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Infiniti teases Qs Inspiration electrified sedan concept for Auto Shanghai

Infiniti has the third installment of its Q concept lineup ready for Auto Shanghai in a couple of weeks. The 2018 Detroit Auto Show saw the Q Inspiration concept, a slinky pearlescent sports sedan. This year's Detroit show welcomed the QX Inspiration concept, an ivory electric crossover that previewed a future product. The Shanghai debut blends the two with the Qs Inspiration concept, "an electrified sports sedan for the future," that previews a forthcoming product. The Qs Inspiration appears to pick up where the 2018 Q Inspiration left off. We noted last year's show car didn't have visible tailpipes, and we suspected an electric powertrain. That wasn't the case — Infiniti said the brand's VC-Turbo technology powered the four-door. This new Qs Inspiration is built on an "all-new flexible architecture developed specifically for electrified powertrains." That's a curious distinction if by electrified Infiniti means an electrically assisted ICE. If a car needs all the paraphernalia of an ICE drivetrain, where's the electric leap? It must be somewhere, because Infiniti says the Qs Inspiration is as groundbreaking as the Q45 sedan that birthed the brand in 1989. Company boss Christian Meunier said, "Electrification creates a range of new possibilities for sedans," the concept "letting us imagine how this type of car could be reinvigorated and adapted to fit the changing needs and tastes of drivers." The teaser tells us nothing but to expect more white. There will be an "electrified form language" outside, a "minimalist cabin" inside. The dual-zone interior contains a "clutter-free cockpit ... to engage the driver, and a relaxed passenger zone that make the most of the generous interior space." Naturally, there'll be more Japanese "artistry and craftsmanship" than you can process in one sitting. Stay tuned April 16 for the reveal.

Nissan could report first quarterly loss since March 2009

TOKYO — Nissan may report its first quarterly loss in more than a decade on Thursday because of slumping sales, sources familiar with the company said, adding more pressure on efforts to rebuild the company after Carlos Ghosn's ouster. Deteriorating profits underscore the challenges facing Nissan, which is unwinding many of the expansionist strategies championed by ex-Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Ghosn by slashing jobs, production sites and product offerings to save cash and ensure its survival. In addition to slumping sales, production disruptions caused by China's coronavirus outbreak could also drag profits lower. Three senior officials at Japan's No. 2 automaker told Reuters that they anticipate a poor results announcement on Thursday, with one of them calling the figures "dismal". Two of the officials cautioned that there is the possibility of an operating loss, which would be the first quarterly loss since the period ending in March 2009. Nissan said it could not comment on its financial results ahead of its official announcement. The company is likely to report operating profit of 48.6 billion yen ($442.5 million) for the quarter ending in December, less than half the 103 billion yen profit a year ago, according to SmartEstimate's survey of three analysts, who revised their forecasts in January. However, those forecasts were issued before the release of the December vehicle sales figures on Jan. 30, which show third-quarter sales dropped by 11% from the year earlier period, according to Reuters calculations. That is the biggest quarterly slump of its current sales downturn that began two years ago. That sales decline led one auto equities analyst based in Japan to scrap his forecast and also warn that Nissan could post a loss. "It will be a question of whether there will be a profit or a loss. For the quarter, a loss is a possibility," he said, declining to be named as his forecast had not been updated to reflect his latest view. One of the three Nissan officials said there is a risk the automaker may cut its full-year profit forecast of 150 billion yen, which would be an 11-year low. The company announced that forecast in November after an initial 230 billion yen outlook.

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.