Infiniti to launch 'revolutionary' V6 engine and new SUV

The replacement of aging QX50, autonomic technologies and advanced V6 engine is set to lead the global growth of the brand in the premium segment

Nissan’s Infiniti brand is preparing for a full-scale assault on the expanding global premium market, headed up by a “revolutionary” new petrol engine that offers V6 power and diesel economy.

The company will also be launching a new medium-size global crossover — a replacement for the ageing QX50 — and intends to roll out ever greater levels of driver assistance and autonomy on its full range of vehicles between now and the end of decade.

Brand sources claim that Infiniti has long led the industry in driver assistance, being the first to launch Lane Keep Assist (in 2001) and Lane Departure Warning (in 2004), as well as the autonomy-friendly ‘steer by wire’ set-up in 2014.

Details are still scarce, but it’s understood that the new engine features variable compression ratio technology — likely to be a world-first — and is close to production. It’s thought that the engine, which is also said to offer high levels of refinement, will feature in the new global crossover.

A new QX50 was first hinted at by the QX Sport Inspiration concept, which was revealed earlier this year at the Beijing motor show. It’s expected to arrive as a production model late next year or early in 2018.

Infiniti’s new model roll-out started last year with the Q30 hatchback and QX30 compact Infiniti readies premium push A new SUV, autonomous tech and an advanced new V6 engine are set to lead brand’s global growth crossover, which are based on Mercedes’ A-Class platform. The first production site for these cars was the Nissan plant in Sunderland, but a new factory in Mexico — a joint venture between Daimler and Infiniti — will begin producing the Q30 and QX30 next year for tariff-free export to the US.

The US and China are seen as the two biggest potential premium markets for Infiniti, so the new Q60 coupé, which goes into production in August, is expected to give the brand a significant boost. It’s a more sophisticated and luxury- orientated replacement for the current Q60, which dates back to 2007 and is based on the brand’s well-regarded but ageing Front Mid-Ship rear-wheel drive platform.

The rear-wheel- drive Q60 — which is also expected to be sold in the UK — will be offered with the brand new twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 engine, which produces 300bhp and 295lb. All-wheel drive will also be available as an option.

Shiro Nakamura, the Nissan group’s chief creative officer, says the new Infiniti models currently under development will put a design emphasis on surface treatments that make the cars’ skins “look like worked metal”. Much of the inspiration comes from the golden age of the ‘Italian Carrozzeria’ — the classic design houses of the 1950s and 1960s.

Can Infiniti maintain its growth?

Despite being founded back in 1989, Infiniti has only made progress in fits and starts. Last year, however, was a key one for the Japanese brand, with record global sales of 215,250 vehicles, some 16% up on the previous 12 months. It was also the first time in its history that the company broke through the 200,000 mark. (It’s worth noting that Jaguar sold just 84,000 cars globally in last year.)

The brand’s single biggest seller in 2015 was the Q50 saloon in standard and LWB forms (78,800 units), followed by the QX60 large SUV (54,800). The US — where Infiniti originally launched — is still the biggest market, with 147,600 sales (a 14% rise). The brand is new to China, but the country’s younger, less traditional premium buyers are taking to Infiniti, with 40,200 cars sold last year, 34% up on 2014.

Western Europe remains a problem for the brand, with just 7000 units sold in 2015 — but that’s a significant 45% up on the year before.

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