Infiniti developing new crossover, hybrid for 2010
Click above for high-res image gallery of the Infiniti EX35
Take a quick glance at Infiniti's line-up in the United States. What's the most glaring omission? A range-topping luxury sedan or possibly a version of the GT-R to serve as it's sporting halo? Not according to John Capps, chairman of the Infiniti National Dealer Advisory Board, who says Infiniti dealers are pushing hard for another entry into the same near luxury segment where the G37 already competes along with another luxury crossover model. It seems that the EX, the automaker's latest CUV, is not selling up to expectations against rivals such as the Lexus RX-series due to its limited utility.
Up next for the automaker, though, are replacements for the M-series sedan and QX full-size SUV, which we surmise may come from a new platform since it's currently based on the Nissan Titan, which is slated to be replaced by a version of the Dodge Ram in a few years. On the green front, Infiniti is also said to have a hybrid on the way for 2010, though we're short on details as to which platform(s) will be so equipped.
Gallery: Review: 2008 Infiniti EX35
[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
JDMlover 6:06PM (1/26/2009)
ummm bring it on ?
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why not the LS2LS7? 6:17PM (1/26/2009)
Oh yeah, what Infiniti is lacking is CUVs.
But I have to say, if I were a dealer I might ask for the same thing. Infiniti can't seem to make a successful CAR outside of the G35/G37. The M is a perfectly good car and no one wants it.
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Torrent 6:27PM (1/26/2009)
Maybe it's the HUGE-ESQUE taillights that drive people away.
I'm not saying that's what it is, but I'm just saying... that's what it could be. The rest of the car is fine though, but the front end needs to be modern-ized. Looks like it's stuck back in 2008. lol
TurboPanzer 6:32PM (1/26/2009)
@Torrent: Nice, you got the new avatar. Please tell me that's a human-killing robot baby ;D
Torrent 6:38PM (1/26/2009)
Nah, ain't he cute, though?
TurboPanzer 6:42PM (1/26/2009)
Yes he is, but the child-support cost certainly won't be lol.
What are the words on his fists?
garlinski 9:13PM (1/26/2009)
Wow... a CUV for Infiniti... go figure. Guess they can stretch that FM platform far enough...
Torrent 9:17PM (1/26/2009)
Love and Hate tattooed on his fists. I said omg it's adorable.
TurboPanzer 11:36PM (1/26/2009)
@Torrent
"I said omg it's adorable."
lmao. I'd have rofl though if the tattoos said the same thing as Uncle Leo's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KM2YdfiKbgs
JakeRS 8:47PM (1/27/2009)
The Infiniti M is the 3rd or 4th best selling car in the class. 5-Series and E-Class are at the top.
Please get the facts right before you open your big mouth.
The Infiniti M is doing just fine.
JF 6:19PM (1/26/2009)
So this is basically a wagon that has suv-like proportions. I don't get it. It's like they start with a wagon and then say "how can we make it less sporty while adding little to no extra utility?"
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j3studio 6:22PM (1/26/2009)
EX35 = small tall wagon with very little rear passenger space, little storage space, and below class mileage. Infiniti isn't yet selling the 2009 version, making me wonder how 2008s are still sitting around...
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MikeW 7:39PM (1/26/2009)
That is why Nissan had better upgrade to the EX37 (VVel engine & 7 speed automatic)
Carlos 6:39PM (1/26/2009)
How about a 1 series competitor!? Holy cow that would be awesome!
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416Hammy 6:45PM (1/26/2009)
Nissan already has a BMW 1-series rival in the 370Z.
In order for Nissan to survive, they know they have to (sadly) defocus from interesting niche-market products (e.g., GT-R-based sedan) and focus on less-interesting volume segments (e.g., CUVs).
I'll bet Infiniti gets both a sporty cute-ute, a la Acura's RDX, and a soccer-mom-friendly crossover/SUV, to compete with Acura's MDX and Lexus' RX350.
thomas 6:49PM (1/26/2009)
@416hammy
uhh... how does a 2 seat sportscar compete with a 4 seat 2 door sedan??
416Hammy 1:23PM (2/05/2009)
Both are sports "coupes".
That's the word you're looking for... "sedans" have 4 doors.
thomas 6:44PM (1/26/2009)
the crossover Infinit/Nissan is probably working on is what would compete directly with the Toyota Highlander/Lexus RX... something large, FWD based and with seating for 7 or 8
also, why is the EX being compared to the Lexus RX? isnt the RX more comparable to the larger FX????
i thought the EX was designed to compete with the BMW X3...
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416Hammy 6:47PM (1/26/2009)
The EX is targeted at the X3... and it's just as useless... it's just missing the little blue propeller on the front that sells the X3 to the brand-whores.
thomas 11:28PM (1/26/2009)
yeah... it replaced the propeller badge with descent design.