2016 Infiniti Q50 gets 2.0L turbo four
Mon, Aug 10 2015
Official details are exceedingly scarce, with the company only saying the 2.0-liter will hit dealers this winter and that additional info will be made available this fall. We can, however, make a few safe assumptions based on the engine's output in Europe. According to our previous story on the Decherd, TN-built engine, the turbocharged mill will offer up 211 horsepower and 236 pound-feet of torque.
That plants it squarely between the outputs of the 2.0-liter turbo in the BMW 320i and 328i, though it's down on power compared to the engines offered in the Cadillac ATS, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and upcoming Lexus IS 200t. There's also a 100-plus-horsepower gap between the Q50's two gas-only engines.
Considering all of these things, not to mention Infiniti's reluctance to reveal official specs, it seems safe to wager that the Japanese brand will find a way to squeeze more power out of the current 2.0-liter turbo. That'd allow the Q50 to better challenge the competition's entry-level offerings while bringing the starting price point down from the roughly $38,000 it sits at now. That's grain-of-salt conjecture on our part, though, so caveat emptor.
Expect to hear more on the Q50's new engine later this year. Until then, scroll down for the official press release cover all of Infiniti's 2016 updates.
INFINITI – WHAT'S NEW FOR 2016
For 2016, the Infiniti lineup in the United States expands once again, literally, with a new longer, roomier Infiniti QX50 premium crossover. With its wheelbase extended 3.2-inches, the 2016 QX50 offers greatly increased rear passenger room, as well as additional cargo space. It also features new exterior styling.
There are additional changes in store for 2016, starting with the addition of a new 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine for the Infiniti Q50 sports sedan available in the winter of 2016. Other Infiniti Q50 enhancements will be announced at the North American International Auto Show in January. In addition, revisions to the Infiniti QX60 luxury crossover will be announced at that time.
The Infiniti QX80 full-size SUV keeps it fresh for 2016 with a new Signature Edition, which includes Driver Assistance and Split Bench packages, Saddle Tan high-contrast interior, bodyside moldings and chrome mirror caps. The QX80 Special Edition is limited to just 1,000 units. The iconic Infiniti QX70 performance crossover enters the new model year unchanged.
And, following the introduction last year of the new Infiniti Q70 long-wheelbase model, the flagship Q70 sedan enters the 2016 model year with a new Premium Select Edition package for the standard wheelbase models, featuring unique exterior and interior accents, unique 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and a rear decklid spoiler.
Once again in 2016, all Infiniti vehicles come with Infiniti Personal Assistant™, a live 24/7 personal concierge service, included free of charge for the first 12 months of ownership. It's part of Infiniti's Total Ownership Experience®, which promises a uniquely enjoyable buying and ownership package – supported by features such as service loan cars, roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits. [For more information please visit InfinitiUSA.com.]
The enhancements for the 2016 model year are only the beginning. New production models based on the Q30 and QX30 Concepts are currently in development. The 2017 Infiniti QX30 premium active crossover and 2017 Infiniti Q30 premium active compact are both expected to be available in late spring/early summer 2016, followed by the 2017 Infiniti Q60 coupe in late summer/early fall 2016. Full details on these vehicles will be available at a later date. As part of the transition to the new lineup, the current Q60 Coupe and Q60 Convertible are ending their production cycles, as is the Q40 Sedan.
Key changes to the 2016 Infiniti lineup include, but are not limited to, the following:
Infiniti Q40
Production of the Q40 ceased in 2015. The Q30 premium compact will be the new entry-level model for the Infiniti brand when it arrives in showrooms in late spring/early summer 2016.
2016 Infiniti Q50
Enhanced powertrain and model offerings, including a new 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine
Additional details to be announced later in 2015
Expected availability: Winter
Infiniti Q60
There will be no 2016 Q60. The 2017 Q60 – based on the Q60 Concept shown in early 2015 – will be available in late-summer/early fall 2016.
2016 Infiniti Q70
New Premium Select Edition available on standard wheelbase models (except Hybrid)
Offered in five Q70 models: Q70 5.6, Q70 5.6 AWD, Q70 Hybrid, Q70 3.7, Q70 3.7 AWD
Offered in four Q70L Long- Wheelbase models: Q70L 5.6, Q70L 5.6 AWD, Q70L 3.7 and Q70L 3.7 AWD
Expected availability: November 2015
2016 Infiniti QX50
Standard wheelbase extended by 3.2 inches, resulting in significantly increased rear seat roominess – including 4.3 inches of additional legroom and 3.9 inches of added rear knee room
Overall, passenger volume has been increased by 8.3 cubic feet, including an additional 2.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity
Revised exterior with new LED Daytime Running Lights and LED fog lights, a new side sill design, a new rear fascia and LED side mirror turn signals
New 19-inch wheel design
New Premium Plus option package added, featuring Infiniti Navigation System, Around View® Monitor (AVM), Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, and Front and Rear Sonar System
Power moonroof now standard on all models
Heated front seats now standard on all models
One new exterior color added (seven total): Hagane Blue
Offered in two models: QX50 and QX50 AWD
Expected availability: September 2015
2016 Infiniti QX60
Details of the 2016 QX60 will be announced at the North American International Auto Show in January 2016
Expected availability: Spring 2016
2016 Infiniti QX70
No major enhancements for new model year
Available now
2016 Infiniti QX80
New QX80 Signature Edition – includes Driver Assistance and Split Bench packages, Saddle Tan high-contrast interior, bodyside moldings, chrome mirror caps; limited to 1,000 units (late availability)
One new exterior color for QX80 Limited: Hermosa Blue (replaces Liquid Platinum)
Offered in three models: QX80, QX80 AWD and QX80 AWD Limited
Expected availability: October 2015
For 2016, the Infiniti lineup in the United States expands once again, literally, with a new longer, roomier Infiniti QX50 premium crossover. With its wheelbase extended 3.2-inches, the 2016 QX50 offers greatly increased rear passenger room, as well as additional cargo space. It also features new exterior styling.
There are additional changes in store for 2016, starting with the addition of a new 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine for the Infiniti Q50 sports sedan available in the winter of 2016. Other Infiniti Q50 enhancements will be announced at the North American International Auto Show in January. In addition, revisions to the Infiniti QX60 luxury crossover will be announced at that time.
The Infiniti QX80 full-size SUV keeps it fresh for 2016 with a new Signature Edition, which includes Driver Assistance and Split Bench packages, Saddle Tan high-contrast interior, bodyside moldings and chrome mirror caps. The QX80 Special Edition is limited to just 1,000 units. The iconic Infiniti QX70 performance crossover enters the new model year unchanged.
And, following the introduction last year of the new Infiniti Q70 long-wheelbase model, the flagship Q70 sedan enters the 2016 model year with a new Premium Select Edition package for the standard wheelbase models, featuring unique exterior and interior accents, unique 20-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and a rear decklid spoiler.
Once again in 2016, all Infiniti vehicles come with Infiniti Personal Assistant™, a live 24/7 personal concierge service, included free of charge for the first 12 months of ownership. It's part of Infiniti's Total Ownership Experience®, which promises a uniquely enjoyable buying and ownership package – supported by features such as service loan cars, roadside assistance and trip interruption benefits. [For more information please visit InfinitiUSA.com.]
The enhancements for the 2016 model year are only the beginning. New production models based on the Q30 and QX30 Concepts are currently in development. The 2017 Infiniti QX30 premium active crossover and 2017 Infiniti Q30 premium active compact are both expected to be available in late spring/early summer 2016, followed by the 2017 Infiniti Q60 coupe in late summer/early fall 2016. Full details on these vehicles will be available at a later date. As part of the transition to the new lineup, the current Q60 Coupe and Q60 Convertible are ending their production cycles, as is the Q40 Sedan.
Key changes to the 2016 Infiniti lineup include, but are not limited to, the following:
Infiniti Q40
Production of the Q40 ceased in 2015. The Q30 premium compact will be the new entry-level model for the Infiniti brand when it arrives in showrooms in late spring/early summer 2016.
2016 Infiniti Q50
Enhanced powertrain and model offerings, including a new 2.0-liter turbo 4-cylinder engine
Additional details to be announced later in 2015
Expected availability: Winter
Infiniti Q60
There will be no 2016 Q60. The 2017 Q60 – based on the Q60 Concept shown in early 2015 – will be available in late-summer/early fall 2016.
2016 Infiniti Q70
New Premium Select Edition available on standard wheelbase models (except Hybrid)
Offered in five Q70 models: Q70 5.6, Q70 5.6 AWD, Q70 Hybrid, Q70 3.7, Q70 3.7 AWD
Offered in four Q70L Long- Wheelbase models: Q70L 5.6, Q70L 5.6 AWD, Q70L 3.7 and Q70L 3.7 AWD
Expected availability: November 2015
2016 Infiniti QX50
Standard wheelbase extended by 3.2 inches, resulting in significantly increased rear seat roominess – including 4.3 inches of additional legroom and 3.9 inches of added rear knee room
Overall, passenger volume has been increased by 8.3 cubic feet, including an additional 2.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity
Revised exterior with new LED Daytime Running Lights and LED fog lights, a new side sill design, a new rear fascia and LED side mirror turn signals
New 19-inch wheel design
New Premium Plus option package added, featuring Infiniti Navigation System, Around View® Monitor (AVM), Streaming audio via Bluetooth®, and Front and Rear Sonar System
Power moonroof now standard on all models
Heated front seats now standard on all models
One new exterior color added (seven total): Hagane Blue
Offered in two models: QX50 and QX50 AWD
Expected availability: September 2015
2016 Infiniti QX60
Details of the 2016 QX60 will be announced at the North American International Auto Show in January 2016
Expected availability: Spring 2016
2016 Infiniti QX70
No major enhancements for new model year
Available now
2016 Infiniti QX80
New QX80 Signature Edition – includes Driver Assistance and Split Bench packages, Saddle Tan high-contrast interior, bodyside moldings, chrome mirror caps; limited to 1,000 units (late availability)
One new exterior color for QX80 Limited: Hermosa Blue (replaces Liquid Platinum)
Offered in three models: QX80, QX80 AWD and QX80 AWD Limited
Expected availability: October 2015
By Brandon Turkus
See also: MotorWeek revisits 1990 Infiniti Q45, Race Recap: 2015 Hungarian Grand Prix is Magyar for 'What a race!', Infiniti Q30 goes full monty before Frankfurt.