Autoblog

Mitsubishi to borrow Diamante successor from Nissan

Noah Joseph — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Luxury

Mitsubishi owners and car enthusiasts may recall a model called the Diamante. It was the Japanese automaker's flagship luxury sedan until it was discontinued in 2004. But now the time appears ripe to bring it back - in the Japanese domestic market, at least.

Rather than develop its own model, however, reports confirm earlier rumors indicating that Mitsubishi will rebadge a version of the Fuga produced by Nissan - a model better known to North American buyers as the Infiniti M. Nissan offers the Fuga/M with V6, V8, hybrid and diesel powertrains. It remains to be seen, however, which engines will find their way under the hood of the Mitsubishi version.

The arrangement is only the latest development in an ongoing partnership between Mitsubishi and Nissan that also includes a rebadged version of the Nissan NV200 Vanette, along with other models. However these exercises in badge engineering aren't expected, for the time being at least, to make it to the North American market.

Mitsubishi to borrow Diamante successor from Nissan originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mitsubishi to sell rebadged Infiniti M... new Diamante in the cards?

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Infiniti, Mitsubishi, Rumormill

2011 Infiniti M37 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi is reportedly considering selling a rebadged version of the Infiniti M sedan in order to fill its void of premium offerings in its home market of Japan. However, Automotive News notes that Mitsubishi's President, Osamu Masuko, has stated that the automaker will not leverage manufacturing deals with other companies in order to expand its lineup here in the United States, so don't expect to see a Mitsu-branded Infiniti on our shores anytime soon.

Mitsubishi's last endeavor into the luxury sedan market was with the Diamante - a car that suffered from lackluster sales numbers during its run throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Due to Mitsubishi's financial woes during the mid-2000s, luxury car development was put on hold. Now, though, selling a rebadged version of the Infiniti M (or Nissan Fuga, as it's known in Japan) would insulate Mitsubishi from research and development costs, making it easier for the automaker to launch back into the luxury segment.

Automotive News reports that the Mitsubishi-badged Infiniti could go on sale in Japan as early as this year. Expect the standard gas version to be the first to wear a triple-diamond badge, though Mitsubishi may sell a version of the M Hybrid, as well. Top tip, Randy!

Gallery: 2011 Infiniti M37: Review

Photos copyright (C)2011 Michael Harley / AOL

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req.]

Rumormill: Mitsubishi to sell rebadged Infiniti M... new Diamante in the cards? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Feb 2011 11:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Infiniti to double fuel mileage with next hybrid

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:40:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Infiniti, Nissan

2010 Nissan Fuga/Infiniti M35 Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Up to this point, Nissan has relied on hybrid technology purchased and licensed from the undisputed leader in hybrid vehicles. That would be Toyota, naturally. But the two Japanese automakers will be moving in separate directions in short order as Nissan has developed its own hybrid powertrain technology, and unlike most other automakers, Nissan's system will debut powering a rear-wheel-drive machine wearing the Infiniti badge.

And there's apparently another way Nissan and Infiniti's first in-house hybrid system will differ from Toyota's full hybrid and Honda's mild hybrid architecture. According to Reuters, Koichi Hayasaki, Nissan's chief engineer of its rear-wheel-drive hybrid system maintains that "Typically, carmakers say the fuel economy improvement on their cars using a 'strong' or 'full' hybrid system is roughly 30 percent, while for 'mild' hybrids, it's 15 percent. We're aiming for an improvement of 60 to 90 percent."

Further, Nissan claims its hybrid system will use a single electric motor and twin clutches (instead of two electric motors as used by Toyota), a move that ought to help make the system simpler and lighter than its competitors. It will also use lithium ion batteries instead of cheaper but less energy dense nickel metal hydride cells. If Nissan can manage to hit all of its targets, we may be looking at a new hybrid standard bearer.

Gallery: Nissan Fuga Hybrid (Infiniti M35 Hybrid)

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Infiniti to double fuel mileage with next hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Jul 2010 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Wald International takes on Rolls, Porsche, Jaguar, BMW and Infiniti... all at the same time

Noah Joseph — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Japan, BMW, Infiniti, Jaguar, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

Porsche Panamera with body kit by Wald International - Click above for image gallery

Tuners typically roll out one package at a time. When a big tuner show like SEMA comes around, maybe a couple at a time. But Japanese tuning firm Wald International is launching five body kits for some of the most desirable top-of-the-line luxury sedans, all at the same time.

Included in Wald's plans are aero kits for the Rolls-Royce Ghost, Porsche Panamera, Infiniti M, Jaguar XJ and BMW 7 Series. Throw in a Quattroporte, Mercedes CLS, maybe a Bentley and the Aston Martin Rapide in there and they'd have the whole kit and kaboodle covered. Not much in the way of details available as of yet on this quintet of modified luxury wheels, but from the looks of it, each has been lowered and mounted with new front fascias, side skirts and big ol' alloys. Check 'em out for yourself below.

Gallery: Wald International luxury sedan body kits

[Source: Wald International via CarScoop]

Wald International takes on Rolls, Porsche, Jaguar, BMW and Infiniti... all at the same time originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 05 Feb 2010 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Nissan Fuga officially, silently takes to the road

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Japan, Videos, Nissan, Luxury

Nissan Fuga - Click above to watch the video after the break

You will soon be watching video of the Nissan Fuga running around a glorious rode somewhere empty and scenic. What's a Fuga? Well, here in the United States we'd call the Fuga the 2011 Infiniti M with tiny wheels. Regardless, the video gives you a 98% complete glimpse of what the new 5-Series fighter from Infiniti will look like in motion. And we think you'll agree, it looks good. Even with that Nissan badge and no sound whatsoever.

In fact, we could see Nissan bringing the Fuga over our way with a Maxima badge slapped on the trunk. Not only won't "Fuga" translate well in America, but ever since the Altima got all grown up (i.e. VQ'd), the once mighty Maxima has become sort of a directionless afterthought. But with both the mountain-leaping GT-R and iconic Z giving the Nissan brand oodles of performance credibility, wouldn't a rear-wheel drive flag(ish)ship sedan make some sense? Anyhow, that ain't happening - ever - so enjoy a preview of the all-new Infiniti M after the jump.

Continue reading VIDEO: Nissan Fuga officially, silently takes to the road

VIDEO: Nissan Fuga officially, silently takes to the road originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2009: Nissan Fuga hybrid to arrive in Japan late 2010, U.S. in 2011

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Technology, Tokyo Motor Show, Infiniti

2010 Nissan Fuga Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

After several years of selling small volumes of its Altima sedan using Toyota's hybrid drive system, Nissan is finally ready to roll out its first gas-electric model using technology developed in-house. The first model to be so equipped will be the new Fuga sedan, a car sold in North America as the Infiniti M.

Unlike the electronic CVT systems used by Toyota, Ford and General Motors, Nissan has opted to configure its system using a conventional automatic transmission - in this case, a seven-speed unit. The electric drive is provided by a single motor sandwiched between the engine and the transmission. A pair of electronically controlled clutches sit on either side of the motor allowing the engine or the engine/motor combination to be completely de-coupled from the transmission.

According to Nissan, the motor has an output of 50 kW (67 horsepower) and 270 Nm (200 pound-feet) of torque, and the system is able to propel the Fuga/M electrically at speeds of up 62 mph. The engine is a 3.5-liter version of Nissan's renowned VQ V6 modified to run with an Atkinson cycle for greater efficiency.

Koichi Hayasaki, senior manager of Nissan's hybrid program, tells us that the final numbers on the engine output as well as the net combined output won't be released until sometime in 2010. As is the way these days, energy storage needs are handled by a lithium ion battery pack using the same kind of modules that are going into the LEAF EV.

The Infiniti M hybrid is expected to arrive in the U.S. sometime in 2011 as a 2012 model.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: 2010 Nissan Fuga Hybrid

Tokyo 2009: Nissan Fuga hybrid to arrive in Japan late 2010, U.S. in 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Tokyo 2009: Nissan Fuga appears more 'M'pressive

Chris Paukert — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:41:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Nissan

2010 Nissan Fuga - Click above for high-res image gallery

We've always thought that Infiniti's current M35/M45 sedan deserved greater consideration from American consumers than it has typically received. With a strong VQ-series powerplant and entertaining rear-wheel drive handling, there has always been a lot to like from behind the wheel, but its restrained styling has seemingly always failed to convey the sort of emotion delivered by the driving experience. Thankfully, judging by its just-introduced Nissan Fuga twin here at the Tokyo Motor Show, anonymous styling figures to be less of an Achilles heel going forward.

Powered in the Japanese market by a pair of VQ-series V6 engines displacing 2.5-liters and 3.7-liters respectively (power figures have not been disclosed), the real emphasis for the next-gen model appears to be on advanced safety and creature comfort technology. We're hoping this focus doesn't result in compromised dynamics, but we are very curious to sample such bits of electronic wizardry as Nissan's "Forest AC" that includes a breeze setting and an aroma atomizer, to say nothing of "Intelligent Pedal," a new system that can actually make braking decisions based on data from the sat-nav unit. In our experience, bearing in mind how often the map data has been wrong in a given vehicle's GPS system, we hope that the system doesn't randomly lock up the binders for a phantom hairpin - especially with someone following a bit too closely behind.

Either way, when the Fuga comes to North America next year, we expect it to once again be powered by either the larger of the two VQ-series V6s or a V8 engine. A hybrid model will hit Japan next autumn, and we hear it's also coming Stateside.

Check out the Infiniti M Fuga's newly voluptuous curves in our high-res gallery below and the official release after the jump.

Gallery: Tokyo 2009: 2010 Nissan Fuga

Continue reading Tokyo 2009: Nissan Fuga appears more 'M'pressive

Tokyo 2009: Nissan Fuga appears more 'M'pressive originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Oct 2009 08:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti confirms production of 2012 M35 Hybrid

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:18:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Japan, Technology, Tokyo Motor Show, Infiniti, Luxury

2010 Nissan Fuga/Infiniti M35 Hybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

Looks like Infiniti is getting more serious about taking on Lexus. Back in August we saw the M get "virtually revealed" at Pebble Beach. We've also been following the tale of the upcoming JDM-only new Nissan Fuga, a car which is virtually identical to Infiniti's M. Then of course Inside Line dropped the M-bomb when they published pics of both the M56 and M37x after their secret pre-production test drive. Meaning we know there's going to be a 400+ hp 5.6-liter V8 M56, a VQ engined M37 (with around 330 hp -- as much or more than the V8 in the outgoing M45 makes) and M37x (x = AWD). There's also a diesel M aimed at Europe. But today we learn there is another.

Specifically, there will be a M35 Hybrid. This will be the first hybrid Infiniti and it's aimed squarely at slow selling Lexus GS400h. Infiniti claims that the hybrid parts will "add to" and not "take away from" the driving experience. As such, there's a Nissan-developed single motor and a twin clutch hooked up to the same output shaft as the engine. This should result in an uninterrupted power flow to the transmission no matter which mode the hybrid system is in. There's also a "laminated" lithium-ion battery that not only stores twice as much power as nickel-metal hydride units, but cools more quickly because of the "lamination." Look for the M35 Hybrid to hit dealers around this time next year as a 2012 model, and a full reveal of the car later this month at the Tokyo Motor Show. And now, where's the new Q?

Gallery: Nissan Fuga Hybrid (Infiniti M35 Hybrid)

[Source: Nissan]

Infiniti confirms production of 2012 M35 Hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Oct 2009 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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New Nissan driver-assist tech helps the James May in you find his inner Stig

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:41:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Nissan

For the last century, automotive engineers have worked diligently to send Charles Darwin's concept of natural selection into obsolescence. It appears that we're inching closer to the time when any fool with a pulse may be able to climb behind the wheel of car and traverse a series of curves looking much more like the white-helmeted mystery driver from Top Gear than Captain Slow. The new Nissan Fuga (known here as the Infiniti M), debuting this fall at the Tokyo Motor Show, will feature fresh technology including new driver assistance systems.

In this case, Infiniti has integrated the GPS navigation system (hope those satellites hang in there) with the M's electronic stability control. As always, ESC uses inertial sensors to detect what the car is actually doing and compares that information to the actual driver inputs to see if they match. If not (i.e. understeer or oversteer) the brakes are individually applied at each wheel and engine torque may be reduced to help make the car go where the driver intended.

The GPS integration allows the system to detect where the road is going ahead and further manipulate the car, while alerting the driver to slow down by pushing the throttle back against his or her footn. Maybe it's all just a part of Nissan's master plan to save trees by preventing cars from being wrapped around them. Or perhaps we're just seeing the evolution of the Idiocracy. You can read the official PR from Nissan after the jump.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading New Nissan driver-assist tech helps the James May in you find his inner Stig

New Nissan driver-assist tech helps the James May in you find his inner Stig originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Next Nissan Fuga to debut in Tokyo, foretells Infiniti M's future

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:26:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Infiniti, Nissan

The JDM Nissan Fuga is due for a comprehensive overhaul, and according to a report by Japan's Holiday Auto, we can expect to see the redesigned sedan at this fall's Tokyo Motor Show.

The sketches above were inspired by a recent batch of spy shots and as expected, the Fuga - which serves as the basis for the Infiniti M in the States - will undergo a thorough exterior makeover, taking cues from the Essence concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show. The headlamps will continue to be stretched further over the fenders, while the taillights and bumper will be more smoothly integrated into the bulbous rump. We're hoping the most interesting element of the Essence - the curved, creased and indented C-pillar - will make a successful transition from concept to production. Expect the Fuga to go on sale in Japan early next year, with the fully-redesigned Infiniti M to debut soon thereafter.

Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept

[Source: Holiday Auto via 7Tune]

REPORT: Next Nissan Fuga to debut in Tokyo, foretells Infiniti M's future originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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