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2019 Infiniti QX50 starts fresh with a new face and trick engine

Last week, Infiniti rolled out the refresh of the big daddy QX80 in Dubai. At this year's Los Angeles Auto Show, the Japanese automaker is poised to reveal something that's bound to be far more mainstream: the 2019 Infiniti QX50 and its trick variable compression turbocharged engine, or VC-T. In addition to the new engine, the QX50 drops rear-wheel drive in favor of an all-new front-wheel-drive platform and gets the new ProPilot assist technology that debuted on the Nissan Leaf. The QX50 may be the headliner, but the engine is the really interesting bit. This 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four can adjust the stroke of the pistons on the fly, varying the engine's compression from 8:1 to 14:1, and giving the new midsize crossover improved efficiency and diesel-like torque. It's rated at 268 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque, down 57 horses but up 14 pound-feet. Front-wheel-drive models hit 60 mph in 6.7 seconds. That drops to 6.2 seconds with all-wheel drive. Combined fuel economy is 27 mpg for front-wheel-drive QX50s and 26 mpg for all-wheel-drive variants, both up from the abysmal 20 mpg combined rating of the current model. Power is sent through a continuously variable transmission. If it's like other Nissan and Infiniti CVTs, it will be inoffensive if a bit lifeless. We've covered the details of this powertrain extensively already, but it's great to see companies giving more life to the internal combustion engine. The new platform marks a big improvement over the outgoing QX50 in terms of platform rigidity and space efficiency. Rear-wheel drive might be fun, but it's never ideal from a packaging perspective. Cargo capacity is up from 31.6 cubic-feet to 37 cubic-feet. With the seats down, the space expands to 60 cubic feet, up from 50.1 cubic feet. That's not exactly class-leading, but it's no longer among the class-worst. The 2019 QX50 will use a new type of high-tensile steel, improving torsional rigidity by 23 percent and shaving overall weight. The styling falls in line with most other Infiniti products. The outgoing model had a bit of an identity crisis, looking more like a lifted wagon than a fully-realized crossover (it was, after all, essentially a G35/G37 wagon). This new one has much more conventional SUV proportions. In fact, it looks like a 7/8-scale version of the new QX80 with a front-wheel-drive profile. That's either good news or bad news, depending on where your tastes fall.

Infiniti Prototype 10 concept to debut at Pebble Beach

Last year, Infiniti launched its gorgeous Prototype 9 concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. It was an open-wheel, retro-styled car inspired by Grand Prix racers of old. Just as important as its design, though, was its powertrain. It was all-electric. This year, at Pebble Beach, Infiniti will return with a new speedster concept called Prototype 10. It, too, will be electrified. Teased in the above image, the open-cockpit Prototype 10 will be another single-seater steeped in classic design, though with looks the automaker describes as "cool, clean and forward-looking," borrowing some cues from the Infiniti Q Inspiration concept we saw at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. Karim Habib, Infiniti's executive design director, describes Prototype 10: The Infiniti Prototype 10 echoes the layout and design of some of the most evocative car designs of all time, where power was celebrated through high-powered single-seat competition cars. Our new concept speaks of an electrified future, something which is reflected in its form and details. It is appropriate that we found inspiration in an optimistic bygone era in which cars were characterized by the simple love of driving. Still, Infiniti leaves out most of the details about the car. We're curious what kind of "electrified" powertrain Prototype 10 will use, but the company plans to electrify its whole lineup beginning in 2021. It's possible Infiniti could tease further images and information, but we'll likely have to wait for its official unveiling at Pebble Beach on Aug. 23, which is right around the corner. If the last two concepts are any indication, this one should be a stunner as well. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. News Source: Infiniti Green Infiniti Convertible Concept Cars Electric Hybrid Performance Pebble Beach

Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration Concept previewed ahead of Beijing debut

Infiniti's exterior design has been on point lately. The Q50, QX30, and especially the new Q60 Coupe are among the best looking vehicles in their respective segments. The company's designers even managed to make the homely QX60 look good. And now, those same stylists have issued their official preview of the successor to the QX50. It's called the QX Sport Inspiration Concept and will make its official debut tomorrow at the 2016 Beijing Motor Show. It's not hard to look at this stylish concept and imagine the second-generation QX50, formerly known as the EX. The proportions are just right, for one. The rear overhang is perilously short and the rear glass is raked aggressively – both work with the squat greenhouse and powerful hood to cut a sporty silhouette. The QX Sport Concept's headlights are better looking than the current model's, but still provide a menacing scowl as they flank the trademark Infniti grille. We like the large, air-curtain-style vents behind the front wheels, too; they're a more aggressive, functional take on the current QX70's side vents. The QX Sport's cabin is bisected by a high transmission tunnel, emulating the cockpit-like layout of the current model. And like in that car, this driver-focused layout demands driver-focused interfaces, like the flat-bottomed steering wheel and aggressive, single-piece bucket seats. We wouldn't count on that last item making the production shortlist, though. We'll have more on the QX Sport Inspiration Concept when it debuts tomorrow evening. Stay tuned. Related Video: