Autoblog

Infiniti queues up questionable Q and QX naming scheme

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Marketing/Advertising, Crossover, Luxury

Oh boy, this is about to get confusing with a capital Q.

Infiniti has just announced a brand-new scheme that calls for completely new model names across its entire lineup of vehicles. Making things even more difficult will be the fact that all coupes, convertible and sedans will get a Q prefix while all crossovers and SUVs will be prefixed with QX.

Further muddying the waters, previous engine displacement monikers will be replaced by a double-digit number "representing hierarchy within the range." Put less simply, the slot in the lineup currently held by the G Sedan will be called Q50 while the G Coupe and Convertible will be called Q60. Q70 will replace the M Sedan at the top of the automaker's lineup of cars.

On the truck side, the range-topping QX is now the QX80. Sitting below is the QX70, which was formerly the FX, then the QX60 that used to be the JX and finally the QX50, which was but is no longer the EX. Qonfused yet?

Getting back to the G... excuse us, Q50, this is the new sedan that Infiniti had previously announced would be debuting at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. Best we can tell, this is a replacement for the old G Sedan, and it will sit below the currently available G Coupe and G Convertible, which will be renamed Q60.

The Q50 will be the first model from Infiniti to fall into the new Q-based naming convention, with the rest of the automaker's lineup falling into place as 2014 models are announced. Infiniti said on a conference call that this move was necessary as the brand branches out beyond the United States.

"This strategic change reflects Infiniti's desire for clarity and cohesiveness," says the press release, which you can read below. Hopefully, that will clear everything up for you...

Continue reading Infiniti queues up questionable Q and QX naming scheme

Infiniti queues up questionable Q and QX naming scheme originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2012 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could the Infiniti M replace the Q forever?

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Hyundai, Luxury

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

Take a look at the Infiniti line-up compared to other top-tier luxury automakers and something's missing. Nissan's luxury arm hasn't had biggie-sized luxo-barge after the brand killed the Q45 in 2006, and it doesn't look like a replacement is coming anytime soon.

Speaking with Automotive News, Toru Saito, Infiniti's veep of global business contends that the recently released M sedan will "play a flagship role" for the automaker going forward, and judging by the dimensions of the new M - which comes in around the same size as the old Q - he's partially right.

Despite matching Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz point-for-point on its entry-level and mid-size models, Infiniti's offerings have always straddled segments. The G37 is noticeably larger than the A4, 3 Series, IS and C-Class, while the M - which would traditionally take on the A6, 5 Series and E-Class - has grown considerably since it's last iteration.

According to Saito, if there's significant demand for a larger vehicle in Infiniti's line-up, the automaker will consider reviving the Q, but for now "the No. 1 challenge is the environment and efficiency."

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Infiniti M56

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Could the Infiniti M replace the Q forever? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti will not produce show car, but its Essence will live on

Noah Joseph — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Infiniti

Infiniti Essence Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery

Some concept cars are design studies, while others closely preview production models. But as much as we may have hoped, the gorgeous Essence concept unveiled by Infiniti earlier this month at the Geneva Motor Show will remain firmly in the former, as company spokesmen have reportedly verified that the show-stopping show car will not be entering production.

Alright, so that may be no big surprise, but we're allowed to dream, aren't we? That doesn't mean elements previewed by the Essence won't be trickling down to production models. We certainly hope some of the breathtaking design will find its way into production sheetmetal, and reports suggest that the quirky kink in the C pillar could appear on future products from the premium Nissan division. The long-awaited successor to the flagship Q45, if produced, is tipped to borrow heavily from the Essence's design, while its concept drivetrain is expected to lead the way for a hybrid M as well. So while the show car itself will remain a glimmering memory, its bits and pieces will, in essence, resurface in future Infiniti products.

Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept

[Source: AutoWeek.nl]

Infiniti will not produce show car, but its Essence will live on originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 31 Mar 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Direct-injected VQ engines coming from Infiniti, Q45 successor on the ropes?

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, SUV, Infiniti

Infiniti Essence Concept - Click above for a high-res gallery

According to Car and Driver, Infiniti is readying a direct-injection system for its 3.7-liter V6 and plans to implement it on the refreshed G37 coupe and sedan before the redesigned G arrives in the next three years. A variant of the twin-turbocharged, 3.7-liter direct-injected V6 originally shown in the Essence concept will likely appear in the redesigned M - due in 2010 - and will reportedly put out between 340 and 350 horsepower, but it will not be fitted with the duo of turbos.

While Infiniti recognizes that it could use a successor to the Q45 (the company's slow-selling full-size sedan last roamed U.S. showrooms in 2006) to compete with the likes of Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, the project may be stifled by the floundering economy. Infiniti dealers were evidently shown a concept in Japan earlier this year, assumed to be the next Q, which was essentially a four-door version of the Essence concept that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show. At this point, its future is uncertain.

Larry Dominique, Infiniti's veep of product planning in the U.S., wants to make sure that the automaker's resources are focused on its core products - namely the G and M series - but admitted that a QX56 replacement is in the works and will likely debut after 2010 once the redesigned Armada is released.

Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept

[Source: Car and Driver]

Direct-injected VQ engines coming from Infiniti, Q45 successor on the ropes? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Mar 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ghosn takes his Qs from dealers on new Infiniti flagship

Noah Joseph — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:52:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Infiniti

Before unveiling the simply fantastic new GT-R in Los Angeles, Nissan-Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn did not appear to be a big fan of high-end halo cars. Renault's line-up is limited primarily to compact hatchbacks and sedans, while the Infiniti Q45 was discontinued two years ago without a replacement. But with the GT-R now exceeding expectations, and Renault looking at new flagship models, a new Q flagship is back on the table.

Although Infiniti was until now just for the North American market, like its rivals Lexus and Acura, the brand is being expanded into other emerging luxury markets like China, Korea and Russia. Infiniti dealers from those four markets recently met with Ghosn at Nissan's R&D center in Atsugi, Japan, where they were shown preliminary alternatives for a new Q.

Trouble is, the various dealers from different markets all wanted different things. According to reports, Ghosn isn't convinced a new flagship luxury sedan for Infiniti is the way to go, but he's giving his managers the opportunity to convince him otherwise. If they can present a compelling business case, a new Q could be around the corner.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req'd]

Ghosn takes his Qs from dealers on new Infiniti flagship originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Jan 2008 13:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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