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NHTSA opens investigation into Nissan's handling of airbag recall

In March of 2014, Nissan recalled eight models among its Nissan and Infiniti brands, totaling more than one million vehicles, over faulty occupant classification system software controlling the passenger airbag. The company discovered a variety of factors that would interfere with the system's ability to detect an adult passenger in the shotgun seat, resulting in an illuminated warning on on the dashboard and the passenger airbag not deploying in an accident. Yet 124 complaints submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration since the recall allege that the dealer-installed fix hasn't actually fixed the problem; some consumers say the problem persists after multiple trips to the dealer. The Detroit News reports that NHTSA is opening an investigation into the matter to determine whether a new recall is needed. The occupant sensor has been a bugbear for Nissan over the past couple of years; a much smaller recall for the issue in 2013 covered five of the eight vehicles that were recalled in 2014, and that earlier recall also continued to generate complaints after the issue had supposedly been fixed. At the same time, the company learned that in two instances there was another twist, where the dashboard warning wasn't illuminated but the passenger airbag still didn't go off in an accident. Nissan isn't alone, though, with airbag recalls on a steep upswing across the industry even before the Takata debacle.

2016 Infiniti Q50 gets 2.0L turbo four

After adding a US-built, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder to the European and Chinese-market Q50, Infiniti will finally add this engine to the US-spec car. 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.

Eau Rouge Lite: Infiniti Q50 gets 400-hp, twin-turbo V6

The Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge is still (probably) dead. But as consolation prizes go, a new 400-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V6 isn't bad. The 3.0-liter biturbo will be offered in two different states of tune. Enthusiasts will flock towards the aforementioned 400-hp model, but the first VR series engine will also be sold in a 300-hp version, as well. Regardless of output, both engines have a very broad torque curve, ranging from 1,600 to 5,200 rpm with either 350 or 295 pound-feet. A Mercedes-sourced, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder will serve as the Q50's new base engine, matching the CLA250's 208 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The hybrid powered Q50 soldiers on, as do a line of standard seven-speed automatic transmissions. The naturally aspirated 3.7-liter V6 appears to be gone. Another big enhancement for the updated Q50 is a revised version of the widely disliked Direct Adaptive Steer system. Infiniti says its engineers "optimized the control logic to improve feedback from the road" – a huge area of complaint with the current steer-by-wire system. The Q50's new engine lineup will be showrooms later this winter. Read on for the official press release from Infiniti, and stay tuned for more from the brand – including the new Q60 Coupe – at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show. Related Video: Infiniti Announces New 3.0-liter V6 Twin-Turbo Engine – the Most Advanced V6 Ever Offered by Infiniti • New VR-series engine becomes the lightest, most powerful, cleanest and most fuel-efficient V6 engine that Infiniti has ever offered• Two power outputs available: 400 or 300 horsepower• Series of technical innovations enhance drivability and performance• Compact layout features new integrated exhaust manifold• The 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine family will first be available in the 2016 Infiniti Q50 sports sedan NASHVILLE (Dec. 15, 2015) – Infiniti's new compact, lightweight 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo engine is the most advanced V6 engine that the brand has ever offered, striking an ideal balance between drivability, efficiency, and performance. The 3.0-liter V6 twin-turbo is an all-new engine from the new and exclusive VR- series powertrain family, born out of the brand's longstanding heritage of V6 powertrain production. The new engine has been engineered to empower the driver and offer increased power and torque and higher levels of efficiency than any comparable predecessors from the company.