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To Infiniti and beyond: New crossover, hybrid on the way for the luxury brand

01/27/2009, 11:04 AM

By Drew Johnson

Nissan’s Infiniti brand wasn’t quite an overnight success, but the 2003 re-launch of the company’s popular G series really put the marque on the map. Not wanting to be known as a one-hit wonder, the Japanese automaker is working on several new models, with the hopes of regaining some of the original G35’s momentum.

Speaking with Automotive News, John Capps, chairman of the Infiniti National Dealer Advisory Board, revealed that at least three new or heavily updated models are on the way for the Infiniti brand, with a fourth highly likely.

Perhaps most surprising is the revival of the company’s QX SUV nameplate in a smaller package. The QX4 went out of production in late 2002, but Capps says the SUV will be brought back to give the brand a more mainstream alternative to its EX and FX SUVs. “You could call it a car that will appeal to the soccer moms,” he told Automotive News. “So it’s going to have to have something that’s got some size, some style and some luxury. The people in that segment are looking for utility.” Capps sees the new-age QX4 going toe-to-toe with Lexus‘ RX, although it remains to be seen if the new model will be called the QX4.

Capps also revealed that dealers are heavily lobbying Infiniti for another near-luxury model — something along the lines of the current G. However, the new model would likely offer several different derivatives.

In 2010, Infiniti will launch its first hybrid model. Capps failed to mention if the hybrid would be an all-new model or a modified version of an existing car.

Finally, Capps confirmed an all-new version of the company’s M is in the works. The new M should bow sometime in 2011, and will serve as the company’s flagship model. Capps says there are still no plans to revive the Q45 nameplate to compete with the likes of the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series.

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01/27, 11:10 AM

posted by:

Z06ified

As long as they make the QX a real SUV like the last model, I’m OK with the idea. The last thing the world needs is yet ANOTHER crossover. Infiniti already has 2 of ‘em – they don’t need a third.

01/27, 11:11 AM

posted by:

iluvamcars

Thats not good about the Q, but im excited that there is a new M coming and the QX is going to be rivived. Infiniti needs a car smaller than the G to compete with the Audi A3.

01/27, 11:13 AM

posted by:

iluvamcars

oops!

AMERICAN, NOTHING ELSE

01/27, 11:13 AM

posted by:

mayer_ray_nagin

Yeah that EX is really not working out like they planned. Of course overpricing the hell out of it didn’t encourage sales much, but right now with the heavy discounting you can get one under 28k pretty well loaded save a few tech goodies, so if you want a cute ute you can score something cool for the price of a loaded POS CRV or Rav, basically.

01/27, 11:27 AM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

Oh goody, another crossover. Here somebody hold this while I find a fresh vein.

Why not just a G wagon?

01/27, 11:28 AM

posted by:

Z06ified

Yep – my aunt just got a new EX35, and the deal she got on it was great. It ended up being cheaper than the Nissan Rogue upon which it is based, and cheaper than a loaded Murano, and a Toyota Venza. A bit smaller than those latter two, but much nicer interior, better warranty and service, and far more luxury features.

01/27, 11:51 AM

posted by:

arnie2288

What are they talking about? Infiniti already has the QX name around as in the QX56. If Nissan makes this “crossover,” it likely won”t be based on a somewhat capable utility like the Pathfinder or Xterra, it will be based on either the Murano or the FM platform like the EX and FX. Altogether, this vehicle seems like it’s supposed to fill in a nonexistent gap between the EX and FX.
And Z06ified: correction, The EX is based on the Infiniti FM platform, as is the G, M, and FX. The Rogue is based on the Nissan C platform, like the Sentra and Renault Megane.

01/27, 12:09 PM

posted by:

jonmiles

Shows you how “far” this joke of a luxury manufacturer has come: they still can’t even build a flagship luxury sedan that can compete.

01/27, 12:39 PM

posted by:

yarddog82abn

Hay the Q45 was good for it’s time, it could still be around as Infinity’s flagship sedan, not to say the M is not good, but I’m willing to bet the Q45 name plate will have given Infinity a little more prestige…

01/27, 12:59 PM

posted by:

idrinorbarsaku

it good to see the m being redesigned. i can’t really imagine what they can put in it to make it better because it is already a perfect car in terms of reliability and technology, though it might look bland to some people. my family is a big fan of the 2005 q45. It’s ride is amazing and is a great car to own. i wish they could re-introduce that. the qx4 will be nice if they keep it as a small suv type of thing with a slightly lower price point than the ex/fx. but, having the QX name sounds like it should carry a high price just because it’s in the QX line

01/27, 1:38 PM

posted by:

MikeFX

Infiniti needs a 3-row SUV, but not one as large and truck-based as the QX56. Did you hear the soccer Mom comment? It will be a crossover, something slotting in above the FX but below the QX would make sense. I’d like to see a alternative to the M-B GL450.

A new M in 2011 makes sense. The current one is fantastic but may start to look a little stale by then. Just don’t load it it up with too much dumb-driver tech (lane departure, blind spot, etc.).

Maybe not a true hybride, but some kind of gas saving idea would be welcome, as the whole lineup suffers from lousy MPG.

Lastly, a smaller A3-sized car would be fun too. The G is already slightly bigger than a 3-series, so something smaller than the G would still have some value.

01/27, 3:17 PM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

I put infiniti under the category of sh1t just like the rest of the Japcrap out there. Americans don;t give 2 sh1ts about jap cars any more.

01/27, 3:17 PM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

GM is king

01/27, 3:39 PM

posted by:

coolguy8157

I would see the new crossover to be a 3rd row and priced just like an MDX..but with more tech toys… I’m not sure abt the mpg idea…the mpg is pretty much with the rest of the market as of now… so I would say have VVEL on all the engines and you are good to go…:) I agree Infiniti needs a smaller A3 sized car..

01/27, 4:23 PM

posted by:

winnipegjets

guys, dont forget that the current pathfinder is a unibody, so that could very well be what its going to be based off of (which is an awesome idea). a g37 wagon would be kinda cool, but also very pointless, buy an ex at that point. i would like to see them stay with something as big as the current qx, but that probably wont happen because the titan platform is being put out to pasture rather shortly. a car smaller than the g doesnt really have a place in infiniti’s line-up because in 99% of their cars, backseat space is already lacking. finally, as for mpg’s or l/100km, infiniti’s cars and suv’s are competitive in terms of epa ratings, but all inifiniti engines (aside from the 5.6 in the current qx) are more sporty in nature and dont have a problem revving rather high. my mom used to have an fx35 (last generation) and when i drove it the tach really didnt go beneath 3000 rpm unless i was coming to a red light

01/27, 5:36 PM

posted by:

LQQK TwiCe

So they have the EX
The FX
and the QX

but they need one more crossover why? so they can compete with BMW with the X1 x3 x5 and x6?

if soccer moms need a car they would use the QX
and they hybrid model should be a hybrid FX since i feel that is there best selling SUV. Real lovely car.

BRING BACK THE Q. The old Q series Infinit’s still look nice and every time I see one i ask why?

01/27, 7:33 PM

posted by:

DrFill

As long as they don’t have a Q-ship, just like Acura doesn’t have a flagship, they will remain firmly in the 2nd-tier of luxury
DrFill

01/27, 8:28 PM

posted by:

zoomzoomer

The statement “Capps says there are still no plans to revive the Q45 nameplate to compete with the likes of the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7-Series” doesn’t rule out reviving it as a sedan version of the GT-R to compete with the S6, M5 and CLS63 AMG! The M45 is already serving as the brand’s full-sized sedan, Infiniti should instead focus on a lower-volume, higher-performance Q flagship instead of just an even bigger sedan.

01/28, 12:43 AM

posted by:

Impulsive

How about an entirely new line of attractive and desirable vehicles for men? The G coupe is for pansies like ‘DrFool’, the EX … same, the FX is for aliens. Only the G sedan is marginally acceptable. Someone save these clowns.

01/28, 9:03 AM

posted by:

Need more oil for GM

Buy American, buy GM

01/28, 10:42 AM

posted by:

inspire

I think Infiniti is correct in not trying to bring out a Q45 replacement at this time. Market is in shambles, so why throw resources out the window on such a low volume vehicle? Nissan’s not going to receive billions in a government bailout so they have to do with what little resources they have.

While some may shun a company “merely” being a 2nd-tier of luxury, but if that’s what it takes to pay the bills and stay afloat — then sobeit. Nissan was almost broke but their strategic alliance with Renault kept both companies running. Infiniti (less their odd-looking SUV / CUVs) is a solid 2nd-tier luxury company that actually produces performance vehicles with a fairly solid reputation for reliability.

I’m not sure who said the G-coupe is a “pansies” car but have they even driven one? I’m not sure what other cars in the 40k range can provide the features, RWD performance and can be driven all 4 seasons. A Mustang? Corvette? 3-series? S5? (Latter 2 can’t be had for that price with the same features)

Anyway, I’m glad there is a car company going after the “2nd-tier” luxury market consumer. Competition brings other car companies to come out and make better products to suit the consumer’s needs.

01/28, 1:12 PM

posted by:

Impulsive

I’m not sure who said “what other car in the 40k range can provide … ” but a Cadillac CTS coupe will shame everything in its class when it arrives. It looks like a man’s car, not a pansies-r-us POS. Until it arrives, the CTS sedan owns all.

 
 
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