Infiniti to base premium small-car on upcoming 240SX replacement?
05/08/2008, 11:15 AM
By Drew Johnson
Thanks to a grainy camera phone picture that surfaced on the internet last night, it’s a pretty safe assumption that Infiniti’s upcoming premium small car will be a coupe — possibly even spawning a cabriolet. But that got us thinking, what platform will they build it on?
If you remember back to earlier this decade, Infiniti produced the G20 — essentially a spruced-up Nissan Primera. So we know that Infiniti doesn’t have any issues with badge engineering Nissan vehicles. However, Infiniti has moved away from front-wheel drive — it has since axed the G20 and I35 — so there is nothing really in Nissan’s current lineup that could make the move to the Infiniti marque.
However, Nissan is reportedly preparing a rear-wheel drive 240SX replacement in the coming years. After you put your thinking cap on, it would seem to make perfect sense that the next-generation 240SX platform would be the perfect architecture to underpin Infiniti’s upcoming small coupe.
Power for the 240SX replacement will be supplied by a range of four-cylinder engines, with outputs in the 220 horsepower range. While a six-cylinder could be under consideration for the Infiniti-badged version, it would seem more likely that a more powerful turbocharged version of the 240SX’ powerplant would be used. Not only would the smaller engine save on fuel consumption, but it would save on weight and thereby improve overall performance. With the advancements made on the GT-R project, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to see a 2.0L four making 300 horsepower — especially since Infiniti wouldn’t want to be out gunned by the 300 horsepower BMW 135i.
Another tidbit about the cars stood out to us. Both will reportedly be on the market by 2010. This seems just too much like a coincident for us.
And with costs always under consideration by automakers, it doesn’t make fiscal sense to be developing to different but very similar platforms. All questions should be soon answer as it is believed that a concept version of the Infiniti will surface by year’s end.
05/08, 11:38 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
Does Infiniti always have to directly copy Nissan’s sporty cars? I realise they are the same company… but at least offer something besides different styling. The G coupe and Nissan Z are the exact same… and it gets old really fast.
If Infiniti wants a small luxury RWD car… let ‘em make it a sedan. The G sedan has been a huge hit for them… I see tons of ‘em on the road. Let Nissan make the coupe version. If you want two doors get the Nissan… if you want 4 doors and more luxury get the Infiniti.
05/08, 11:45 AM
posted by:
xyunya
I don’t see an issue with Infinity being same platform (hell the same car) as Nissan, but with more powerful engine and a bit more luxury for the price. Infinity needs sub 30K and probably even 25K entry vehicle and there isn’t any. Acura Integra was very popular and did not hurt Acura, yet everyone knew it was Civic in disguise.
05/08, 11:50 AM
posted by:
RaineMan
The RSX (Integra) was a great car for Acura… but it was based on the current gen civic platform… so it was always one step ahead. A RSX-S and a new Civic Si are the same car. So it was not technically a Civic in disguise. It was ahead on the development curve and had a much nicer engine and ride.
05/08, 11:54 AM
posted by:
jumpoffit
some people will want sport with either plain interior and some will want sport with some extra’s (leather,heated seats, blah blah) everyone will have their preference…. and again people it is I-N-F-I-N-I-T-I , is it really that hard?
05/08, 12:04 PM
posted by:
shaver
Sounds good to me. Limit weight of 240sx to 2800#s it wont need more then 220 HP.
05/08, 12:09 PM
posted by:
A4
sweet digs
05/08, 12:10 PM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
The Nissan is going to be a direct competitor for the new Toyota/Subaru but the Infiniti version if it is indeed a coupe will kind of have a little niche all its own for awhile. This begs the question as to whether we can a expect a Lexus variant of the Toyota.
05/08, 12:12 PM
posted by:
Flipper
The Japanese Solstice /Sky twins.
05/08, 12:21 PM
posted by:
Carwatcher
Infiniti’s are japanese BMW’s
05/08, 12:40 PM
posted by:
Need4SSpeed
Yeah basically Flipper, the Nissan Coupe being the Solstice and the Infiniti being the Sky.
I’ll stick with the Nissan 240SX replacement, save myself some $$ and use that for performance mods.
05/08, 2:53 PM
posted by:
xyunya
johnnycanuck, then we gonna have a real debate: which one is superior Subaru or Toyota The popular vote of this forum will declare Toyota complete POS and Subaru the best thing since slice bread.
05/08, 3:23 PM
posted by:
pmpvtkc
awwwwww….I was going to get the 370z but let’s see what this new thing looks like and how it will/might perform when the concept comes out end of this year. By that time, I should have a better picture between a 370z or 240sx replacement.
05/08, 4:04 PM
posted by:
N Spec
Friggin sweet, looks like I may found a brand new DD worthy of driving in the upcoming years.
05/08, 8:01 PM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
I’d rather get this than the 370. Light 4-cyl engines always balance the chassis better than heavy sixes. Plus it’ll be cheaper, rev higher, and can probably be tossed around corners with more style.
The old 240SX was a wicked little performer.
05/08, 8:45 PM
posted by:
LaCaLover
They should call it Sylvia
05/09, 12:19 PM
posted by:
sanfranmac
My 1996 240SX (final model-bought new) always BLEW the doors of my old (4th owner- I sold to a fifth) BMW 2000. On the Stinson Beach Hwy-1 switchbacks north of San Francisco, few cars have been as pleasurable to drive as the 240SX. Even today, this 155bhp, 155lb-ft 2.4 liter carves the corners so cleanly, and its low down torque and the K24DE engine’s grunt coupled with a 2700lb weight, make this car near perfect. I WISH this AMAZING formula would return. Instead we have the 3785lb G37 coupe (which I test drove but rejected) last the Gestalt of simplicity and motoring made pure. The 240SX still gives me 33mpg hwy (I dont drive it in the city EVER). I can only replace it with its true successor- a light weight, rear drive 4 cylinder coupe. THe 2001 Japan only Silvia would have been perfect if it had come stateside.