti M...

The new Infiniti M, which is sold in Japan as Nissan Fuga (Premium Factory), is due in 2010. The new Fuga (JDM) will be introduced in fall 2009 and a hybrid version will be launched in autumn 2010. The new Infiniti M (EUDM) will be launched at the 2010 Geneva motor show.

Source: Vince Burlapp Car Page

Infiniti: the next five years

A Mercedes S-class-sized limousine, a new all-wheel-drive seven-seat SUV and an all-electric entry-level model are in the pipeline for growing Japanese premium car maker Infiniti.

2010: an all-new ‘M’-badged 5-series-chaser
Next year, we’ll see the introduction of the Japanese firm’s all-new ‘M’-badged mid-size executive saloon.

This car will be engineered to accept Infiniti’s 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine, and its forthcoming 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel – although both the EX and FX SUVs will get the V6 oil-burner V6 before that.

A hybrid petrol-electric version of the M is also in the pipeline, but has yet to be confirmed for Europe. No V8 options are currently planned.

The new M will be launched at the 2010 Geneva motor show.

2011: a brand new flagship SUV
A new QX large SUV will be launched the following year. This car will sit above the FX, offer four driven wheels and seat seven in comfort.

Like the current QX56, the sheer size of the new model will make it much more suited to the Russian and American markets than the narrow roads of the UK. It’s likely to be available to western European buyers only via special order.

However, another Infiniti seven-seater may be along before too long. A lower, sleeker seven-seat model is in the pipeline and if it’s approved it could be on sale before 2015.

2012: Infiniti goes after the Quattroporte
Three years from now, Infiniti will launch two all-new saloons: a flagship limousine, and the replacement for the current G37 small saloon.

The firm’s biggest four-door will be badged ‘Q’ and will take over from the Q45 saloon that Infiniti discontinued in 2006.

The next G-badged model family should account for the majority of Infiniti’s European sales. Little detail is known, other than that diesel engines will not feature in the G range until this new model arrives.

Beyond 2012: an electric 1-series-fighter?
Infiniti’s most distant plans currently include a battery-powered compact model, although building it is still very much an ambition for the company rather than a concrete part of the product schedule.

In order to be effective as an electric car it would have to be reasonably small, low and aerodynamically efficient. However, in order to be a true Infiniti it will also have to have either rear or four-wheel drive.

Source: Autocar

More info on Nissan's hybrid system and upcoming Nissan Fuga hybrid ('10年デビュー予定の魅力的な日産車を大公開！)

Following the post regarding the introduction of a hybrid luxury model by Nissan/Infiniti in 2010 (earlier post), Best Car magazine has published more information regarding the new JDM Nissan Fuga:

• 2010 Nissan Fuga Hybrid will be powered by a 3.7L V6 engine
• EV mode will be available
• Use of two separate clutches (one between the engine and the electric motor and a second between the motor and the rear drive wheels) to optimize overall operating efficiency, depending on driving conditions.
• Use of lithium-ion batteries
  
• Fuel consumption expected to be 16.0 - 17.0km/L
• New Nissan Fuga will be introduced in fall 2009
• Hybrid version to be launched in autumn 2010
  

Best Car magazine has also published a rendering of the upcoming SUV, based on the Qazana concept, which was revealed in Geneva. It claims that the production model will be powered by a 1.6L petrol and a 1.5L turbo diesel engine. A 1.6L turbo engine will be also available in Europe.

Nissan Design Europe’s vice president Alfonso Albaisa has told CAR Online that it'll keep many of the show car's cues when it goes into production at the company's Sunderland plant in the summer of 2010.

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Text in Japanese

　日産は今期1800億円もの営業赤字となり、人員整理、開発費の削減などネガティブな話題ばかりがクローズアップされているが、来年予想外の新車ラッ シュを予定している。これはファンにとってはうれしい誤算。そのなかの1台目の注目車は、スイスのジュネーブショーで公開されたばかりのコンセプトカーの カザーナ。日産はこのカザーナを来年秋にはデビューさせる予定なのだ。カザーナのボディサイズは、全長4100×全幅1740×全高1650ｍｍという デュアリスの下に位置するコンパクトSUV。搭載するエンジンは、1.6L、直4のNAとターボの予定で、ヨーロッパでは1.5Lターボディーゼルも搭載 される。1.6Lターボは次期ティーダにも搭載されるパワーと燃費を高い次元で両立させた日産の新世代エンジン。駆動方式はFFと4WD（オールモード 4×4i）。このカザーナがデビューすることで、カザーナ→デュアリス→ムラーノという日産待望のクロスオーバーSUVラインアップが完成することにな る。さらにこのカザーナには、ディアリスにもムラーノにもないハイブリッドが設定されるというから楽しみ。

　そしてもう1台はフーガハイブリッド。日産のハイブリッドカーといえば、わずか100台の限定販売に終わったティーダ、トヨタからシステムを購入し北米 で販売しているアルティマハイブリッドくらいで、ハイブリッドカーのカテゴリーでトヨタ、ホンダの後塵を拝している。しかし日産の起死回生のハイブリッド 戦略の第1弾として登場するのがフーガハイブリッド。現行のスカイラインセダンに独自のハイブリッドシステムを搭載し、積極的に開発を進めているが、 3.7L、V6＋モーターというハイブリッドユニットがフーガに搭載される。ホンダのように簡易的なシステムではなく、2つのクラッチを駆使することで、 エンジン＋モーターアシスト、モーターのみのEV走行を自在に切り替えることができる優れもの。これにより、4.5L、V8クラスの動力性能とコンパクト カークラスの燃費を実現しているというから驚き。目標としている10・15モード燃費は16.0～17.0km/Lで、現行フーガの倍以上。ライバルのク ラウンハイブリッドをも凌駕する。価格はベースモデルはクラウンハイブリッドの595万円に合わせてくることは確実で、上級グレードは700万円オーバー になる、という情報も入ってきている。日産のハイブリッドカーは予想以上のスピードで開発が進められていて、これにはトヨタも驚愕すること間違いなし。 ノーマルのフーガが今年秋にデビューし、それから約1年遅れの来年秋にハイブリッドが追加される予定だ。

ソース: ベストカー公式ホームページ
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Nissan reportedly planning luxury hybrid in 2010 (日産：ハイブリッド高級車を2010年度に発売予定との報道)

Nissan Motor Co will offer a luxury gas-electric hybrid for the U.S. and Japanese markets next year, Japan’s top business daily reported Sunday, as competition intensifies in the green technology.

Nissan’s Tokyo headquarters were closed for the weekend. Automakers are generally tightlipped about specific product plans, but Nissan already has shown prototypes of their hybrid models.

Nissan has fallen behind Japanese rivals Toyota Motor Corp and Honda Motor Co in developing its own hybrids but has made no secret of its ambitions to play aggressive catchup.

It now buys hybrid systems from Toyota for the Nissan Altima hybrid but is promising a vehicle packed with Nissan’s own hybrid system by 2010.

Nissan is developing a different kind of battery for hybrids from those used by Toyota and Honda. Nissan officials say their battery is better at providing quicker and more power.

The Nikkei, which did not cite its sources, said Nissan’s hybrid system will be offered for the luxury Infiniti M, sold as the Fuga in Japan. Nissan plans to expand hybrid offerings to other luxury models and sports cars, the report said.

Nissan officials have said the nation’s third-biggest automaker is working on a bigger hybrid system than Toyota’s popular Prius, the global top-seller among hybrids, and will make hybrid sports cars and luxury models.

Among luxury cars, Toyota already offers various Lexus hybrids, while German automakers Daimler AG and BMW AG are planning hybrids. In recent months, competition among lower-end hybrids has heated up with a major challenge to the Prius’ dominance from Honda’s hit Insight.

Source: Japan Today

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Text in Japanese

　［東京　２３日　ロイター］　２２日付日経新聞朝刊は、日産自動車が独自開発したハイブリッド技術を高級車に搭載し、２０１０年度に日米で発売すると報じた。高性能の新型電池を採用し高い加速性能と小型セダン並みの低燃費を実現するという。

　報道によると、今秋に予定している高級車「フーガ」の全面改良に合わせて、ハイブリッド技術を搭載し２０１０年度をめどに日本で発売するという。ニッケル水素電池を使うトヨタ自動車やホンダと異なり、リチウムイオン電池を採用し、軽量化と加速性能の向上を実現する。

ソース: Reuters
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All Infiniti models to be hybrid in 10 years, M hybrid sedan due in September

According Infiniti’s head of advanced product planning Francois Bancon, all Infinitis will be hybrid within 10 years. Bancon says that the luxury division of Nissan is reinventing itself to become more environmentally-responsible and will be introducing its first hybrid next year with a petrol-electric version of the M sedan.

The new Infiniti M hybrid will come to the U.S. in September with European sales to follow. Following the M hybrid, Infinti will work to make all of its models available with a parallel hybrid powertrain as seen in the Infiniti Essence concept.

The Infiniti Essence concept is powered by a 3.7L V6 gasoline engine mated to a electric-hybrid system that runs on lithium-ion batteries. That helps the rear-wheel-drive hybrid coupe produce a total of 600-hp.

Source: eGMCarTech