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Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration Concept fits perfectly in the QX50's shoes

If there was any doubt about whether the Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration Concept is a preview of the next QX50, the official details presented at the 2016 Beijing Motor Show should erase them. The concept is smaller – a lot smaller – than the last QX70. And despite a recent update to the QX50, the brand's midsize crossover is due for a new model. We're basing that statement on dimensions. The QX Sport Inspiration Concept rides on a 110.2-inch wheelbase, and is 181.1 inches long, 74.8 inches wide, and 65 inches high. The last QX50, meanwhile, rides on a 113.4-inch wheelbase, and is 186.8 inches long, 71.0 inches wide, and 62.7 inches high. Ignore the different lengths – the concept's front and rear overhangs are remarkably short and aren't likely to translate to production – but the wheelbase, width, and most importantly the height, present a footprint that's remarkably similar to the QX50. Combine that with our assessment of the QX Sport Inspiration Concept's styling, and it's a virtual certainty that we're looking at the QX50's successor. As we said yesterday, the high beltline, tight greenhouse, long hood, and aggressive headlights are all trademarks of both the QX50 and QX70. Infiniti didn't say what kind of engine is under this concept car's hood (if there even is one – it might just be an engineless shell), but we're almost certain it's something performance-oriented. That would prove true if and when a new production QX50 is unleashed. We're betting the company will opt for the increasingly familiar setup of the new 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged V6, a seven-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive, like what you can get on the Q50 Red Sport 400 and new Q60. With 300- and 400-horsepower versions of this engine available, it could signal an introduction of a two-tier QX50 lineup. We're getting ahead of ourselves, of course. The QX Sport is still only a concept, but Infiniti's latest information dump at the 2016 Beijing Motor Show serves as even stronger evidence that its CUV lineup will grow back to four vehicles sooner rather than later. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings.

Major automakers post mixed US June sales figures

General Motors, Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV posted declines in US new vehicle sales for June on Monday, while major Japanese automakers reported stronger figures. Once again, demand for pickup trucks and crossovers offset a decline in sedan sales. Automakers' shares rose as overall industry sales still came in above Wall Street expectations. The US auto industry is bracing for a downturn after hitting a record 17.55 million new vehicles sold in 2016. Analysts had predicted that overall, US vehicle sales would fall in June for the fourth consecutive month. As the market has shown signs of cooling, automakers have hiked discounts and loosened lending terms. Car shopping website Edmunds said on Monday the average length of a car loan reached an all-time high of 69.3 months in June. "It's financially risky, leaving borrowers exposed to being upside down on their vehicles for a large chunk of their loans," said Jessica Caldwell, Edmunds' executive director of industry analysis. GM said its sales fell about 5 percent versus June 2016, but that the industry would see stronger sales in the second half of 2017 versus the first half. "Under the current economic conditions, we anticipate US retail vehicle sales will remain strong for the foreseeable future." GM shares were up 2.4 percent in morning trading, while Ford rose 3.3 percent and FCA shares jumped 6 percent. "US total sales are moderating due to an industry-wide pullback in daily rental sales, but key US economic fundamentals clearly remain positive," said GM chief economist Mustafa Mohatarem. "Under the current economic conditions, we anticipate US retail vehicle sales will remain strong for the foreseeable future." Ford said its sales for June were hit by lower fleet sales to rental agencies, businesses, and government entities, which fell 13.9 percent, while sales to consumers were flat. But it sold a record 406,464 SUVs in the first half of the year, with Explorer sales increasing 23 percent in June. And sales of the F-150 had their strongest June since 2001. On a media call, Ford executives said an initial read of automakers' sales figures indicated a seasonally adjusted annualized rate of around 17 million new vehicles for the month, which would be better than 16.6 million units analysts had predicted. FCA said June sales decreased 7 percent versus the same month a year earlier.

Infiniti QX80 Monograph: Not just luxury, 'upscale luxury'

We've been getting a slow rollout of news about the new Infiniti QX80 Monograph mega-SUV for the past week or two, and Infiniti provided more details Tuesday about its concept car at the New York Auto Show, saying the mega-SUV is a combination of "luxury with a commanding presence" and "the ultimate expression of futuristic luxury SUV design." Infiniti says the car embodies, not just luxury, but "upscale luxury." The company says the concept's design language incorporates a mix of geometric and organic shapes, including character lines and aluminum trim that were actually intended to make the big SUV appear even bigger than it actually is, which is more than five meters long, so perhaps 17 feet, more than 6 feet wide and about 6 feet tall. The most striking features are the headlamps, which become long, slender lines that wrap around the front corners, then taper into light bars that end at the doors in sculptured rear-view cameras in lieu of side mirrors. The car also has large, functional fender vents to divert air to the engine, and despite all that luxury it is still SUV enough to have an underbody cover protecting the underside - and improving aerodynamics. Likewise, an aerofoil between the tailpipes is said to improve airflow in the SUV's wake. It's a big, beautiful rig. Cue the beauty roll above and gallery below: View 12 Photos Related Video: Related Gallery Infiniti QX80 Monograph View 15 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2017 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com Design/Style New York Auto Show Infiniti SUV Luxury 2017 new york auto show infiniti qx80 infiniti qx80 monograph