70,704 Miles - Automatic on 2040-cars

Auto blog

Infiniti QX30 Concept is ready to join the compact crossover fray

Today, the compact crossover market is an automotive Klondike. Automakers are scrambling to stake their claim on an increasingly segmented, increasingly valuable landscape. That's especially true in the premium market, where every Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus NX and Buick Encore sold takes up a piece of market share that requires a great deal of effort for another automaker, in this case Infiniti, to reclaim. That makes the new QX30 Concept, debuting this week at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, an extremely important vehicle for the Nissan-owned brand. The QX30 Concept has already been "earmarked for production" and will be launched next year, according to Infiniti. When that happens, we'll see a compact CUV with toned down styling from the vehicle shown here, much like the upcoming Q30 production model. It's fair to say the looks of the QX30 are in direct opposition to those of the aforementioned Lexus NX. Where that car is sharp and angular, Infiniti's designers emphasized the "spontaneous and fluid" look of the new concept. Infiniti's most recent, Q50-inspired design language works nicely in a compact CUV form factor. The double-arch grille and its flanking headlights give the QX30 a refined, almost predatory look. That, as it turns out, is intentional. "The Q30 Concept was like a panther, lithe and slender. We transformed the QX30 Concept into a mountain lion, strong and muscular," Infiniti's Executive Design Director Alfonso Albaisa said in a statement. The strong, wavy character lines in the profile lead into the short, chopped rear overhangs. Above the beltline, the rear window is raked forward aggressively, lending the QX30 a coupe-like profile. In the cabin, we can already see the makings of a production car's interior, with two strong material choices – dark brown and blue leather – highlighting the dash. On the concept, purple accent lighting is emitted from the center stack's controls, while the violet shade carries over into what looks like a digital instrument cluster and the speaker surrounds in the doors. Sections of quilted leather on the seats, meanwhile, look very nice, but we doubt they will make it to production on what is ultimately going to be a reasonably priced vehicle.

Infiniti Q60 to pack upwards of 400 horsepower

Infiniti turned heads when it unveiled the Q60 Concept at the Detroit Auto Show last month. While the concept coupe was revealed with a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6, the Japanese luxury automaker didn't indicate how much power it would produce. But now we may have our first indication. Speaking with an unidentified source at Infiniti during the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, AutoGuide reports that the production Q60 will arrive late in 2016 and pack at least 400 horsepower. A higher-output version of the same engine, however, could produce as much as 450 hp. That would still be significantly less than the Q50 Eau Rouge, which packed the larger 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 from the Nissan GT-R with 560 hp. It would put it right on pace with the likes of the BMW M4 (with 425 hp) and perhaps more importantly, the Lexus RC F (with 450 hp). Related Video:

Infiniti shows off the new Q50 engine lineup in Chicago

Infiniti has a raft of engine options it's rolling out on the Q50 sedan. We found out about most of them a couple of months ago, but they're now confirmed in all their turbocharged glory. And they'll all be showcased this week at the Chicago Auto Show. The base engine is a 2.0-liter turbo four based on a Mercedes design and built at the new joint-venture engine plant in Tennessee. The engine produces 208 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque and will be available in the Q50 2.0t in either rear- or all-wheel drive. If those specs strike you as familiar, they're the same that you'd find in the Mercedes CLA250 and GLA250, both of which similarly make their 4Matic traction optional, but come standard in front- (not rear-) drive form. Above the four-pot sits a new 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 that replaces the naturally aspirated 3.7-liter unit and will be available in two states of tune. The 3.0t model offers 300 hp and 295 lb-ft, but the performance model – dubbed Q50 Red Sport 400 – cranks it up to 400 hp and 350 lb-ft. Both versions come mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and either rear- or all-wheel drive. The fourth powertrain options carries over in the form of the Q50 Hybrid, which still pairs a naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V6 to a 50-kW electric motor for a combined output of 360 hp. So if you like your sports sedan to come with some manner of assist, the Q50 offers plenty of choices. But if you're in the atmospheric camp, we're afraid you'll have to look elsewhere. Related Video: Infiniti Presents Three New Q50 Sports Sedan Engines for the First Time at the 2016 Chicago Auto Show - Q50 Red Sport 400 offers new 400-horsepower VR-series 3.0-liter V6 twin turbo engine - Advanced 300-horsepower VR V6 twin-turbo version shown for the first time in Chicago - Pair of new V6 twin turbo engines joined by new 2.0-liter turbo inline-4 rated at 208 horsepower CHICAGO (Feb. 11, 2016) – Infiniti today revealed the full lineup of new advanced engines for its Infiniti Q50 sports sedan at the 2016 Chicago Auto, including two 3.0-liter V6 twin turbo engines and a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo engine. The trifecta of new powerplants will be available beginning this spring. Joining the three new engine-equipped Q50 models – designated the Q50 2.0t, Q50 3.0t and Q50 Red Sport 400 – on display at the country's oldest and best-attended auto show are the redesigned 2016 QX60 crossover and the all-new QX30 premium active crossover.