Infiniti, the premium arm to Nissan, is planning an ambitious offensive that’s concentrated on capturing the premium SUV and crossover market, led by new driver assistance technologies, unique design, and a new V6 petrol powerplant that it deems ‘revolutionary’.
The new model assault actually began with last year’s Q30 hatch and QX30 crossover, developed using the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W176) as a base, and as reported by Autocar UK, will continue with the introduction of a long due replacement for the ageing QX50 and a BMW 4-Series-rivalling coupe in the form of the next Q60 which is due to begin production as early as next month.
Both new models will likely see use of the upcoming 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine, which is reported to feature advanced variable compression ratio technology to maintain the inherent urge and smoothness of a V6 petrol while also able to return diesel-like levels of fuel economy.
Because the Q60 is nearer to production than the next QX50, the new motor will likely make its debut under that car’s bonnet, possibly trickling down to the 2017 model year versions of the Q50 saloon and so on.
The next-generation QX50, however, is further down the pipe but still very much a key part of Infiniti’s expansion plans. Infiniti will likely want to reveal it relatively soon to garner interest in their line of SUVs. Some reports suggest a debut as early as this year’s Paris Motor Show in September, with a possibility of reaching showrooms within the first half of 2018 if not toward the end of 2017.
The QX50 was, in many ways, previewed in the form of the QX Sport Inspiration concept that Infiniti brought to the Beijing Motor Show earlier this year. The dimensions seem to line up as a successor to the current QX50, but the automaker did not disclose whether it should be treated as such or whether it could be another all-new model altogether.
2015 was a year that saw Infiniti’s sales numbers grow more than they have in a long time, spurred by interest in the Chinese market, where a new generation of premium vehicle buyers are more open to brands that don’t just include Germany’s big-three. Infiniti isn’t about to let that upsurge plateau without a fight.
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