Infiniti JX35 QX60 Hybrid confirmed for New York debut

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:29:00 EST

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Hybrid, Crossover, Infiniti, Luxury

The next Q-ified Infiniti will be making its debut at the New York Auto Show later this month, the QX60 - the crossover formerly known as JX35. And while there aren't many changes to the crossover in terms of design or function, the big news is that Infiniti will be revealing a production hybrid powertrain option for its seven-passenger luxury/utility vehicle.

Unlike the hybrid powertrain in Infiniti's M35h gasoline-electric sedan, the QX60 will use a new system which couples a 2.5-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine with a 15-kilowatt electric motor, running to the wheels via continuously variable transmission. Both front- and all-wheel-drive versions of the QX60 Hybrid will be available, and Infiniti says that the more efficient CUV should be good for around 26 miles per gallon combined - an improvement of five mpg over the current JX35 with its 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. And because the compact lithium-ion battery will be housed underneath the third row seat, we're told that the hybrid model will still have the same passenger and cargo capacity of the non-hybrid crossover.

This will be the first three-row hybrid CUV (from a premium brand, anyway) offered in the US market, and wrapping it up in a luxury package makes a lot of sense to us, since it could be a good way of cajoling customers into absorbing the extra cost of the more expensive powertrain. (Keyword in that sentence: CUV. After all, the Cadillac Escalade is still currently available as a two-mode hybrid for the 2013 model year.) Infiniti has not released official pricing figures, but says that the hybrid model will represent a roughly $3,000 premium over the standard QX60.

We'll have the full details in just a few weeks. For now, take a glance below for Infiniti's official press release.

Continue reading Infiniti ~~JX35~~ QX60 Hybrid confirmed for New York debut

Infiniti ~~JX35~~ QX60 Hybrid confirmed for New York debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Mar 2013 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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