Nissan ’s global design chief, Shiro Nakamura, revealed that Nissan is considering expanding its Infiniti brand. The Infiniti expansion would include a new small car to slot below the current G, a high-end sports coupe similar to the upcoming Nissan GT-R and a people mover.
Infiniti’s smallest engine offering is currently a 3.5 liter V6 but the company sees merit in using a 2.5 liter four-cylinder for a small car. Infiniti hasn’t offered a small, four-cylinder car since it stopped production of the 2.0 liter G20 in 2002.
According to Automotive News, Nissan is also considering giving the Infiniti brand a sports coupe or convertible that would be very similar to the Nissan GT-R due out in 2008. Officials say the 500 horsepower of the GT-R isn’t suited for Infiniti’s refined image, but there is interest in the segment.
Nakamura also said that Infiniti could receive an all-new people mover, a vehicle different from a minivan or SUV but one that doesn’t crowd Infiniti’s FX or EX crossovers.
Infiniti has market launches planned for China, Europe, Japan, Korea and Russia, giving Nissan economies of scale for Infiniti models. According to Larry Dominique, North American product planning vice president for Nissan and Infiniti, “That makes more things possible for us [Infiniti].”
