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Infiniti hybrid sports car coming by 2016 after all?

Infiniti makes plenty of good cars, crossovers and SUVs. The premium Japanese brand also has a well-defined presence in racing on the world's largest stage in the form of a partnership with Red Bull in Formula 1. What Infiniti doesn't have, though, is a range-topping halo car.
A report from Autocar in the UK suggests that Infiniti's gaping top-shelf hole may soon be plugged by 2016 with a new hybrid sports car along the lines of the well-received Emerg-E and Essence concepts. This report is contrary to news we heard from Autocar late last year, when company officials reportedly told the publication that a swoopy and fuel-efficient machine like the Emerg-E wouldn't be produced.
Interestingly, Infiniti is said to sense strong demand from so-called "little emperors ... who are used to getting what they want," many of whom live in Asian countries, who are also environmentally conscious. Infiniti exec Andy Palmer told Autocar to expect something "like the Tesla sports car option, but with more flexibility in terms of range."

New Infiniti QX crossover: expect a pretty Q60 on stilts

When the doors open at the Beijing Motor Show later this month, Infiniti will have a new concept to show off dubbed the QX Sport Inspiration. It takes the form of a mid-size sport-ute that could preview the next-generation QX70 crossover. The Japanese luxury automaker isn't giving us much to go on aside from the decidedly enigmatic teaser image above. But we're expecting the crossover concept to follow closely along the stylistic lines of the Q60 coupe concept we saw in Detroit earlier this year – albeit in a taller form with more space inside. And that's no bad thing, considering how sexy that two-door show car was. Infiniti tells us to anticipate such design elements as floating A-pillars and wide wheel arches, giving it a forward-looking and aggressive appearance that will foreshadow the company's next generation of crossovers. Watch this space for more as the Chinese auto expo prepares to open its doors on April 25. Related Video: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. INFINITI QX SPORT INSPIRATION BREAKS COVER AHEAD OF 2016 BEIJING AUTO SHOW - First glimpse of exciting new SUV concept from Infiniti - Inspired by 'Powerful Elegance' form language - World premiere at 2016 Beijing Auto Show Rolle, Switzerland – Infiniti has revealed a first glimpse of its daring new QX Sport Inspiration, an exploration of the brand's vision for a next-generation, mid-size premium SUV. Inspired by Infiniti's 'Powerful Elegance' design philosophy, the QX Sport Inspiration features the brand's design hallmarks and stands out thanks to its striking design details and sophisticated craftsmanship. The concept rendering illustrates SUV-like proportions highlighted with wide muscular lines reminiscent of the Q60 Concept, floating A-pillars and extra-wide wheel arches. Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director, commented: "The QX Sport Inspiration expresses a power and purpose that is uniquely Infiniti. With a flowing, natural aesthetic, this concept demonstrates how Infiniti can offer something new and exciting with future QX SUV models." The Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration makes its global debut at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show (press days on April 25/26, public days from April 29 – May 4).

Nissan axing Pathfinder Hybrid from 2016 lineup

The Nissan lineup gets a little smaller for the 2016 model year, as the Pathfinder Hybrid is dropped from the range. With its debut in late 2013, the electrically assisted SUV is one of the company's more recent introductions. However, it never really caught on with the public. "The Pathfinder Hybrid is not available in the US for the 2016 model year. Our emphasis is on the 3.5-liter V6 Pathfinder that achieves a best-in-class 20-city and 27-highway fuel economy," Nissan North America product communications director Dan Bedore confirmed to Autoblog. "Nissan has no announcement on future hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain applications at this time." Nissan actually ended production of the Pathfinder Hybrid in January, and "the hybrid was never a big part of Pathfinder sales," Bedore said to Automotive News. For the price premium, the electrically assisted version that combined a supercharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder and a 20-horsepower electric motor was only rated three or four miles per gallon better in EPA combined ratings than with the V6. However, while the company doesn't outline individual sales of the two, powertrain variants, the SUV is performing well so far this year. Through June 2015, sales are up 4.9 percent with 41,938 units sold. The future for the Infiniti QX60 Hybrid, which is the Pathfinder's more luxurious sibling, doesn't look very bright either. "For the United States, while the QX60 Hybrid continues to be available at some retailers across the country, our production is currently focused on the QX60 3.5 model," Infiniti spokesperson Kyle Bazemore told Autoblog. However, the vehicle is still in production at the Smyrna, TN, factory for export to places like China and Mexico. According to Bazemore if demand happens to increase in the US, "we have the manufacturing ability to make them available." Overall, QX60 sales are also up 14 percent this year in the US.