Stanced G35 Coupe Automatic Niche Wheels Rebuilt Title on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Infiniti's QX Sport Inspiration is still attractive, in Paris, and now gray

Yes, crossovers tend to be boring. But this one is pretty! Then we remember it's going to turn into the front-drive-based QX50, so we automatically lose some interest. But the wheels will be driven by Infiniti's new VC-Turbo engine, which is kind of exciting! And for the 2016 Paris show, those wheels are bigger – 22-inchers in place of the 21s that the QX Sport Inspiration concept debuted with in Beijing earlier this year. (It's hard to tell a difference in the photos, but you can bet the imaginary ride of this concept will suffer, imaginarily.) The 22s are also painted bronze now along with the brake calipers, and the whole vehicle gets a coat of matte gray paint to replace the silver it was originally shown with. There's also some new brown leather in the previously very black and white interior. It's still pretty black and white, actually. Then there's the variable-compression-ratio VC-Turbo engine that will power the production QX50. We're getting a better look at this 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo in cutaway form at the Paris show, and it continues to fascinate. It's a pretty neat thing, with a movable stroke position that allows it to vary the compression ratio between 8:1 for performance and 14:1 for efficiency (when the turbo isn't needed). That might not sound terribly cool, but it's a pretty big step forward in the march of efficient power. So yeah, crossovers can be boring, but at least this concept and the production car that will soon follow it have a few things going for them. Related Video: Featured Gallery Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration: Paris 2016 View 12 Photos Related Gallery Infiniti QX Sport Concept Related Gallery Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration concept for Paris View 10 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / Autoblog Paris Motor Show Infiniti Crossover Concept Cars Luxury 2016 paris motor show infiniti qx sport inspiration concept

2016 Infiniti QX60 gets a facelift, Hybrid still alive

The future of the Infiniti QX60 Hybrid looked grim a few months ago, when Nissan confirmed the Pathfinder Hybrid was being discontinued. After all, the QX60 and Pathfinder are nearly identical underneath their different bodies. But with this 2016 model year refresh, Infiniti confirms that its QX60 Hybrid will indeed carry on for the new year. It's the same hybrid system as before, combining a supercharged, 2.5-liter inline-four with an electric motor for a combined 250 horsepower and 243 pound-feet of torque. New liquid-filled active engine mounts are added for 2016 in an effort to reduce overall harshness. Non-hybrid models carry on with the naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6, good for 265 hp and 248 lb-ft. Front-wheel drive is standard with both engines, and all-wheel drive is optional. That's the biggest news for the updated QX60. Everything else baked in to the refresh is pretty standard. Up front, there's a new fascia that better aligns the seven-passenger crossover with every other Infiniti product, and the taillights are slightly more stylized than before. It looks nice, but there's still no hiding those Nissan Pathfinder bones. Infiniti says new shock absorbers and springs will help improve ride quality, and steering effort is improved with a retuned, speed-sensitive electronic power assist system. Standard, Sport, Eco, and Snow modes will help you manage the power depending on the weather and your driving style. We don't know how much this will actually improve the QX60's ride, but we never really had any problems with the luxury crossover's relaxed dynamics, anyway. Look for the QX60 to officially debut at the 2016 Detroit Auto Show, following a reveal at a media event this week. For the full details on all the super-nitty-gritty changes, check out the press blast below. 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 (Dec. 15, 2016) – 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.

2015 Infiniti QX80 gets a minor refresh, fancy new trim

Infiniti revealed an ever-so-slightly refreshed QX80 alongside its Q70 luxury sedan this morning in New York. The biggest news for the brand's fullsize SUV is the addition of a range-topping trim level, unimaginatively dubbed the QX80 Limited.
The Big 80 sports a couple of styling tweaks in an effort to bring its appearance more in line with the brand's current design language. The "double-arch" grille with mesh inserts we first viewed on the Q50 now adorns the front fascia, and the head and taillights have gone full-LED. Still, it's hard to call this SUV anything but ugly. It's bulbous and almost brutish, which aren't generally words you want to have to use when talking about any kind of luxury vehicle.
There aren't many updates inside or to the drivetrain, either. Like the Q70, Infiniti has added a couple of new tech features, such as its Predictive Forward Collision Warning system and High Beam Assist. Although it's getting a bit long in the tooth, the interior remains nice, with lots of wood and leather all around. The SUV continues to use a 5.6-liter V8, which produces 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet of torque, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.